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

“The Web of Dreams” by Danielle Willsher

Submitted to Contest #123

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 herself motivated when she had such little incentive? She sighed, looking at the tiny pimples that were working their way across her nose and forehead....

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

Submitted to Contest #123

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-existent, and I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I have never been flexible enough to do anything more than a wide-legged squat. And I haven't atte...

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“HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY” by Debbie Curtin

Submitted to Contest #123

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 pave the way in seeing this great nation come to its fruition of becoming the land of the free and the home of the brave. I needed to refl...

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“Cleaning out my closet” by Lisa Roberts

Submitted to Contest #123

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, the p...

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“The Break-Up” by Tabetha Wilson

Submitted to Contest #123

“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.” It’s hard to hold...

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“The Night Before” by Billy Chung

Submitted to Contest #123

(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 to sneak you a bottle of Thousand Island. No one was safe from your screams during movie nights at the shelter. Die Hard 2 was especially difficult to sit through with you. Goddamn John McClane saves the da...

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“Speak with Conviction” by Charlotte Lewis

Submitted to Contest #123

“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 you need practice on.” “Then just what the hell do I need practice on?” Tom looks at her. “This seems so stupid. Talking to myself in t...

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“The Blessing of Being Shunned” by CJ Asher

Submitted to Contest #123

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 wondered as she dabbed her forehead with a napkin. At twenty three years old, Ginevra thought she had it all figured out. Now she was col...

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“Teaching English Was Her Second Calling” by Tom Moser

Submitted to Contest #123

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, would have sympathy for my bewilderment. The performances were all scheduled, tickets printed, costumes selected, and my name was in th...

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

Submitted to Contest #123

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 her comments with empathy and compassion despite the hurt that they may impart. This, of course, was an exercise in futilit...

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“Scripted” by Annemarie Wall

Submitted to Contest #123

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?” “There’s no time for that. I must do this.”“Deep breath. ...

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“Six and A Half Drafts” by CJ Rodgers

Submitted to Contest #123

“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 some night cream. He sighed and tried not to meet his own gaze in the mirror. Eye contact with himself was unnerving. Instead he ...

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“The Mirages of Beauty” by Scoop Rittersblock

Submitted to Contest #123

Contains sexual references.The man stood before a large mirror, a piece of paper trembling in his hands as he viewed his naked image with a mixture of scorn and regret. Over the years his once taught, muscular figure had slowly drooped, bulged and slackened until this day of reckoning when even as he flexed his muscles and sucked in his belly with deep, desperate breaths, no semblance of his former glory could be resurrected. He remembered his teens when the effects of hyperactivity and small portions of food kept his weight in check. There ...

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“Cold Feet ( Inspired by T swift)” by Linsey Vega

Submitted to Contest #123

(CW: adult language)As i stand here looking at the vision of beauty you are i…You are my light in the darknI’m not a writer, but…Gill (Mack) Jackson scratched yet another furious line right through the ridiculous words on the page. The man in the mirror grimaced back at him. He swept a shaky hand through wavy jet black locks and straightened to his full six-foot height. The beads of sweat forming on the nape of his neck dripped down his back, underneath his custom Versace navy blue tuxedo jacket. Standing there in front of a diamond encruste...

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“So It Goes Like This” by Jarrod V

Submitted to Contest #123

So it goes like this, thought Silvestre Vela. The man's contorted body truly was a repulsive sight, it'd twisted itself over the long years and had become a mockery of the human form, fortunately none had to bear this disgusting sight besides the prison guards. Even they couldn’t stand to look at him, perhaps they felt some shame upon seeing his pathetic state. Silvestre had arrived three years earlier, a young, handsome man, he was well built with broad shoulders. A man now unrecognizable, no doubt due to the conditions of his new life. Sle...

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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

“The Web of Dreams” by Danielle Willsher

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

“HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY” by Debbie Curtin

“Cleaning out my closet” by Lisa Roberts

“The Break-Up” by Tabetha Wilson

“The Night Before” by Billy Chung

“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

“Six and A Half Drafts” by CJ Rodgers

“The Mirages of Beauty” by Scoop Rittersblock

“Cold Feet ( Inspired by T swift)” by Linsey Vega

“So It Goes Like This” by Jarrod V

🌟 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: