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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

“Show, Don't Tell” by Kenneth Johnson

Submitted to Contest #9

Jonathon slowed the Lexus to a crawl as he drove down the narrow parking lane. He had learned the hard way to be prepared for the unexpected. He pulled into the slot marked “Reserved for Dr. Jonathon Spellman, Ph.D., Chairman, Ethics Department.” Glancing into the rearview mirror, he locked eyes with his reflection, watching the blue eyes in the mirror narrow. “I know, I know. Ethics is about truthfulness but where do you draw the line? “He walked across the campus to the lecture hall. Several students waved and greeted him with “Good Mornin...

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“The Ritual” by Jenny Toupin

Submitted to Contest #9

Hand-held lanterns lit the dampened concrete, reflections of the twirling flames left in the puddles. About ten men and woman with thick leather boots trudged through the rain and mud carrying the body on rowan beams that rested on their shoulders. Thirty more people followed close behind, carrying torches and bowing their heads. Their faces were covered by gas masks that resembled a witch doctor costume. Ceremonial black capes covered the rest of their bodies, leaving no skin shown. Even their hands that held up that wooden structure were c...

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“A Family Affair” by Babette Gallard

Submitted to Contest #9

God must have created our family on one of his headache days, or after having to deal with a particularly venal sin. Either way, the brain genes he put together for my parents, me and my siblings, are a mess. And just in case you’re thinking, C’mon, it can’t be as bad as all that, I’ll give you the inventory.First in line, Christopher, named after my grandfather. Not because I’m special, but because I was the first to arrive. Though actually Mom and I do have a special relationship, because I have her to thank for m...

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“Rebel Rebel” by Lee M

Submitted to Contest #9

Aria’s seat squeaked as she fidgeted. The girl next to her gave her a dirty look, then primly turned back to the stage. Aria sat on an end seat right next to the separating screen. It was translucent so she could see the silhouettes of the boys on the other side. The auditorium felt stuffy. There were only a few occasions when the whole town gathered for an assembly. The yearly matching ceremony was the most nerve-wracking for both the adolescents and their parents. A good match could mean moving up in society. A bad one usually meant the el...

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“Secrets of Light” by Rali Ray

Submitted to Contest #9

The water was cool and clear and plentiful. It filled the rock-hollow to the brim, a pool of life-nurturing liquid fed by its source high in the mountains. Kiran knelt by the pools’ lip, dipped his hands into the water, and closed his eyes. It was high noon, but little light had managed to squeeze past the lush vegetation of the forest’s canopy. The understory remained cast in a green dimness with few dapples of gold coloring the leaves. Directly above the pool, the tree’s branches had been cleared—an open portal to the clouds—and ...

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“When There's a Will, There's a Way” by Emily Gumal

Submitted to Contest #9

When There’s a Will, There’s a Way “Happy birthday, Aishah!” Mama said, holding out a gift-wrapped package. I swallowed a lump in my throat as I looked at the present. I knew what it was. And it didn’t please me the slightest. I looked at my older sisters, Hasmah, Sabrinah and Iman, and my younger sister, Damia. Hasmah’s head was covered and she ev...

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“What Lies Beyond the Walls” by Aurora Hidalgo

Submitted to Contest #9

For as long as anyone cared to remember, the sea was for the most part untouchable. As kids, they were told tales of alluring killers, enormous creatures and never ending depths. Children's books would ingrain the bravest of souls of a fear towards the ever rolling, never changing waves. Beaches were surrounded by tall walls kept under watch and if you were to sneak close enough to them you’d hear the loud crashing of water, the sounds of a world unknown. Any attempts to gaze upon the salty waters, were prohibited, the walls were watched by ...

