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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#78: Keeping Busy

I’ve noticed that hobbies often get overlooked in fiction. Unless it plays a major role in the plot, many main characters don’t even get a hobby — supporting characters, even less often. Yet hobbies are an important part of many people’s lives, especially in lockdown. They’re the things we bond with our friends over, the pastimes that refresh our spirits over the weekend, and the activities that give us some of our greatest joy.

So this week, hobbies are going to take center stage. From mainstream to obscure, let’s analyze our character’s most interesting quirks and explore the many things they can obsess over!

This week's prompts

Start your story with one character trying to convince another to take up their favorite hobby.

Fluff – 177 stories

Write about someone who keeps an unusual animal as a pet.

Teens – 178 stories

Write about someone who still practices a skill that used to be necessary but has long since been replaced by technology.

Fiction – 133 stories

Set your story at a convention for a hobby most people have never heard of.

Fluff – 70 stories

Write about someone who keeps picking up different hobbies but never manages to stick with them.

Character – 176 stories

Stories

“Amina the Attention Seeker” by Monee Miller

Submitted to Contest #78

For the fifth time this year I had managed to stub my toe on yet another difficult decision. What was I going to do next? After all, my mom was really getting irritated by my constantly changing spectrum of things to try. The last thing I wanted was for her to start making complaints to my dad. What can I say? I am just an adventurous soul looking for something to feed my energy, I thought as I scrambled to collect the last few ants that had scattered along the hallway. This time I had literally stubbed my toe and fell with the entire box of...

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“The Search” by Bobby Spina

Submitted to Contest #78

I thought that I was really going to stick with my New Year's resolution this year, but yet again, not even a month into the new year, I gave up on myself once again. It was hard to keep your word; make a promise to yourself; and then let yourself down by not following through with it. It wasn't easy, that's for sure. Folks on television and online made it look so easy, but why wasn't it the same for me? Am I just not good enough for this? I often asked myself this question countlessly.So, I guess origami just wasn't my thing, but that was a...

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“Snowflake” by Gene Rhim

Submitted to Contest #78

"This looks interesting," he said for the nth time. His mind exploded with a kaleidoscope of ideas.She sighed.The two advanced to the next aisle where more books awaited."I mean, really," he said. "That could make a great movie."She looked at him and let him ramble... yet again. How many times would this ritual repeat itself? She thought about it and then flipped open her phone and started writing down her list of To Dos for the day."No, seriously!" he said, demanding her attention. "I'm serious! See it, it could be the next big thing!""Then...

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“Hobby Hopper” by Jellybean Weirdo

Submitted to Contest #78

"Why do you have knitting needles in your hair and yarn in your bag Lexa?" I said holding my best friends bag. "If you must know Julie, I am trying to learn how to knit. I'll need this skill for when I'm old with grandkids. I have to knit them some cute gloves for winter and stuff." She said taking her bag. "Why do I even ask anymore." I said. "I swear your like Trish from that show when we were kids." I said. "Let's go before we miss the bus." I said. "You'll be explaining your new hobby to my mom." I said. We left the school building ...

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“ART AND CRAFT (CRAFT, CRAFT, CRAFT!)” by Patricia Green

Submitted to Contest #78

ART AND CRAFT (CRAFT, CRAFT, CRAFT!) Lindsay raced to the front door, hearing the loud knock. As she opened it a familiar face beamed at her. “Hi Mrs Grey, how is your day going? Starting another new craft are we? You know the drill, just sign on the dotted line and you can get started!” Lindsay signed the electronic phone in the Mailman’s hand, with a flourish. “Thank you Gary, yes just trying out a new trend from America, called Diamond Dots. It sounds very relaxing!” “How did the Folk Art go? The paints I delivered last month looked v...

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“Relics of the Past” by Rio Rocque

Submitted to Contest #78

For the first time in a while, Brianna needed to take a trip to the cupboard under the stairs where her hobbies went to die. This time, it was not to dump the supplies she no longer felt compelled to use, but to retrieve something from a long-forgotten obsession with nail art. She had recognised a tool from a card making video, remembered she owned one herself, and decided to take a dip in her trove of eclectic tools, fabrics and machines. When she opened the door to the dark space, she made a face at the slightly stale, damp smell. It was ...

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“How long would she last?” by Jonalyn Saguilot

Submitted to Contest #78

“What a tiring work.” Thought Cesar, if only they could rush through the job applications. He looked at the piles of folder left to them by his college classmate and colleague Kaj who just went abroad. He opened their email and scrolled through the applicants. There are a lot of fresh graduates ready to be burned out soon, He grinned. 16 applicants for four vacant jobs, 2 days more before it closes. He closed the tabs and shut the computer, he closed all power and left the guards to do the rest. &nbs...

