I want stories of a mature nature. Not necessarily "adult" themes. I want stories that don't have to do with teenagers. I don't mind stories that have drama, but not the highschool sort of drama. It doesn't necessarily have to be drama. It can be sci-fi, romance, historic, whatever so long as it makes me think.
I know teens can sometimes write maturely so please don't think I'm not allowing you to enter, I'm simply tired of reading about teens. I simply want you to write about people older than 25. (and yes I know people over that age can be immature, but I'm not looking for that either)
Please no horror, suicide, or otherwise really depressing stories. I read for entertainment and to lift my spirits. So understand it doesn't have to be completely serious.
I prefer happy endings, though I will take sad endings if appropriate to the story.
Full stories only with a beginning, middle, and end, no single scenes.
Erotica is okay, but only if it's integral and integrated into the story, no erotica for erotica's sake.
As it's mature themes, I expect a mature level of writing, please keep grammar mistakes to a minimum.
Also I understand mature themes take a bit longer to explain sometimes so longer stories are fine, just don't enter a full novel. Also if entering chapters, please only the first chapter, I really don't like being dropped into the middle of a story.
As I'm allowing longer stories, read slow, and give long critiques, do not expect this contest to end anytime soon. I will probably extend it once or twice, so there is no excuse for you not to think about writing something new, though I'm also allowing prewrites, I'd like you to put some thought behind them.
I will be judging off my own personal preferences not on the level of maturity. But usually if you follow what I've asked for above (entertaining, thoughtful, mature story) you will do well.
And just to give you a little more idea of the type of things I like;
Favorite book: 1984 by George Orwell
Favorite author: Edgar Allen Poe
Favorite tv series: Star Trek: the Next Generation. I like the ones more to do with exploration than action.
Favorite Cartoons: Bugs Bunny (yes, there's a large amount of maturity hidden behind those antics) and Gargoyles (more drama in that cartoon than most night time dramas)
I know teens can sometimes write maturely so please don't think I'm not allowing you to enter, I'm simply tired of reading about teens. I simply want you to write about people older than 25. (and yes I know people over that age can be immature, but I'm not looking for that either)
Please no horror, suicide, or otherwise really depressing stories. I read for entertainment and to lift my spirits. So understand it doesn't have to be completely serious.
I prefer happy endings, though I will take sad endings if appropriate to the story.
Full stories only with a beginning, middle, and end, no single scenes.
Erotica is okay, but only if it's integral and integrated into the story, no erotica for erotica's sake.
As it's mature themes, I expect a mature level of writing, please keep grammar mistakes to a minimum.
Also I understand mature themes take a bit longer to explain sometimes so longer stories are fine, just don't enter a full novel. Also if entering chapters, please only the first chapter, I really don't like being dropped into the middle of a story.
As I'm allowing longer stories, read slow, and give long critiques, do not expect this contest to end anytime soon. I will probably extend it once or twice, so there is no excuse for you not to think about writing something new, though I'm also allowing prewrites, I'd like you to put some thought behind them.
I will be judging off my own personal preferences not on the level of maturity. But usually if you follow what I've asked for above (entertaining, thoughtful, mature story) you will do well.
And just to give you a little more idea of the type of things I like;
Favorite book: 1984 by George Orwell
Favorite author: Edgar Allen Poe
Favorite tv series: Star Trek: the Next Generation. I like the ones more to do with exploration than action.
Favorite Cartoons: Bugs Bunny (yes, there's a large amount of maturity hidden behind those antics) and Gargoyles (more drama in that cartoon than most night time dramas)
Enter this contest
- This is an anonymous contest - your name will be hidden from editors
- Closes in 9 days
- Up to 2 entries are allowed per person.
- Rewards - Gold: 500, Silver: 250, Bronze: 175, Honorable mention: 5 people
- Enter a pre-written story
- Enter a new story
Entries [23]
1 - 23 of 23
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by davelolione 800 words, on Sep 22 8:50 AM. In Family, Fiction, Life, Marriage, Romance, Short story• Not viewed by judge. Prewrite
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It was still raining though with a lesser intensity now. First showers of the monsoon often bring about a sudden change in the land, mind a• Not viewed by judge. Prewrite
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His name was Mark Klein and he was my boss. I worked for the New York Express, which is a small newspaper for Manhattan residents only. Mark and his best friend, Tony, were the owners. The office had a family friendly enviroby tonyher 1100 words, 2 comments, on Jul 19 10:33 PM• Not viewed by judge. Prewrite
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Based on World War Z by Max Brooks. It is a personal account of the Zombie War that last ten years *writen in same style as book*by corrupthoughts 3800 words, 2 comments, on Sep 15 10:03 PM. In Dark, Fanfiction, Horror, War, Zombies• Not viewed by judge. Prewrite
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She had at least five hours to herself, which meant five days… on the Other Side.• Commented on by judge.
