Write a story during which two conversations happen simultaneously.

Posted in Dialogue on Jun 16, 2023

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✍️ 28 stories

“Blood and Water” by Tamarin Butcher

Submitted to Contest #203

Sandra reached for her phone. It was an automatic movement, something she did hundreds of times a day in the hope of seeing something that would make her brain go, 'Ah, yes". Today, dozens of notifications glared back at her, and her stomach twisted. Instead of sweet distraction, all she saw were reminders of the inescapable. Barely comprehending the digital onslaught, Sandra scrolled down the list. Cousin Amy, who lived her life via Facebook, tagging every family member she could think of in her public announcement of grief.: #sadd...

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“Career Decisions” by Kathryn Menefee

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #203

“God, that one exam,” Jennifer said. “She kept me on the phone for hours. It was something about court procedures…?”Samantha laughed. “Evidence. She called me about that too.” “Yes! She was certain she was going to fail that one. And of course, if she failed that one, she was going to fail out of school entirely, have to move back home—” “Yep.” “And I told her—I told her, ‘Amy, you’ve never failed an exam in your life. You’ve never even gotten below a B plus in your life—’” “‘But law school is d...

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“Quack” by James Larder

Submitted to Contest #203

‘You know you'll never see her again, don't you? Because of your actions. Because of your behaviour. Because of your delusions.’‘You’re wrong! You’re just blatantly wrong! I'm not crazy, man- You don't understand- No-one does- Except us- Me and her. You don't know what it was like. When we were together. It was otherworldly - Metaphysical - Heaven on Earth! We’re like Napoleon and Josephine. We chose each other- Outside the simulation! It’s a great love- A love for the ages! We know each other… And we have known each other- For aeons!’The ps...

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“Maknae” by Eurae Muhn

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #203

*cw: transphobia “So you see, Officer Brittel, that is why–-” So-Yeon, who perpetually suffered from cotton mouth whenever she was nervous, paused to dislodge her upper lip from her gum line, where it was presently stuck. It was the unfortunate result of saliva evaporating from her mouth at impossible speeds whenever she was uncomfortable. There is no discreet way to unhook one's own inverted lip. But it had to be done, as consonants--including those required to say the name of her potential employer--were becoming increasingly difficult t...

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“But Miss Editor -” by 💮 Honey Lillith 🌸

Submitted to Contest #203

Foreword: If you're looking for literary skills, this story is not for you, but if you're looking for a bit of fun and some nonsense, then I am happy to say look no further; You've come to the right place.Hey, Miss Editor, I don't think that's fair. (I had to warn them somehow, didn't I?) It's making fun of my 'literary skills'. (Your literary skills? I'm the one writing this.) That's insulting! I may be just a character on paper right now but I have feelings too you know! You think you just created me out of thin air? (Where else would you ...

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“The Charm” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #203

Coleen eyed her parents’ house from the shade of the tree a few doors down. They hadn’t lived there long, but today she began planning her move out. Preparing for the ‘big reveal,’ Coleen draped her sweater over her ring finger and walked resolutely to her home. The family had lived there since the beginning of her senior school year. Her parents, Michael and Heidi, bought it along with the Sunny Day Café behind them, on the next block. Michael loved the convenient commute, mere steps away, across the alley. Coleen found her ‘new kid’ wor...

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“Medici On High” by Holden Burkholder

Submitted to Contest #203

Calvin Suthers was often described by his peers as, “ambitious”. Having grown up poor in the streets of New York, he climbed his way out of poverty and into the political ranks of the city. A firm democrat, but no slave to the national platform, he worked solely for the people of his city, at times abandoning the platform, or strengthening it beyond their intention, he took no money from their PACs or from lobbyists, he was well respected and made his mark without a shred of nepotism or hypocrisy. &...

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“Harry Hears All” by Maureen MacLennan

Submitted to Contest #203

Harry Hears All The earlier morning haze that defined Miami had broken up leaving a hot pavement and wilting pedestrians. Harry saw it all from his perch on the two-foot squared cement doorstep. He’d been residing there for a while now and found that it was a prime people-watching site. He glanced down the street, then up at the sun, shielding his dark rheumy eyes from the glare. His world was all about sensation now, his ears, nose and eyes picked up clues about people that he hadn’t noticed when he was still working. He’d lost his wife to...

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“A Spark & A Code” by Robin M

Submitted to Contest #203

Two carry-on sized suitcases jostle in the back every now and then as the shiny sports wagon makes its way further from the city of Edinburg to the Inverness Airport. Despite it being mid-summer, the weather is more reflective of Seattle than anything remotely close to the typical trimmings associated with this time of year. There is no apparent indication that one would absorb any notable amount of vitamin D in this green and lush terrain. The irony.From the passenger seat, Lucia’s manicured hand reaches up to open the sunroof rol...

