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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

“Flower Child” by Amy Wannenburgh

Submitted to Contest #9

“Come here,” Nanny said, and deposited a fistful of wild oleanders in my tensed palm. I just stared at them. The breeze tickled my neck, whisked my loose red hair around my shoulders. Beside me, my little sister, Lacey, giggled, and snuck her tiny feet into the ripe soil, soft white hands flailing in the air. But Nanny was patient – she didn’t toss the flowers to the ground and carry me back inside the house to the raging voices and slamming doors and the cowering servants in the shadowy corridors. No, she waited. She wanted me to focus on t...

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“Higanbana* ” by Bipasha Mandal

Submitted to Contest #9

‘’Say what you have to- and do not give an afterthought’’, was the golden rule by which Mrs. Sato lived. Not that frankness was appreciated by anyone these days. Her husband had died a year ago. Since then, Mrs. Sato had devoted her time and energy, which was heretofore engaged in the care of the invalid, to finding out and sitting on judgment on her neighbours’ affairs. Had anyone taken the liberty to peer behind the exterior of formidable officiousness, then they would have seen that Mrs. Sato’s avid interest in othe...

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“The Rose Proposal” by Eugenia Choi

Submitted to Contest #9

February 26th, 1905. New York City, New York. Drip, drip, drip. The rain has finally let up ever since it started raining this morning, Elizabeth thought as she strolled through the streets of New York. Cudgel asked me to meet him in Time Square, Elizabeth thought again, Where is he? Elizabeth turned and turned, looking in one direction then to another; wondering where her handsome lover is. Until her vision went black. "Hello, love," a voice purred in Elizabeth's ear. With a smile, she tugged his hands down from her eyes and turned to...

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“Below the Surface” by Shannon Meyers

Submitted to Contest #9

Dalia opened the door to a simple, yet elegant beach house. She placed her bags near the door and continued into the living room. “Grammy, are you home?” she called looking around her grandmother’s home. It was different than she remembered. The furniture was made of fabric. The walls were a soft sand color. They were illuminated by the sunlight coming through the wall-length window. “Dalia? Hey honey, you’re early. I wasn’...

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“A Gift of Fate” by Aaryana Rajanala

Submitted to Contest #9

A voice hums in harmony with the murmur of the clouds as the sky tips the sun over the horizon, the dripping hues instantly conquering their canvas. Footsteps as harsh as the light of the moon over sleeping cities lead forward a dress of cloud colored flowers to the precipice, a silhouette over the alluring shadows of the woods that clothe the barren rock. The voice laughs, staring down with eyes of molten iron. Thin fingers grasp a blossom from the dress, tossing it playfully over the edge. It hovers for a moment before sinking away. ...

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“My Best friends Left Me ” by Soriya Plaza

Submitted to Contest #9

The sun was setting with ethereal colors making it seem like we were in heaven it was such a beautiful sight. The sky was decorated with deep oranges, bright pinks, and light baby blue colors. The clouds were separated giving the perfect shadow to the already not believable sight. As we all lay there with our feet warm cozy sand, hand in hand we look up at the sky and as if on command I say, “I wonder what it's like up there, are there really never-ending happy days and if there are, why can’t I have them now. Can I make a deal with someone ...

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“After, Love” by Hxmda A.A

Submitted to Contest #9

She always watched him from afar, since the beginning of the year. She saw him in the hallways, watching her every move. She watched him back, her gaze burning into his soft hazel eyes. It was not just looking, it was much more. Savanna wanted to talk to him, but her shyness took over and she walked passed him, like every other time. He would watch her go before turning back to his locker, taking out his books for class. She could feel that invisible hands trying to pull her back, trying to make her talk to him. Even once.&...

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“SILENCE IS WAR” by Izuchukwu Saviour Otubelu

Submitted to Contest #9

When a man loves a woman, there’s nothing he won’t do to win her attention. He buys her clothes and jewelleries, calls her often and sends her texts. He tries to keep her happy all the time. Sometimes he borrows money to do shopping with her. Anything to convince her that he is Mr. Perfect.There is a certain girl who lives in the next street. She is about nineteen by your observation. Her father is late and her mother owns a shop where she sells her wares. In the scale of public opinion, she is the most adored girl in the whole neighbourhood...

