Start your story with one character telling another, “It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat.”

Posted in Novel on Oct 25, 2022

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✍️ 132 stories

“Trust you” by Raghad Nur

Submitted to Contest #66

“It doesn’t count if you are already planning your defeat’’‘’It’s not easy mum!! Why don’t you guys understand that’’ I shouted at the beautiful, petite, small-framed innocent women standing there with tears rolling down her beautiful emerald green eyes. My mother.‘’I know it’s not! But it will be if you try’’ she sighed sitting on the chair beside her.‘’try?’’ I let out a humorous laugh, ‘’try? You mean try saving my dad’s life and what happens if I fail? Huh! I lose him forever’’ I spat as tears were continuously rolling down from my eyes....

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“The Funeral” by Donovan Bramham

Submitted to Contest #66

Scene One Two brothers are playing a game of chess in their room. One side you have Daniel the younger brother and also Derrick the older brother. Daniel: It doesn't count if you're already planning your defeat! Derrick: There is nowhere I can go, you beat me. Daniel: (flustered) You and I know both that you let me win. Derrick: Well your always nagging me on how I never let you win. Daniel: Not true, (sighs) well thanks anyway. Derrick: Of course. Mom: Get ready. Derrick & Daniel: Yes Mom! Scene Two Both brothers put on there su...

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“Blobfish Forever” by A.G Lesley

Submitted to Contest #66

Author's request: If you've never seen what a blobfish looks like in the water and out of the water, please take a moment to look up a picture of both. It will help you understand one of the story's metaphors. Thank you!“It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat.” Nathaniel Graben’s sister told him that a very long time ago, back when he was twelve. She’d been leaning against his doorframe, like a dad, brownish hair falling out of her ponytail. Her hair was always in her face. He hadn’t quite understood what she meant...

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“A Glimmer of Death” by Spout 🦌

Submitted to Contest #66

The torrential rain furiously hit the tiles of the roof, causing an echo throughout the barn. An ominous mist seeped through the cracks of the wall, adding to the already frigid atmosphere. The only source of warmth and comfort was the small campfire in the middle of the room. Two shadows were cast by its flames, one of which seemed significantly more subdued than the other. The middle aged man was laying on his back, both hands shielding his face from the ill intentioned individual who stood before him. “Please… please don’t do this! ...

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“The Cost Of Life and Risks” by Yellow Flower

Submitted to Contest #66

“It doesn't count if you’re already planning your defeat.” “Well, what if defeat is the only answer? The only possible plan?” “Then I would begin to doubt the question I am answering.” “What if the question is rushed upon you and has fatal consequences if you fail?” “Then choose the right answer.” Our eyes locked. His smirk is slow on his face. I try to do the same on mine. Mimicking him. I want to remember and absorb all of this. Not let a piece escape. I am trying so hard to remember, tears burn in my eyes. This isn't what I want...

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“Words in the Coffee Cup” by J.B. Dixon

Submitted to Contest #66

“It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat. Might want to get yourself out of that rut before it becomes a trench.” Julia paused to sip her coffee then looked at her boyfriend. “Besides, if you think it’s that bad, maybe you should scrap it and start over.” Connor sighed and rubbed his tired eyes. “It’s not that simple, love. I’ve been writing this series for the last seven years and I can’t just scrap it and start over. If the last book is a flop, my career as an author is over.” He popped the last bit of his almond coffee c...

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“letter for a dead girl” by Stefano D'Antimo

Submitted to Contest #66

“it doesn’t count if you are already planning your defeat” you said, kindly stroking my fluffy hair. “what do you mean it doesn’t? it’s much better than planning to win. You are already ready for the hit losing will give you” I answered. I was laid down on her lap looking up at you. From there I could see you face hunched over me; you weren’t beautifully pretty. you didn’t have long blond hair, or any, for that matter. your eyes also weren’t sparkling full of life and they weren’t blue, like all those models you see on social media. When y...

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“Pickled” by Amy Wright

Submitted to Contest #66

“It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat,” Nick said. His perfectly ovalled nails glinted as he tapped them against the side of his sweating martini glass. “What doesn’t count?” Renee asked. “I’m going to eat the pickles, aren’t I?” Her short, wavy hair was disheveled and the expression on her round face was sour. She looked at the red lattice basket in front of her heaped high with fried pickles cooling into hardened grease. She stabbed one repeatedly with a cocktail straw. “Why did I enter this ridiculous contest?” She si...

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“Perseverance ” by Bryan Parent

Submitted to Contest #66

He shrugged his shoulders and looked at me. His voice was deep and gravelly. It had a timbre that drew your attention and could make the most mundane things sound as if they were the most important thing in the world. His cadence, always slow, was as if he had put tremendous thought behind every word; as though each word held equal importance and could change the world if he misspoke. He could command a room without as much as a thought. “It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat.” He finally said.&nbs...

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“Turning Point” by Kris Vanhoyland

Submitted to Contest #66

“It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat, you know,” the young woman said. She sat next to me in the truck, picking at her worn-out sweater, one boot on the dash. “What? What’s that supposed to mean,” I asked, glancing at her for just a second. “I don’t know, why don’t you tell me,” a hint of exasperation sounded through in her voice. “I’m getting a weird vibe off of you, Hannah. This thing we’re about to do, we’ve been working towards it for months, the plan is good, everyone is prepared, and yet…” “And yet?” I asked as I ke...

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“The Winter of Life” by Susan Hudson

Submitted to Contest #66

The Winter of Life Susan W. Hudson As she gently placed her deep purple African Violet on the window sill of her new room, Grandma sighed deeply and with a tremble in her voice said, “I can’t do this.” “Now Gram,” Morgan retorted as she hugged her grandmother, “It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat.” “This IS my defeat. I want to go home.” Grandma said again with tears in her voice. “Now Gram,” Morgan cooed. “Don’t you remember? We sold your house ten years ago just after Grandpa passed away. You’ve been living with Mom, ...

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“Strategy Meeting” by Yi Zhang

Submitted to Contest #66

“It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat. That’s your first mistake,” Michel said, pausing momentarily to take a sip from his coffee cup. “Either you deliver it like a man, or you're going home like Chris Kim. And don’t even try to pretend like you don't know what I'm talking about. Just because you don’t gossip doesn't mean you don't have ears.” I sighed, “I know, I know. I’ve heard it already, the ‘you don’t wanna end up like Chris Kim’. Poor guy.” “Dude couldn't look her in the eye for the rest of the month. And when he go...

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Start your story with one character telling another, “It doesn’t count if you’re already planning your defeat.”

Submissions are closed

✍️ 132 stories

“Trust you” by Raghad Nur

“The Funeral” by Donovan Bramham

“Blobfish Forever” by A.G Lesley

“A Glimmer of Death” by Spout 🦌

“The Cost Of Life and Risks” by Yellow Flower

“Words in the Coffee Cup” by J.B. Dixon

“letter for a dead girl” by Stefano D'Antimo

“Pickled” by Amy Wright

“Perseverance ” by Bryan Parent

“Turning Point” by Kris Vanhoyland

“The Winter of Life” by Susan Hudson

“Strategy Meeting” by Yi Zhang

🌟 Similar prompts

Halfway through a fierce competition, your character is given the opportunity to cheat their way to victory: do they take it?

Write about a character who makes a dramatic life change to pursue a goal they’ve secretly always wanted.

Write about a contest with life or death stakes.

Write about a character who’s finally on the verge of achieving their lifelong dream.

Contest #66

Enter our weekly contest!

$50

Prize money

584

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: