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Post by Alatariel on May 30, 2024 11:01:53 GMT -6
SUBMISSIONS OPEN!
Many would say the first page- the first sentence, even- of a book is what makes them decide to continue reading or put it down.
This is called "The Narrative Hook".
Narrative Hook = “a literary technique in the opening of a story that "hooks" the reader's attention so that they will keep on reading. The 'opening' may consist of several paragraphs for a short story, or several pages for a novel, but ideally it is the opening sentence.”
Our goal for this contest is to establish the narrative hook within a story’s first 200 Words.
YOUR THEME:
Out of Time
Feel free to interpret this prompt in any way you desire! You do not need to have these words in your entry.
Reminder: This is meant to be the first 200 words of a longer story, it's not meant to be a whole self-contained story. You may even end the entry mid-sentence or mid-thought.
CONTEST SCHEDULE Submissions open: Saturday, June 1 Submissions close: Saturday, June 15 11:59 pm, US Central
Voting Opens: Sunday, June 16 Voting closes: Monday, July 1 Winners announced: Tuesday, July 2
CONTEST BASICS
 One entry only, of any genre
 Word limit: 200 words max (Your entry may be fewer than 200 words, but not more. Your entry may end in the middle of a sentence.)
I am using THIS WORD COUNTER to ensure entries do not exceed the limit.
Your story must be unique, written specifically for this contest. You may not submit a story you have already been working on or wrote in the past. Nor will we accept fan fiction for this particular contest.
Do NOT disclose which entry is yours.
Paste this template to your entry:
Title:
Genre:
Trigger Warnings:
Genre examples:
General Fiction
Science Fiction
Fantasy
Romance
Horror
Paranormal
Historical Fiction
....or any other sub-genre that could fall under any of these general categories
ALL Genres of fiction are welcome!SUBMITTING YOUR ENTRY Send your entry to Alatariel via Private Message in BB Code according to THESE INSTRUCTIONS. Each entry will be posted anonymously in the 200 Words Forum. We will not edit mistakes, typos, or for readability.
NOTE: The ProBoards private message system does NOT allow us to edit our PMs. If you see a problem with your entry, you may resend it to Alatariel up to the moment she posts it for judging.
Each entry will be posted anonymously in the 200 Words forum.JUDGING Voting is open to all Legendfirians!
Voting instructions will be posted once voting opens!
RESOURCES
WINNERS!
All Contestants: 100 Hard Honor Points for all entrants, upon submitting their entry
1st Place: an additional 200 Hard Honor Points, for a total of 300. Optional publication in the LegendFire Compendium.
2nd and 3rd Place: an additional 100 Hard Honor Points, for a total of 200. Optional publication in the LegendFire Compendium.
(Contestants must edit their Honor Points themselves within their profile settings)
CONTEST PROMOTING
Tell everyone about the contest by adding the contest badge to your signature.
[img src="https://i.ibb.co/zGPkPcW/Out-Of-Time.png"]
REGISTRATION:1. Alatariel 2. Mazulla 3. ScintillaMyntan 4. Caulder Melhaire 5. Pelwrath 6. Raveneye 7. HDSimplicityy 8. |
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Post by Mazulla on May 31, 2024 8:55:14 GMT -6
No ideas yet, but I'll go ahead and sign up.  |
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Post by ScintillaMyntan on May 31, 2024 10:30:56 GMT -6
I would like to join!
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Post by Caulder Melhaire on May 31, 2024 11:21:46 GMT -6
Sign me up! I should have enough brainpower for this one
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Post by Alatariel on May 31, 2024 16:28:31 GMT -6
Badge has been added! Make sure to put it in your signature. |
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Post by pelwrath on May 31, 2024 19:28:10 GMT -6
Okay, like a rat seeing a maze. I know how this will end, yet miracles do happen, even if the last one was the 1969 Mets.
Out of time is the prompt.
Maybe I can break Franklin’s rule.
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Post by pelwrath on Jun 1, 2024 7:44:45 GMT -6
Yea have my idea then went back and looked at previous bad contest scored, in general lack of descriptions, events happen on a blue/white screen. Well so I have two starting points setting and location descriptions and crap for any characters or characters with a bland settings and descriptions.
