CONTEST: One Flew Over...

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original posting 13 July 2009

[Note: the contest is being held on the Writers list http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/writers and is only open to members.]

Mulling over the contest, how about...

What about this one from What If? By Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter?

Write a linear story, in which a strong main character is on a quest for something important and specific (e.g., a shelter for the baby, medicine for a sick mother, or the key to the storehouse where a tyrant has locked away all the grain from a starving populace). The object is a given -- don't explain its importance. The main character starts acting immediately. She then meets a (specific) obstacle; finally she triumphs over the obstacle by means of a magic or supernatural element that comes from the outside (like Dorothy's red shoes in the Wizard of Oz). You may introduce minor characters but the narrative should never abandon your main character. This story should be told through action and dialogue.

We could tighten it up. Define the Maltese Falcon -- the object of the quest. Pick out a particular obstacle, and a magical element. But I think off-hand, I'd leave it loose.

So, there's the challenge. Write a story:

1. main character is on a quest for something important and specific
2. Start with action
3. Have them meet at least one specific obstacle
4. Have them triumph over the obstacle by means of a magic or supernatural element that comes from outside
5. Focus on the main character
6. Action and dialogue

Does that sound good?

As for the quota or time limit? How about this? If there are ten stories posted for the contest, we'll declare victory. Otherwise, we'll cut it off at the end of August (having my deadline and quota too!). That's mostly so that we can start prepping for the big Halloween contest (October, right?).

Multiple submissions? Personally, I don't mind. So let's leave it open for now (yes, you can!).

'saright? Write a quest story. Submit to list. Lather. Repeat. Until either ten stories or end of August. Can do?

Crits? Yes, we would also like them. How about we try to do them on the stories submitted, okay?

Go for it?

Comments

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Dustin asks, quite rightly:

...did I miss a word count maximum?

And I spond (first time, right? next one will be a re?)

Let's keep it simple. No-holds-barred writing. No length restriction. No limit on number of submissions by one writer. Just write 'em and send 'em in.

Simple, right?

A quest for something, a magical element that lets them overcome the obstacle, and tada! A tale!

Ten stories or the end of August for a quota/deadline.

Crits to follow.

tink

A half-full moon was shining amidst the wispy clouds against the blue sky of summer this morning at 8:30 a.m. when I walked to work. I wondered how many people even noticed it in the hurry-scurry of getting to work. Still, I took a moment to admire it, pale shadow overlooking us all.