Mini Challenge/Game Time: 24 Hour Writing Contests!

[toxic_apiaceae]

This week we've got some extra time to kill before the September battles contest starts, so we mods thought it'd be fun to host a mini contest-game thing. There will be no voting and there is no sign-up. You can play or not as you choose, but there's a reward in it for EVERYONE who makes it through.

There are a lot of writing tips floating about,

Comments

[toxic_apiaceae]

Well, if it fits with a story you wanna write, just do it anyway. Even if it takes all week, just write it and stick it in one of the later polls to be read. Obviously, it won't count toward the mini contest if you turn it in late ... but you should never turn your back on a prompt that inspires you.

[mermaidbia]

Heeeyy that's still quite some time to go for me! I'm thinking of a tiny little ficlet - 1000 to 1500 words, maybe? - about a circus of fabulous creatures. Sound fun? I'm at Hakon's currently (damn that guy knows how to distract) but I might give it a try for that icon!

Encouragement, I needs it!

[toxic_apiaceae]

And encouragement you shall have!

I like the idea of spinning a circus theme here. Maybe center it around a bratty kid going to the circus and being bored with the usual "freaks": bearded women, elastic-skinned people, contortionists, whatever. So... the circus owner decides to show the kid something TRULY unique. Something so wondrous that the owner never shares it with anyone.

And the kid feels very special and proud to be honored with this. So, they go to see this mystical, amazing creature. And whatever it is, the kid becomes enamoured. They don't hear their mother calling, aren't aware that time is passing. They just stand their, mesmerized by this fascinating creature.

What they don't realize is that this creature feeds on youth, literally draining their "life" away. It has to be a young person, one with plenty of life still inside them.

*ahem* But... that's just me going dark here and hijacking your idea. Basically, I say run with it and tell that boy he needs to stop being distracting and start being encouraging.

[so_wordy]

I'm in. BRING IT ON!!! :D

[toxic_apiaceae]

The wonder, that is.

*grins*

[pelethetart]

The first thing I did after reading this? I got a vague idea and then...

I took a walk. lol

[pipisafoat]

I got a vague idea, studied for a while, then wrote something completely different. :D

[pelethetart]

Ahahaha, I do that ALL the time, pip!

I get all "Herm, that might be nice." Then later I sit and my brain tells my hands something completely different. Tricksie little muses.

:)

[toxic_apiaceae]

AHAHAHA!!!

Now, Pele. Usually it's recommended you take a walk when you get stuck, NOT when inspiration strikes.

Can you recall what that vague idea was at all?

[toxic_apiaceae]

... I think maybe you're projecting a little much on the prompt idea.

Wonder takes many forms, reckless. Like thora suggested, sometimes it's a thought process: you wonder what happens if____, you wonder why ____, you wonder if you'll survive ____

It can also be an emotional state, as I mentioned in the prompt description: that feeling you get when something amazes you, maybe experiencing something for the first time.

Wonder isn't something that is defined by economical or educational status. Children and adults experience it alike -- or don't, sometimes. Maybe there IS no sense of wonder in the world any longer?

Basically, what I'm getting at is this: if you decide to play this week, treat this like any other prompt for any other contest and show how YOU define it.