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

Submissions are closed

Sorry, we are not accepting submissions for this prompt as it is not part of an active contest. Make sure you don't miss our next contest by creating your free Reedsy Prompts account.

Or create a new Reedsy account:

Why not check out our active contest?

✍️ 39 stories

“The Person in the Mirror and I” by Kelly Steele

Still in my pajamas as I paced back and forth on the frost-bitten front porch while running the dogs, I wasn't focused on where my feet were. One moment I am watching a thousand thoughts run through my pain, and the next - I must have looked like one of those inflatable air dancers as I ungracefully failed at the splits. My left leg went forward, my right knee banged into something non-ex...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Stand-in Ovation” by Ali Anthony Bell

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...

3 comments 3

Read story

“HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY” by Debbie Curtin

HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY ___________________________________________ This quote is beholding to a few gentlemen, many, many years ago, who are remembered for stating these mindful words. Benjamin Franklin comes to mind first and foremost, as he used them in moments of sound reflection of the meaning. I admired his spirit to honor to our homeland, the United States of America, as he did more than many to p...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Cleaning out my closet” by Lisa Roberts

My daily struggle between hope and inertia begins. Placing a small bet on hope, I get out of bed. Standing in my flannel nightgown in front of the full-length mirror I smooth down the left side of my collar until it is perfectly smooth. Next, I straighten each pearl button. The last button refuses to stay upright, I yank it off. I throw it at the wall, leaving a small chip in the wallboard. I pull my nightgown over my head, and toss it on the floor. I go into the bathroom and stare at my faded eyes, crows feet, th...

2 comments 2

Read story

“The Break-Up” by Tabetha Wilson

“It’s not you, it’s me.” I examine the mirror, practicing my look of contrition. Down a little at the corners of the mouth. Lower the eyebrows, smaller eyes. There it is! Perfect form. Hold it. If only I could cry. That would really complete the effect… normally it doesn’t take much. I’m a naturally weepy person, but for some reason I’m really struggling today. Honestly, it should be fine, I’ll keep trying. He gets here in an hour. I have time, and this needs to be flawless. “We’ve had a good run, and I’m grateful for you.” ...

1 comment 1

Read story

“Speak with Conviction” by Charlotte Lewis

“This is idiotic, Eileen. Why should I practice this speech in front of a mirror? I know exactly what I want to say. I don't even need notes.” Tom Raddison is in front of the hall mirror muttering to himself. “I feel like a damn fool looking at myself.” His wife came from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron as she walks. “Tom, I know you know what you want to say. It's not what you're saying that ...

0 comments 0

Read story

“The Blessing of Being Shunned” by CJ Asher

Disfellowshipped. Shunned. Cut off. Leaving her religion meant leaving her mom, dad and younger sister. This is what would soon happen if she didn’t convince them to leave the cult along with her by order of the religious leaders. Sweat dripped down her back as well as pooling under her armpits. How in the hell was she going to convince her parents of anything when she was sweating so incessantly? This she ...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Teaching English Was Her Second Calling” by Tom Moser

I told myself to practice the longest and most difficult of my lines ten times in the mirror before I could go to the easy lines. She said practicing in the mirror was the best way to memorize while also getting used to having an audience. How I got myself into the role of a thespian in a high school play was still a mystery. I was sure Ernest W. Stanley, who I was cast to play in The Man Who Came to Dinner, wou...

1 comment 1

Read story

“She stood in front of the mirror” by Julie Shaw

She stood in front of the mirror, trying to focus on the words and not her reflection. She wanted to get it right. Ending a marriage is no small task, and it was important that he hear and understand what she was hoping to convey. During their 11 years together, she had rarely felt heard or understood by her husband, so it was unlikely that this would be an exception. She knew it. She needed, however, for him to receive ...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Scripted” by Annemarie Wall

These eyes linger across the wooden panels that make for slippery steps each time I glide from up- to downstage. Tripping over words and cursing self when balance is lost and eloquence stretches beyond reach. “Who will I be today?”The curtain draws near, with only an hour to finalize preparations, perfect the monologue and hope the words land in favor of winner’s fate. Beyond the looking glass, fear reigns supreme. “Can I do this?” “The...

