Everyone seems to be doing contests lately, so like the joiner I am, I figured I might as well do one of my own.
I have the contest idea all set, but I didn't know what the prize would be (except that warm fuzzy feeling you get from winning, of course). I can't offer manuscript critiques, seeing as I'm not an agent/publishing professional, and I don't have any published books with my name on it to offer. Hmm ... a conundrum.
How about this? I will purchase a novel (or nonfiction work), for the winner*, of the winner's choice. Simply leave your choice in the same comment with the contest entry, and we'll go from there. The contest will close on Thursday, December 31, 2009, with the winner(s) announced a week later on Thursday, January 7, 2010.
Oh, you wanted to know what the contest was? Hmm ... that does sound like a good idea.
So without further ado I present:
The Ten-Word Novel Contest
Many years ago, Ernest Hemingway was challenged to write a novel in six words. The famous line? "For sale: baby shoes, never worn."
Since six words seems kind of short to me, I figured I'd add a few on gratis. The challenge to you then, dear readers, is to compose a novel that consists of ten words.
It can be quirky, dramatic, funny, introspective, or any other adjective that I can't think of right now. The only rule, and I do mean the only rule, is that it has to be ten words or less. Oh, and you have until the end of the year to enter (two weeks plus two days).
Paste your entry and choice of prize into the comments section of this post. Happy writing!
* Edit because Adam felt the need to point out the original sentence was unclear. :-P
48 comments:
Sounds like fun! Is it just one entry each?
fairy --
As many entries as you want.
I will purchase a novel (or nonfiction work) of the winner's choice.
I assume you will purchase it for the winner as opposed to yourself ;-)
I was going to ask if the ten-word novels could be previously published, but I realized it's moot. I want to win this with fresh creativity :-)
I'll be back with some entries.
Double moot. All my flash fiction are longer than 10 words. *sheepish grin*
Yes of course for the winner. :P
And I edited the post to show that.
oooh, yea! A contest. And, you're buying. What could be better? I'll be back.
Great contest idea.
Ooo, I bet this will be harder than it looks, but I'll try.
I will be back! Gotta hone my ten words...
Very cool contest. I'm working on mine.
This is a toughie. What a great idea! ;-)
Ohhhh- great idea! I'll be thinking on this one!
Love it! But it sounds tough. Perhaps, I'll give it a try.
This sounds fantabulous! I'll be back with my ten word masterpiece.
Oh palease! Ten words; no way for me. But I'll be back to enjoy all the entries.
.........dhole
Some actual entries...
The broken sleigh smelt of firewood and barbecued reindeer meat.
The aliens took our chickens. Afterward, nothing tasted the same.
Air pirates kidnapped my daughter. Need money to fix dirigible.
My toddlers shoot at helicopters. Today, they actually hit one.
Our satellites crippled, invasion was only a matter of time.
(That's probably enough for now, yes?)
Okay, here's two for now.
1. Sweet death felt good, this time.
2. Santa called, Christmas is canceled.
Here's another:
Re: Manuscript - Call me, big news!
Looking up from the forest floor, I saw disembodied legs.
Great contest idea. Challenging for the writer's and for the judge I'm thinking!
Oh cool! I've got one.
Yesterday I chewed off all my fingernails. Today, my fingers.
Human....Whoops, I mean chicken quirks.... The Chicken Dance!
Bane sent me over! :O)
KatieGrrr & destrella --
Welcome to the insanity!
The corpse in the desert wasn’t related to his sister.
Bane has ADD. Can't read instructions. Copy then pastes:
Euthanized monkey for sale. Won't bite. Doesn't like children.
"But faster-than-light travel isn't possible!" "YOU tell the Borg then."
Here's my first entry!
The walkway was half-shoveled, blood splattering the snow.
The atmosphere altered: Laughing gas? Happy day!
My day began well but ended with "Bang!" Dead. (sigh).
"He wanted to kiss her, but it was only November."
(an actual line from one of my early stories.)
I returned penitent, with flowers, but she was already gone.
Shots, surgery and six months later, Snoopy gleefully strays again.
(I hope this isn't prophetic!)
the last human died in it's arms, the robot cried
entry revisited:
My day began well, but ended with "Bang!"
(deleted last two words. SNIP!)
I has another.
Sam never suspected his morning doughnut enjoyed digesting human innards.
Two lines registered. The test forever changed their future.
We likes the 10 words contest. Crunch! Slurp! . . . Gag. Dead.
Stripped of Ever-Skin, heat, and now dignity. Time to die.
The almond scent lingered on her lips. Revenge tasted sweet.
Molecules spiraling, the end was fast. No dessert after all.
Balance required focus. Imbalance, just bad luck. Mine and hers.
Apparently, I like to write about death. Who knew?
And one for laughs:
Bad luck owned me. Until Octopus paid cash, bought trouble.
The comet, a purple ball of flame, entranced the villagers.
Dad died. Mom crumbled. Years later, siblings were together again.
Another entry!
I woke up. The pink monkey was still on me.
He looked forward to a happy ending. Time stood still.
I love this idea. Here are my entries.
They came, they saw, they conquered. They had cool horns.
Even in his great agony, he mustered up a laugh.
"What tools these mortals be," she muttered under her breath.
Eager to prove them all wrong, she lit the hookah.
"They're not laughing now," she slurred. "I'll bet they forgot!"
I've run out of time, but still I go on.
They came in peace. If only we'd known.
Last minute additional entries:
Icy water stole her while I wrote, unseeing. Cursed pen.
They all knew about the body, but not the bomb.
Getting into it now...
It was ten minutes after I fell that I died.
Matt had a contest I couldn't win. I killed him.
You know I'm kidding, right? I mean, about the killing you part. I'm serious about the entry. It's all I've got.
The spork quivered in his neck. Black crud spilled out.
The dandelion seed committed suicide in a pool of honey.
Post a Comment