What are you doing to sharpen your writing skills? Here is a challenge.
Boise State Public Radio along with the Idaho Department of Tourism and The Story Initiative at Boise State University are sponsoring a writing contest open to anyone with an Idaho story to tell. Here’s the kicker. Stories must be no longer than 120 words and must mention at least one Idaho location.
A short story in 120 words? Is that possible?
Yes. I’ll show you how.
I recently attended a workshop where we were required to write a story spurred by a picture from a magazine. In my picture, two boys stood beside a barn, their cowboy hats tipped over their faces. All you could see was their chins. We had fifteen minutes to write a story. When we were finished, we were instructed to count the words in our story and cut the scene by 25%. We were then instructed to reduce the story to one sentence.
What? Impossible? No, it wasn’t. It did take some creative thinking though, and what I discovered was that paring the story made the heat rise. Every word had to pack a punch.
To illustrate, here is what I wrote:
Jonathan’s hat teetered on his head, always tipped so I could never see his eyes. I’ve know Jonathan since he was a toddler and though he has changed dramatically through the years there has always been one thing constant, the way each straw hat he dons dips slightly so I cannot see his eyes, or whether or not he is listening to me as I speak, or if his eyebrow teaks and twitches when I talk about his sister Cara.
In his younger years, Jonathan’s hats changed rapidly, almost faster than the size of his T-shirts and Levis. His body grew fast, but his head seemed to grow faster, sprouting as if it were trying to grow away from his body. The first hat I remember was a straw cowboy hat his grandmother had given him on his first birthday. It was woven from straw and had a red string that wrapped around his chin.
25% cut
Jonathan’s hat teetered on his head slightly. I cannot see his eyes or if his eyebrow twitches when I talk about Cara.
Jonathan’s hats changed rapidly, almost faster than the size of his T-shirts and Levis. His body grew fast, but his head grew faster, sprouting as if it were trying to grow away from his body. The first hat I remember was a straw cowboy hat his grandmother had given him on his first birthday.
One sentence
Jonathan’s hat teetered on his head like a shadow every time I asked about Cara.
Try it. In 120 words or less, write a story about Idaho. Pick any subject, say the Malad Gorge, and in a stream of consciousness way, write everything that comes to mind about the gorge. Don’t ponder, just free write for fifteen minutes. When you’re finished, begin revising, cutting useless and redundant words like small, very, ly adjectives, etc. Revise again and again until you have 120 words. When you compare the two versions of your story, I bet you will discover that your second version is clearer, tighter, and more powerful.
What are you waiting for? Get busy. The deadline is August 12, 2011.
Here is more information about the contest:
Call for submissions: BOISE STATE PUBLIC RADIO LAUNCHES
‘ONE MINUTE IDAHO’ STORY WRITING CONTEST
Boise State Public Radio (BSPR), along with the Idaho Department of Tourism and The Story Initiative at Boise State University, present “One Minute Idaho,” a writing contest open to anyone with an Idaho story to tell. Stories must be no longer than 120 words and must mention at least one Idaho location. Entries may be mailed or emailed by midnight, Aug. 12. Contestants may send multiple entries.
The “One Minute Idaho” writing contest is part of BSPR’s ongoing effort to engage with the community, and the contest plays a significant role in demonstrating the important contributions individual experiences make to the community and state.
The top three winning stories will be recorded, posted on the BSPR website for download and aired on BSPR stations. Winners also will receive tickets to see Ira Glass, host and executive producer of National Public Radio’s This American Life, at the Morrison Center on Nov. 5, to a reception prior to the main event and an overnight stay at an Idaho bed and breakfast. Glass will select one of three winning stories to read aloud from the stage of the Morrison Center.
For official contest rules and to submit a story, visit www.iraglassinboise.com.
