Write a story that includes a character using the phrase “swings and roundabouts.”

Posted in Thanksgiving on Nov 1, 2022

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✍️ 37 stories

“Swings and Roundabouts ” by Aimee Rousseau

Submitted to Contest #155

“What if I can’t get pregnant?” she asks timidly, as she sneaks a bite of cookie dough from the tray of unbaked cookies. “Why do you keep asking that? There’s no reason to believe we won’t be able to get pregnant,” her husband responds, eyeing her curiously. She doesn’t answer, focused on the cookies. She allows herself a moment to daydream about the children with whom she will one day bake cookies. She imagines a bunch of noisy children helping her bake, who will likely make a mess all over the kitchen counter. Sh...

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“Saving Grace” by Marilyn Briant

Submitted to Contest #155

“Swings and roundabouts innit?” Jennie answered, raising her eyebrows, pulling her lips back in a wry smile. I looked at her, taking in the spiky, pink hair and unbelievably tight jeggings. How did she get those things on! I didn’t respond. But I thought about what she’d said. Perhaps she was surprised I’d even asked the question. Couldn’t understand why I thought it was strange she’d joined the Fallen Angels. Thought I knew it was obvious that becoming one of them wasn’t any worse than trying to stay safe in that neighbourhood, or living ...

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“The Goose and the Gander” by Bettina Karpathian

Submitted to Contest #155

The monthly book club meeting was always run efficiently when it was Mrs. Cameron’s turn to host, which might have been why the gatherings were small on those evenings. She was a perfectly friendly lady but as a retired English teacher had retained the ability to silence a rowdy class with a glance The discussion never lapsed into gossip or doings of husbands and children under Mrs. Cameron’s supervision but stayed on the topic of the current book. This month they were discussing a psychological thriller which had been on the New York Times ...

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“Donnie and Glover ” by Hunter Muller

Submitted to Contest #155

Donnie went to Cambodia for the weekend. Dumbest trip I’d ever heard of. We live in the Midwest- meaning he’d get to be on Cambodian soil for all of, like, I dunno, six hours before turning back. But he found one of those super saver deals. Four eighty-nine for a roundtrip ticket. I told him, Donnie- for that price, it’s gonna be uncomfortable, man, it’s gonna be like sixteen hours in a middle seat smelling bad breath on both sides. And what if you get stuck with some of those no shoes people? Forget the breath, Donnie, that’s over half a d...

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“Adventures of Bugatti King” by John Jenkins

Submitted to Contest #155

"What?" said Dennis Fellis, holding the marker cap to his teeth. "What is it?"Dennis Fellis was in a bit of a bind. He had just gotten his first Bugatti at a tremendous discount. It had come with all of the bells and whistles, including hydraulics, window tints, and a racing mode. What Dennis hadn't bothered to realize was that the whole car was fake. Every inch of it was a counterfeit, made without even the semblance of propriety. His father, Max Fellis, was able to see through the whole thing right from the get-go. First it was the birthda...

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“Swings and Roundabouts” by Thomas Carson

Submitted to Contest #155

The sun is barely up now and I am more tired than usual as I let the water splash against the back of my head. I just remembered I submitted for a writing contest last night. Swings and roundabouts... swings and roundabouts.. swings and roundabouts. That was the topic. Repeating it to myself wasn’t giving me ideas, but maybe I would remember it. I have been to England once before and never heard anyone use that term. For the past 4 years, I have been working freelance. I always enjoyed the freedom of working on my schedule,...

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“The Summer We Lived in a Tent” by Laura Costea

Submitted to Contest #155

The Summer We Lived in a Tent By Laura Costea Kelly Baker didn’t know that when she said “Yes” to the house, she was also saying yes to being homeless that summer. Well, not homeless in the truest sense of the word. But when you couldn’t sleep, shower or cook in your house, what were you supposed to call it? When Jake had gone to the house inspection, he’d donned his ball cap and faded jeans, looking every bit the HGTV-professional. When he’d come home and said, “It’s great,” Kelly had believed him. “The kids will lo...

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Write a story that includes a character using the phrase “swings and roundabouts.”

Submissions are closed

✍️ 37 stories

“Swings and Roundabouts ” by Aimee Rousseau

“Saving Grace” by Marilyn Briant

“The Goose and the Gander” by Bettina Karpathian

“Donnie and Glover ” by Hunter Muller

“Adventures of Bugatti King” by John Jenkins

“Swings and Roundabouts” by Thomas Carson

“The Summer We Lived in a Tent” by Laura Costea

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with a character facing a situation that isn't awful, but isn't great.

Write about a character who gets good and bad news in quick succession — not necessarily in that order.

Write about a character who is pathologically ambivalent, until something shakes them up.

Set your story in a kids’ playground, or at a roundabout.

Contest #155

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

194

Contest entries

78

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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