The title of this contest will surely mislead some. Prepare to be disappointed...or perhaps, intrigued?
Many historians place the beginning of the Medieval period at 476 AD, the year the Western Roman Empire was formally dissolved by Odoacer. The end is not so easily agreed upon, but if we use these same guidelines then we can place the end at 1453, at the fall of Constantinople and the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire to the Ottoman Turks. So, for a very rough estimate, we can say 500 - 1500 AD.
As you can tell, this time period is set by a very Western frame of mind. However, that's the only thing Western about this contest.
That's right: I want stories set during the Medieval period, 500-1500 AD, but NOT in Western Europe.
In fact, I don't want to see settings in ANY of the following regions:
-Europe in general. The borders get sort of hazy in the east, so talk to me if you want to do something you feel may be straddling the boundary. I MAY allow Finland, Russia or Poland since I don't see many stories about such places.
-The Holy Land (No Crusades for you!)
-Japan or Korea (Sorry Japanophiles, samurais are just as easy as knights!)
So what does this leave you with? Only just about an entire globe.
During the Middle Ages, Mali was a flourishing center of commerce and learning in West Africa. The Mongols were forming the largest contiguous empire in history. Indians of the present-day Midwest and South United States built enormous earthen mounds, central to cities numbering in the tens of thousands and capable of extracting tribute from their neighbors - that's right, Amerindian empires. The Khmers dominated what is today Cambodia. Some even believe that Chinese explorers landed in Central America...
If this little snapshot of history stirred your imagination, this contest is for YOU! If there's one thing I'd love to do with StoryWrite it's get people to think outside of cliched settings and characters and get immersed in new worlds. Do some research, find out about a part of the world you're unfamiliar with....maybe even LEARN a thing or two! I certainly hope that I will!
Okay, perhaps this has been too long-winded. I think I've made my point. Any genre is acceptable. Limit of 8000 words if you please. No poetry, no chapters, and no fan-fiction. I may extend the closing date if I get enough requests to do so. Message me with any questions whatsoever.
Rune Morose
*Oh... I would prefer no fantasy creatures, but if you must, I had better not see any Tolkien stock such as dragons, elves, dwarves, etc. You won't win.
Many historians place the beginning of the Medieval period at 476 AD, the year the Western Roman Empire was formally dissolved by Odoacer. The end is not so easily agreed upon, but if we use these same guidelines then we can place the end at 1453, at the fall of Constantinople and the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire to the Ottoman Turks. So, for a very rough estimate, we can say 500 - 1500 AD.
As you can tell, this time period is set by a very Western frame of mind. However, that's the only thing Western about this contest.
That's right: I want stories set during the Medieval period, 500-1500 AD, but NOT in Western Europe.
In fact, I don't want to see settings in ANY of the following regions:
-Europe in general. The borders get sort of hazy in the east, so talk to me if you want to do something you feel may be straddling the boundary. I MAY allow Finland, Russia or Poland since I don't see many stories about such places.
-The Holy Land (No Crusades for you!)
-Japan or Korea (Sorry Japanophiles, samurais are just as easy as knights!)
So what does this leave you with? Only just about an entire globe.
During the Middle Ages, Mali was a flourishing center of commerce and learning in West Africa. The Mongols were forming the largest contiguous empire in history. Indians of the present-day Midwest and South United States built enormous earthen mounds, central to cities numbering in the tens of thousands and capable of extracting tribute from their neighbors - that's right, Amerindian empires. The Khmers dominated what is today Cambodia. Some even believe that Chinese explorers landed in Central America...
If this little snapshot of history stirred your imagination, this contest is for YOU! If there's one thing I'd love to do with StoryWrite it's get people to think outside of cliched settings and characters and get immersed in new worlds. Do some research, find out about a part of the world you're unfamiliar with....maybe even LEARN a thing or two! I certainly hope that I will!
Okay, perhaps this has been too long-winded. I think I've made my point. Any genre is acceptable. Limit of 8000 words if you please. No poetry, no chapters, and no fan-fiction. I may extend the closing date if I get enough requests to do so. Message me with any questions whatsoever.
Rune Morose
*Oh... I would prefer no fantasy creatures, but if you must, I had better not see any Tolkien stock such as dragons, elves, dwarves, etc. You won't win.
Enter this contest
- This is an anonymous contest - your name will be hidden from editors
- Closes in 10 days, or after 17 more entries
- One entry per person, newer submissions replace old ones
- Rewards - Gold: 200, Silver: 100, Bronze: 50
- Enter a pre-written story
- Enter a new story
Entries [3]
-
All things must end to start again.by Valkyrie 900 words, 56 comments, on Sep 5 7:41 PM 2008. In Contest, Historical fiction, Poem, Short story
• Viewed by judge. Prewrite -
The black, silken night cascaded around the sky, raining bright white stars down upon the Aztec peoples of Tenochtitlan.by Lady Pixie 700 words, 50 comments, on Aug 10 2:35 PM. In Contest, Dark, Death, Historical, Sacrifice, Short story
• Not viewed by judge.
-
Higuamota danced in the forest, oblivious to the flittering shadows. Her hair was white and shining, like the reflection off a sea. Her skin was as diverse as the shadows around her, tattooed in rivers, forests, tracks, her l• Not viewed by judge.
Add a comment
Comments
1 - 27 of 27
-
Interesting, but how long do you plan on keeping this open? I have so many other stories in progress, I don't know if I can get to this anytime soon.
-
-
If I get enough requests, I'll keep it open longer. Don't despair just yet.
-
-
intrigued. Historical fiction is a genre I don't often attempt, I may have to try it.
-
-
Do go for it. You haven't posted anything since November, you're a bit overdue anyway.
-
-
I am a HUGE history buff
And this would just give me reason enough to satisfy that nerdy side of me...so I shall see what I can do.
-
intresting! i rlly liked it. historical fiction is a tricky genre! one day mayb i'll get it, as im more of a fantasy person myself. go for it tho! great job, and keep writing,
peace,
K -
-
I think you should go for it! Always challenge yourself, you may be surprised with what you come up with.
Plus if there are no other entries you will win one trophy or another by default.
-
-
omfg so good so so good defendly better than mine seriously srew this i reading it agian.
i love yor story -
So, I take it Ireland doesn't count?
-
-
Ireland is about as western as Western Europe gets, unfortunately. Too easy!
-
-
LoL that's okay. I've figured something else out instead
-
-
-
I am having trouble writing atm, but I am brancing into hisorical novel reading. I wish I had a better grasp on this kind of genre, but my brain just doesn't cacth onto it ;/ which is dissapointing ;/
-
YAY!!!
Historical fiction.
I think I'll enter one.
-
aghhhhhhh!!!!
The idea I've got goes to 1502...
Is that ok? -
oh, don't worry. I have another idea
-
-
Edna, 1502 is fine with me if it's necessary. The way things are looking, you won't have much competition...
-
-
cool
-
hmm. I came up with a good idea for this, I shall try to have it finished by your due date.
-
I might have to do something on the Cree.
-
Sorry, forgot 2 enter.
-
-
Deadline extended to October 7!
-
-
It's given me a good idea though!
-
Wow! Thanx!
-
Are you going to finish the contest this time?
-
-
I'd really like to get more than 3 entries. This is the bad thing about having a unique contest idea; nobody has unique pre-written stories to lazily enter it with!
-
-
Will you allow Russia?
-
-
Sure will.
-
Adding your comment:
1 - 27 of 27
