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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

“Left Unsaid” by Danielle Hauck

Submitted to Contest #76

“Claire and Patrick are getting a divorce,” Marge said, over the sound of the weatherman’s predictions for the day. “What was that?” her husband, Ron, answered. “I said Claire and Patrick are getting divorced. Apparently, they’ve been sleeping in separate rooms for years.” “Oh dear,” Ron said, “Would you like cream or sugar in your tea?” “Just some sugar. But can you imagine? Married for thirty years and throwing in the towel? I mean, Patrick was far from perfect, but Claire had her own fair share of nut-so moments over the years too.” Her h...

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“Potentially Perfect Picture” by Danielle Johnson

Submitted to Contest #76

Blue and Cloud didn’t fit. But that doesn’t mean they weren’t forced to try. Every day, their lives were intertwined and they were forced to attempt to work in harmony, and every day they would end up messing it up for everyone else. Blue was part of the sky. He was part of a group of several pieces able to create the giant abyss above the earth. They were all necessary to create the entire picture and none were more or less important than the other. He's used to being able to be a part of something. Blue along with many others all contribu...

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“Tickets Pleased” by Samuel Liddicott

Submitted to Contest #76

“I said I would like two tickets please.” “Two pickets sir? I don’t understand.” If I sounded exasperated, it’s because I was. Me, a young man in the prime of his health, well-to-do, accomplished, and relatively well known, exasperated. They always promise that a new decade will bring about new accomplishments, new achievements, a better life. So far, however, I’m not convinced. The 30s seem very much like the 20s. “Yes” I replied “I mean no, not pickets, tickets man, tickets.” “I do apologize sir, but I am in a bit of a misunderstanding...

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“Holy man! ” by Stephanie Njoku

Submitted to Contest #76

IMelanie stood with her shoulders high, staring blatantly at the clock as it ticked."I can't miss this for anything.""tell mum I'll be home by 8."She said.Tom watched her incessantly as she picked up her bag racing to the door. She stopped, just in time to utter her last word."don't sell me out. I really hope you don't." said Melanie Tom nodded hesitantly. He wasn't much of a talker but he'd always do the right things at the right time. He grabbed the remote control, flipping channels."Aha! Mr bean." He exclaimed in delight.He watched c...

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“The Mysterious Souls” by Dua Z

Submitted to Contest #76

This story is a horror and psychological story, that throws light upon emotions but in a mysterious and suspicious way. The characters are as mentioned below. Mr. George- the protagonist who is very stressed Ms. Greta- The old governess who has a lively soul, smoky grey hair, and an angelic smile Mr. Thomas- The mysterious house owner Servants STORY “Sir George I hope you are in the best of health and happiness. Now I’m going to promptly sign you your official duty as the caretaker of the house.” said, Mrs. Greta, the governess of the hous...

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“Sadly The Truth Will Out” by Emma Sillett

Submitted to Contest #76

I have no friends. Every person I meet leaves, and I don't mean they leave eventually after a few months because of some heartbreaking reason that will cause you to pity me. They leave after approximately thirty minutes of talking to me...Why? Because I am incapable of telling a lie.My truth always will out, like vomit after a heavy night out, a thick, fast chunder of words that force themselves out of my mouth irrespective of the consequences. Some of you may think this is a good thing, a life of 'the whole truth and nothing but the truth',...

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“Killer Lies” by Hayley Roberts

Submitted to Contest #76

Finley’s first recorded kill is in kindergarten. The first domino falls when she takes two pieces of candy instead of one from the Sweet Bowl Ms. Anderson has set up in the back corner of the class. The small classroom is ginormous in young Finley’s opinion; the ceiling as reachable as space. The walls are an ugly beige, which Ms. Anderson strategically covered with colorful posters on math and science and reading. The poster hanging up just behind the Sweet Bowl in the back of the room is blue with a cartoon superhero on the...

