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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#9: Little Women

On September 30th, 1868, the first volume of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott was published. This December, 151 years later, the eighth(!) film adaptation of Little Women will be released in theatres. Suffice it to say, this book has stood the test of time and remains a favorite amongst readers.

In honor of Alcott's novel, this week's writing prompts are all themes and elements pulled from her seminal family drama. And don't worry if you haven't read the book or aren't too familiar with the March family — these themes are all universal!

This week's prompts

Write a story in which societal rituals and expectations play a key role.

Fiction – 18 stories

Write a story that focuses on the relationship between siblings.

Middle School – 57 stories

Write a story about someone whose lifestyle has changed and is learning to adjust to new circumstances.

High School – 34 stories

Write a story that uses flowers as a symbol.

Spring – 32 stories

Write a story about unrequited love.

Romance – 60 stories

Stories

“Candelabra” by Ives Phillips

Submitted to Contest #9

The brass object is surprisingly light. I say surprisingly because, when I was younger, this thing, this tree-like work of branches cupping lit and melting candles like fruits starry when they’re ripe, used to be so heavy in my then-tiny hands, so strange in its shape and carve that I couldn’t find the proper way to grasp it when I was tasked with carrying it to the dining room or the den when we had guests over and an adult was too busy setting up before or entertaining our visitors during. And, of course, I swelled with pride every t...

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“Their Perfect Gift” by Tyjae Riley

Submitted to Contest #9

I just got Oliver down for the night. He's been home from the hospital for three weeks now and I couldn't be more elated. He seems too perfect and fragile to be mine.All mine and mine alone.Being a single parent isn't what I expected to be at the age of 24 but here I am. Sure I was reckless but having a baby wasn't something I wanted until I was in my early thirties.With the little free time I do have I clean up my apartment that seems more like a cubicle than what one would call a home. Just as I'm about to sit down to finally relax, O...

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“All Good Things DO Come to an End” by Unknown User

Submitted to Contest #9

July 2, 2013:Summertime = fun time, that’s the motto all children go by. Its actually the one all people live by. And Rochelle was no different. School meant a lot to her, but that much more did summer. She lived for it, and thrived on it during the dreary winter days and endless school year. She loved everything it had to offer, not excluding the stifling oxygen and humid heat waves. Particularly this year, as a Freshman graduate, Rochelle embraced the sunshine and freedom with all of her might, fearing for it to slip by too fast like ...

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“A New Beginning” by Madison Raffel

Submitted to Contest #9

I grew up in the city. Piercing horns and constant wrecks were a daily part of my life. I got so used to it, that I remained unfazed whenever something out of the blue occurred. Everyday was the same old, same old. Got up, went to work, got home, slept, repeat. Just like every other citizen of Chicago, you seem to deal with the struggles and take each day one step at a time. My job is just as slow going; I’m an assistant algebra teacher at Campton High. Amusing, as a job being a teacher was the last thing I had planned for myself, let alone ...

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“My Amygdala” by D.A. Cairns

Submitted to Contest #9

My AmygdalaByD.A.CairnsSometimes, when it’s quiet, I can remember what my life was like before moving to Cedar Springs. When my thoughts had sharp edges, and my feelings were distinctly outlined by a shadow of self control. Before the colours began to blur, running together like water colours in rain. A time when I was in control, or at the very least, I confidently clung to the illusion of control as most of my fellow human beings do. Before moving to Cedar Springs, I was unhinging slowly, like a door which was being used as playground equi...

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“The Big One” by Sharon Omonua

Submitted to Contest #9

“Help! I don’t want to die like this!”“Honey it’s okay, I'm coming!”The curtains swooshed open, exposing me to my mother. She stared at me, tucked into the corner, shaking with fear, trying my best to avoid the splashing beads of water falling down from the shower head.“Maybe next time Jacob, next time.” She reached out her hand to assist me out of the shower.“Leave me alone”“Jacob please, or you’ll be late for school”“I said, leave me alone! I can get out of the bathtub by myself! My mom shouldn’t have to see me naked in the shower, I...

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“In the deep (Nora Sheppard)” by Nora Sheppard

Submitted to Contest #9

It seemed to Kay that her family had always treaded deep water.Her mother, Marlie, was 23 when she met and married her first husband. Life was wonderful; they had two kids in five years. At the age of 32; however, Marlie was widowed. Her young husband, a salesman, died in a car wreck all alone on a road one day. His death, in many ways, set up what was to come in all the decades that followed.Kay’s own father appeared shortly thereafter. He had fought in two wars and had almost died in Korea. His charm masked th...