I do see where my entry is going, as it always does.
Maybe if I opened with “It was a dark and stormy night…”
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Post by RAVENEYE on Jun 1, 2024 10:29:59 GMT -6
Yay! This looks amazing! Love the badge too! Sign me up, Scotty.
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Post by Alatariel on Jun 1, 2024 10:37:21 GMT -6
Yea have my idea then went back and looked at previous bad contest scored, in general lack of descriptions, events happen on a blue/white screen. Well so I have two starting points setting and location descriptions and crap for any characters or characters with a bland settings and descriptions. I do see where my entry is going, as it always does. Maybe if I opened with “It was a dark and stormy night…” I totally understand having those voices from previous contests constantly swirling around your head, I have them too. Every time I write something I hear previous critiques or comments and try to alter my story to conform to them but... Write for YOU. Write what YOU want, how YOU want it, and just let the outcome be what it is. I know, easier said than done, but some contest people will see your vision and others they won't and there's not much we can do to assist them until it's over and we can reveal ourselves. It's okay, you're great, and YOU'VE GOT THIS! |
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Post by HDSimplicityy on Jun 1, 2024 21:18:57 GMT -6
I can use this one for a new book idea! Ill make sure to follow the rule on this.
To reference BioShock, Would you Kindly sign me up?
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Post by ScintillaMyntan on Jun 1, 2024 22:01:19 GMT -6
Does "out of time" mean that time has to run out within the story, or could someone just be pressed for time? Like have a day left to do something?
What about "out of time" as in out of rhythm, or as in being anachronistic?
Yea have my idea then went back and looked at previous bad contest scored, in general lack of descriptions, events happen on a blue/white screen. Well so I have two starting points setting and location descriptions and crap for any characters or characters with a bland settings and descriptions. Personally, when I give you critiques, it's because I want to see you improve, according to my own limited, faulty judgments of course. I feel like you have some really good ideas that have potential, and I want to see you write something really good. If I give my opinion on something I think should be changed, it's not to insult but it's rather because I respect you enough to think you could make those changes and produce something better by my reckoning.
There are critiques I've gotten here that still hurt and ones that make me regret I didn't impress the person more. But I learned from them; thinking about past criticisms while I write has altered the outcome. And really, I should be more insulted if a person neglected to give me critiques because they just thought I was a bad writer and didn't see me as worth improving.
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Post by pelwrath on Jun 2, 2024 2:00:52 GMT -6
It’s not you or any critique I received. I know and understand and appreciate all the suggestions and help that I've received. It’s that I seem unable to break my oroubus of how my entries are received; very good ideas rather subpar technical aspects. That’s a me thing, it's has to be a function of how I write.
As best as I can figure, I'm a story first writer or a storyteller who writes vs. a writer who tells stories. To me the former is a more oral aspect, a 'see the movie in my head' thing. The latter is a more formal method, build a solid foundation, have things happen in the perscribed order. I don't feel that one is any better than the other save for how comfortable the author is when wirting the story.
You've all been great in your support and help for my writing, I may not make the best student, like doctors aren't the best patients. But doknw this, I wouldn't be were I am, whithout all you've provided me, the patience you've shown, and the belief in my ability.
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Post by pelwrath on Jun 2, 2024 10:56:02 GMT -6
Okay, have my initial concept boiled and strained at 200 words. Now is is al dente or psats secca of pasta fresca.
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Post by Alatariel on Jun 2, 2024 11:10:23 GMT -6
Does "out of time" mean that time has to run out within the story, or could someone just be pressed for time? Like have a day left to do something?
What about "out of time" as in out of rhythm, or as in being anachronistic? You can write about absolutely anything, there are no limits. The prompt is there to serve as inspiration. Whatever that may be! It just has to inform your story. |
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Post by pelwrath on Jun 3, 2024 11:04:44 GMT -6
Getting there, sort of. Flow feels/sounds good. No apparent holes and a, for me, balance between dialogue and narration and under 200 words.
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