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Amanda Stogsdill

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Feb, 2024

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22 Followers
34 Following

34 Stories

593 karma pts

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Safe Room

Weekly Contest #349

Safe RoomFriday April 13, EveningSomething weird happened this morning. I awoke to my parents' panicked shouts of "Our TV's broken. The stove's not working." Still half-asleep, I stretched my hand towards my nightstand. Feeling for my phone, I pressed the home button, and waited for the familiar female voice to announce the time. "Seven A.M." She said. Next, I turned on my radio, nothing happened.Very confused, and still in my pajamas, I hurried to the living room. "What's going on?" I yawned. I could hear Mom in the kitchen, messing with th...

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Just Another Halloween

Weekly Contest #327

Just Another Halloween "Aaahhh!" I screamed, gaping at my reflection in the bedroom mirror. Why did I agree to do this? "You okay in there, Noni?" Juliana's impatient voice called through the closed door."Fine. Be ready in a sec." Trying not to stare at my horrible image, I forced a pleasant smile to my face, and joined my sister. I'd promised to dress up for my friend Tina's party, but I had to take my bratty sister trick-or-treating first. That's what had started this whole crazy mess!I'd constructed my costume out of a curtain and a pair ...

9 likes 0 comments 0
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the voyage

Weekly Contest #324

CW: Physical violence, gore and abuse, mental health, starvation, refugees The Voyage Using their last ounce of strength, the weary people heaved the dinghy unsteadily through the shallow water. Clutching at faith alone, the boy and his father, along with the woman, prayed they'd make it to shore. The woman, a young mother, was particularly relieved to have spotted land at last. Breathing heavily, hair plastered to her face, clothes clinging to her thin body, she collapsed, arms outstretched, as if embracing the warm sand beneath her. In the...

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One Wish

One WishThe house, with its flower beds and picket fence, was bustling with activity. Tables were being carried out, balloons and streamers were being strung and taped along the fence and wooden porch railing. The family started arriving shortly afterward.Inside was just as festive, with a banner taped across the living room ceiling, presents piled on the floor. Still more family came in, all laughing and carrying presents. Now, all that was needed was the birthday boy, Shawn. His Aunt Carolyn arrived, bearing an enormous cake, shaped like t...

2 likes 1 comment 1
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Just Like Always

Weekly Contest #303

Just Like Always "Hi, I'm Audrey. Can I sit with you?" The question came from the new girl. With her hoop earrings which almost touched her shoulders, and short dyed hair, she looked like a teenager, not a sixth grader. Why she chose to sit with me, I don't know. Nodding awkwardly, I moved my lunch sack to make room for her tray. Me, the least popular girl in class. Me, Dee, whose Mom can't ever hold down a job. Why not Joyce or one of the other popular girls?As we ate, she jabbered about her family, how awful moving was, how she was glad to...

9 likes 2 comments 2
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First Time for Everything

Weekly Contest #298

First time for Everything by Amanda Stogsdill The woods are nearly silent. A soft light rain begins to fall. This isn't so bad, I smile. I'm gazing at two squirrels chasing one another up a tree. Examining a hollow log, I se ants crawling around inside. Fascinated, I squat on the soft ground and watch, enjoying the quiet. Glancing up, I realize I can't find the others. I yell for Jessica, Lannah, anyone, as loudly as I can; I hear only the sounds of the woods. Not wishing to become drenched, I start back along the path — or so I think. With ...

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The Sub

Weekly Contest #296

The Sub"Get it out." Mom sits beside me at the table, my reading book between us. This is our nightly homework routine. I try to speak the words, but they refuse to come.Words, words, words. Wonderful to read in books, describing characters' adventures. But oh, such a tortured tangle to speak out loud."Keep trying. I know you can read. Now speak." Mom points to the awful word, which begins with P. Soundlessly, I open my mouth, willing the word to form. My throat tightens, still I can't speak. Taking a deep breath, I try again. This time, I p...

