Last week we passed the deadline for the “Highlights for Children” Mystery Fiction contest. I’ve noticed contests are a good motivator for our group, because as soon as the first entry was sent to the group for critique, a whole bunch more started showing up.
The LDStorymakers also had a contest deadline last week. They are running a “First Chapter” contest for the attendees of their March conference. I know several people in our group have entered that contest as well.
Some people wrote furiously, attempting to enter as many stories or first chapters as possible. Others wrote only one story, and edited it over and over and over again in order to make their one entry the best it could possibly be.
Whatever the method, we find ourselves motivated by the enthusiasm of others. And lucky for us, when someone from our group wins, we all win. We congratulate them, we cheer for them, and then we start our next contest entry hoping that someday we will be the winner everyone is congratulating.
Since the contest deadlines have passed, I’ve borrowed a writing beginning from “The Pocket Muse: Endless Inspiration” by Monica Wood, in hope that our motivation does not wane.
“Write about a household item that becomes the source of a family war.”
You get fifty words, and ten days. Your prize? A king size candy bar of your choice, sent directly to your house via the US Postal service. Contest deadline: March 17, Saint Patrick’s Day.
Good writing!
7 comments:
Good thoughts in this blog, Nichole.
Here's my entry. I hope, I hope I win!:-)
----------------------------------
Chocolate
By C.L. Beck
Thar’s some say chocolate ain't a household item, but I disagree.
Billy-Bob filched mine onced, so I locked him in the outhouse. Afterwards, he dunked my head in the hawg trough. Face it, there ain't no better way to show brotherly love than over them thar Hugs and Kisses.
Thanks for the chuckle, C.L., that was great! Good luck!
Nichole
Okay, I'll admit that I was tired last night, so my first entry wasn't my best work.
However, here's one I thought of today. It's the first line of my upcoming novel (well ... someday, maybe).
--------------
She Grumbled (or some such title)
By C.L. Beck
© 2007
She grumbled the words to herself as she pounded out her eBay ad on the keyboard:
For sale, cheap. Three argumentative children and one broken remote.
I have a couple of entries-
One evening after a date with my husband, I slipped out of my shoes and took a step into the living room. My foot was soaked and I could hear a squish squish as I walked. I could feel and knew buckets of water had been thrown around the room.
We had an electric washing machine that you had to manually fill with water, and empty with an attached hose. If mom was gone, we had many wars while emptying the water from the old contraption, as my brother grabbed the hose to give my sister and me a shower.
Early Morning Contest
Early morning ~ John just woke and was in a race with his 14 year old daughter Jenny, to the bathroom. Sliding around corners Jenny won, but found the door locked. Inside – younger brother Joe singing “popcorn popping.” It was going to be another long morning!
"Oh no! I fell in," said my wife from the bathroom.
As I ran to hide I asked myself, If a man is required to lift it up, then why can't a woman learn to put the seat down.
by Keith Fisher
Great entries, all! You are all so creative. The deadline is now past, and I will announce the winner on Thursday. Good luck.
Nichole
Post a Comment