Theme - "Energy"
Comments on the Theme: I just came back from a lecture with Jonathan Safran Foer. He shared his famous story about how his creative writing teacher at Princeton, Joyce Carol Oates, really took to his writing. And he didn't know there was such a thing as "his writing" before that. She said his writing had what she considered to be the most important quality to writing. This was not "voice," it was "energy." So, take that to mean what you will and run with it!
Word Limit: 2000
Submission Deadline: Friday, July 21st by 11:59 PM Pacific
Voting Deadline: Monday, July 24th at 11:59 PM Pacific.
Optional Secondary Objective: Give a darn. (I'm writing "darn" for those who mind the other word!) In other words, care about your story by the end of the first (or 20th draft if you're Mike M) draft as much as you did at the beginning of this first draft, if not loads more. Sustain your own attention.
Submission Guidelines:
- One entry per poster.
- All submissions must be written during the time of the challenge.
- Using the topic as the title of your piece is discouraged.
- Keep to the word count!
Voting Guidelines:
- Three votes per voter. Please denote in your voting your 1st (3 pts), 2nd (2 pts), and 3rd (1 pt) place votes.
- Please read all submissions before voting.
- You must vote in order to be eligible to win the challenge.
- When voting ends, the winner gets a collective pat on the back, and starts the new challenge.
Important side note: A lot of our regulars like to write out short critiques/comments for the stories, but you can always opt out by simply adding a note like "I'd prefer no critiques" in the post where you submit your story. We're an understanding group and respect that not everyone wants comments on their work. Above all, we just want to read your story.
NeoGAF Creative Writing Challenge FAQ
Previous Challenge Threads and Themes
Comments on the Theme: I just came back from a lecture with Jonathan Safran Foer. He shared his famous story about how his creative writing teacher at Princeton, Joyce Carol Oates, really took to his writing. And he didn't know there was such a thing as "his writing" before that. She said his writing had what she considered to be the most important quality to writing. This was not "voice," it was "energy." So, take that to mean what you will and run with it!
Word Limit: 2000
Submission Deadline: Friday, July 21st by 11:59 PM Pacific
Voting Deadline: Monday, July 24th at 11:59 PM Pacific.
Optional Secondary Objective: Give a darn. (I'm writing "darn" for those who mind the other word!) In other words, care about your story by the end of the first (or 20th draft if you're Mike M) draft as much as you did at the beginning of this first draft, if not loads more. Sustain your own attention.
Submission Guidelines:
- One entry per poster.
- All submissions must be written during the time of the challenge.
- Using the topic as the title of your piece is discouraged.
- Keep to the word count!
Voting Guidelines:
- Three votes per voter. Please denote in your voting your 1st (3 pts), 2nd (2 pts), and 3rd (1 pt) place votes.
- Please read all submissions before voting.
- You must vote in order to be eligible to win the challenge.
- When voting ends, the winner gets a collective pat on the back, and starts the new challenge.
Important side note: A lot of our regulars like to write out short critiques/comments for the stories, but you can always opt out by simply adding a note like "I'd prefer no critiques" in the post where you submit your story. We're an understanding group and respect that not everyone wants comments on their work. Above all, we just want to read your story.
NeoGAF Creative Writing Challenge FAQ
Previous Challenge Threads and Themes