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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

“Questions You Might Ask” by Kathleen March

Submitted to Contest #76

Lavinia was having one of those days. A day where every step was a search of its own, a confusion, a stumble or trip-up that never quite happened. It was one of those days we all know are necessary, yet fear. One of those days we all have occasionally, when our thinking is invisible, when we feel just a bit invisible of body, yet are aware that we might be clunking through well-worn streets like an enslaved elephant. No elephant should be forced to live with chains around its feet, and no human is ever happy struggling to put one foot in fro...

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“Silent House” by Caroline Greaser

Submitted to Contest #76

“Okay so it opens with: Dear mom.” “Okay.” “Dear mom. Dear mom. Dear mom I uhh- I uhmm- I- well I,” “If you can’t even read this to me, how on earth are you going to read this to her?” “I wasn’t- I wasn’t going to read it to her! I was just gonna leave it in a convenient spot...” “Cass, are you sure you’re really going to do this? Do you really want to?” “Yes. Yes- yes okay I’m reading. Here goes.” “You don’t have to.” “Yes I do. I’m starting right now, I’m starting, I-” “Breathe.”&nbs...

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“When The Weak Cry” by Zahra Daya

Submitted to Contest #76

Remnants of phlegm and salty pools of moisture create a path on my forearm as I hurriedly wipe my face with shaky movements. The footsteps increase in volume with each belligerent step. I stare at the shadow beneath my white-washed door. I practice turning up the corners of my mouth, endeavouring to rid myself of this tear-stained face. I should’ve known it was no use. Aggressively, my door is flung open to reveal a middle-aged man with a protruding beer belly and furrowed eyebrows standing in my doorway. My dad steps in and I try -...

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“Good Intentions” by S. Closson

Submitted to Contest #76

“Well, well, well. . . If it isn’t the illustrious Sandra Salvatore. I never thought I’d see you again, dear sister. And in one of my cells, no less! How delightful.” “Heh, I’m honestly surprised you’ve got enough grey matter left between those cauliflower ears to think at all, Becca, much less taunt.” “I see you have still got that same lip. I guess some things never change.” “And some things do. You’re helping these invaders oppress your own bloody people? Look at yourself, Becca. I knew you we...

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“Truth be Told” by Kay (:

Submitted to Contest #76

Ever since my little sister, Adila, could speak she never told a lie. Now I know what you’re thinking, that’s not possible, no one can be that honest, I know it may be hard to believe but my sister always spoke the truth, good or bad. No one knows why I’ve tried getting her to lie, but it’s no use she just won’t lie. All I’ve ever gotten her to do was say a half-truth. It used to be small things, like who ate the last cookie, and who broke the chair. But now she’s really done it, let me explain. A couple of weeks ago Adila wanted to go ...

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“The Silent Women” by Izzy Bavaro

Submitted to Contest #76

Silence. It’s almost as if she’s obsolete. No one pays attention to what she says, only what she looks like. Anyone who truly knows her, understands that her silence has a purpose. She sits, she listens, she nods along, she hums the beat to herself, she does what she is told. He thanks the proper people for their hospitality and she embraces the warmth of his hand on her back as he leads her back to the old 1969 Pontiac Firebird, “Are we going home?” she asks hopefully, “No, I have to speak at an event.” “Where at this time?” He does n...

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“Wishing on Green Eyes” by Kelly Ellen

Submitted to Contest #76

Wishing on Green Eyes “You can tell me anything, you know that.” Man, if only that had been a possibility years ago. How would my life be different now? Would I want to change anything, or did my whole life lead up to this point. I'm staring at green eyes. My god! Those green eyes, I have wanted to tell him since I can r...

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“She will not live long” by Melissa Louise Murdoch

Submitted to Contest #76

This story belongs to the author, and although we share the same name, she will not be telling her story. She was born not of this world but up there, somewhere – I don't know where. In my days, she walked the earth. She lived a stone's throw away from me. Her parents weren't home often so, she spent most of her life in her bedroom. You could see her seated at her desk; overlooking out the window to roofs and chimney tops. I lived on the opposite side of the street and from my window, I could see her there. She only had a few friends that ca...

