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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

“I Guess” by Christine Hungerford

Submitted to Contest #76

“I can’t wait for Reed to take me to prom tonight! “Who, again?” “Reed. Remember? I repeated his name, like, a million times. You may not have been listening very well. Or completely absorbed in that travel magazine.” “I was…I was listening. Just not really familiar with the name ‘Reed’.” “He’s been my boyfriend for a while now!” “The guy you went out with last year. Is he datable?” “I celebrated my first year of high school prom with him!” “Answer the question. Why do you date...

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“the places no one comes back from” by Raistlin Allen

Submitted to Contest #76

“Where are we going, Daniel?” “The only place we can after what you did.” “…You know it was an accident, right?” “Yes, yes. And I promised not to tell anyone. As we discussed.” “Boy… holding him is kind of…could you pick up the foot there?” “I’m not touching anything. I’m helping you out, Max. Besides, you’re stronger than me, aren’t you? A big, tough brute? Surely this can’t be your first-” “- Stop it! Of course it is. I don’t- I wouldn’t-” “Don’t tell me you’re about to cry.” “I’m not. I’m just tired and I don’t know where we’re go...

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“LUNCH; AND OTHER THINGS I CAN'T HAVE.” by Deema [.ε.]

Submitted to Contest #76

I used to love this school. That was when we first moved to this town, of course. I was blinded by the sparkling canals that the civilians glided on in crescent gondolas, covered by the spring mist. Poppy says that the nymphs like to skinny dip in those canals when the Cheshire cat moon lays it's blanket over us. I loved the way the sun rose from behind the red-brick middle school, and Aunt Carol loved driving me there early to snap photos of it so she could show her friends. I used to love it, yes. Before I started going there. I met Pop...

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“Jack just smiled ” by Farzanah Ebrahim

Submitted to Contest #76

There was an almost screeching uproar of laughter as Sam slammed down on the wooden table with his burly fist. 'Do you guys get it? Whose there rhymes with underwear! Knock knock, whose there, Daphe' s underwear!' And on cue the orge of a man erupted yet again into another fit of skin cringing laughter. To be fair though, the entire tabled laughed along with him so although he couldn't see the humor in this terrible, terrible joke and just so that he didn't look like a buzz kill, Jack threw his head back and faked the best gut-wrenching laug...

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“Drowning” by Alexandria Carroll

Submitted to Contest #76

Savannah had been sent to the principal’s office yet again. Her IEP allowed her to speak to the guidance counselor before anyone determined whether disciplinary action was necessary. She stormed through the door and slammed herself in the chair at the table outside the counselor’s offices. Ms. P. was making me feel like shit about my math skills again so I flipped her off. She thought, but no one would believe that a teacher had acted that way, and even if they had, did that excuse her behavior? She placed her head on the table between her ...

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“My unsaid words” by Zaynah Chummun

Submitted to Contest #76

Just like every day, the gift shop I worked at after school, was crowded and since there were just two of us working, I merely had anytime to breathe. Jason, my only co-worker and I were paid peanuts, but we dared not ask for a raise. The boss here was a real tyrant, a living vampire sucking the blood out of his employees, a miser who would not allow even the slightest penny discount nor raise our salary despite our hard work, a modern example of Hitler, torturing people, turning us into zombies. How I wished I could actually spit each...

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“ Little Mouth ” by Sophie P

Submitted to Contest #76

Geneviève is my name. Yes it is Geneviève very... how do you say it? "unique?" I guess. I live in a house of two parents and 13 siblings *I am one of the thirteen*, I often keep quiet and stay out of trouble even though I could blame someone else, just because I don't always or usually have a time to speak without someone interrupting or someone else is talking, since I never really talk because of this problem in my house hold, I am always called "quiet" and if I try to explain why I don't talk they will hush me and call me "rude". Besides...

