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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

“The Invitation” by Bessie Mbadugha

Submitted to Contest #76

Eric: I called you last night…Patrice: You did?Eric: I texted, but when you didn’t reply I called and you didn’t answer. No wait, actually, I called and then I texted. Anyway, I kinda figured why you didn’t want to respond but you could’ve replied anyway. I was starting to worry…Patrice: Wait, what do you mean that you knew why I didn’t want to reply?Eric: You know. The whole staying out of drama thing. I respect that, truly. But you could’ve still replied.Patrice: What type of drama are you getting yourself into now?Eric: Nothing. Nothing h...

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“In the Afterlife” by Zoltan Bartok

Submitted to Contest #76

“Tim, I wish I could just tell you everything I already know. I can’t. Please, don’t be offended when I say this... You are not ready. You would just get utterly confused. Besides, I can’t because there is a lot to know, I couldn’t just give it to you in a nutshell. Patience. Everything in due time. And time, we have plenty.” “That was my next question.” Tim said. “I know my love, and the answer is yes. Yes, we’ll be together. I’ll be guiding you… just as I did in the past.” “In the past?” Tim asked puzzled. “You want to hear more abou...

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“"Enlighten me" ” by Khloe Crawshaw

Submitted to Contest #76

“This never would have happened if you would have just-” “What! If I would have just what, Linn? Please oh please, enlighten me of all of my shortcomings up until this moment!” “Hey! I am trying my best over here! You think if I could go back and change everything I wouldn’t?” “Just admit that some of this is your fault too! It's not all me!” “Oh really? We’d be a happy family right now if you wouldn’t have always put work first all the time, and maybe you could have paid attention to the kids at all? Not just thrown presen...

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“A shoe beer is when you chug beer out of a shoe” by Just Writing

Submitted to Contest #76

'No like you don't get it she was like cute cute, like bring home to mom cute.''Bro do you understand that you say this exact sentence to me, like this exact sentence to me, every other week''Ok but this time it's different''It was different with Ally''Ok Ally was- ok yeah Ally didn't go according to plan but-''And what's this girl's name''Callie''You're fucking with me''No what Callie's a fine name, I think it's actually kind of cute''I swear to god next week you're gonna be telling me about this cute girl named Sally''Come on bro don't be ...

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“Let's Talk Under the Stars ” by Rae Ame

Submitted to Contest #76

“You know, your two ears are so you can do twice as much listening.”“And your one mouth is so you can do half as much talking.”“Well, I have a lot to say.”“You always do.”“Besides, I like talking to you.”“Man. Give it a week. I’m sure I’ll be getting the silent treatment at some point.”“I mean, sometimes I don’t want to talk. But I always LIKE talking to you.”“... I like talking to you too. Even when it seems like I’m not listening sometimes. I always am.” "..."“There’s another one.”“How many is that?”“13, I think.”“I wonder how many are rea...

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“Cornish Rivera express” by Soghra Fatima

Submitted to Contest #76

(Renee and her sister allie are traveling to their grandma's place with their mother. While on the train, the family converses in detail after a long time and they end up discovering a thing or two about each other.) Renee: it's getting pretty cold in here isn't it, I wonder how it might be at grandma's, my God I can't with this chilliness I need to get a hot beverage and a blanket ASAP! Mom: well I think that's because someone decided to strip off as much clothes as possible while visiting their grandma, if only you both ever listen to ...

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“The ICU” by Caitlin Biggs

Submitted to Contest #76

“I need to go home.” “We can’t let you go, Meredith. We’ve already talked about this. Your case manager is finding a hospital with an open spot for you. Try to get comfortable in the meantime.” “Comfortable… Comfortable?! How am I supposed to get comfortable when I’m being held against my will, knowing that my life is falling apart in the meantime? I’m alive. I’m healthy. Let me go, goddammit!” “Meredith, what are you doing? There isn’t anything in those cabinets.” “Where are my things? I’m grabbing them and I’m leaving.” “They’re not in the...

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“The Annoucement” by Diana Caskey

Submitted to Contest #76

Striding into the room the tall intruder announces, “Hey lovely Maria, you have been noticed.” “What” she states, alarmed? “The Boss has noticed you. He has been watching you for a while and is, well, how do I say this? He is impressed.” “Who are you anyway and how did you get in here” she cries? “Well, that’s not all that important,” he smiles knowingly. “I do have my ways. The thing is, the Boss thinks you are quiet a beauty, something special, he has been watching over you for some time.” “What are you talking about,” she babble...

