Writing Challenge Comments, Questions, Answers

[Teresa Edgerton]

Considering the success of the Photo Competition, and based on a conversation in the Critiques section, a particular sort of writing competition has been proposed. I ran it by the rest of the Staff and nobody sent up any red flags, so the question now is whether there would be sufficient interest to make it worth while to establish and run it.

It should be both challenging and fun, and also good practice for the day when it becomes necessary to condense a longer story for a cover letter, synopsis, or pitch, because there would be a 75 word limit, excluding the title, as well as a monthly genre or theme. Members would have a certain period of time to submit their entries, and then any one who wanted to do so would vote on their favorite. The prize would be the breathless admiration of one's peers, plus (as with the photo competition) the privilege of setting the next month's theme.

So, everyone: Would you be interested in such a competition, and do you think you would enter it often enough to help keep it going?

[The Judge]

OK. I'll be the first to sign up. I'd do my best to post an entry every month, inspiration willing. I think the photographers are allowed two photos, aren't they? Would we have the option of posting a second entry if imagination was running away with us? (Not a second version or second half of the first, obviously.)

[Culhwch]

I think one per month is adequate. And I like the idea - I'd certainly have a go.

[Teresa Edgerton]

Originally Posted by The Judge

Would we have the option of posting a second entry if imagination was running away with us? (Not a second version or second half of the first, obviously.)

I see no reason why not. We could work out details like that before we start. The rules don't have to be exactly like the photo competition. We could also make it bimonthly, if people think every month is too often.

[Nik]

75 word limit on the story ? That's atto-fiction, indeed !

[Teresa Edgerton]

It's not as difficult as it sounds, though. Are you in, Nik? If this thread doesn't get enough positive responses, there won't be a competition.

[Leisha]

Since I suggested a challenge like this a while ago in the.......... I think it was the Happy thread (or Frustrations), you can count me in! And I know Sephiroth would enter too, if and when he can.

Things have been a bit hard here because of over-tiredness and shifting between places, but I'll enter when I can. Quite exciting, though! Some of us haven't posted a sample of our writing here, so it would be a scary-but-novel idea.

[Lacedaemonian]

This might stir the fires inside my head. I would be interested, Teresa.

[Precise Calibre]

Yes, sign me up. I'd definitely go for monthly participation as well.

[Parson]

Seventy-five words? Parson's use more than 75 word in their introductions, but it might be fun. I'd be completely out of my league with a bunch of writers, but it couldn't hurt me to give it a go.

Count me in.

[Jayaprakash Satyamurthy]

Sounds like a good idea. I'd like to participate.

[GOLLUM]

Indeed. I'm not particularly skilled at fiction writing but I'll try to contribute something on a periodic basis.

It would appear that this thread has already garnered an encouraging response, so I shall look forward to seeing how this "competition" progresses with some interest....

[BookStop]

I would contribute. I'm pretty sure i could easily stick to only 75 words, as I'm not terribly wordy to begin with

[GOLLUM]

OH.....I meant to ask for clarification. I presume we are talking prose here rather than something in the form of a poem? I noticed a poetry thread recently, so I presume I'm correct in this assumption?

I also assume we're predominantly talking about creative writing here given the type of forum we purport to be but it sounds as if there would also be scope for some non-fiction entries/categories based upon what the theme or Genre is for the given month?

[pyan]

Erato whispers in my ear, but Thalia and Melpomene have always shunned me - on the other hand, 75 words, and a month to work with?

Count me in.