Wednesday, January 29, 2014

55 Word Challenge: Week Four 2014

Welcome back to #55WordChallenge!


For those that are uninitiated, the 55 Word Challenge is a contest to write a story in 55 words or less. Not an easy task, but fun and I have been blown away by some of the entries. See for yourself, past contests can be found here. The challenge begins at noon Eastern time every Wednesday and ends at noon Thursday. The story is based on one of three photo prompts. My only request is no porn. I don't want to hear graphic details. If it is erotic, make it titillating, not obscene. I know that can be done and done well.

The story is to be posted in the comment section below, along with your twitter handle or email address, so I can contact you if you are the winner.
And what does the winner get? Besides bragging rights? This badge, which can proudly be displayed on your blog or website. You can even have it tattooed onto your body, but that might be a little weird.  

I also have 2 additional badges,  An Honorable Mention and an Overachiever badge. To be eligible for the Overachiever Badge, you need to use all 3 prompts.

If anyone is interested in contributing a prize, a book, cover art, whatever you want, let me know and we will work something out. If you are an artist that would like to have your work featured, let me know!

 And here we go... This weeks prompt is Haunted Ohio. The 2nd two pictures are from the TB hospital in my hometown, Lima. The hospital is haunted, or so I am told... and seeing these pictures, I can believe it. The first picture, I'm not sure...
 
Photo Prompt:
 


 

Winner 55 Word Challenge: Week Three 2014



Jeff just reminded me it was Wednesday. All these school delays and cancellations, I'm losing track of time. And I forgot to announce the winners from last week. So before I post the new week, here are the results... 



Honorable Mention: 


@PurpleQueenNL Very nice twist.






Overachiever: 

@drmagoo Nicely done.






Winner:



PenKissesPaper  Oh my gosh, this made me chuckle.





Ok, week 4 will be posted shortly.

 

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

#55WordChallenge 2014 Week 3


Welcome back to 55 Word Challenge. I am going to make this short and sweet. My internet is down and the pics I had planned are not on my phone. But that is not going to stop me.

For those unfamiliar with the challenge, I will post three pictures below. Write a 55
 story based on one of those pics... or all three if you are feeling froggy. Post your story in the comment section below.

Since I am running late I will extend the contest to Friday at noon.

What you will win... one of 3 badges that I may or may not be able to post today. Winners. Ovedachiever...must uae all three photos for that one, and an Honorable Mention.

Here are your photo prompts.




Friday, January 17, 2014

Winner #55WordChallenge 2014: Week Two


The judge has spoken and here are the results.


Honorable Mention:

@nickjohns999. Its exceptionally difficult with such a minimal word count to craft a complete story. That being said, Nick did the next best thing and established a coherent and continuous overall emotion/tone that was truly ominous. Spooky!

Over Achiever:

drmagoo.  The photos for this week complimented each other nicely and drmagoo took full advantage of that to include all three into a tight, complete satisfying tale. It told just enough to satisfy but not confuse. Skillful!



Winner: 

penkissespaper. From the selections, this was my favorite. I liked how this story used a photo for inspiration and crafted something entirely original from that inspiration. Tense, conveying a sense of impending doom, it left much to the imagination of the reader but sometimes I like those kind of stories best. Mysterious!

Congratulations. All 3 will get a Smashwords copy of Finding A Voice once it comes out later this month. The winner will also get a signed copy of the book.  

Here is the winning story.


The siren sang its mournful wail, the sound echoing in the empty streets. The Yorkshire residents had prepared for this moment, since the arrival of alien craft in Scotland days earlier. As the rippling, grey cloud approached, residents locked doors, boarded windows and prayed. Only a fool would dare venture out to watch the invasion unfold.

