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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#85: City Living

There’s something deeply compelling about cities, isn’t there? Whether it’s the influencer-driven styles of LA, the laid-back sophistication of Athens, or the perfectly manicured greenery of Singapore, each one truly has its own unique soul. Those who visit are awed and at times overwhelmed, either falling in love or swearing them off forever — while lifelong residents take up a fierce loyalty that nothing can shake.

When writing, it’s often helpful to think of your setting almost like another character. Cities are an excellent way to explore this line of thinking, so for this week, pick a favorite and invite your readers in. What gives your city (whether real or imagined) its local “flavor”? And what impression do the people there give to the many tourists traipsing down their streets? Tap into your inner tour guide — it's time to travel the world!

This week's prompts

Set your story in a major city that your character has a love-hate relationship with.

Middle School – 153 stories

Write a story that takes place in the same building but in two very different time periods.

Historical Fiction – 154 stories

Start your story with the line, “That’s the thing about this city…”

Adults – 283 stories

Write about someone fighting to change their city neighborhood for the better.

Teens – 44 stories

Write about someone fighting to keep their city neighborhood the same.

Teens – 34 stories

Stories

“Parralell Lines” by Tony Yetton

Submitted to Contest #85

It was January 1991, and the day began with the threat of an ever-present Australian summer heat wave. The sun was already well above the horizon and relentlessly urging the mercury towards 40° Celsius as he strode confidently towards the newly-renovated doorway of the Solicitors offices in Windsor. John Ramsay was apprehensively excited, knowing he was about to become a very wealthy man. At 40 years of age, he was tall, good-looking, well-built, intelligent and well mannered in the “old-school” way. What he was about to experience would be ...

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“Innovation's purpose” by Fletcher Cobb

Submitted to Contest #85

I woke up to a harsh, almost blinding light coming in through the window and pulled the covers over my head. Just a few more minutes, then I will get up, I told myself. Laying there, head under the blanket, I eventually guilted myself into leaving bed. Using the full force of my willpower, I pushed myself out of bed and started to get ready for the day. I woke up to my lights slowly getting brighter and brighter. Was it morning already? "House, lights down," I mumbled, still half in a daze. The lights dimmed to a more manageable level. Sho...

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“Flat 1, right?” by Stefania Liv

Submitted to Contest #85

Katherine stood there, all sweaty and covered with mud, proud of herself. The garden looked better than ever and you couldn’t even know that once the ground was covered by weeds. She sighed happily as she stepped inside to take of her dirty clothes. “Hey, honey! Sorry, I didn’t hear you coming in, I was hanging the clothes”. Stella greeted her boyfriend with a sweet kiss on the lips. “It will be hard, but I think I’ll get over it”, George said sarcastically. It was nice, finally having a place of their own. No parents, no younger siblings an...

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“The history of The Bernard” by Keishina Owoh

Submitted to Contest #85

(this is my first story, plz don’t be mean to me) July 2000 I never left to live in the city before, I’ve always lived in the country. I also never believed that love was the strongest force on eart. Today was the day I was going to live in an apartment named The Bernard, which means brave and hardy. When I took my first step in my new home, a strong scent of my grandma’s cologne hit me. I knew she was here. I followed the scent to the kitchen, and saw her facing the corner, was she in time out? Suddenly I heard some ...

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“The Library” by Steve Cripwell

Submitted to Contest #85

‘This building was designed, built and loved by my father,’ Hector tried to keep the adoration from his voice but didn’t quite make it. ‘Lionel Brent built half of this city but this is the building he was most proud of.’ He paused for effect, something he had learned from his late father. ‘Don’t rush what you have to say, son, make them hang on your words.‘ He could hear his father’s voice as he stared at the gathering in the foyer of the old building. Amongst the crowd facing Hector, were faces he recognised, people he had grown up with so...

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“The Walls Have Memories” by Nicholls Nicholls

Submitted to Contest #85

Initially, I was wary about researching the history of the flats I moved into, knowing it had once been an old hospital. The outside of the building has a dreary no-longer loved exterior, so I didn’t need much encouragement to imagine that it had a long, interesting backstory. Also, after spending a lot of my youth watching horror movies, true crime and haunting stories, I didn’t want to imagine any shadows in the corners of the room or things that go bump, bump, bump in the night as more than just the heating system. In reality, it is a c...

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“The Artists of Paris” by Lily Star

Submitted to Contest #85

August 23rd, 1793Dear Diary, today Amélia and I had to close up the shop early because of the executions going on outside. When the Bastille fell everything seemed like it was going in the right direction, but now I fear we'll have to leave our home in Paris and flee to another country. Anyone accused of supporting the monarchy is put on trial and if they prove it, will be executed. Amélia and I looked at a map today to try and figure out where we could go. It looks like Belgium would be the closest place. It would be about a five day trip o...