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“The Bouquet” by Talia Lauren

Submitted to Contest #9

The day I was born, a gift sat on my bedside table.A beautiful bouquet of flowers, real or imagined… I’m not quite sure.As it happened, these flowers would not die until the petals parted from the sepal underneath.They could only be plucked.And so, if I was careful, these flowers could live an incredibly long life. 1 year old; the colours capturing my attention.A few petals loosed at joyful carelessness.2 years old; babbling constantly to loving parents.A lazy arm and petals trailing in the wake.3 years old; excited to meet my baby...

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“Petals” by Zoë Spider

Submitted to Contest #9

Samuel went silent and the glass of water he was holding shattered as it hit the floor. He never thought it would have come to this. His throat closed up, and the floor seemed to sway beneath him. He thought he had fooled them once and for all, and that he would never have to see him again. He heard the door being busted open, and he knew someone had sealed his fate. Nadia was always the only one who Samuel trusted enough to know about all of his secrets. Emphasis on was. He had selfishly kept one secret from her. That secret was that h...

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“All the lilies in the garden” by Kristina Rossi

Submitted to Contest #9

We're picking flowers from the garden even though they will be angry. Loves me, loves me not, orange leaves falling on grass. I'm angry, filled with hatred. The white lilies have withered. Vases filled with petunias, I'm showing you how I feel but you can't see. My fingers have bled from picking my mother's roses. I tried to give you my regret but you wouldn't take it. Autumn is covering us with a hazy blanket. I will close my eyes and let you go.

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“The adventure of the gay florist.” by Daisy Culley

Submitted to Contest #9

Flowers. So silent and delicate, and yet say so much. As a florist I can tell you how to say, ' you’re an ass' in 9 different ways.Pretty neat huh?But handy when it comes to relationships. That’s partly why I winded up as a florist. I’m not saying that I like people that are angry, I just like people who burst into my shop with purpose, looking over at me breathless and with cheeks aflame.Today, there had been two funeral arrangements to make up- a fairly boring task. So I snapped on my blue headphones and resumed with ‘stayin alive’ bl...

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“Killer Blossoms” by K.B. Jensen

Submitted to Contest #9

An extremely rare and late bloomer, the Palm of Casper is one of the most dangerous plants in the world. Experts say a single milligram of its beautiful ivory blossoms is enough to kill five men. It’s the last flower you’d expect to find in an assortment of edible flowers on top of a wedding cake. The bride and groom certainly had no idea. It was rarely tested for in toxicology reports by medical examiners and its effects mimic severe food poisoning and can cause paralysis.When Henry nestled the narrow, vase-like flower among the other bloss...

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“To My Best Friend Who Tried To Let Herself Die:” by Fiona O'Brien

Submitted to Contest #9

There’s something about a name that can truly draw you in. Names give people a dimension. Whether they’re fulfilling a stereotype that name is said to have, or completely defying it, their name makes them who they are. Someone named Micheal could break your heart, and you would never look at anyone named Micheal the same again. Or, someone could so profoundly affect your life that their name becomes ingrained in your soul’s very testimony. I think that’s how it was with her. All of that. I heard her name when I was at the age that we pretend...

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“7 Petals” by Laura S

Submitted to Contest #9

I was that typical little girl, the one they talk about in romance movies. I was the one who, as a child, dreamed of finding that one person, my true love, thought the first one would be my forever, my other half, and we would get married and live happily ever after.But it turns out it is just not that easy. Life does not work that way. Love does not happen that way, as I dreamed and hoped it would. Life is hard, love is hard, finding love is hard. Not too hard, but, hard. I wish it wasn't hard. I used to imagine finding love as, one moment ...

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“The Peace Offering” by Rebecca Dettman

Submitted to Contest #9

A gypsy caravan trundled slowly through meadows bespeckled with pinks and yellows, whites and blues. The sun shone its warm face upon the green earth, and cherry blossoms floated gently across the hills and dales on zephyr breezes. Wildflowers grew in pretty clusters along the hedgerows, and large white trees buzzing with bees dotted the meadows through which Puzzle haphazardly pulled the wagon. “Nobody plants the may,” Granny Kneebone said, slapping the reins against the pony's back. “It grows wherever it pleases. May trees are fairy trees...

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$50

Prize money

201

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Oct 04, 2019 EST

Won by Sofia Lago 🏆

Title: What Dead Songbirds Sing

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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