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

Posted in Novel on Oct 26, 2022

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✍️ 120 stories

“Struck a Chord” by A H

Submitted to Contest #66

Looking back, it could have gone either way. It didn’t work out, which makes it look like fate, or a stupid decision, or both. But at the time, I did have a few things in my favor. I had everything in my name, sole access to the vault, and a clear conscience. The ending of a business partnership is taxing: physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. It feels just like a breakup: arguments are spat, tears are shed, and the yearning for closure. My mother warned me about the risks of running a business. I’m not looking forward to he...

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“Laughing Through the Pain” by Cheryl Holloway

Submitted to Contest #66

“Alexa, stop!” The alarm had gone off as it had every morning for the past 22 years at 6:30 am. Time to get up and start off another Monday. I lay in bed thinking how wonderful it is to remember my dreams rather than having them ripped away and tossed into the trash of the mundane workweek that was starting yet again. I mumbled to myself, “Charlotte get your ass out of bed, this day is going to be the same as all of the rest.” “Get up and go get Cameron out of bed so he can get ready to follow the life steps you have lived ever since you h...

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“Pursuit of a Dream” by Monica Chaddick

Submitted to Contest #66

Kayla had always done things backwards. As a baby, she learned to walk before she learned to crawl. She learned to use utensils before using her fingers. She learned how to write before she could read. As a teenager, things weren’t much different for her. She had had sex, gotten pregnant, and had a baby before ever going on a real date. As a result of this, she had gotten married at a very young age. She was sixteen and her baby’s father was eighteen....

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“Wish” by Anupama K Thomas

Submitted to Contest #66

Life demands a lot, it takes a lot away and gives a little. We let it happen, when we are the ones who can change it and make life ours. Aaron was devastated. His left leg was not moving. He was getting upset while laying on the hospital bed waiting for someone to come inside and tell him why his leg is not responding. He cared less about the rest of him. He wanted to know that his leg is okay. Before he could explode of frustration, the door opened and a nurse came in. He expectantly looked at the lady and followed her movement. She check...

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“What next?” by Jennifer Benedict

Submitted to Contest #66

“So what now?” Maria tosses an empty coca-cola can in a waste bin accommodating rays from the street light above it.*Earlier that day.*Waking up in the morning had never felt so nice for Maria Ali. She pushes her bed cover aside and climbs down the bed. Picking up her phone to check for new texts and tossing it on the bed almost immediately,she scans the room for nothing in particular.Today of all day there was no text from him, just notifications of who liked or commented on her recent IG post and tweets.She hums and dances her way to the k...

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“To Come” by LuAnn Williamson

Submitted to Contest #66

To Come By LuAnn Williamson “Yes Sir, I understand,” Lillian looked deeply at her Boss’s soft brown eyes as if trying to memorize them for the future. Then she looked away, so he couldn’t see the tears pooling in her own smoky blue eyes. “Why am I calling him “Sir?” she wondered to herself. Under normal circumstances, he’d be “Jack.” Sometimes, under more formal circumstances he was “Mister Fritz.” &...

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“Written Revolutionaries” by Hanna Moore

Submitted to Contest #66

"It doesn't count if you're already planning your defeat," my twin brother, Adran muttered. "What else am I supposed to do?" I asked. Adran sighed, running his hand over his chin. "Maybe you could run away," suggests Presley. "Presley," Adran snaps. "Jessica can't just run away!" Presley huffs, wanting her idea to be taken seriously. I glanced around the encircling area, my mind racing to prepare for leaving. "I might be able to make it," I state. Adran whips his head around to look at me. "You can't be serious," reasons Adran. I nod, s...

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“Which Path?” by Wondering Wandering

Submitted to Contest #66

You may see me now and wonder who I am and what I am doing. Well, I wish I knew. My life depends on what I decide here. What am I to do about it? What will I decide? I am about to graduate and I have to choose my path. The decision deadline is approaching quite quickly. Most of my peers are exploring the path that they chose. How could someone have already made up their mind? It seems impossible. Some are looking for the path they like. Not me. Maybe it is a path, with so many options how am I supposed to know which path is mine, and what m...