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“Positively Responsible” by Rhonda Allen

Submitted to Contest #76

Positively Responsible “Jay, I worked hard on this budget.” “I know you did Beth” “Then why don’t you want us to follow it?” “I like most of it, but there isn’t anything in it for fun” “Fun? I can tell you what isn’t fun, getting heat or electricity shut off, or no food in the house” “That’s what I mean, the entire budget is bills, bills, bills.” “That’s not true, there is a nest egg account for later” “Later, but we need to live now” “That’s what I’m trying to do, let us live comfortably” “So you are saying as long as we work and pays al...

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“No Verse is Libre ” by George Georgerfrost@gmail.com

Submitted to Contest #76

“Thomas” He arose from his chair where he had been sitting for the past six hours. The chair was not comfortable, It merely served as a rare solitude for him as a patient in St. Elizabeth’s Mental Hospital. “Ezra. Good to see you. “Congratulations are in order. Three major literary awards. People are really taking note of your Pisan Cantos.” Thomas stood up and embraced his editor and long time friend. “Thank you, thank you. My cantos sing the song of the angels.” His laugh could not hide his irritation with b...

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“Turnaround (the sequel) ” by Grace Estano

Submitted to Contest #76

Peace?Huh? There was only one person in this whole wide world who called me by that name.Alexander?Yeah. It is me, Alexander..not the great, though. You have ccome back. Welcome home, my Peace!Don't get your hopes too high. I just came to get the rest of my things. A taxi is waiting at the gate for me. I am in great hurry.All your things?All my things. Don't worry, I am not carting away what you had given me.Peace, Peace...Stop calling me that. Name's Paz!Peace, Paz, whatever, It doesn't make any difference. I still like to call you Peace......

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“The Heckler” by Ben Sunderland

Submitted to Contest #76

“Ladies and Gentleman, it seems we have a joker in our midst! Someone, get me a spotlight and mic for this guy. Now, please. Thank you. So, what were you saying?”“I said, I said–whoa! That's loud. I said you're not funny. I paid thirty quid for this rubbish. And it's not funny.”(“Boo!”)“Be nice! So, you think you're a funny guy? You got jokes, Mr Funny man?”“I know a couple.”“Well let's roll out the parade, folks! He knows a couple of jokes! Praise the lord! You think you can make these fine people laugh?”“Wouldn't be hard!”“How many you had...

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“Best Man” by Larissa B.B

Submitted to Contest #76

-Dude, it's the last warning, I need to close the bar. Said the bar owner. -My best friend is getting married. -That's nice... -And I am his best man. -This is even better... -I was. -But I need to close. -You know when you've always been a coward and when you finally take action, it's too late and you miss the chance. -I think so, but seriously, man... -That's it. All my life I never fought for anything, I just accepted what was coming and I was satisfied. My friend, who is getting married, is not like me. He always knew how to live life an...

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“Through the Rapids” by Stephen Jones

Submitted to Contest #76

“Not that way - the water’s too rough. Cut a little to the right and we should be able to make it between the logs.” “OK.” “There we go. Should be smooth at least to the next bend.” “Yup.” “Ted?” “Mm hmm.” “Ted...what are you thinking about? You seem lost.” “No...I’m right here. Just soaking it in. It’s good to be on the river again. Sun’s finally out, birds are singing.” “It is nice. But are you sure? It’s just felt a little tense since we left.” “Hm. I suppose. You sure you want to do this? It’s a mighty fine day out here...

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“Badge and Broke” by Anastazia Rudolph

Submitted to Contest #76

“I got a letter this morning.” “A letter?” “Yeah, a letter. From my girl on the outside.” “How’s she doing, with the baby and all?” “She’s uh… She says she’s leaving me. She’s taking little Emily and they’re leaving.” “No shit? Damn it, man. Where’s she going?” “I don’t know. She wouldn’t say. Probably thinks I’m too dangerous to be around my daughter. I only even got to see Emily once. She was born the day before I got locked up.” “That’s fucked up, dude. Real fucked up.” “I probably deserve it, man.” “What are you talking...

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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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