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“Whispers of Resilience: Reclaiming Light from the Shadows” by Abby Leighty

Submitted to Contest #203

In the quiet solitude of a small town, a young girl named Lily grew up with a heavy burden upon her shoulders. Her childhood was marred by the presence of an abusive mother, whose heart had turned cold and indifferent towards her eldest daughter with each passing year. The once tender love she held for Lily had withered away, replaced by anger and resentment.Lily's world was shattered at the age of six when her mother forced them to uproot their lives and move to a large farm house that belonged to her grandmother. The new surroundings were ...

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“Two Conversations” by Teigen Bond

Submitted to Contest #203

“Hi honey.” Mom says. “Hi mom.” I drop my backpack on a dining room chair How did you mess it all up this time? You always find a way. My head whispers. “How was your day?” “Alright I guess. I’m tired.” I yawn, feeling the weight of the day in my arms, my legs. You’re always tired. Lazy piece of crap. I tell myself it's just depression speaking, and if I ignore it, it will go away. “How’s Amelia?” Mom asks. “She’s okay” She hates you. No she doesn’t, I insist internally. “How’s her painting coming along?”...

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“BUILT ON SAND” by Andrew Bell

Submitted to Contest #203

BUILT ON SAND “It’s a bloody El Dorado, mate.” “Yeah, we just have to figure a way to get rid of the Indians.” “Shouldn’t be hard. They’re all solo Mums, dole bludgers or surfies.” “Dole-bludging surfies at that.” “Oh, that’s a bit harsh, mate. Some of them work at McDonalds when the surf’s flat.” Bob guffawed through a mouthful of wine. “Steady on, mate, you nearly made me spit up a perfectly good pinot.” Ed plucked a piece of fluff off the right knee of his trousers. He looked up at Bob. “Seriously though, Bob, they’re pond scum a...

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“GO AHEAD, YOU FIRST,... ONCE UPON A SUMMER... ” by Robert Kovacs

Submitted to Contest #203

Dear YMCA Camp Director, I am trying really hard not to be emotional and ramble on, but please forgive me, as this is the first time my child will be left with anyone but family or school. I hope I made the right decision to send my child to camp, specifically YMCA camp, have you ever seen how many choices a parent must make when they send the child to camp? I am not yet a parent of a child, but I can assure the families I serve, placing a child in my care, I, foremost worry of the safety of both my campers and my staff and then I try t...

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“A Stranger” by Bridget Pierpoint

Submitted to Contest #203

“What year are you in school?” the lady with the tortoiseshell glasses asks. “Oh, I actually graduated from undergrad last month.” Alyssa responds, brushing a lock of honey-colored hair away from her face. “From where?” “Um, Harvard.” “Humph.” The lady looks down at her desk, breaking eye contact. Bravely, Alyssa ventures “Wait, what’s wrong with that?” “Did I say anything was wrong?” Mrs. Lawson shoots back, with a stern glare peering through her oversize glasses. “Well, no. But it just sounded like you disapproved…” Aly...

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“The Prince and the Jarl” by Joseph Peck

Submitted to Contest #203

WARNING: This story features several mature topics, up to and including implied threats of forced marriage/unwanted romantic attention, implied threats of violence, and an antagonist who is crazy. With that, let us begin. “Jarl Hal, please, this is madness!” A great oaken door was hurled open as an irate young man garbed in armor marched out of the room. His blue eyes brimmed with rage beneath furrowed brows, a snarl on his lips. His fair hair was in disarray. His suit of plate and maille clanked as he walked through the stone walls of ...

2 comments 2

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Write a story during which two conversations happen simultaneously.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 28 stories

“Blood and Water” by Tamarin Butcher

“Career Decisions” by Kathryn Menefee

“Quack” by James Larder

“Maknae” by Eurae Muhn

“But Miss Editor -” by 💮 Honey Lillith 🌸

“The Charm” by John K Adams

“Medici On High” by Holden Burkholder

“Harry Hears All” by Maureen MacLennan

“A Spark & A Code” by Robin M

“Whispers of Resilience: Reclaiming Light from the Shadows” by Abby Leighty

“Two Conversations” by Teigen Bond

“BUILT ON SAND” by Andrew Bell

“GO AHEAD, YOU FIRST,... ONCE UPON A SUMMER... ” by Robert Kovacs

“A Stranger” by Bridget Pierpoint

“The Prince and the Jarl” by Joseph Peck

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about how a single event affects a seemingly unrelated area of a character’s life (their friendships, career, romantic relationships, etc.)

Write about two friends getting into a fist fight.

Write a story that experiments with tone — perhaps a difficult subject dealt with in a playful way, or an ostensibly happy scene that hints at darkness lurking beneath.

Start your story in the middle of the action.

Contest #203

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

226

Contest entries

121

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: