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 #31
The winners of this week’s Constrained Writing Contest are:
- 1st Place - @calluna the entry She walked in the darkest sunshine
Judge’s notes: A mad scientist who doesn't want to destroy the world, but instead wants to learn the truth about... everything? A mad scientist who wishes to give, not destroy? A mad scientist who is madly in love with everything around herself? That, in itself is an awesome concept. Add to that your amazing skill of writing and describing, and you've got yourself a winning story. Very well done! A very good read.
- 2nd Place - @pelusa with the entry We forget how everything was before
Judge’s notes: I think you raised some very powerful existential questions in your story, and you did so very well. If all goes forgotten, then what's the point? What's the point of change, if after a while it feels as if it wasn't a change at all? We adapt. Forget. Change. Evolve. And never look back.
- 3rd Place - @theironfelix with the entry A travelling wonderer
Judge’s notes: You introduced a whole new race that can see during the night, but not during the day. And a portal to their dimension. Loved the idea behind it, and wished it continued a bit more. It felt me wanting more. Much more. :D
Honorable Mention In Alphabetical Order:
- @tokiya with the entry Experimenting the true light
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 #32!
Rules:
This week I am the sole judge of the contest again, and here's what I've come up with for this week:
- Don't use any verbs in their continuous form. (no -ing)
- The story must be at least 250 words in length.
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!