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“The Meeting” by Maya Writes

Submitted to Contest #76

Her business meeting was in less than 15 minutes. She was not going to be late. She was determined to arrive first. “Hey Ari! Are you excited?” Jocelyn called as she scurried up beside her. “Not in the least bit, if I’m being honest. But this is my chance.” “You should be. You never talk in the meetings, or even at lunches. I’m just grateful you’re finally coming out of that little shell of yours.” Jocelyn opened the door and nearly pushed Ari inside. The clickity-clack of their quick-moving heels echoed through the stairway. ...

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“Ifedinma” by Chisom Igwurube

Submitted to Contest #76

The afternoon Ifedinma agreed to meet him in his other office, some place located in the heart of the capital city, outside the campus environment, was the afternoon her troubles began.She had politely lifted his hands from the bare part of her thighs where her gown had failed to cover and had wanted to tell him she was a Sunday school teacher and an usher in her church, but for certain reason uncertain to her, the words suddenly felt heavy to say and she ended up muttering things inaudible to even her own hearing. "You're truly an epit...

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“Thoughts in my head” by Yamini Panchaksharam

Submitted to Contest #76

A cheerful greeting flooded Neha's ears as she joined the online office call. They were all set for another week and would get a glimpse of what each of the team members were working on. They were encouraged to say a few words about how they were doing before plunging into work-related details, and Neha wanted to say that she had had a restful weekend. She had started reading a book, gone for a walk with her family, and had baked some banana bread. Neha had a big smile on her face at the start of the call but it started disappearing graduall...

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“The News” by Andrew Furlan

Submitted to Contest #76

The call came on my drive home from the cemetery. I wouldn’t usually answer whilst driving, but for the last twenty minutes I managed to only inch my car forward a metre. A goddamn metre. All it takes is a spit of rain, Friday afternoon traffic and an impatient driver, and the whole city grinds to a halt. The wheel ceases to turn. If the call came from anyone else I wouldn’t of bothered, but it was my from best friend. Well, my only friend really. After high school I left my hometown, and all the drama behind, and moved to the city. F...

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“Kicked while down” by Melissa Wolf

Submitted to Contest #76

People don't seem to understand why I don't tell them things. You know they wont understand and that they won't be able to comprehend how many emotions you are going through. Whether it's shame from bad things you've done, or the bad thoughts that creep in at night time cause your so lonely. you could have the best relationship, but somethings you just cant say. This time, my best friend and coworker, Avery, she says "You were ALWAYS terrible!" After my engagement gets cancelled, by him. She said "What did you do?!" I cant eat or sleep and a...

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“Sim's Quiet Rage” by Chris Lowrey

Submitted to Contest #76

With holding back mentioning a “jerk store” he made his way home. Still trying to perfect the comeback that he’ll say next time Jake calls him fat. It’s not that he’s not clever or mean-hearted enough; those assumptions could very quickly be put to rest spending just a couple minutes inside Sim’s head. Full of rage and regret, a miserable combo, Sim is always just a moment away from laying his opponent down in a field of dust. The only problem is the timing, which in a conversation is 90% of the effect. The most ego-shattering comment can be...

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“Illusions of contentment.” by Ananya Asthana

Submitted to Contest #76

Amy readied her bag and her dog. No matter what her schedule was, taking her dog on a walk was a must. Her and her dog, Rambo, headed out the door and began jogging. As Rambo sniffed around, Amy's mind wandered. She began thinking about the girl who had just moved to the neighbourhood, the really pretty one. Amy had never been one for romance but this girl intrigued her. Though these feeling of attraction were new, she had always kind of known who she was. Even if she accepted herself, she was sceptical of other people having the same reacti...

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“Words I couldn't say” by Ema Šehović

Submitted to Contest #76

-Is this all you have to say? -Yes. I don’t even know what to say except that is painful to look at you and not find you there. It is upsetting to realize that the wild waters inside are no longer calming by your voice. It shatters me to think about all the beginnings we embarked on together, unaware of the endings that were still loitering around. -Are you going to forget me? -Yes. I am never going to forget you completely. You are someone I must leave behind, but I keep missing trains. You are like a song I keep skipping just to ...

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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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