(55 words)


Wednesday, January 15, 2014

#55WordChallenge 2014 Week Two


Welcome back to #55WordChallenge! I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year! After taking a few weeks off, we are back with a new year and a new-ish badge. We also have an awesome judge this week, the wordy Ferengi, my husband, Jeffrey Hollar! Wot! *throws latinum confetti*

For those that are uninitiated, the 55 Word Challenge is a contest to write a story in 55 words or less. Not an easy task, but fun and I have been blown away by some of the entries. See for yourself, past contests can be found here. The challenge begins at noon Eastern time every Wednesday and ends at noon Thursday. The story is based on one of three photo prompts. My only request is no porn. I don't want to hear graphic details. If it is erotic, make it titillating, not obscene. I know that can be done and done well.

The story is to be posted in the comment section below, along with your twitter handle or email address, so I can contact you if you are the winner.
And what does the winner get? Besides bragging rights? This badge, which can proudly be displayed on your blog or website. You can even have it tattooed onto your body, but that might be a little weird.  

I also have 2 additional badges,  An Honorable Mention and an Overachiever badge. To be eligible for the Overachiever Badge, you need to use all 3 prompts.
BUT, we have other goodies today too! Jeff has a book coming out later this month, Finding A Voice, and the winner will get an autographed paperback copy. (Yes, the Ferengi is going to sign it himself.)
Additionally, a Smashwords copy will be given to the winner, overachiever and honorable mentions.
 
If anyone is interested in contributing a prize, a book, cover art, whatever you want, let me know and we will work something out. If you are an artist that would like to have your work featured, let me know!

 And here we go... 
 
 

Photo Prompt:

Street Sleeping

Man In The Hat

Vintage Car

Friday, January 10, 2014

Winner #55WordChallenge 2014: Week One




Wow! We had a lot of great entries this week! I am sure the decision couldn't have been easy for our judge, Miranda Kate. I know I was thrilled with all the great entries.

So this is what she had to say...

Great reading everyone's entries, such variety. Here's the line up and feed back! Wow what a lot of interesting pieces, you all made it very hard for me to decide. So many snippets I would love to know more about. Many people managed to encompass more than one photos, as they linked together well, so picking an over achiever was also hard work. 

But here’s the line up: 

 Winner: 

J. Whitworth Hazzard 

This was just so funny, made me laugh out loud. I was able to picture it perfectly, great delivery in so few words. 





Honourable Mention: 

Jeff Hollar 

I loved the story and concept here, described so well in such few words. A terrifying possibility of our future. 

Overachiever:

Susi Holliday 

Encompassing all the photos, and the snippet of a story begging so many questions. Very enticing.



You can read all the great entries here! #55WordChallenge 2014 Week One

Grab your badges and check back next week! The judge is going to be my terrific husband, this weeks honorable mention, Jeff Hollar.


 

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

#55WordChallenge 2014 Week One


Welcome back to #55WordChallenge! I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year! After taking a few weeks off, we are back with a new year and a new-ish badge. We also have an awesome judge this week, Miranda Kate! Yay! *throws confetti*


For those that are uninitiated, the 55 Word Challenge is a contest to write a story in 55 words or less. Not an easy task, but fun and I have been blown away by some of the entries. See for yourself, past contests can be found here. The challenge begins at noon Eastern time every Wednesday and ends at noon Thursday. The story is based on one of three photo prompts. My only request is no porn. I don't want to hear graphic details. If it is erotic, make it titillating, not obscene. I know that can be done and done well.

The story is to be posted in the comment section below, along with your twitter handle or email address, so I can contact you if you are the winner.
And what does the winner get? Besides bragging rights? This badge, which can proudly be displayed on your blog or website. You can even have it tattooed onto your body, but that might be a little weird.  

I also have 2 additional badges,  An Honorable Mention and an Overachiever badge. To be eligible for the Overachiever Badge, you need to use all 3 prompts.

If anyone is interested in contributing a prize, a book, cover art, whatever you want, let me know and we will work something out. If you are an artist that would like to have your work featured, let me know!

 And here we go... because of all the snow...

Photo Prompt:

Deep Winter Freeze




Rowan In The Snow

Toddler In The Snow