Source : http://otherbunch.wordpress.com/2011/07/19/short-story-contest-deadline-august-12-2011/
Tampilkan postingan dengan label Short Story Contest 2011. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label Short Story Contest 2011. Tampilkan semua postingan
Kamis, 28 Juli 2011
Kamis, 10 Februari 2011
Aura Estrada Short Story Contest 2011
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Aura Estrada Short Story Contest
Deadline: October 1, 2011Judge: Francisco Goldman
Prize: $1,500
Complete guidelines:
The winning author will receive $1,500 and have his or her work published in Boston Review, the summer of 2012. Stories should not exceed 4,000 words and must be previously unpublished. Mailed manuscripts should be double-spaced and submitted with a cover note listing the author’s name, address, and phone number. Names should not appear on the stories themselves. Any author writing in English is eligible, unless he or she is a current student, former student, relative, or close personal friend of the judge. Simultaneous submissions are not permitted, submissions will not be returned, and submissions may not be modified after entry. A non-refundable $20 entry fee, payable to Boston Review in the form of a check or money order or by credit card, must accompany each story entered. Submissions must be postmarked no later than October 1, 2011. Manuscripts will not be returned. The winner will be announced no later than May/June 2012, on the Boston Review Web site.
Mail submissions to:
Short Story Contest, Boston Review
PO Box 425786
Cambridge, MA 02142
Sabtu, 05 Februari 2011
The “SCARE THE DICKENS OUT OF US” Short Story Contest 2011 AND The JUNIOR “SCARE THE DICKENS OUT OF US” Contest 2011 FOR AGES 12-18
The “SCARE THE DICKENS OUT OF US” Short Story Contest 2011
AND
The JUNIOR “SCARE THE DICKENS OUT OF US” Contest 2011 FOR AGES 12-18
Sponsored by the Friends of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library in Lockhart, Texas.
First prize, $1000.00 and a trophy.
Second prize, $500.00 and a ribbon.
Third prize, $250.00 and a ribbon.
Junior contest prize $250.00 and a trophy.
Download contest entry form here.
Download junior contest entry form here.
Entry fee $20.00 (check or money order).
Junior contest entry fee $5.00 (check or money order).
The Scare The Dickens Out of Us ghost story contest and the Junior Scare The Dickens Out of Us ghost story contest share identical rules except the entry fees and the following: Junior contest writers must be age 12-18. Winners will have to provide proof of age.
All publication rights remain with the author.
The contest is a Friends of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library fundraiser and is privately funded. All entry fees go to the Friends and are used for library projects.
The “Scare The Dickens Out of Us” Short Story Contest is in conjunction with the annual “A Dickens Christmas In Lockhart” which is held on the first weekend in December (Friday night, Saturday) in Lockhart, Texas.
We want ghost stories. Any genre, any tone, any subject, whatever type of ghost story you can come up with.
CONTEST RULES:
1. The contest is open to published and unpublished writers alike. All publication rights remain with the author.
2. The ghost story must be 5,000 words or less, in English, and typed double-spaced. Entries must be original and unpublished. There are no other restrictions.
3. Only one entry per writer.
4. The judging will be done in a blind format. Do not put your name or any other identifying information on the manuscript itself except for the name of the story. Download, print and submit our entry form or our junior contest entry form. The information will include the name of your story, the author’s name, address, phone number, and email address, where you heard of this contest, and your permission to have your story read out loud at a literary gathering if you are one of the winners.
5. Your manuscript and entry fee must be mailed to us at P.O. Box 821, Lockhart, TX 78644 and must be postmarked no later than October 1, 2011. We will accept entries beginning July 1, 2011.
Winners will be contacted at contest end. Winners also will be announced at the “A Dickens Christmas in Lockhart” festival in December, and will be posted at our web site www.clarklibraryfriends.org.
No manuscripts will be returned. Keep the original copy. At the end of the contest entries will be shredded.
Send your manuscript with entry form and entry fee to:
“Scare The Dickens Out of Us” or Junior “Scare The Dickens Out of Us” Short Story Contest, co/Friends of the Library
PO Box 821, Lockhart, Texas 78644.
Make out your check or money order to Friends of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library. International entries, please send your entry fee via international money order if possible.
Administrators of the contest, the judges of the contest and the immediate family members of the judges are ineligible to enter this contest.
AND
The JUNIOR “SCARE THE DICKENS OUT OF US” Contest 2011 FOR AGES 12-18
Sponsored by the Friends of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library in Lockhart, Texas.
