Write a story about a character practising a speech in front of the mirror. What are they preparing for?

Posted in Middle School on Oct 25, 2022

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✍️ 38 stories

“Seventh of Seven” by Anne Sellers

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #123

Staring into the mirror, she knew what she would have to do. It would get done and she would be the one doing it, just as she had 10 years ago. The seventh of seven children and a decade younger than the rest, she had felt like an only child since birth. Born into a so-called Christian family. They claimed it out of convenience. As a family, they never attended any house of worship or prayed together in all her days. Her political views were more progressive her family, even early on. She lived a life apart, almost as if she had never ...

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“The last word” by Melissa Manzone

Submitted to Contest #123

She closes the door to her bedroom and flips on the light, the brightness revealing a room in disarray. A low dresser with a gilded mirror on top sits in the middle of the room, painted white and distressed in that shabby-chic way popular with Pinterest enthusiasts. She makes her way to the dresser, stepping over shoes, magazines, and sweatshirts, each strewn about like debris after a storm. She unfolds the sheet of paper and places it down on the dresser. Then, pressing her heels on the carpet, she feels the fluffy, woolly mounds embedding...

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“Mirrors and Misfits” by Suma Jayachandar

Submitted to Contest #123

All mirrors are created equal; their finish and frame decide their place. Just like all humans are created equal; their family and fortune decide their place.This is not the time to be having such thoughts. C’mon…“… and have a five hundred a year each of us and rooms of our own; if we have the habit of freedom and courage to … courage to…” Again!? Tara stared at her reflection in disbelief. She shook her head violently and threw the paper roll mike on the mirror. There was no way she was going to impress her English Literary Club member...

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“Shattered Glass” by Coltrane Rogers

Submitted to Contest #123

“Dalton, he’s got you by your fuckin’ balls and he ain’t loosenin’ up!”It was an ugly reflection – no, just an ugly mirror.Yeah, you tell yourself that, you ugly sonofabitch.He changed his stance to something more powerful, something that said, look at me now and weep for my forgiveness.Then he tried something a little more forthcoming - something inviting, like a gingerbread house where you just want to tuck in and eat up, but there were more than just sweets and candy in this house.Yeah, behind those doors – behind that hard crust – there’...

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“Getting the Line Just Right” by Deborah Elliott

Submitted to Contest #123

Getting the Line Just RightDeborah ElliottThe rain was coming down and the wind was blowing fierce enough to bend the trees that shaded the front of the house. It was the kind of day that kept everyone inside. Melinda didn’t care because she wanted to work on her line anyway. She always rehearsed upstairs in the attic because no one ever bothered her there. After a lunch of chicken noodle soup and crackers, she climbed the creaking wooden steps that led to the attic. (Everything creaked in the family farmhouse.) She walke...

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“As It Is In The Loony Bin, So It Is In The Chambers” by Philip Ebuluofor

Submitted to Contest #123

I heard that the people who found romance in the pages of Mills and Boon can’t speak the words of their own. I don’t know how true that assertion is for I don’t know Mills and Boon and I don’t know romance. If ever I am force to make a choice, I will for sure lean on the part of the assertion. How else would you explain the fact that almost all our public figures are victims of that very act, not only those in love or in search of it but our politicians should be the yardstick to measure that assertion if you are interested. President Ob...

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“Violets are Blue” by Bobbie Candas

Submitted to Contest #123

VIOLETS ARE BLUE I stood in front of the mirror smiling, practicing a few opening lines. “P-p-professor Hirshfield, g-g-good to see…” No, I should use nice to see you. Gs are always tough. “Nice to see you. I love your new office s-s-space.” No need for space. Just say I love your new office. That works. Keep it simple and keep practicing. Mother would be proud; although she thinks me awkward, graceless, socially challenged, but always has hope for improvement. I’m not quite so harsh,...

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“Thirty-Nine ” by Jessica L 🦄

Submitted to Contest #123

Thirty-nine was the first year that age showed up on Ellen’s face. It had visited intermittently, before. After a sleepless night, an evening with an extra glass or two of wine. It showed up after a long day in the sun. Then it left as subtly as it had appeared. However, thirty-nine was the year that it settled in. It settled in between her eyebrows. It made itself known on her neck. It was fickle and etched on the left side of her mouth while not even visiting the right side. Standing in front of the mirror, ...

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“MOTHER” by Eva Haishun

Submitted to Contest #123

"Hey! I was wondering if you could help me tape the audition for tomorrow. I will practice the speech in the bedroom first, but I would not mind a bit of assistance after! It should not take long.""Yeah, I got you. Hit me up when you are ready.""Thanks! Will do."Maggy has been doing auditions for almost six years; nevertheless, the first take still troubles her. She needs to go over the script one last time before recording. They have lived with Aaron for more than four years now, and he knows perfectly well that it will take a lot more time...

