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.
In short, instead of telling you what to write about, you are told how to write.
Winners of constrained writing contest #18
This week we had a guest judge joining us. One of the first contestants of the Constrained Writing Contest, a person who had been with us from the very beginning of the contest, and is my long time friend - give it up for @eriesunkite!
For what we talked "off-record" in our native language (Slovenian), I can tell you she's mentioned several times that picking the winners was HARD!
But, she was given a job to judge, and judge she did! Here are the winners she picked for this week!
- 1st place : 0.661 SBD + 0.158 STEEM : @felt.buzz with the entry “Bes”
Judge’s note: Oh my, Bes and his kind of smarmy behaviour in the beginning absolutely pulled me in. And his almost hate for doing everyday chores like shopping. It's also satisfying that he can admit some children are little shits (with or without parents help). He's just down to earth and really thrives when doing his job.
- 2nd place : 0.397 SBD + 0.095 STEEM : @metzli with the entry “Anu has a baby”
Judge’s note: : Anu in this story is a highly adaptable goddess and it put a smile on my face how simple she was. Things happen - she rolls with it. Her godly powers and how they keep getting away from her is what really endears the story to the reader.
- 3rd place : 0.264 SBD + 0.063 STEEM : @spalatino with the entry “Morana's trip to Triglav”
Judge’s note: : I like the representation of a gods rage, the pain of being forgotten and left behind. When you think about it, they are eternal and time passes differently for them, so it's no wonder Morana struggles to reach her goal. Her stumble are, I believe, something we can all get behind. Her godly behaviour and the ending remind me of old folk stories I used to read when I was little.
Honorable mentions in alphabetical order:
- @awhsarada with the entry "Melinoe's life as a cat owner"
- @corderosiete with the entry "Exaltation of culture"
- @femisibooboo with the entry "Sopona"
- @hope-k with the entry “A demon's day at the office"
- @rindaman1234 with the entry "Cupid in the pharmacy"
- @tripdespider with the entry "The Forced Explorer Serge"
- @tibra with the entry “Watery abyss”
- @suzanrs with the entry "The story of Oi"
@svashta’s note: I loved the rules the moment @eriesunkite suggested them to me... And reading the stories, I loved the rules even more! It was absolutely amazing to see you guys take on this challenge and write about something completely out of the ordinary! The stories I've read were all awesome and I'm very happy you've decided to participate!
With that out of the way, onto constrained writing contest #19!
Rules:
This week we have @foragingquietude joining us as a judge for the second time! She decided she will no longer take it easy on you guys, and so she came up with a special treat for you! ;D
Here are the rules she has come up with for this week;
- Convince your reader of a conspiracy theory told from the perspective of a child, aged between 6 and 16. (6 and 16 included)
- You can only write in 2nd person (meaning the child is convincing you of the conspiracy theory)
- It can be a made up theory or one that already exists.
- The story must be at least 250 words long 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 the judge of the Constrained Writing Contest is @foragingquietude, and she is responsible for picking the winners on her own discretion, but her and I both promise she will try 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 steemit.chat.
*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
great stories this week, congrats to all
Oh wow! Thank you so much! I loved writing Bes, and I am so chuffed you guys enjoyed reading it! Congrats to everyone who entered. I really enjoyed reading other peoples stories too. :)
If your story "Bes" was a food, it would be Bacon.
I like Bacon.
Oink!
Don't make me come and get you, piggy! ;P
Now, you're scaring me! ;)
No need to be afraid... I just need part of your belly.
Only a slice, really. :P
Goto 1 minute 35 seconds!
I got mentioned - THANK YOU :D .. I'm thrilled as I wrote "The story of Oi" after doing about half an hour research and then typing frantically as the words just poured to the page. The original being much longer (yes longer) I cut it back a bit and it lost something with that but I still got a mention and that means the world to me big love*
Your story about Oi was absolutely awesome and as much as we discussed with @eriesunkite we both loved it very much! :D If I speak on my behalf, it's fourth by no more than an inch behind the third. ;D
Hope to see you enter again! :D
Oh that's awesome. I've just entered #19. I'm not sure the conscience of a 6 yr old works but I tried... you'll get what I mean. Even so it was fun to write and it's a true story - I'm MUM. LOL.