10 likes 2 comments 2
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Not So Cool Funeral

Weekly Contest #295

This story contains strong language.Not So Cool FuneralThe auditorium is p acked to capacity, tonight is a very special night; the local high school is putting on its annual play. This year's is reported to be a comedy. Beaming relatives aim phones at the stage, eager to record their children. They're aware this will cause much embarrassment later on!Scene One (The curtain rises on a stage.A bedroom. Two girls lounge on a rumpled bed. Clothes are scattered on the floor.)Doreen: Got any plans for Saturday?Jordan: Not really. Hang out at Stev...

8 likes 4 comments 4
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Blue and Other Colors

Weekly Contest #292

Blue And Other Colors"Do you dream in color?" That's a question I've been asked a time or two. My response is, "No. Sound only. Sometimes, it'll be about a vacation I've taken. One time, I dreamt I was back in high school. I heard my art teacher's voice very clearly. Not sure why."Blind since birth, I have no visual memory. I have light perception, so can distinguish light from dark. I can see the sun, electric lights and shadows, but am unable to tell what shadows are.Color itself means nothing to me. That's not to say I don't know what col...

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Faith

Weekly Contest #289

FaithThe room is unfamiliar. I've no idea how I got here. All I know is my head's throbbing, and it's freezing!Listening intently, I hear silence. No footsteps or voices. No clues that can help me identify my strange, new surroundings. Being blind from infancy, I rely on my hearing, especially if I’m alone. Like now.Realizing I'm not bound in any way, I slowly start to rise into a sitting position. As the throbbing increases, I quickly lie down again on what I now recognize as a cold, stone floor. Reaching as far as I can, I feel only smooth...

10 likes 2 comments 2
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Baggage

Weekly Contest #286

Warning: This story contains sensitive content BaggageI already hate this place! Kim screamed inside her head, slouched in the back seat. Beside her lay a ragged duffel bag, containing her few treasured possessions. Having packed in a hurry, Kim hadn't had time to grab anything much, certainly nothing of value."Kim, did you hear me? I explained how your nw home is just for girls." Mrs. Winston sighed from the front, already worn out after another hectic day. Trying to show patience, she continued, "I know you're unhappy. Your mom's in good h...

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Hope

Hope "Oh, Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree." The carolers sang, all smiles. Sitting in the back row of the church, my spiritss low, I felt there couldn't be a more dismal time of year.Several months have passed since my son disappeared—every parent's worst nightmare! Detectives had interviewed Lou and I, we'd plastered our neighborhood with Jason's picture. As the weeks turned into a month, then two, I despaired. No leads, just random tips, which ended in false hopes. Sleepless nights waiting for the phone or door, any sign our son had been...

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Orla's Song

Weekly Contest #279

Orla's SongThe underwater cavern was alive and bustling that star-filled night. The merfolk were preparing for their annual festival to celebrate another peaceful year. It would begin with music and dancing, followed by a feast. In the small town, people were busy, too. In the era of computers and movie streaming, they were bored; tired of the mundane, craving excitement of any kind. Both worlds were unaware how soon they would collide.The submarine was decked out for the celebration. "Welcome everyone. Let's begin." Queen Minerva smiled ser...

14 likes 2 comments 2
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Angels Legacy

Weekly Contest #278

Angels Legacy Warning: This story contains descriptions of death and abuse Prologue "Come closer, Emma, Aggie!" Mamas voice quivered, the rise and fall of her chest her only movements. Leaning down to her ear, she whispered to us, "Look inside the dresser. Those women needed my help. I was their Angel." Taking a shaky breath, Mama lay still. The attending nurse entered then and motioned my sister and me away."What did she mean?" Agatha was just as confused as I. What dresser? Angel?" Sha...

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Wickedly Sweet

Weekly Contest #277

Warning- this story contains mild violence.Wickedly SweetThree children sat on the couch with their babysitter. They'd been given chores, but weren’t listening. The babysitter had an idea.It’s about a wolf and a little girl.” She started.“We know that one!” Rita said, rolling her eyes.“I want to watch TV.” Brian shouted.“I want to go to a friend’s.” Casey yelled over his brother. Only Rita was sitting, glued to her phone.Removing the phone, the babysitter said loudly, “If you don’t like my story, we’ll decide on something else.” The baby-sit...

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