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“Hiding Behind Our Screens” by Iona Cottle

Submitted to Contest #76

The metallic ringtone went off and, after letting it buzz for a moment, playing it cool, Maria click the green button. “Hello!” she said as the picture came into focus. Pixel by pixel Suzanne’s face resolved itself. Another precious few seconds of isolation, no sudden meeting of their eyes across the room. As she waited for a response Maria clenched her hands and twisted the ends of her jumper. “Hi!” Suzanne said at last. The fuzzy image didn’t pick up the way the tips of her smile dropped at the bad picture or at the short pause before ...

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“Strings” by Claire Lindsey

Submitted to Contest #76

He starts his day with a shot in his coffee. I pretend not to notice. “Good morning, Dad,” I say. “Morning, baby,” he replies. He fries the eggs. I toast the bread—two slices for him and one for me—and wash the strawberries. We eat in silence. I remember the way he used to pick me up when I was little, bundle me tightly in his arms, and drop me onto the couch. I would giggle and try to escape, only for him to scoop me up again and kiss on the top of my head. I remember pillow fights, tickle wars, chasing him around the house. I r...

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“Silent Night” by GRACE LARSON

Submitted to Contest #76

“Uncle Alb! I’m so glad you’re here - step right in.” The portly, heavily mustached figure of Uncle Albert stepped into the house, closely followed by his thin, shrew-faced wife, Aunt Matilda. “Vera, my dear! So good to see you again -” He bent over and kissed her heartily on the cheek. Vera smiled and kissed him back before turning to the snow-covered figure of her aunt. “Aunt Matilda - let me help you with your things. Just started snowing?” “Obviously - the ground’s hardly covered. And I’m not so old I need help taking off my things....

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“The Little Red Book” by David Brown

Submitted to Contest #76

“Hello? Adam?”“Yes, this is Adam…William?”“Yeah…good, I’m glad you answered. I had to talk to someone I trust.”“How come you’re using voice only…and not streaming video? I’d like to see your face.”“Well…well, I’ve been suspended from all my social media accounts.”“Why?”“…”“Willy…did you hear me? I asked you why?”“…I heard you, Adam…I just…I’m not sure how to answer you.”“What do you mean?”“Well…I was told in a notification why, but I don’t agree with it.”“What did the message say?”“It just said, my accounts have been suspended for violation ...

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“So you want to say you don’t want to have kids?” by Ifan Fin

Submitted to Contest #76

“So you want to say you don’t want to have kids?”“Ask me anything, mom. Like literally.”“Why though… you don’t want to have a little baby?”“Yada yada yada. Keep on praying.”“You realise that was rude.”“And you realise I don’t want to talk like that?”“Like what?”“Like I’m bound to satisfy you with a wholesome answer that you would find to your liking.”“Oh! Don’t be so… you are getting so ahead of yourself.”“Oh, really? I wanted to say the exact same thing.”***“Would you be so kind to hand me this…?”“Pepper? Haven’t we got enough of that?”“You...

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“It's more than friendship.” by Michelle Joseph

Submitted to Contest #76

Nate and I have been friends for the last eleven years. I met him on the first day of primary school. I was a messy kid so no one really wanted to hang out with me. No one except Nate. I still don’t know what intrigued him to talk to me when no one else would. What can a five year old child find intriguing in his classmate? Maybe it was my messiness. Mum would sleek down my dirty blonde hair in a braid in an attempt to tame it. But it was as wild as a jungle, unruly and untameable. Sometimes in PE I would have my shoes the wrong way around, ...

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“Nothing to be Afraid of” by Sumra Khan

Submitted to Contest #76

Nothing to be Afraid of Kuhne: How can it be possible? ( The boy standing nearby was trying utmost to be looked as sure of whatever he said.) Weasley: Trust me. I told you what I actually had seen out there. The tree leaves themselves will tell the story of the previous night. It was damn horrifying. (He pointed to the left of the orchard. Although there was fog yet some parts of the tree were visible. And it was really the shortest day of winter.) Kuhne: And what if you are lying? I am not going to spare you. You know me the way I d...

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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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