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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

“A Sympathetic Interlocutor” by D.A. Cairns

Submitted to Contest #9

A Sympathetic InterlocutorbyD.A. Cairns Decorated was the word that first came to mind when he noticed her cheeks. Breaking eye contact only very briefly because he wanted to hold her gaze as long as possible, the strange patterns on her cheeks caught his attention. They might have been scars, burn scars or, had they been located somewhere else on her body, the kind of scars left after a surgical attempt to remove tattoos. The thought intrigued him and suspended the moment of greeting in time. Suddenly aware of her soft hand inside...

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“Friend-Zoned at Work” by Chastity Rylan

Submitted to Contest #9

My heart flutters. The butterflies in my stomach are going hectic. Palms clammy. Watching him walk through the aisles of the store, I feel myself smiling.“What are you smiling at?” Iphis jokes with me.“Not a thing.”“Manda I know you better than that.”“Damn it, I’m too high to think right now.”We both laugh as we go through the aisles.He presses his hands on my hips and guides me in front of him. Due to his height, he has to straddle me as he takes his steps. I wonder what people think when they see him and I walking through the store togethe...

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“The Cruelest Sting Of All” by Debra Caples

Submitted to Contest #9

Spring had arrived in Connecticut, Elspeth’s favorite season. A long, cold winter hadn’t helped her condition at all. Said condition had always puzzled her. What exactly was “a wasting disease?” No mystery to her, seeing as the affliction was hers. She knew the outcome, the pains, the limitations, but what was the cause? What, if anything, could be done about it? Old Dr. Norris here in Hambleton had urged Mother and Father to take her to New Haven where he assured them the most up-to-date medical help could be found. They discovered nothing....

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“Train of Thought” by Christine Hungerford

Submitted to Contest #9

Silla hopped aboard the Warrensburg train at the last minute. She could not miss her trip to her best friend’s house. Silla was going there, she knew, as the short and shaggy-haired woman sat down with her small leather purse on a chair opposite the closing train doors, to discuss Bob’s love for her but her disinterest in him. He genuinely loved her. Even expressed that he had worked up the courage to possibly date her and even propose to her soon. However, Silla had politely declined, but she had been doing so for long enough. Bob just need...

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“Make do” by Carolyn Bayne

Submitted to Contest #9

Deep in the mountains of Tijuana, lay a small village, where the people lived so humbly. They didn't really need much for they were satisfied with what they had. The village had remained how it was for many decades, the young had moved away to the city leaving the older folk to tend to their wares. It was the same for Miguel and Rosina, who were childhood sweet hearts, they got married very young and were still together, they had a secret to their longevity of togetherness but never revealed...

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“Pranti and the dark room” by Nisha Thapa

Submitted to Contest #9

PRANTI AND THE DARK ROOM Pranti found it strange when she noticed the dead red color on her underwear. She thought she is going to die. She rushed to her mom who was doing her mundane yarn work. Pranti called her mom and whispered on her ears .Both of them went inside the bathroom and stayed quiet for a while .Pranti pulled her inner wear and showed her mom that red thing. “Mom, What is it? Am I going to die? I don’t want to die. I have to win that quiz competition.” Her mom, Lata looked disgusted and cursed herself for giving birth to ...

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“Well i'm not allowed to,but ill come...” by Savitha Elumalai

Submitted to Contest #9

It was back then when the radio was peoples iPhone and carts were considered as BMWs. It took place in a small village in the big city called Madraspatinam now Chennai in India. It was the time when the Indians were fighting against the East Indian Company for their motherland. It revolves around a mother, who married a British man and had a daughter. Now sixteen years later the daughter is grown up and is already fighting for her rights unaware that some rights exit only to be denied…and her dad is far off fighting in the Second World War l...

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“The Bride with Bangles” by Arshi Arora

Submitted to Contest #9

It was the night of her wedding. She lay awake ogling at the rotating ceiling fan. Ashoke was fast asleep. Since the time their parents arranged this marriage, which was only two months ago, she’d always tried to picture how this night would unfold. She had many versions of it. But her favorite was one where they held hands and talked all night.She was happy ... nervous but happy. Happy to have found a man, who she believed, with time, would become her friend. She often imagined their life together- travelling to scenic lands ... she loved b...

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“The Un-Wish Bone” by Jim Hirtle

Submitted to Contest #9

Delectable Thanksgiving aromas fill the home, sweet cranberry mixed with savory turkey and green onion dressing. Pumpkin spices dance with fresh apple tarts announcing the season. A Christmas tree has been adorned with a handful of shiny metallic balls; a string of lights, yet to be unraveled, wait patiently on the plush carpet for someone to wrap their length around the tree’s generous girth. Football is on the television but the father has turned down the sound. The children knew that was not a good sign. Twins, a boy, and a girl, standing...

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“Life is a roller coaster” by Carolyn Bayne

Submitted to Contest #9

The house looked symbolic surrounded by the greenery of the hills and valleys and by the natural plant life. It was true that the Harper family had treaded into a domain alien to their current surroundings. They had left their homeland, Canada to pursue a new life chasing his dreams. He was an architect, Jeff Harper, it was his dream they were following. Gina Harper, an interior designer, worked on the rich and famous properties of Hollywood. The teenagers Tia and Zafra had both finished their final exams to pur...

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“Winter Won't Last Forever” by Cora R

Submitted to Contest #9

She sat silently beside the lake, staring out at the golden water and wondering. It’s odd how much wondering can go on in your head, even when you’re not really paying attention to it. Her eyes unfocused in the glinting light of the spring evening. She was so lost in the world of her mind, a bomb could’ve gone off, and she might not have heard it. The world was warming. This was the first time she’d ever really seen it. All her life, she’d lived in the south, where the weather was warm year round. She’d never actually seen winter turn into s...

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“Lucrezia ” by Leonora D'Este

Submitted to Contest #9

Florence1499 Lucrezia watched me as I looked back at her. I knew what it meant. Lucrezia’s head had begun to reek with pain as mine did. I put a hand to my forehead and watched as Lucrezia did the same. My hand burned with heat. Lucrezia’s did too. I heard her gulp. “D-d-do you know w-w-what th-this m-m-means, C-c-cecilia?” “Lucrezia. We are not going to die. Typhoid fever can not destroy us.” I stroked my young sister’s hair as I lied to her. “We will live. Have faith.” Lucrezia grabbed my hand with her small 8-year-old one and looke...

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“These Cold, Cloudy Stars” by Claire L

Submitted to Contest #9

“One more.” I breathe, forcing down Cambria’s socked feet. She sits up, eyes tearing up and sweat beading on her upper lip. She crashes back down, exhaling in agony and on the verge of tears. “How much?” I look away and multiply in my head: “Ninety-eight cals.” “That’s it?” She shakes her head. “Alright, your turn. Here. Give me your watch and I’ll hold your feet.” My eyes feel heavy as I force myself on the floor, in sit-up po...

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“The Midnight Scream” by David Filla

Submitted to Contest #9

There was a scream from down the hall.Tara sat up in bed, her eyes adjusting to the darkness of the room. It had to be midnight, if not later. Her breath was caught in her throat, but after a moment she was able to release it, sucking in the cool night air. She glanced around, her vision drawn to the flutter of the curtains in front of her window. Had she left the window open? She couldn’t remember. After all, the night had been one big party. Her brother was finally home.Alan had been away for years, and no one was sure where he was. They’d...

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“Apotheotic Delirium” by Eden Solera

Submitted to Contest #9

The engines gave a sputtering whine as Scarlett pulled up on the yoke. She gritted her teeth, clenching her hands as she forced the plane to climb above the majority of the clouds. Holding back tears, she looked to the unconscious body of her copilot in the seat to her right. The soft skin of his youthful face haunted her; if only she had not been forced to knock him out. He would have ruined everything, would have tried to call for help over the radio. She could not afford to allow him that opportunity, and yet, it seemed she did not ...

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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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