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“The Cattle Call” by Mae Siu-Wai Stroshane

Submitted to Contest #123

“‘Tis true my form is something odd But blaming me is blaming God… Could I create myself anew I would not fail in pleasing you. If I could reach from pole to pole Or grasp the…” One steamy summer day in Boston, Jared Mann stared into the mirror and practiced a poem for his audition. He managed to sail through the first stanza, but for some reason, blanked out halfway through the second. “Damn!” He closed his eyes and tried again. If I could reach from pole to pole Or grasp the ocean with my span…” Good! He was home free. “I would...

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“A Man’s Biggest Moment” by Jane Linwood

Submitted to Contest #123

Nervous eyes stared back at him. One hand on both ends of the sink, clutching the sides tightly. His tie swung crookedly as he ducked his head away from the mirror, trying to collect his thoughts into one coherent sentence. He didn’t fail to notice the bead of sweat running down his forehead, He grabbed a paper tower and dabbed it away. “C,mon Peter.” He said to himself, backing up one step away from the sink. “Just…think of something..think of something better..” He bunched up the paper and took a deep breath. “Marilyn.....

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“Whispers of Her” by Austin Seaver

Submitted to Contest #123

His hair felt fine as he slid his face through his palms, before resting his forehead on the cold stone counter of the bathroom sink."This is stupid," he murmured inaudibly under the heavy fan, left on to conceal his shame from the visitors who invaded the halls of his home.As he lifted his gaze to the shell of a man in the mirror, dried toothpaste pulled at his skin of his forehead leaving a pinch of disgust in his stomach."They will never know you."Rising to his feet, he paused with one knee on the ground. Struck by his body reminding him ...

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“Reflections” by Leela Rae

Submitted to Contest #123

It had been a long winter. Countless days and nights alone by myself. No one to keep me company. I found myself seeking another presence, spiritual, make-believe, it didn't matter. I just missed the company of another. Someone to talk to. Someone to touch, if even only on my shoulder. Someone to see, if even I were dreaming. I didn't plan on staying here. I didn't plan on being stuck without a phone or internet or the ability to leave. I didn't plan on spending the entire winter by myself. I didn't even like myself, much less wa...

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“Stand-in Ovation” by Ali Anthony Bell

Submitted to Contest #123

Ali Albaz is standing in front of the mirror in the early morning sun. He’s practicing, experimenting, inventing, talking to himself, gesturing, and not sure at all how he’ll handle tonight’s concert. Scheherazade is still stretched out on the canopy bed in her nightgown. She’s explained the whole incredible situation. But before that, she had checked the bump on his head and changed the bandage, and then she had made love to him, partly to get even with Fatima Zahra for doing it with his brother, but then again, her twin sister was right, e...

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“The Speech” by Joyce Schook

Submitted to Contest #123

Deanna felt her stomach drop at the mention of her speech. It was less than a week away now, though she had practiced in front of her mom, step dad and younger brother, she was in no shape to deliver such a powerful message to the class of 2020. This morning Deanna ate, showered and returned to her bedroom. She lifted the yellow folder off her dresser. Walked to the full length mirror which hung on the back of her closet door. Deanna opened the folder, took out the speech and started to read a loud. " I want to begin by letting everyone here...

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Write a story about a character practising a speech in front of the mirror. What are they preparing for?

Submissions are closed

✍️ 38 stories

“Seventh of Seven” by Anne Sellers

“The last word” by Melissa Manzone

“Mirrors and Misfits” by Suma Jayachandar

“Shattered Glass” by Coltrane Rogers

“Getting the Line Just Right” by Deborah Elliott

“As It Is In The Loony Bin, So It Is In The Chambers” by Philip Ebuluofor

“Violets are Blue” by Bobbie Candas

“Thirty-Nine ” by Jessica L 🦄

“MOTHER” by Eva Haishun

“The Cattle Call” by Mae Siu-Wai Stroshane

“A Man’s Biggest Moment” by Jane Linwood

“Whispers of Her” by Austin Seaver

“Reflections” by Leela Rae

“Stand-in Ovation” by Ali Anthony Bell

“The Speech” by Joyce Schook

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story looking down from a stage.

Write about a character who always wears a mask (physical or metaphorical).

Begin or end your story with “Well, that was dramatic.”

Set your story backstage at the theater.

Contest #123

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

212

Contest entries

134

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: