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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

“Emma Rinders” by ◦•●◉✿ 𝓑𝓵𝔁𝔁𝓲𝓲 ✿◉●•◦

Submitted to Contest #76

“Emma, you are to be given just a few months for you to complete this mission.” A low voice jolts me from my sleep.“Whazzuh?” I ask, confused. I had only just gone to bed when something hit me-I assume a tranquilizing dart. “You might be wondering: ‘Why me? Why not someone else?’ I chose wisely.” The low voice rumbled. I couldn’t find the words to express my feelings, but when I did, I found it hard to say them. Oh, stop being so childish, Emma. Just quickly get over with it.“I-I don’t understand…” I stammer. “Couldn’t y-you pick s...

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“The Anima App (Part One)” by 𝔼𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕟 ✳🏳️‍🌈

Submitted to Contest #76

This one's much shorter than my usual ones. I promise Caddy's stories will be longer in the future; I just need to get some exposition out of the way. This is all connected to the stories in my bio, so I need to get through all the intro so it makes sense without them. I feel guilty about putting the 'latinx' tag, because even though Caddy's mixed she looks white, and I don't even know if I can write her correctly, but I really hope I haven't offended anyone with any of my stories; I'm trying to be inclusive in a non-Jk rowling way. I made ...

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“The Twisted Tale” by Radhika Diksha

Submitted to Contest #76

I was always confused about my thoughts. I was happy fulfilling people's need and their expectations. That's what my father had taught me. First I fulfilled my dying mother's wish, then my father's wish, then my step-sister's wish, they by stepmoms wish, and now Prince's wish. I had to tell him what I felt because there was an uncertain burden on my chest of my feelings. He is the only person that ever tried to know me and understand my emotions Hence, I cannot hide my true intentions. I hear his footsteps and immediately set my bun with flo...

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“Recording the Zodiac: Part 1 of The Zodiac Stories” by 𝕂𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕖 𝕎.

Submitted to Contest #76

Beep. “What is this? Did it just beep? Why is the red light flashing? Is it humming? Maybe it's an explosive! What if it blows me up- AHHHHHHH!” *crash* Beep. ♍️♍️♍️ Beep. “Oh. Well, it didn’t blow me up, as I am still here. I pressed the two triangles pointing to the left, and I heard myself say words that I already said. So, I pressed the sideways triangle, the same as last time. Did this record my scream? How does it work? It didn’t blow me up, so I guess it’s okay…...

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“the medium” by KED KED

Submitted to Contest #76

“I’d like to start by explaining to you how I conduct my readings,” I begin. “As a medium, I essentially act as a spiritual transistor of sorts. A channel between your loved one that has passed, and your tangible reality.” I continue along this boilerplate explanation as my mind is already starting to drift into an altered state. First, I take a moment to internally roll my eyes at my own wording. Calling them a ‘loved one’ is often truly a stretch. I mean, if anyone gets it, I do. People become so desperate and...

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“Lola” by Echo Sundar

Submitted to Contest #76

Sometimes what seems like one of the easiest things end up being the hardest. I mean all I have to do is say one sentence and walk away. How hard could that be? Very hard in fact very very hard. Just tell him you don't think we should be together. Presto, done. Walk away. But I don't want to break his heart. That's pretty much what breaking up with someone is. I sighed. “Nothing worth having comes easily,” I mumbled. “Nothing worth having comes easily.” Just remember that. But is this something I want to have? Yes. No. Maybe. ARGHHH...

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“The Soaring Dragons 1: Common Smuggling” by Lilliane Wei

Submitted to Contest #76

Megan jumped as a muffled crash came from the door to her right, immediately followed by several rather savage oaths. She shook her head slightly and entered a large, open room with tall arching windows and a balcony with a view of the setting sun. The windows were open, letting in the warm winds of summer.A young woman of about eighteen stood with her back to Megan as several items floated around her. The young woman had cascading locks of rich, chestnut brown hair that fell in waves to just below her shoulders and well-tanned skin as if sh...

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“Just listen to me!” by Moon Lion

Submitted to Contest #76

"This way!" Nathan yelled, leaping over a fallen tree. He turned around and saw Azra standing at the turn, peering anxiously into the trail behind them. "Azra what are you doing?" "Shouldn't we help him?" She called back, the worry in her voice plain. Her claws were out and she looked tense. "No! You're the Chosen One, you need to see the prophecy before Lance does! Come on, Calvin won't be able to hold them off forever!" Nathan was relieved when Azra shook out of her trance. Using her enhanced speed, she easily overtook him, and nimbly ...

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“A NERVE JARRING-ORDEAL” by Dan Odhiambo

Submitted to Contest #76

Without a doubt it would have been a cheerful mixed drink party as the sage goes,'' A decent starting makes a decent closure. "We gradually moved toward the room gazing at one another worriedly. "Where are generally the individuals?", I inquisitively asked myself. My mom and I were welcomed into a much-obliged giving gathering at our neighbor's home yet to our absolute skepticism, none was in sight. Abruptly, we heard another sound inside the room. We looked to see if there was anyone but our e...

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“House of Memories ☠️” by Ari Berri

Submitted to Contest #76

Part five of Dead End! Hope you enjoy!She hops down. “I’m Erica. I’ll be taking you to the Glean.”She has wavy black hair that goes to her shoulders, and light skin.Chase speaks first. “We can teleport there?”“No.” She snorts. “We’ll have to take the forbidden path.”I can’t tell if she’s joking. She looks serious. Neither of us say anything. “Well, come on.” She says. She pulls what looks like a crystal out of her cloak, and puts it on the ground in front of us. After a second, it glows, then there’s a huge CRACK, and black smoke rises ...

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“The Boolean Code (TW: minor blood and death)” by <inactive> .

Submitted to Contest #76

Special thank-you to my own computers teacher who is the kindest teacher I have ever known. *** For everything that I know, there is so much that I don’t. While I know how to keep a child engaged while learning even the most boring of coding languages, I don’t know how to explain the bruises. While I know how to make an amazing task bar with flashing rainbows and unicorns using CSS, I can’t explain the sudden weakness or how it suddenly hurts to breathe. I wish I could tell them. About this. *** “We’re sorry. We could have saved you if y...

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“Cut!” by ℂ𝕒𝕣𝕠𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕒 𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕨 🏳️‍🌈 (inactive For The Summer)

Submitted to Contest #76

“Hey, just relax. It’s okay. You’re doing great. I’ve got you.” “Don’t let me fall- you can’t let me fall!” “I won’t let you fall, all right? Ow, your fingers...Stop looking down! Everything's fine, just hold on to me.” “It’s s-s-s-so f-f-far down.” “It’s gonna be okay! Do you trust me not to let you fall?” “Yes...Ah! I’m slipping! Lucas!” “You’re not slipping, it’s alright. We’re alright.” “It...it’s pulling me, Lucas! I don’t know if I can hold on without bringing you down too.” “If we go down, we go down together. We will come back togeth...

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“An Understanding” by Rambling Beth

Submitted to Contest #76

The rain was pouring into Alex’s coffee cup. He stood, hair sticking to his forehead, and stared as the cup started overflowing, until it was near the brim. He held the cup tight, holding back a hiss as the fiery liquid burned his skin.Alex smoothed his tie and glanced back at his silver Lexus UX. He examined his reflection in the wing mirror. He stroked his hair, eyeing the bird’s nest that the combed strands had become. His suit still looked crisp, though, and his eyes weren’t red or puffy. The under-eye concealer he’d bought on a whim aft...

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“Together Always” by Daniel R. Hayes

Submitted to Contest #76

The day was winding down in North Central Park, as Lisa watched her granddaughter play. Lisa loved going to the park to watch the sun go down beyond the trees in the distance. It was a beautiful sight to behold, almost as if someone in Heaven had reached down and painted a masterpiece. Her granddaughter was only ten years old and loved playing with her friends in the park, so it was a win win situation. She smiled when she saw Anna swinging on the swings. It took her back to a special memory from her childhood. It was a sweet memory o...

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“Herald Town News—12:00 Briefing” by Meggy House

Submitted to Contest #76

“Hello there, sir. Would you mind telling me what you are doing at this here Quick-Market?” “Buying groceries, sir. My wife wants to make a tomato soup and she ran out of bread. She wanted me to get her a loaf. Sourdough, I think, for a toastie-“ “Good to know, sir. And would you mind giving your name?” &nbsp...

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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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