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

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

Submitted to Contest #123

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 popular phrase that never fails to intrigue me. I say som...

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“Practice Makes Perfect” by David Wilmot

Submitted to Contest #123

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?”His fists tightened and his knuckles whitened.‘Goddamnit, what is the matter with me!’ It was a stupid question. He ...

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“"Words"” by Lucinda Sloan

Submitted to Contest #123

Words Lucinda Heck Sloan She stood for what seemed hours before the mirror without doing a thing. She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. All she could see what the uvula at the back of her mouth. She thought hers was too big and immediately closed her mouth. Trying some vocal warmups that she had learned in a theatre class, she hummed, buzzed, and did some tongue twisters. She took deep breaths as she raised her hands above her head and exhaled slowly as she lowered them. These did help her relax, but the tension i...

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“The Mirror” by Linda Serrata

Submitted to Contest #123

As I stand here in front of the dressing room mirror rehearsing the TED Talk that is my story, my nightmare, and my reality, I realize I don’t recognize the woman staring back at me. I look tired, worn, and a whole lot older than what I did five years ago, before my nightmare and awakening. Before I lost my Chloe, my husband, and the life I was going through but not living. I stare at the scar that runs across my left cheek. It has become my identity and a constant reminder of what I have lost and what I have gained. I close my eyes ...

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“Acting General Raemond” by Lynne Taylor

Submitted to Contest #123

Tired eyes glared back at him through the mirror. The emerald color seems to have faded, while the wrinkles around them only grew more prominent. His dark brown hair was in shambles, flayed left and right. He sighed and closed his eyes. “This will be the last day.” He said softly. “The last act.” His eyes opened slowly. After taking a long look at himself, he straightened his back and took several deep breaths. Each on...

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“The Last Word” by Julie Frederick

Submitted to Contest #123

CW: death, road traffic accident“James always liked to be prepared,” my best friend Chris said, clutching a crinkled piece of paper as he stood in front of his mother’s full-length mirror. His voice had an unnatural chirpiness. “His bags were all packed for college. He was so excited to be going to Columbia. But it turns out he was embarking on a different journey…” He trailed off, his brow furrowed.Is he trying to be funny? I wondered, hovering just above the mirror. I shook my head frantically, as if he could see me. It was merciful that h...

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“The Loss and the Love of the Living” by A. Potato

Submitted to Contest #123

Potential CW: Mentions of death (non-explicit)Ander’s twin in the mirror looks more confident than he could ever hope to be. Clearing his throat for what seems to be the tenth time that day, he once again stares shakily into his reflection’s gaze, wishing he could trade places with it. His papers crinkle in his hands, words tumbling around the page in cartwheels. He glances down again, his lips practicing the movements that will start the address, trying to memorize the phrases that seem all too eager to run away from him. “I-We ar...

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“"Krapp's Very Last Tape"” by Gary Hurley

Submitted to Contest #123

Light shined in from both ends of my attic bedroom as I stood before the mirror doing my best to channel senility and listening to an antiquated reel-to-reel tape player. On the tape I was playing my younger, 25-year-old drunken self on the 4th of July spewing morose gibberish. My costume was an old thrift shop tweed coat, a mismatched orange and green plaid shirt buttoned up to the top, a worn black vest, baggy, dingy gray sweatpants, and a crumpled hat prop to place on the table. I was preparing for a solo performance. I took speech and th...

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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

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

“Practice Makes Perfect” by David Wilmot

“"Words"” by Lucinda Sloan

“The Mirror” by Linda Serrata

“Acting General Raemond” by Lynne Taylor

“The Last Word” by Julie Frederick

“The Loss and the Love of the Living” by A. Potato

“"Krapp's Very Last Tape"” by Gary Hurley

🌟 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 🏆

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