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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

“Skulker” by Jordan T

Submitted to Contest #76

“Oto! Hey Oto! Come look at this!” “What? Keep your voice down. This place might not be deserted.” “This place is about as empty as it can get. Stop worrying, have a look at this. I’ve never seen this type of design before.” “That is odd. Why do you think they built the window with so many angles? Makes the thing hard to look at.” “Hard to look at? I think it’s pretty, so it’s probably for decoration.” “Aela, just because you think something’s pretty doesn’t mean it’s just decoration.” “Doesn’t mean it’s not.” “Fine. Well while...

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“Getting to Know Love” by Luna Vera

Submitted to Contest #76

TW: mentions of suicide and substance abuse“I’ve told you plenty of things about myself. You do know me""No, I know what you tell me, which is basically nothing.""Oh, shut up, I tell you everything! I have been the one that has been honest and open through this relationship.""That's where you're wrong. Yeah, I know shit about you, like you know shit about me, but do not come and tell me that I haven't opened up. Since the day we met I've been open and honest with you. Of course it took time to tell you everything, but I tried my best. I trie...

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“Story Sense ” by Julia Corliss

Submitted to Contest #76

“Once upon a time,” began the storyteller, as he approached a bored village child in need of a story. Startled by the sound of the storyteller's voice, the child looked up and asked, “Once upon when?” “A time,” answered the storyteller. “What time?” came another question fro, the child. “Back then,” came the answer and a sniff from the storyteller. Taking a breath, the storyteller continued “…there lived a young one with lots of questions.” “Are questions a bad thing?” queried the child, who loved asking questions. “Not necessa...

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“For Pete’s sake!” by Nicci Wiggishoff

Submitted to Contest #76

A “Oh for Pete’s sake!” B “Pete’s got nothing to - on second thought.” A “Well for the love of Pete would you just listen to me and pull.” B “There you go again. Poor Pete. And I am pulling, you pull!” A “Remind me again why I put up with you?” B “My charm, my good looks, my witty repartee, take your pick, and did you just say for Pete’s sake? Seriously, what century do you think we’re living in?” A “No, yes, maybe. I don’t know. It gets confusing. Now put your back into it.” B “Ok, ok. But I need a second, he weighs a ton.” A “Fine, there y...

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“Can you hate something that doesn't exist?” by Katerina P

Submitted to Contest #76

“What do you mean you don’t believe in a Creator?”“What do you mean you do?”“We came from something.”"Exactly, something, not someone."“No, you’re not getting it. There’s a Hand above us, a Hand that created everything.”“Lies. It’s called the Big Bang.”“It doesn’t make sense. You can’t tell me that the stars above us, the cricket singing, the beating heart within you, were all created by some random explosion. Think about it: from the minute you believe in the magic of a greater being, you recognize the magic all around y...

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“A Journey's End” by Mollin Luxeder

Submitted to Contest #76

“Is this seat taken?” “Huh?” “May I sit here?” “Oh, uh, sure, I guess.” “Thank you.” “Sure.” “Going somewhere?” “Um…yeah.” “I thought so. That’s a pretty big suitcase you got there. Must be a long trip.” “Yeah.” “A little young to be embarking on such a journey, aren’t you?” “I’m nine and half. I can take care of myself.” “I see. Well, it’s nice to hear the young children of the day are taking responsibility for themselves. I don’t think my grandkids are nearly as mature as you are.” “Thank you. I’m moving to Chicago.” “Ah, a wonderful city...

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“Death and Joy” by Dylan Thiam

Submitted to Contest #76

“It’s terrible Susie, absolutely terrible!” Joy said in her loud, shrill voice. “Oh?” the young woman said, moving her ear away from the receiver. “Oh yes.” Joy slouched on her chair, twirling the phone cord around her finger. “You see, George has been mixing with these terrible people… these criminals. And now...” She pulled on the cord until she felt her finger swell. “Oh, the horror of it all Susie. Never in my 50 years have I experienced such treachery and pain.” She released the cord and looked at her finger, now slightly blue...

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“The Interrogation” by J. D.