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“Painter” by HBR Patel

Submitted to Contest #66

'Mom, no one from my friend circle is choosing engineering. Only I am the one,' argued Raj to his mother. 'So What? You have to make your life on your own.' And then came the most used phrase of parenting, 'If they all jump into a well, will you?' Raj was rendered defenseless by this argument from his mother. 'Mom, if that 'Well' has gold at its bottom, then I will not hesitate....' 'Wake up, Raj. It is time to Land,' said Samuel, a fellow astronaut of Raj. Raj woke up from his sleep inside the sleeping pod of a space shu...

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“Lost in Lima” by Ellen Salkeld

Submitted to Contest #66

The sharp iron taste alerted her that continued nipping at her fingernails had ripped loose a hangnail. She returned the bleeding digit to her lap and continued to wait, staring at the beachscape painted on the wall as she bounced her sneakered foot on the floor. The big Kahuna had summoned her, and since she’d only met him once when she interviewed for the job, she figured it couldn’t be good news. His voice, thick with an unknown accent and pitched unusually high on the register, grated on her nerves as she listened to his muffled telephon...

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“To Seattle on a Greyhound” by Liz G

Submitted to Contest #66

Maggie’s heart was pounding as she walked quickly down the street, keeping her head down and her hood up. The backpack that held all she now had in the world felt like a bag of rocks. It was drizzling, and the sky was grey. Appropriate. That was what Maggie’s life looked like, here. This was what she was leaving. Her beloved, scuffed black Converse beat a rhythmic pattern against the concrete. Her choppy blond hair brushed her shoulders, a gentle October breeze stirring up the limp locks. Impulsive, her stepmother had said, after spe...

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“Strange Attachments” by Rena Mistinguett

Submitted to Contest #66

She heard her email alert ding. The latest message in the inbox held one attachment. When her eyes met the magical unopened box on the screen Hazel’s heart raced, feeling something she hadn’t felt in years and years. Excitement. Pure raw giddy excitement. She liked this feeling, she missed it. Hazel thought about how close she was to finally laying her eyes, her feet, her being on the land she always wanted to meet. She double clicked the box. There was the magic ticket. The place, the p...

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“mr.thompsons sweets n treats” by GeorgeAnne Andrews

Submitted to Contest #66

mr.thompson's will stated that you mya thompson inherit sweets n treats mam... mam... im sorry he gave me a bakery? yes mam it states right here in his will mya looks at the will in disbelief her dad mr.thompson and her had never been close in fact they hadn't talked in years. mam if you could sign here mya snapped back into reality and quickly signed the papers and rushed out of the office myas mom and dad had gotten a divorce when she was young, her mom won shared custody of her so she only ever saw her dad once a...

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“Hidden Life” by John Jenyo

Submitted to Contest #66

Where do I start? Okay, I'm a boy showered with love and care by all around me. While growing up, I see my self born will a lot of luck. I believed that no matter what, I will succeed without putting in the necessary work. Although, I work hard but I relied on that feeling of luck. At age 5, I was matured to begin primary school education. Upon meeting people, who I haven't seen before and also a tough looking female teacher, I cried and begged to go back home to where I will be in my comfort zone. What surprised me is seeing other k...

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“Act of Freedom” by Dorothy Zhang

Submitted to Contest #66

If you have the talent and the mind to join us, this will be your chance to achieve your dream… The words of the group of performers echoed in her head as fifteen-year-old Julia gazed at the show poster that they had sent. The group of travelling performers, who came once every season to their village, putting on shows of fantastical stories for the children, has, for the first time in twenty years, invited people to join them! Ever since she was little, Julia always loved their shows. The sight of the actors performing—their passion, their...

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

Submissions are closed

✍️ 120 stories

“Struck a Chord” by A H

“Laughing Through the Pain” by Cheryl Holloway

“Pursuit of a Dream” by Monica Chaddick

“Wish” by Anupama K Thomas

“What next?” by Jennifer Benedict

“To Come” by LuAnn Williamson

“Written Revolutionaries” by Hanna Moore

“Which Path?” by Wondering Wandering

“Painter” by HBR Patel

“Lost in Lima” by Ellen Salkeld

“To Seattle on a Greyhound” by Liz G

“Strange Attachments” by Rena Mistinguett

“mr.thompsons sweets n treats” by GeorgeAnne Andrews

“Hidden Life” by John Jenyo

“Act of Freedom” by Dorothy Zhang

🌟 Similar prompts

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

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

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 🏆

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