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“Lie to me” by Deborah Sansone

Submitted to Contest #76

William always kept his promises. It was one of the reasons I married him. I heard him open the front door and drop his keys on the table. His steps were heavy on the stairs, as he made his way to our bedroom. A few moments later, his large athletic frame filled the doorway and his intense black eyes met mine. I could tell he had seen my suitcases by the front door. “Lie to me,” I said. He lowered his gaze to the floor. He stepped inside the room and walked to the window. He pushed back the curtain, “It looks like a st...

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“Truth Serum” by M.W. Nel

Submitted to Contest #76

With a drink in hand and the fire crackling on the grill, Holly was glad she decided to come to her best friend, Evelyn’s party. She wasn't one for big parties preferring one on one social gatherings, though sometimes it did her good to get out and meet new people. “Guess who just walked in?” Evelyn pulled Holly away from her thoughts as she claimed the seat next to her. “Evelyn, you know I am not good with guessing games.” “Oh come on. I’ll give you a hint.” When her only reply was an eye roll, Evelyn took that as a go. “He has choc...

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“Be Kind Tell White Lies” by Valerie Preston

Submitted to Contest #76

Be Kind Tell White Lies “I’ve got no friends and nobody likes me!” Well that’s not actually true. I like you”. “Yes but you’re my mum. You’re supposed to like me”. She replied. “Not all parents like their children” Jennie’s mother continued. “I had a friend when I was young and her mum and dad couldn’t stand her. They were horrible to her and she went off to live with her Gran”. “Yes but Mum that’s unusual isn’t it?” Jennie replied. “I’m just saying that if you didn’t like me, who would? I just don’t understand people and especially the on...

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“Never Told A Lie” by Kiera Nonnenmacher

Submitted to Contest #76

Have you ever wanted to just tell the truth but you know you can't because you know will get let off easier if you lie? Well good for you, you’re normal! I, on the other hand, am not normal. No matter how hard I try, I just can not tell a single lie. Not even a half-lie. People normally call me harsh or heartless. I try to tell them the truth but they think I'm lying. Only if they knew the truth. "Alana, are you ready?" my mom asked me. "No mom! You are being very annoying right now!" I respond. At the moment I knew I was in trouble.&n...

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“PINOCCHIO” by Awatif Anuar

Submitted to Contest #76

TW: self harm, mental illness “Is it true that you like me, Ava?” asked Noah with an annoyed face. I stuttered when I heard his question. Should I be honest or not?. “Of course not”, said me in low voice. Suddenly I start to hiccup. Noah laughs and starts assaulting me with his nasty words. “What qualification do you think you have to like someone like me, ha?” said him arrogantly. I start to cry and run away. I felt very embarrassed and could not sto...

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“Truths Untold, Lies Unsaid” by Raveena Weerabahu

Submitted to Contest #76

“It tastes disgusting!” The mother’s eyes searched the faces at the table as she served each plate generously. The father chewed with steadfast resoluteness; his impassiveness at this moment of more paramount importance than the poker game he had returned from. The children pushed charred edges around the plate noiselessly – having learned long ago the lesson of silence. There was no complaint. “That looks ridiculous” The mother nodded encouragingly as she proudly celebrated the illegible scrawl that the boys produced; exclaimin...

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“Honesty Brings Love” by Ghost Writer

Submitted to Contest #76

PainPain is what falls like rain. Never ending like a train. It kills, it maims. It's got too many names. And it’s got fame. That’s just lame. It makes one cry. We all want to try, to get through that pain from time to time. That’s my line of rhyme. Pains got to make an impression, so it shows through depression. It’s like fear, it makes it feel like the millionth year. Seconds go by that feel like hours, we need to feel the power. But we can’t we’re stuck in a trance. Unable to fight through it, got to tell you the truths. We’re all de...

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“A Second Set of Bars” by G Suzanne

Submitted to Contest #76

A cloudless sky resting on a featureless horizon. A sea of the stubbly remains of grain stalks. A two-lane road, deserted, stretching as far as he could see in either direction. So, so much space. It’s good to be free, Jamie said in his mind. He tried to say it out loud. “I’m scared to be free.” It was always interesting to find out how he really felt. A speck appeared on the road in the distance, growing larger until it turned into a pickup truck. It pulled up in front of him and Jamie recognized his older sister, Anna, ...

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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.

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