Theme - "Misinformation"
Misinformation is the UNINTENTIONAL spread of false or inaccurate information. It is not malicious lies or intentional in any way; that is disinformation, and that's not what we're after.
Word Limit: 1500
Submission Deadline: Friday, 28th June by 11:59 PM Pacific.
Voting begins Saturday, 29th June, and goes until Monday, 1st July at 11:59 PM Pacific.
Optional Secondary Objective #1: Part of a series
Some of the best short stories out there are a part of a series. Sherlock Holmes, James Bond, even my beloved Dark Tower saga had a single short story entry. I would like you to tell your story as if it isn't the first and last time we've seen that character or world, even if it is. Create backstory or allude to an unwritten future event. Make up in-jokes, a running theme, a character quirk or references that make the reader feel like there's more to it than a one-off. Craft your characters, setting or events in a way that introduce them, but as if we're familiar already.
To be clear, I'm not requesting you to write a sequel to an existing work (although you are free to); the important thing is to give the impression this story is part of a series, that the story world and characters are alive before and after we read your entry.
Optional Secondary Objective #2: How about 1,000?
I wanted to make the word limit 1,000 to promote succinct writing and editing, but I added a bit more freedom for writers who are already efficient in that area and would appreciate more leeway. A word limit is a maximum, not a guide, and every Challenge allows you to go as far under as you like. But why not make an effort to keep the story under 1,000? Don't see it as a wasted 500 words but a tight and effective 1,000?
Ernest Hemmingway once wrote a short story using just six words: "Baby shoes: For sale, never worn." Is that story really missing anything? It creates the perfect scenario for your mind to ponder. It has a real impact with a single sentence. There is some wonderful micro fiction out there, stories told with less words than the blurb of a full-length novel. But this Challenge isn't encouraging that level of brevity, but it just proves a thousand words isn't a restriction at all.
Keep dialogue sharp, descriptions brief and settings instantly recognisable. Cut excess, unnecessary filler. Don't ramble. Keep it flowing, keep it tight.
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.
NeoGAF Creative Writing Challenge FAQ
Previous Challenge Threads and Themes
Entries:
adj_noun: Has-No-Home and the Crone of Kira Tell
Chainsawkitten: Short Autobiographical Stories
mu cephei: untitled
Cyan: Herostratos
Ward: Abe Zanarkand’s Merry Quest to Determine Who Marries Mary
multivac: Will Eat Food for Work
Mike M: Next Time Maybe Try Calling Collect?
Ashes1396: He's dead.
Tangent: "Learning to Fly"
GRW810 The Five Orbs of All-Lands - Open Wounds
Misinformation is the UNINTENTIONAL spread of false or inaccurate information. It is not malicious lies or intentional in any way; that is disinformation, and that's not what we're after.
Word Limit: 1500
Submission Deadline: Friday, 28th June by 11:59 PM Pacific.
Voting begins Saturday, 29th June, and goes until Monday, 1st July at 11:59 PM Pacific.
Optional Secondary Objective #1: Part of a series
Some of the best short stories out there are a part of a series. Sherlock Holmes, James Bond, even my beloved Dark Tower saga had a single short story entry. I would like you to tell your story as if it isn't the first and last time we've seen that character or world, even if it is. Create backstory or allude to an unwritten future event. Make up in-jokes, a running theme, a character quirk or references that make the reader feel like there's more to it than a one-off. Craft your characters, setting or events in a way that introduce them, but as if we're familiar already.
To be clear, I'm not requesting you to write a sequel to an existing work (although you are free to); the important thing is to give the impression this story is part of a series, that the story world and characters are alive before and after we read your entry.
Optional Secondary Objective #2: How about 1,000?
I wanted to make the word limit 1,000 to promote succinct writing and editing, but I added a bit more freedom for writers who are already efficient in that area and would appreciate more leeway. A word limit is a maximum, not a guide, and every Challenge allows you to go as far under as you like. But why not make an effort to keep the story under 1,000? Don't see it as a wasted 500 words but a tight and effective 1,000?
Ernest Hemmingway once wrote a short story using just six words: "Baby shoes: For sale, never worn." Is that story really missing anything? It creates the perfect scenario for your mind to ponder. It has a real impact with a single sentence. There is some wonderful micro fiction out there, stories told with less words than the blurb of a full-length novel. But this Challenge isn't encouraging that level of brevity, but it just proves a thousand words isn't a restriction at all.
Keep dialogue sharp, descriptions brief and settings instantly recognisable. Cut excess, unnecessary filler. Don't ramble. Keep it flowing, keep it tight.
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.
NeoGAF Creative Writing Challenge FAQ
Previous Challenge Threads and Themes
Entries:
adj_noun: Has-No-Home and the Crone of Kira Tell
Chainsawkitten: Short Autobiographical Stories
mu cephei: untitled
Cyan: Herostratos
Ward: Abe Zanarkand’s Merry Quest to Determine Who Marries Mary
multivac: Will Eat Food for Work
Mike M: Next Time Maybe Try Calling Collect?
Ashes1396: He's dead.
Tangent: "Learning to Fly"
GRW810 The Five Orbs of All-Lands - Open Wounds
