Most writing contests give you a writing prompt or at least a couple of words to work your idea around, which is why I decided to host a slightly different contest.
A constrained writing contest
Instead of being given an idea or a writing prompt, you are allowed to choose the topic completely by yourself. But, varying from week to week, you will face different challenges that limit your writing.
You will be required to omit certain words, use a specific word in every second sentence, use a given sentence unchanged, write a story with a certain amount of words... or a combination of all.
Winners of constrained writing contest #33
The winners of this week’s Constrained Writing Contest are:
- 1st Place - @theironfelix the entry Us happy folk
Judge’s notes: If having the entire population be happy at all times sounds appealing to you... Then you haven't read @theironfelix's story yet. Or maybe you have and now you prefer the idea even more.
I'm not telling which side I'm on.
Excellently written, though. Perfectly, even. Definitely worth several reads, not just one.
- 2nd Place - @calluna with the entry Concrete Bliss
Judge’s notes: On the same note as before, there's @calluna's story. I had to think pretty hard to decide whether to make this story win, or @theironfelix's. That said, this story is also downright fantastic and takes the reader on an emotional rollecoaster - from peace and quiet, to a racing heart with the spookyness that is... happy.
- 3rd Place - @braveheart29 with the entry The Hive
Judge’s notes: On a slightly different note, @braveheart29 artificially created a world with no other emotion but rage. Although the entry is part of an ongoing story, it reads well as a standalone and it is for that reason that I have not eliminated it. Very well written!
Honorable Mention In Alphabetical Order:
@penasantri with the entry The happiness of a father
@tiempoyesp with the entry Luna Piano And Paris
@wales with the entry Tale all the time you need
If I, by any chance, missed your entry, please do not hesitate to let me know, and I will do my best to redeem myself. I have missed an entry in the past, so I now pay extra attention, but ... It can happen still.
Sorry and thanks!
With that out of the way, onto constrained writing contest #34!
Rules:
This week I am the sole judge of the contest again, and here's what I've come up with for this week:
- All humans have lost one of their basic abilities (scent, sight, taste, touch or hearing). You choose which one.
- The story must be at least 250 words in length and in English.
And as for the usual mumbo jumbo, here's the rest of the rules just about every contest has:
- Upvote this post
- Post a link to your entry in the comments below
- Include tag #constrainedwriting among your other tags
- Should you wish to help raise awareness of the contest, please consider resteeming this post (it is by no means compulsory)
Prizes
- 1st place: 45% of post's payout
- 2nd place: 27% of post's payout
- 3rd place 18 % of post's payout
- Judge takes 5 % for his/her efforts
- I will take 5 % for hosting, writing and editing the contest
*Note: In case I receive any donations for the contest, the payout percentages apply to the donation itself as well.
Judges
This week I am the sole judge of the Constrained Writing Contest, and am responsible for picking the winners on my own discretion. I promise to try my best and be as objective as possible.
What's that I hear? You wish to be a judge too? Well look no further!
To apply for a judge and make up your own rules, simply send @svashta a hearty hello on Discord (Svashta#5207).
*Disclaimer: I will only allow fellow writers as judges to keep the competition high quality.
Deadline
- Entries are accepted until this post's payout
- Your entry post must be newer than this post
Good luck!
