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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#76: He Said, She Said

Is there anything more satisfying for a writer than that moment your characters suddenly come alive in your mind? For me, this often comes in the form of a conversation — I know I finally understand them when they start talking to each other without any effort on my part.

From witty banter to subtle conversations packed with unspoken threats, there’s so many ways dialogue can drive a story forward. As you craft your stories this week, really think about what your dialogue is saying about your characters. What are they willing to admit to each other, and what are they trying to keep hidden?

And in case you need a little help crafting the perfect retort, here’s a few resources to get your characters talking:

This week's prompts

Write a story told exclusively through dialogue.

Dialogue – 349 stories

Write about two people who just can’t seem to understand each other, no matter how clearly they think they’re speaking.

Sad – 79 stories

Write about a character who is incapable of telling even the smallest lie or half-truth.

Character – 80 stories

Write a conversation that takes place between two people who refuse to say what they mean.

Dialogue – 58 stories

Write about a character who’s always thinking of things they’ll say to people, but who ends up saying very little when they finally get the chance.

Character – 219 stories

Stories

“Sessions” by Debee O.N

Submitted to Contest #76

"How long have we been married for?" "Two months." "A painful, unending two months." "The first day we met, hmmm...well, I don't quite remember the date, I mean," an awkward laugh "who does that?" "On the fifteenth of January 2015, I met my husband on campus, he was a librarian at the school library." "What she was wearing...why're you asking me that, is this a trap?", He blinked, "I don't even remember what I was wearing...Ugh, I've got to answerrrrrrr...okay," he looked to the ceiling, squinting in thought, "I think it was a gow...

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“ Maria” by Amanda S.Lugo

Submitted to Contest #76

Doctor Salazar opened the door to see her patient, Maria. _ Hello, please come inside. _ Salazar said with her usual polite tone and neutral expression. The young woman went into the clinic office quietly. _ Long time no see! Please sit. _the psychologist gestured _You have skipped many sessions! I was getting worried about you. _ The psychologist said while organizing some sheets. Maria sat down and started fidgeting with her hands. _ May I ask you what happened? You seem anxious in a positive way?_ Salazar clicked his ...

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“The Fightin’ Armadillos” by Jim Shultz

Submitted to Contest #76

“Nine-one-one dispatch. What is your emergency?” “I’m shot! I just got shot in the stomach! I need help!” “Ok sir, what is your location?” “I’m off Highway 47 at the Dillonville Exit. About one mile east of the highway on the first dirt road. I think it’s county road 400 North. Please hurry! I’m bleeding all over the place!” “Ok sir I’ll send an ambulance and a patrol car. Is the shooter still in the area?” “Shooter? Yeah, I guess you can say he’s still here.” “Are you in immediate danger, sir?” “No- well yes I’m shot! But I’...

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“DIY” by Meg Ro

Submitted to Contest #76

“That’s hideous.” “It’s cream.” “It’s bland.” “It’s called ‘Frosted Wheat’.” “And we might as well not even bother wasting money on paint if we’re going to slap another coat of white on the walls.” “This isn’t white.” “It’s white.” “It’s neutral.” “White.” “It’s color to tan than it is white.” “No, it’s not. It’s a light brown.” “That swatch looks like coffee that has too much milk in it.” “Still coffee.” “Still an ugly color. We should go with...

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“Fortunes ” by Vincent Cruz

Submitted to Contest #76

“Did you like it?” Paul asks. “I did, but It's not as good as our usual place,” Mary says. Paul lowers his eyes to the candle on the table, “I agree.” The waiter places the check on a tray with two fortune cookies, “please take your time,” he says and leaves. Mary catches eyes with Paul, “my favorite part.” “Does that mean you’re paying?” “Not the check, silly. You know.” “Our Fate…” “Our fortunes.” “The coincidental generic poetry on small white pieces of paper…” Paul says. “Choose one…” ...

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“A Victorian Affair” by Oliver Golding

Submitted to Contest #76

“Good evening, dear. Lovely little soiree the Loughtons have put on tonight, isn’t it?” Lavinia said. Isabella took a sip of her wine and glanced around the room. “Indeed it is. I haven’t seen such gaiety in some time. I suspect it’s because Lord Loughton is trying to save face after his son refused the position he had set up for him with the East India Trading Company.” “Whatever for?” “From what I hear, the boy wants to be a poet.” Isabella sneered. “Percival refused such an honorable and lucrative position for THAT? With his eldes...