Wow, congratulations to the winners of last week's constrained writing prompt! Great job guys, specially for @svashta and judges. This week's constraints look fun and exciting too. I had been busy these days it appears I will not be able to participate in this one as well :( Looking forward to join and read everyone's stories soon!
Well, if you run out of time, there's still the next one! :D
So very happy to have you on board as a reader and writer :D
Thanks, will be back again soon! :)
Hello to you all.
Here is my entry I hope I got it right and you like my story.
https://steemit.com/constrainedwriting/@mrgranville/i-know-where-you-are-constrained-writing-contest-19-e39adf376337e
good luck everyone ✍✍
I really enjoyed this one.
Thank you. I'm glad you liked it
https://steemit.com/constrainedwriting/@cordero212/my-father-is-a-hero
regards
Your contest was added to Steemit Contest Compilation (19.02-25.02): Win free SBD and STEEM
Thank you @svashta for giving Steemians a chance to win some SBD and STEEM.
Thank you! :D
@moneyinfant has added your contest to the list Steemit Writing Contests: Issue #27. The list is updated on a daily basis and your contest will remain on the list until its expiration - there's nothing you need to do.
The list was created to save writers the excessive amount of time spent searching through the #contest tag for writing contests. Now they can just come to the list each day, see new contests and use their time doing what they love - writing.
If you'd like to help spread the word about the Steemit Writing Contest List I'd really appreciate a resteem, but it certainly isn't necessary. The project is simply meant to help writers save time and contest creators attract more contestants.
P.S. If you know of any contests I've missed I'd love to hear about them. Thanks!
Thank youu! :D
You're welcome :)
Hello, I leave my participation, I hope you enjoy it. Thank you.
https://steemit.com/constrainedwriting/@corderosiete/the-heroes-of-my-homeland-constrained-writing-contest-19
Looking forward to this one! :) Congrats winners!
Me too :D Should be awesome :D
This was a fun contest. Thanks for hosting it. Here is my entry: https://steemit.com/constrainedwriting/@hope-k/illuminati-confirmed-at-the-gas-station
HELLO, folks, I'm leaving my participation.
https://steemit.com/constrainedwriting/@luzmar/constrained-writing-contest-19-a-corrupt-in-my-school
this is my entry.thanks for the opportunity
https://steemit.com/writing/@hurlamideh/the-conspiracy-theory
I think I got the 2nd party right... it's a hard one. That's the fun of these contests. Here's my effort. https://steemit.com/constrainedwriting/@suzanrs/i-m-telling-the-truth-you-lied
Here is my entry! https://steemit.com/constrainedwriting/@incomprehensibl3/through-little-eyes
Hi @svashta I liked the contest the first time I participated and it's really fun. I will continue doing it, an (upvote) and a reestimation. Greetings.
Awesome! :D So very happy to hear that! :D
I look forward to reading your entry!
I like writing stories so I will surely write a story. But first I'll wait to read some examples of writing in the 2nd person. Thanx for this contest. You guys make steemit so great to stay active and be inspired.
Understandable!
@foragingquietude decided to force you to write in 2nd person because we all mostly write in 1st or 3rd person... So she wanted to get you out of your comfort zone :P Which I fully support! ^^
Thanks for the kind words! :D
I look forward to reading your entry! :D
Hi! I just found this contest, really nice initiative, hope it will go a long way.
Here is my entry
https://steemit.com/fiction/@pink-coco/writing-no-1-socks
Thank you!
My entry.
hello here its my entry for the contest:
https://steemit.com/constrainedwriting/@rindaman1234/what-if-jacqueline-kennedy-kill-john-kennedy
Hope I am not too late, my entry for the contest https://steemit.com/constrainedwriting/@spalatino/dear-santa