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“Unrequited Melody” by D.K. Fair

Submitted to Contest #9

Saniya met Bruce when she was all of fifteen years old. Her beloved uncle had just passed away. He was a gifted musician and singer, whose life had been snuffed away for some senseless and unsolved reason. Her younger cousin Trish was in Bruce’s fourth grade class. He had been assigned as a substitute teacher, but then was hired on as a permanent teacher for the remainder of the school year. Trish mentioned that Bruce was also a part-time singer and that he resembled their late uncle. Saniya wanted to see for herself, so she made haste to an...

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“It Didn't Always” by Owl Banana

Submitted to Contest #9

To even glimpse of the Suns true beauty is impossible. Since near the beginning of time she has hidden herself from all. She shrouds herself in a haze. She does this out of heartache, for she is a guilt ridden spirit. Only once has he removed that veil and allowed one to stare in all her flourishing flares. He never failed to watch her enter, and never let himself miss her leave. She spent her journey through the sky speaking and laughing with him all through the day. He spent little time for himself and seemed to live to see her wake. They ...

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“Tuesday” by Amy Emerson

Submitted to Contest #9

Sabina keeps him on a leash. She feeds him milk and honey; nourishes his soul. They’ve always been close; since he was born, he says, couldn’t be without her, he says. Their parents were friends, lived next door. Their fathers worked in finance, their mothers crocheted; one big happy family. Sabina has eyes like a doe, a mouth made of roses, her skin carved from fine bone china; nobody had ever seen a face so regal, a face so worthy of love. Sabina keeps her heart in a cage though. He thinks she’s lost the key; her heart can never be un...

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“Don't go away ” by Pallavi Nerella

Submitted to Contest #9

A young little boy stood on the sidewalk and stared at the wall noticing the tiniest details of the graffiti with deep interest in his eyes. There was a spark in his eyes, that could make anybody fall for the young one but he was the only one from his group who was not being adopted from his orphanage. He had deep solace in his heart every time he walked past this lane. The word REJOICE written on the wall in graffiti gave him hope. He believed the good days were just about to begin. He was lost in his own thoughts when a voice called ...

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“Wednesday Morning by Sadler Slate” by Sadler Slate

Submitted to Contest #9

Wednesday MorningA Story of Unrequited LoveBy Sadler Slate The tip jar was empty. I stood upon the stage looking half-defeated, staring down on the thinly divided audience that had slowly begun to make their way towards the door. I looked down at my wrist to see two hands tell me it was time to pack up and go home. More specifically, it was 11:30. Taxi cabs were pulling in and out as dozens of walking mouths piled in them and went home. They didn’t tip. They never do. Two hours of singing the same list of songs that everyone tune...

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“The Ballad of Ren and Lah” by Jordan Caulk

Submitted to Contest #9

It was as if he was reaching, speaking through water, to another, one which he could never again hear sweet, longing words emanate from. He knew somehow one day she would have to return to her home but he had only hoped that this transition would be delayed just a little longer, just enough to hear her speak words again, pure and untainted. He remembered her voice at one time melodic and rhythmic, like a heartbeat. She stood tall and proud, silent, looking down upon him with a faceless expression. Just before she had returned to her original...

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“MISHA - A STORY ABOUT A DIFFERENT KIND OF LOVE” by Liz Lewis

Submitted to Contest #9

Prompt: Write a story about unrequited love Misha – a story about a different kind of love By Liz Lewis Things weren’t going well for us in Germany, not with the bad exchange rate that Dad was always complaining about. But somehow, he finally managed to find us a small house. They called it a cottage. “Cottage” would make it sound quite nice though, cute. This wasn’t. It was the drabbest house ever. Square, grey, with a dirty roof. The advert said “for four persons”, but it actually meant that Paul and I had to sleep on a lumpy fo...

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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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