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“Sam's Saloon” by Xavier Clayton

Submitted to Contest #85

May 18, 1895. Georgetown, SeattleThrough my bedroom window, I look up and into the distant sky. Thunderclouds are forming and I suddenly see a flash of lightning. Moments later, a thunderous crash booms above me. I close the shades made of white lace and walk to my mirror. My pink ruffled dress fits nicely as I admire it on my 17-year old curves and start adding feathers to my hair. I want to look like a senorita tonight.Something exotic always earns me extra drink commissions beyond my 8 dollars a week. My small room isn’t much. Just a bed,...

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“The Audacity” by Marina Savva

Submitted to Contest #85

The Audacity Auschwitz, 1942 The walls. Black walls, dripping with a crimson liquid, were closing in on me. Then a face appeared. Who was he? I had seen him before. Dark bushy eyebrows and purely wicked, beady eyes that had dense layers of malice behind them. They spoke of death. Raw and alive death. Alive death? Then I saw it. There in, the angel of death’s hand, was a syringe with a deep green liquid swishing from side to side. “No!”, I screamed as realisation washed over me like acid. Josef Mengele. I tried to run. My feet…they wer...

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“Generations” by Artemas Lazaro

Submitted to Contest #85

1974 Where did I put my tea bags I have checked all the cabinets it must be here somewhere last time when i went to market i did bought it i remember correctly and after that i put it in what, that i don't remember. "Hey cathy have you seen my tea bags" "For god's sake Jimmy how many times i have told you to drink any tea there are so many tea bags right in front of you" "Darling, you know i only drink my special Indian tea" "What's so special in that tea, leave it i don't want to know go to market and buy another packet...

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“A Rose among Thistles” by Hazel Turner

Submitted to Contest #85

Hannah September 2020 I turn left off Gorgy road and pull into Springwell House. It’s been an exhausting day. The familiar smell of brewing hops hits me as I open the car door and walk towards the glittering sandstone building. I love the smells of Edinburgh; each area different. The movers are just coming out as I reach the entry way, poised to enter my key code. “Alright Miss Allen, that’s everything unloaded. All in the right rooms for you. Everything sanitised. Do you want a hand to shift anything before we go? I kno...

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“The Painted Lady” by LuAnn Williamson

Submitted to Contest #85

The Painted LadyBy LuAnn WilliamsonDear Diary:“Oh Papa, I’m sure it’s going to be the finest house in all of the Omaha area!” I exclaimed as I had to keep myself from fidgeting on the set of my Father’s buggy. Although a kind man and generous to our family, he could be quite cross if distracted while he was driving his buggy. I did not want to be left behind when it was my turn again to inspect the new property.At first, Papa would go every Saturday afternoon by himself to check out the process of building our new house. He to...

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“The 50th wedding anniversary” by Pari Manchanda

Submitted to Contest #85

The school bus arrives. Jack and Jessie step out of the bus. And, as always, hearing the bus honk, grandpa keeps his book on his lap and says, " Hello kids! How was your day? " in the most cheerful manner. 'Grandpa, I got an A grade today." Jack cheered. ' That's great and what about you Jessie?' ' I had a great day grandpa and I didn't get any homework. ' With this, their mother, Anna arrives holding a tray of juice glasses in her hands. "Okay, kids now time to drink this healthy juice," Anna says. 'Yes mom, but after this, we are going to...

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“Yokogawa Youth” by Taylor F

Submitted to Contest #85

Miriam steps down the steep, narrow steps of the concrete apartment building her Airbnb is in. Her huffs, echoing through the stairwell, remind her to take up exercising again. She had made the trip up the stairs two nights ago with her small suitcase but can’t remember if the same thoughts had crossed her mind. Perhaps her old memories of the area were distracting enough to ignore the strain put on her body, but she thinks that she should be used to being in her 50s by now. Body and muscle aches are just par for the course. Pulling the fro...

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“Legacies” by Elizabeth D

Submitted to Contest #85

Martha rushed into the study with her heart beating an irregular rhythm, and tried to catch her breath. They had found her, after eight years of hiding. Skirts rustling around her legs, she crossed to the study window, her feet silent on the plush red and beige oriental carpet. She stood to the side and pulled back the heavy velvet drapes, confirming what she had spotted from the sitting room. Two men stood on the opposite side of the street, staring at her home. She recognized them as her father’s men. She had eluded them years ago, and now...

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Ended on 23:59 - Mar 19, 2021 EST

A winner will be announced soon.

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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