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“Judge, Jury, Escape” by Ian Kirkpatrick

Submitted to Contest #9

Dedicated to the love of my life, Sam.Judge, Jury, Escape I’m running through the fields. Eyes watching me, glaring at me with disgust and disdain. They pierce me like knives as I run through the brush. Beating me slowly. I lose energy and my run becomes a jog, my jog becomes a walk, and my walk becomes a crawl. They close in, with the bats of judgment in their hands. I recognize their faces. The ones who are supposed to love me, to care for me, to always be there for me… One p...

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“Dead of Winter” by Monika Salazar

Submitted to Contest #9

"BRIAN! DID YOU GRAB MY SHIT AGAIN?" Carrie yelled from the downstairs bathroom. Brian, who sat in bed half asleep, grumbled and got up to go over to the door. "No. I didn't!" He yelled back and rubbed his eyes. An audible groan was heard as a door slammed. Brian simply sighed as he meandered back over to his bed. He hit the bed face-first and closed his eyes for a moment but then quickly re-opened his eyes. It was Monday. He scrambled to get his clothes on, rummaging through his drawers and throwing things across the room. Then he paused. I...

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“My Older Sister” by Abigail Munoz

Submitted to Contest #9

February 3 , 2004. This was the day I made it into this planet we call Earth. My mother said that I didn't cry that much when I was born, but how would she know, she was all drugged up from the medicine they gave her. When everything was settled, I was brought home to meet my two older siblings. When we got there, my mom let my sister hold me as she went and did something else. My sister was 12 at the time and was pretty excited to meet me, my brother was only 6 so, he didn't care much. He simply ignored me and kept playing with ...

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“Unconfessed Confessions” by Bryan Grafton

Submitted to Contest #9

Unconfessed Confessions Beth watched her older and only sister Ruth gasping for air as she lay in pain in her hospice bed. It was obvious to her that today her sister was worse. She pulled up a chair and sat down beside her, tears welling up in her eyes as she did so. She couldn’t have asked for a better sister than Ruth. “You feeling a little better today Ruth?” she asked...

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“Sonny and Sis” by Howard Englander

Submitted to Contest #9

Sonny and SisIt had been a while since Harry had seen his sister. He was looking forward to being with her again. Big Brother and Kid Sister, Harry and Jan Landers were always close. They were confidants, best friends, always there for each other when a comforting shoulder was needed to ease the tears. Dubbed “Sonny” and “Sis” by affectionate (if somewhat ineffective) parents, they carried their nursery school nicknames into the classrooms of academia, the conference rooms of Madison Avenue and the hierarchy of their own ...

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“The Two Reflections Within the mirror ” by Izabel Roses

Submitted to Contest #9

An old prophecy circulated around the kingdom of azalea, a kingdom that resided inside a mirror world. It foretold that one day a girl with eyes colored like the sun would appear an overthrown the wrathful king. A man whose names was feared through the kingdom. A man whom even the strongest nobles fear as he was a powerful man who was believed to have given his soul to the devil to have the power he had. This girl rumored in the prophecy would slay the cruel king and reign over the Azalean kingdom finally bringing peace to the Azalean people...

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“Broken hearts” by Grace Earrey

Submitted to Contest #9

They were twins but you wouldn't have guessed. One glance at them and you would think they were strangers to each other. Sure they dressed the same, had the same taste of music and had similar hobbies but their relationship was the very opposite.The older brother, Mike hated everyone and everything. Even his younger brother. He felt nothing towards him except hatred and spite. His fist clenched, his blood boiled just thinking about him. Mike did not care if he hurt people's feelings. He locked himself in his room most of the time, isolating ...

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“They Can't Have Him” by Wolfe Montgomery

Submitted to Contest #9

We have been together ever since his birth, held each other through the hardest times, held on when our parents let go. Now they want to split us up, to take him, to break me. They don’t know how hard it’s been, they don’t know the truth. They don’t know the hopelessness. The only thing we had was each other, for survival, for life. They don’t know the way we held each other through the night. I was his comfort and he was mine. Hoping, praying for survival. Cold and shivering in the dark. They don’t know the love between us, they want to tak...

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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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