First prize, $1000.00 and a trophy.
Second prize, $500.00 and a ribbon.
Third prize, $250.00 and a ribbon.
Junior contest prize $250.00 and a trophy.
Download contest entry form here.
Download junior contest entry form here.
Entry fee $20.00 (check or money order).
Junior contest entry fee $5.00 (check or money order).
The Scare The Dickens Out of Us ghost story contest and the Junior Scare The Dickens Out of Us ghost story contest share identical rules except the entry fees and the following: Junior contest writers must be age 12-18. Winners will have to provide proof of age.
All publication rights remain with the author.
The contest is a Friends of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library fundraiser and is privately funded. All entry fees go to the Friends and are used for library projects.
The “Scare The Dickens Out of Us” Short Story Contest is in conjunction with the annual “A Dickens Christmas In Lockhart” which is held on the first weekend in December (Friday night, Saturday) in Lockhart, Texas.
We want ghost stories. Any genre, any tone, any subject, whatever type of ghost story you can come up with.
CONTEST RULES:
1. The contest is open to published and unpublished writers alike. All publication rights remain with the author.
2. The ghost story must be 5,000 words or less, in English, and typed double-spaced. Entries must be original and unpublished. There are no other restrictions.
3. Only one entry per writer.
4. The judging will be done in a blind format. Do not put your name or any other identifying information on the manuscript itself except for the name of the story. Download, print and submit our entry form or our junior contest entry form. The information will include the name of your story, the author’s name, address, phone number, and email address, where you heard of this contest, and your permission to have your story read out loud at a literary gathering if you are one of the winners.
5. Your manuscript and entry fee must be mailed to us at P.O. Box 821, Lockhart, TX 78644 and must be postmarked no later than October 1, 2011. We will accept entries beginning July 1, 2011.
Winners will be contacted at contest end. Winners also will be announced at the “A Dickens Christmas in Lockhart” festival in December, and will be posted at our web site www.clarklibraryfriends.org.
No manuscripts will be returned. Keep the original copy. At the end of the contest entries will be shredded.
Send your manuscript with entry form and entry fee to:
“Scare The Dickens Out of Us” or Junior “Scare The Dickens Out of Us” Short Story Contest, co/Friends of the Library
PO Box 821, Lockhart, Texas 78644.
Make out your check or money order to Friends of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library. International entries, please send your entry fee via international money order if possible.
Administrators of the contest, the judges of the contest and the immediate family members of the judges are ineligible to enter this contest.
Questions about this contest? Please contact the contest coordinators by email - click here.
Selasa, 25 Januari 2011
The “SCARE THE DICKENS OUT OF US” Short Story Contest 2011 AND The JUNIOR “SCARE THE DICKENS OUT OF US” Contest 2011 FOR AGES 12-18
The “SCARE THE DICKENS OUT OF US” Short Story Contest 2011
AND
The JUNIOR “SCARE THE DICKENS OUT OF US” Contest 2011 FOR AGES 12-18
Sponsored by the Friends of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library in Lockhart, Texas.
First prize, $1000.00 and a trophy.
Second prize, $500.00 and a ribbon.
Third prize, $250.00 and a ribbon.
Junior contest prize $250.00 and a trophy.
Download contest entry form here.
Download junior contest entry form here.
Entry fee $20.00 (check or money order).
Junior contest entry fee $5.00 (check or money order).
The Scare The Dickens Out of Us ghost story contest and the Junior Scare The Dickens Out of Us ghost story contest share identical rules except the entry fees and the following: Junior contest writers must be age 12-18. Winners will have to provide proof of age.
All publication rights remain with the author.
The contest is a Friends of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library fundraiser and is privately funded. All entry fees go to the Friends and are used for library projects.
The “Scare The Dickens Out of Us” Short Story Contest is in conjunction with the annual “A Dickens Christmas In Lockhart” which is held on the first weekend in December (Friday night, Saturday) in Lockhart, Texas.
We want ghost stories. Any genre, any tone, any subject, whatever type of ghost story you can come up with.