5 comments 5

Read story

“The Web of Dreams” by Danielle Willsher-Goodman

Carly began gathering her long silky hair in an oversized bun and checking her reflection, forcing a smile in the mirror. Her eyes never lied… a pasted-on smile couldn’t hide all the hurt and pain in her soul. The light within them had dimmed and the tremendous strain was clear on her face. She looked pale and gaunt, with dark circles under her eyes from the lack of sleep. It was hard to keep her...

0 comments 0

Read story

“The Night Before” by Billy Chung

(TW: Death) The Night Before “I remember you.” Sylvie, if you were alive to hear it, you’d probably hate that ending. You despised the clichéd, the trite, the predictable – in everything you touched, saw, smelled, and heard. No salad dressing was left untasted; when you’d had your fill of ranch and raspberry vinaigrette, you begged me...

1 comment 1

Read story

“Words Speak Louder Than Actions? (Writers Are Not Active)” by Malik Coley

Twenty six years — I’ve heard plenty of things growing up. I’ve heard the voices in my head yelling at me for doing the right thing. I’ve heard my parents shouting at me for me doing the wrong thing. Unfortunately, my anger spoke the loudest and took me on a path that not even a poet could describe.I’ve always been a great listener. But it was who, or what myself chose to listen to that shifted my route — taking me on the expressway to hell. “Actions speak louder than words” is a very...

3 comments 3

Read story

“Six and A Half Drafts” by CJ Rodgers

“At 7:40 yesterday morning—no no no…” He took a deep breath and tried again. “Yesterday morning, a tragedy struck and—no, I can’t do that. Panic is not what we need right now.” The mirror didn’t offer any constructive criticism as he looked into it. All it showed was his tired face and new wrinkles. He grimaced and rubbed at the crows feet at the side of his eyes. Perhaps he ought to take Ellie up on her offer of...

4 comments 4

Read story

“Practice Makes Perfect” by David Wilmot

Practice Makes PerfectEverything rests on this, everything. Time and place, nothing else. Don’t even think about anything else. He stared at himself in the hall mirror. Sitting up straight with his hands folded he counted down to zero and for the umpteenth time started over.“I bought gas just before midnight and settled in for a long drive.”The monkey on his shoulder immediately spoke up. “Oh really, and where did you buy gas?”...

0 comments 0

Read story

Load more stories

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story looking down from a stage.

Thriller and Suspense – 61 stories

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

Angst – 49 stories

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

Christmas – 41 stories

Set your story backstage at the theater.

Halloween – 31 stories

Contest #123

Enter our weekly contest!

This week's theme: Showtime

$250

Prize money

221

Contest entries

146

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Dec 10, 2021 EST

Won by Patrick Samuel 🏆

Title: Southern Comfort and the Kindness of Strangers

View details

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

We'll send you 5 prompts each week. Respond with your short story and you could win $250!

Tired of MS Word?

Join the revolution and write your book in a tool designed for authors. 🙌

Includes FREE typesetting to print-ready PDF & EPUB files, track changes and collaborative editing.

Menu

CONNECT

BLOG

APPS

TOOLS

ABOUT

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

Submissions are closed

✍️ 39 stories

“The Person in the Mirror and I” by Kelly Steele

“Stand-in Ovation” by Ali Anthony Bell

“HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY” by Debbie Curtin

“Cleaning out my closet” by Lisa Roberts

“The Break-Up” by Tabetha Wilson

“Speak with Conviction” by Charlotte Lewis

“The Blessing of Being Shunned” by CJ Asher

“Teaching English Was Her Second Calling” by Tom Moser

“She stood in front of the mirror” by Julie Shaw

“Scripted” by Annemarie Wall

“The Web of Dreams” by Danielle Willsher-Goodman

“The Night Before” by Billy Chung

“Words Speak Louder Than Actions? (Writers Are Not Active)” by Malik Coley

“Six and A Half Drafts” by CJ Rodgers

“Practice Makes Perfect” by David Wilmot

🌟 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

221

Contest entries

146

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Tired of MS Word?

Explore more writing prompt ideas: