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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

“Love is Blind” by Destani Herrera

Submitted to Contest #9

What do you think about when you hear the word ‘Love’? Do you think of someone special? Or something that used to be? Well, when I think about love, it’s not all happiness and butterflies and fireworks. It’s hard. Really hard. You can be at peace, or at war at any time. Who knows what will trigger it? I was in love once, it was magnificent. It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. I was finally happy. Happy with my life, my decisions, my opinions, everything. It’s like my entire view on life had changed. Well, that's what I’m ...

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“My first love.” by Jade Mauro

Submitted to Contest #9

The music starts to seep into my ears. It's gentle and inviting. It takes me a moment but the world around me starts to fade away and soon, it is but my music and I.Whenever I get transported by music, nothing else matters but what is playing in my ears and the worlds in which it transports me to. The songs that I bring with me from phone to phone are the ones that transport me to a different dimension. Sure, I like to listen to songs that make me feel things or that are similar to what I feel, but those songs are more like medicine. They ma...

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“The Dark Corner ” by Retha Knight

Submitted to Contest #9

It could make an inconvenient mess out of the dolled-up makeup and hair that consumed a woman’s afternoon in preparation for her evening out, but she loved the way the dew from the Carolina humidity deposited a thin veil of moisture onto her skin. It was the perfect mix of science and human emotion as she watched others blot the wetness from their brows, noses and necks so as not to disrespect the time it took for them to apply eyeshadows, foundations and colognes to display their best selves. “Unfortunate,” she thought as she felt a cascadi...

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“Star Wars and broken hearts. ” by Vasundhara S

Submitted to Contest #9

Oh gosh! Uhhg... I inhaled a deep breath taking in the intoxicated air around us, filled with alcohol and smoke. ‘thanks for coming leia’ James said putting his arm around my shoulder. “yeah! Okay”I said looking forward to the view of bar and crowd of dancing drunk strangers. “James, was it necessary?”I asked. “yeah! I got out of med school and I won't be celebrating without my princess” James replied stating the same line he has a special copyright of since last 18 years. “stop being dramatic j...

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“The Christmas Gift” by Debra Clewer

Submitted to Contest #9

Ethan pressed his back against the cold café window, sheltering his face from the persistent drizzle. He fingered the small velvet box in his pocket while he waited for Hannah. He was sure she’d love it. The last two years had been wonderful, and now he wanted to secure the relationship. Despite the weather he was content, happy, confident. Nothing would faze his plans for the future, especially today. In a moment she would arrive for a pre-working day coffee, something they did on a regular basis. He loved thei...

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“The Broken Heart of the Maid Queen” by Maddie S

Submitted to Contest #9

In a far-off kingdom there was a king. He loved his queen dearly and when the queen died the king was in such a state of sorrow that nothing could cheer him up. He would not leave his chambers and hardly ate. For many months the king would only dress in black clothes. The king did not speak much and when he did it was only to his three best knights. One day he heard a lovely singing voice coming from the servant courters. He followed the sound until he found Alice cleaning the floors. Alice had midnight black hair that was done in a simple b...

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“Doubts” by Caera Keane

Submitted to Contest #9

There’s a smile on her face that she couldn’t shrug off. She couldn't explain the contradiction of the lightness she was feeling and the weight in her heart. Her thoughts went back to that cute senior and his charming smile. Brie told him to forget it, to forget him. He's already got a girlfriend from another school or another city, she couldn't really remember. A girl can dream, that's the code that she lives by. Besides, he held the door open for her yesterday. With that dangerous smile, he called her by her first name and bid he...

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“Sing Me a Lullaby” by Ese Young

Submitted to Contest #9

I love Maria. Maria is a beautiful girl. She has a calming voice. She loves to sing. She loves conveying the emotion of every song she performs. The thing is, I’m her only audience – and sadly, she doesn’t know who I am. She only sings to herself and I’m lucky enough to witness her mini concerts. I love the fact that I can indulge my self in my muse’s greatness, but it’s also a shame that other people cannot hear her. She has always been alone. Her parents never really seemed to care about her. I wish they can look at Maria the way they look...

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“Will you smile for me?” by Luna Metcalfe

Submitted to Contest #9

“I thought I had my chance when he was gone. See I wasn’t old enough to join the war like he was, and I thought that that might give me the chance to talk to you. It was silly of me to feel happy about someone going into war, but I guess that just proves I was too young and innocent. Even when you said goodbye to him you smiled, though you looked so sad. I thought If I managed to cheer you up, you might share a real smile with me.” Smiling weakly he twiddled with his thumbs, trying to think of what he wanted to say and how he could convey it...

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“Love Bug” by Evelyn Ellsworth

Submitted to Contest #9

Sam and Emma met in third grade and they knew immediately that they would be friends for a long time. They played together at recess and talked about how mean that school bully is in their free time. Sure enough Sam caught a little third grade love bug for Emma. It didn't take long for Emma to find out though. Sam was talking to his friend Ty about who he liked. Little did Sam know Emma could hear the whole conversation, and even if she wasn't there to hear it, Ty told her right after anyway. Emma didn't say anything about it and honestly di...

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“The Car Ride ” by Aja Celeste

Submitted to Contest #9

“I love you, why can’t you believe that?” He asks. She asks. They ask. I’m at the movie theater with him. I’m on the couch in her apartment. I’m sitting in our favorite restaurant underneath the warmest lights. First date, second date, third date. I’m everywhere and nowhere, my forehead pressing to their cold passenger window, driving with no destination. He feeds me popcorn and broken pieces of chocolate. His eyes are large and doe-like, his smile lopsided. We’ve been studying together for months, hanging out with each other for week...

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“Righting Wrongs” by Emily Kopacz

Submitted to Contest #9

“Hey, hope you have a good night.” Joe texted Emmie. Emmie was hurriedly walking to the quad. Her teeth chattered but her heart was warm from wine. “Thanks babe,” Emmie texted back, hurriedly. She could hardly feel her fingers. “Remember, if it looks like anything happens tonight with Heather or someone, you have to tell me before anything actually happens. This open relationship will only work if you’re communicative and honest.” Joe texted her. “I know. I know. You know I never have any luck though. I think Heather just wants to be g...

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“Is Love Real?” by Alex Lee

Submitted to Contest #9

Anna was a petite, blonde haired 17 year old girl. Most people would think she would be popular but those assumptions were false. Anna loved being by herself. In fact she spent all of her time reading and writing books. She grew up in a broken household. Her father walked out on her mom when she was five years old. One day she was walking to class and she meet eyes with the star football player. His name was Josh and he had a girlfriend. His girlfriend was the head of the cheerleading team and was the most popular person in school. Anna's lo...

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“Almost” by Dana Bazel

Submitted to Contest #9

There she was. She came back home early again that day. I greeted her at the front door, but I was ignored like every other day. My only wish was for her to look at me. Even once. Even for a second. That was all that I wanted. She walked past me and threw herself onto my—hers now—couch. I sat next to her, but she didn’t care. She closed her eyes, her breath slow. Her face was now free from all stress from work, calm and relaxed like a refreshing end to the day. &nbsp...

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“laissezz le bon temps rouler” by Sharon Raymond

Submitted to Contest #9

“Laissez le bon temps rouler” “Let the good times roll” is the motto for Mardi Gras. I’ve dressed up as part of the fun for many years. However, a some costume choices made for me when I was a child show how the times have changed. Some were taken with a cheap Brownie camera using black and white film. In the 1950s, we would take the film to be developed and get the whole roll back as little three by four booklets held together wi...

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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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