CONTEST RULES:
1. The contest is open to published and unpublished writers alike. All publication rights remain with the author.
2. The ghost story must be 5,000 words or less, in English, and typed double-spaced. Entries must be original and unpublished. There are no other restrictions.
3. Only one entry per writer.
4. The judging will be done in a blind format. Do not put your name or any other identifying information on the manuscript itself except for the name of the story. Download, print and submit our entry form or our junior contest entry form. The information will include the name of your story, the author’s name, address, phone number, and email address, where you heard of this contest, and your permission to have your story read out loud at a literary gathering if you are one of the winners.
5. Your manuscript and entry fee must be mailed to us at P.O. Box 821, Lockhart, TX 78644 and must be postmarked no later than October 1, 2011. We will accept entries beginning July 1, 2011.
Winners will be contacted at contest end. Winners also will be announced at the “A Dickens Christmas in Lockhart” festival in December, and will be posted at our web site www.clarklibraryfriends.org.
No manuscripts will be returned. Keep the original copy. At the end of the contest entries will be shredded.
Send your manuscript with entry form and entry fee to:
“Scare The Dickens Out of Us” or Junior “Scare The Dickens Out of Us” Short Story Contest, co/Friends of the Library
PO Box 821, Lockhart, Texas 78644.
Make out your check or money order to Friends of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library. International entries, please send your entry fee via international money order if possible.
Administrators of the contest, the judges of the contest and the immediate family members of the judges are ineligible to enter this contest.
Source : http://www.clarklibraryfriends.com/
AND
The JUNIOR “SCARE THE DICKENS OUT OF US” Contest 2011 FOR AGES 12-18
Sponsored by the Friends of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library in Lockhart, Texas.
First prize, $1000.00 and a trophy.
Second prize, $500.00 and a ribbon.
Third prize, $250.00 and a ribbon.
Junior contest prize $250.00 and a trophy.
Download contest entry form here.
Download junior contest entry form here.
Entry fee $20.00 (check or money order).
Junior contest entry fee $5.00 (check or money order).
The Scare The Dickens Out of Us ghost story contest and the Junior Scare The Dickens Out of Us ghost story contest share identical rules except the entry fees and the following: Junior contest writers must be age 12-18. Winners will have to provide proof of age.
All publication rights remain with the author.
The contest is a Friends of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library fundraiser and is privately funded. All entry fees go to the Friends and are used for library projects.
The “Scare The Dickens Out of Us” Short Story Contest is in conjunction with the annual “A Dickens Christmas In Lockhart” which is held on the first weekend in December (Friday night, Saturday) in Lockhart, Texas.
We want ghost stories. Any genre, any tone, any subject, whatever type of ghost story you can come up with.
CONTEST RULES:
1. The contest is open to published and unpublished writers alike. All publication rights remain with the author.
2. The ghost story must be 5,000 words or less, in English, and typed double-spaced. Entries must be original and unpublished. There are no other restrictions.
3. Only one entry per writer.
4. The judging will be done in a blind format. Do not put your name or any other identifying information on the manuscript itself except for the name of the story. Download, print and submit our entry form or our junior contest entry form. The information will include the name of your story, the author’s name, address, phone number, and email address, where you heard of this contest, and your permission to have your story read out loud at a literary gathering if you are one of the winners.
5. Your manuscript and entry fee must be mailed to us at P.O. Box 821, Lockhart, TX 78644 and must be postmarked no later than October 1, 2011. We will accept entries beginning July 1, 2011.
Winners will be contacted at contest end. Winners also will be announced at the “A Dickens Christmas in Lockhart” festival in December, and will be posted at our web site www.clarklibraryfriends.org.
No manuscripts will be returned. Keep the original copy. At the end of the contest entries will be shredded.
Send your manuscript with entry form and entry fee to:
“Scare The Dickens Out of Us” or Junior “Scare The Dickens Out of Us” Short Story Contest, co/Friends of the Library
PO Box 821, Lockhart, Texas 78644.
Make out your check or money order to Friends of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library. International entries, please send your entry fee via international money order if possible.
Administrators of the contest, the judges of the contest and the immediate family members of the judges are ineligible to enter this contest.
Source : http://www.clarklibraryfriends.com/
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