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“The versatility of the hasty” by Rebeca Egydio

Submitted to Contest #78

Sitting in the cafe every Tuesday, I order Fennel tea, open the book that I always carry in my handbag, and start reading my favorite short story. Everything in that period of time is a mere distraction, that serves to ease my thoughts’ tension. It is always very pleasant to sit in a quiet place, enjoy a loving atmosphere and appreciate a book you love. I stay like that in the cafe from seven in the morning until seven and a half hours. That cafe is one of the most peaceful and serene places I know, where it can be found, in addition to goo...

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“Broken Smiles” by Oisin Keevers

Submitted to Contest #78

The miasma of sweat and blood was stifling. It felt as if was clotting his nostrils. Simon was having trouble as he simultaneously tried to breathe deeply to alleviate the dizzying anxiety that was bubbling up from his stomach and into his head, blurring his vision and wobbling his legs, whilst trying to prevent himself from inhaling the scent. This tightrope act was interrupted when Patrick slapped him familiarly on the shoulder, causing him to expel a bizarre cacophonic melody of gasping, coughing and rasping. “You’ll get used to it” “Hugh...

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“A Penny From Heaven” by Kevin Weaver

Submitted to Contest #78

Joy filled voices flew across the Mogollon Rim. “There she is!” cried loudest, Miss Mona Prudence, who was leading the search. A flush-faced Mr. Mike came ambling up from the rear. Huffing and puffing after a rather spirited hike, Mr. Mike plopped himself down on the remains of and old oak log. The elated band of rescuers simultaneously smothered little Ella Claire. Roxanne Paige gently wrapped the quilt, which she grabbed when they darted from the ‘’Lone Pine Cabin for Abandoned Children,” around little Ella Claire ...

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“The Cellist” by Cindi Lin

Submitted to Contest #78

Scarlett is working on her last travel blog. When she submits to her editor at Globetrotters United, she will receive her stipend of $500. It will be her last payment. National lockdown restrictions will prevent any future traveling for the foreseeable future. She sighed and wondered what her children were up to. It was Monday, an asynchronous workday. She doubted they were working ahead of any of their assignments. Deciding to take a break, Scarlett took a brush that she kept in a metal tin box by her workstation and ran it through her t...

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“Monochrome” by Amber Hodges

Submitted to Contest #78

Eleven days after New Years', the war ended; three days after that, a ship appeared on the horizon. They were finally going home. Cans were emptied of beans and sauce, cleaned with briny water, and foamed over with beer. The cook spooned out heaps of food, scorning those that stopped at three or four rations and yelling at others that hadn't even made it that far. For the first time in weeks, the camp of soldiers acted with complete ease—a shiny oak-leafed officer even mixed with the dirty-nosed enlisted (though he merely puffed on his ci...

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“Hunting Enjoyment” by Ryan Kim

Submitted to Contest #78

"Hey Jerry!" Ben exclaimed, "Want to enter this robotics competition with me?" Jerry was getting ready to catch up to his friends to ride the bus home. He turned around to see Ben standing behind him with a wide, toothy smile. Ben was the type that made middle school boys come after him. He was a geek, skinny, short, and talked in a high-pitched voice that made him sound 4 years younger. Jerry snorted. "You think I would want to do that? Might as well just write 'loser' on my forehead." Ben was completely oblivious to the fact that Jerry was...

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“Tragic” by Tommy Fernandez

Submitted to Contest #78

"C'mon, it'll take your mind off of things." Sabrina nudged Jacky's shoulder, a smile spreading painfully across her face. They had been walking around town all day, talking about all the ways Jacky might have a chance at getting another boyfriend. Scoping out boys on the side of the road while eating melting chocolate isn't exactly Sabrina's idea of a "perfect day," though."I'm just not that interested in that kind of stuff. I told you I've tried it before, haven't I?" Jacky shook her head and smiled, lacing her fingers together with Sabrin...

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“Summer class” by Stefany George

Submitted to Contest #78

What's wrong with you Caitlin! Am not gonna watch you ruin my summer holiday, dance classes? Never! Don't even dream it and if you really want to dance? go alone!! I screamed and stormed out of the sitting room leaving mom and Caitlin completely speechless, I hate dancing and mom knows that well enough, but whenever Caitlin's involved, she forgets totally what I love and hate. Ruby dear!! Mom called out and I ignored her, knowing how am going to regret answering her, she had an intoxicating presence that makes me always succumb to her rules,...

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$50

Prize money

735

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jan 29, 2021 EST

Won by Christina Marie 🏆

Title: Life's Leftovers

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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