Submitted to Contest #76

“So, after practice where did you go?”“I stayed at school for a while and then I took the bus home.”“What time was it?”“Around 11am”“Were you alone on the bus?”“Yeah, no one else was on the bus except the driver.”“And later in the day, did you send a text to Mollie?”“Yes.”“Why did you text her?”“Just to say hi.”“I will read your text: rly hope ur doing good / want to hang out later? Is that what you wrote.”“I guess so.”“Did you think she would want to hang out with you?”“I guess not really.”“Because she’d just broken it off with you?”“Yeah”“...

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“Forgiveness ” by Mitah Nemanashi

Submitted to Contest #76

“hi”“welcome”“you are not exactly in a place to be welcoming anyone”“correct, but I was told this is as good as it gets, please take a seat”“thank you, it’s cold in here ““here, take my jacket”“no I don't need anything from you”“okay, so, how did you find me?”“I didn’t, my psychologist did”“A shrink! You must have done well for yourself, to can afford a shrink. why?”“she said it would be good for me; talking to you, I mean”“is that why you here? To talk to me?”“yes”“what do you want to talk about?”“everything”“what is everything?”“let’s star...

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“Ouija” by Nina Wishnat

Submitted to Contest #76

"I should have asked my mom before coming over.""Well, the phone's in the kitchen. You can call her if you're worried.""Nah she might get mad. I'll just make sure I get home before she gets home I guess. Where's your board?""Upstairs.""Why's it so cold in here?""It's an old house.""I'm glad I don't live in an old house. Sarah's got an old house too and it never gets warm. But I guess it's better to play Ouija in an old house than a new one. This is your room?""Yeah.""Don't you ever clean it?""Not really.""Doesn't your mom get mad?""Do you ev...

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“Normal day” by Jose Gonzalez

Submitted to Contest #76

Tommy and george were coworkers and also good friends. Since high school but their whole life it was the same scene. Drinking, watching he day go by. Today they were sitting outside watching the day go by. They had finished watching playoff football and sat outside drinking on George's porch. It was a sunday night ritual watch the game and get drunk and forget everything that happened. George said Hey man did you hear what happened to miss rosie? No what? I heard she had a stroke from mr. Robinson but then I heard she had the Corona virus...

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“Hell Hollow” by Amy Ravenscraft

Submitted to Contest #76

“You never want to do anything different. I mean we are just stuck in a rut. Just once I would like to do something, anything different. Why is that, Neil? Are you really satisfied going to and from work, looking at walls all the time? Don’t you want to be more like Julia and Paul? Do you have any idea how much fun they have?” she grumbled for the umpteenth time. He interrupted her tirade. “Well, you are in for a surprise, my love. I want you to pack a suitcase with a weeks’ worth of clothes.” “Huh, what?” she stammered with delight. “Do you...

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“Candlelit ” by V W

Submitted to Contest #76

"Your eyes look like they're glowing by the candle," said Claire."It's because I'm looking at you," said Jake."Oh...I,""Hey, don't hide behind the haystack. Look, I was just teasing you. It seems like you take me too seriously these days. We used to be able to relax around each other. Have I done anything lately to upend our friendship?""No, it's not you. I-I've been dealing with a lot lately. My grandma's been on my case about...the future,""The future? Is this about moving out of the countryside again? Tell her you're still trying to find ...

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“A Simple Day in a Scary Year” by Bernadette Beauchamp

Submitted to Contest #76

"Do you think that's the best idea?" Britt asked, not realizing her voice was carrying into the kitchen. "Why are you in the carport?" Sam asked. "You can't stay here," she insisted. Britt's back was to Sam while she spoke. "Why are you talking to your car? Also, if you are not driving, I think staying here is the best place for your car." "Not the car. The doves, they're back and now they are trying to make their nest where my windshield wiper is," Britt moaned. Sam went up behind Britt to hold her while he looked. Being a foot taller than ...

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“Thieves at Heart” by Drew Young

Submitted to Contest #76

“Don’t move. If you so much as look at me funny, I’m putting a bullet through your head,” he said. “How are things coming over there, honey?” “Fine. I just cut the security cameras. Phone lines are down, too. Moving on to the vault now,” she replied. “Need any help?” he asked. “No, I should be fine. Keep your eye on those hostages,” she said. “Okay, just make it quick. Cops have to be on their way by now,” he said. “Alright, I got it,” she said. “Hol...

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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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