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“Dirty Kind of Green” by Matthew Hummel

Submitted to Contest #76

-Did you find the shack ok?-Hard to miss it. You’re the only light on the lake.- How I like it, more fish for me-- the walleyes bite best after dusk. You can go ahead and set your bag on the table next to the stove. Don’t mind the dog, that’s Fillmore, likes to stay by the fire.- Beautiful coat. Beagle? -Coonhound. Got him to keep the woodchucks out of my garden though he mainly just licks his asshole as if he’s fixin’ to mail it.-...-Pull a chair up in front of me between the two holes, there’s some...

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“A Glance at a Broken Relationship” by Charlotte Davis

Submitted to Contest #76

Andrea: Julie! Finally, you picked up. I’ve been calling you this whole week. Julie: Sorry mom. I’ve been meaning to call you. I just swamped the whole week. Today is my only break day. Andrea: It’s fine. How is life at college? Are you passing your classes so far? Julie: It’s okay. How are Anne and Jack? Andrea: They miss you. They have to do the chores so they want you back so you could do it for them. Anna: I miss you, Julie. Jack keeps telling me to wash the dishes but I keep telling him that it’s a shared job. Julie: The dishes are in y...

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“Insect Contestation: The Impact of Deforestation on the Stability of the Mauve Tree Ecosystem” by Jo S.

Submitted to Contest #76

You wouldn't know just by looking at me that I did a Masters at university. I don't think it's particularly on-brand for a Master’s Graduate to spend all her time on Instagram and pop a mini bottle of champagne at eleven o'clock in the morning. Whatever, it's a Sunday, and I know how loud Sundays are in this house. There's a small National Park about two hours away from where I live. It's not a popular destination for hikers because the path is narrow and rocky and in summer, bugs fly into your collar and spiders trap you in their webs....

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“Windows” by Kwan Weber

Submitted to Contest #76

Bella Nelson was slumped over her desk, gently snoring at the back of the classroom. Her face was concealed by a book she had plastered to her desk, leaving no evidence of her mid-morning nap. As Mrs Webster talked over the grunts of Bella’s snooze, the class was interrupted by an unlikely visitor. Awoken by the noise, Bella sat up sleepily in her chair, leaning her feet against the rim of her desk. As she pulled a jumper over her ripped shirt, she managed to glance through a broken seam and saw the most unexpected person to be walking throu...

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“Overdramatic” by Grace Williams

Submitted to Contest #76

‘Fucks sakes rose, I told you to do this one goddamn thing for me, and you couldn’t even do that!’ When he gets like this there’s not really much you can do. Also My name is Rosie not Rose, not that he has ever asked or cared which I prefer. ‘I’m sorry, I just forgot.’ I was genuinely sorry, and I had forgotten, But I was also starting to get angry. Yes he’s my boyfriend and yes I mucked up but I have been trying so hard to keep everything together as best as I can and I really don’t have the energy to fight with him right now and he knows t...

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“Unfulfilled ” by Lydia Shona

Submitted to Contest #76

In novels, the weather typically reflects the mood. Today would have been a dreary day if this held any truth. Rain would pitter-patter on windows with an empty echo, and the sky would bellow out with loud cries of thunder. Instead, it was a crisp autumn day. The sun shined through the shifting clouds, and slight gusts of winds ruffled the leaves. In a quaint sitting room are two people. To the rest of the world, they are nobodies. Just a tiny insignificant part of the world compared to the billions that walk this planet. To them, th...

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“What I Mean Is” by Ed Friedman

Submitted to Contest #76

Gwen stands behind the couch, watching Arthur flip channels on the remote with alarming speed. She’s seen him do this many times before, but for some reason, tonight she stands transfixed as the images fly by on the television at the speed of light. Arthur senses her presence but doesn’t turn around. “I thought you were going to bed”. He tosses the words over his shoulder. “I was, but I wanted to see what captivated you so much that you’re not”. “I was watching something but then I lost interest”. “Yeah, given the flipping around ...

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“Oblivious ” by Zeina Ghanem

Submitted to Contest #76

I know he is mocking me. I feel it in my bones. This overwhelming sensation of humiliation and embarrassment that takes its stride when you bear witness to it happening. It unfolds in front of you like a sealed letter from an envelope. You can't help but glance around in haste hoping that nothing is out and it is all still concealed. He hates me. I just know it. I simply refused to dance with him because I can not contain my feelings very well. I struggle to hide them when I see him, especially when his bright brown eyes linger mor...

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“A Phone Call” by Lydus Kyd

Submitted to Contest #76

A sudden phone call disturbs my contemplation and brings me back to reality from which I desperately want to escape. It was my grandma, asking me to visit her the next day to collect important articles for a party at our place. As I was returning back to my world, my daydreaming breaks with the sound of the door being slammed, a middle aged woman enters. Who called you?She will again begin her unnecessary ram...

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$50

Prize money

787

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jan 15, 2021 EST

Won by Rinnie Leigh 🏆

Title: Him

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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