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I put the ship into Lemon Alert when the escape pod was docked, in case things went sour. If they got really spicy I’d put it into Chilli A• Commented on by judge. Prewrite
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Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow is a fictional account of finding Tir Na Nog. An island west of Ireland that knows no sorrow.
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'Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistiguishable from magic' - Arthur C. Clarkeby tallblondie 3800 words, 11 comments, on Nov 23 5:55 PM 2008. In Mystery, Science fiction, Speculative fiction• Commented on by judge. Prewrite
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In the morning I made my walk through the hospital, checking the conditions of the patients. I started from Steve. He had a broken leg and an infected arm. I looked at his arm, I took off his bandages and saw that the infectiby Stars-are-Blind93 600 words, 3 comments, on Nov 4 12:00 PM. In Depression, Inspirational, Life, Society• Not viewed by judge. Prewrite
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by Disasterous-Bastard 1000 words, 4 comments, on Nov 4 1:54 PM. In Adult, Assassination, Dark, Depression, Guns, Killing, Love, Murder, Romance, Violent• Not viewed by judge. Prewrite
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At the end of his day, Tony liked to do nothing more than to sit and peacefully read the paper. That was, until someone asked him the time.• Commented on by judge. Prewrite
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The greatest playwright and actor in Evyntyde's history has a few lessons to learn, despite his fame and self-assurance.• Commented on by judge. Prewrite
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I move slowly through the deserted rooms and passages of this stately home. It’s grand ballroom, silent now in the depths of a moonless nigby Tomereader 1600 words, 16 comments, on Sep 1 3:09 PM. In First person, Hope, Mystery, Sad, Short story, Strange, Supernatural• Not viewed by judge. Prewrite
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This was a big rally, even by this country’s standards. Mbukwe, [mm-boo-kway] is a small African territory ruled over by President Mbisi, [• Not viewed by judge. Prewrite
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“[2.190] ...fight in the way of Allah with those who fight with you...[2.191] And kill them wherever you find them...”1
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I wanted to stay inside, underground forever. Underground; that's where I'll be buried. No, I won't be buried at all. They'll never find my• Not viewed by judge. Prewrite
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Comments
1 - 20 of 20
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Your explanation of things could use some fine-tuning. You say you want "mature" themes, that you want to think, but that you want something to lift your spirits, not depress. Not to say it's impossible, but I find these two ideas a bit contradictory. Not to mention;
"I want stories that have to do with teenagers" soon being followed by "...I'm simply tired of reading about teens. I simply want you to write about people older than 25."
The range of age and tone that you want to see seem to be incompletely thought out. -
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That struck me too, the second thing you mentioned.. Had to re-read a few times lol... either way! I plan on entering this!
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sorry there was a typo in that
I "don't want stories that have to do with teenagers."
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Actually I think it's entirely possible to have stories that make you think and entertain at the same time. This is done all the time in science fiction.
And sorry about the "do have to do with teenager" that was a simple cut and paste error, should have been "don't have to do with teenagers."
I know I seem a bit "inconsistent" but that's because I want a range of things. I don't simply want just one thing. See my list of examples. -
I was looking at your profile.
"Gaslight, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Les Miserables, Jekyll & Hyde, The Invisible Man, The Lodger, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Some Came Running, After the Fox, The Saint films"
Don't tell me not one of these entertained and made you think at the same time? These are exactly the types of things I'm looking for. I mean look at Les Mis... it did lift my spirits (granted it had depressing bits), but it's very mature themes.
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Someone's under 25...
I loved Gargoyles! Man I wish that show was still going.
I used to read Poe, I memorized the Raven in middle school
As for Orwell ..
good luck with the contest.
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Actually I'm well above 25, I just don't act it sometimes.
I memorized the Raven too.
It's my favorite poem.
Come on, anyone that puts fear into you with rats has to not put you to sleep, right? -
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Actually I was referring to the first comment. I just took a wild stab in the dark that he was under 25.
I'm just a few hairs above 25 myself but I rarely act like it. -
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Gargoyles is still running. I have it recording on my DVR every night at 3 AM. I love that show. Poe is great. Though, personally, I liked Animal Farm better then 1984.
I'm just glad I found other people who believe that Gargoyles is not just a kids show! -
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New episodes? Or just in syndication?
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Unfortunately just syndication on Tune Disney. It and Spiderman are the only good shows on there now.
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I became disappointed in Animal Farm halfway through because I really hated Napoleon, and while I'm sure we weren't supposed to like him, I don't want to read about someone I hate.
I can't get the channel Gargoyles is on.
I'm dying for them to finish the DVDs.
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I'm... confused. Did I say something that 'exposed' me as a pre-25-year-old? All I did was point out an inconsistency.
Anyway, I don't deny the fact something can be entertaining and thought-provoking, though I myself usually find "darker" material to get my noodle going than a high concept film/book/etc.
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I think I'll enter but it might take some time to write something. I've got a killer case of writer's block at the moment.
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Not a problem, this will be running for quite a while, so take your time (just don't forget me )
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I started working on it. is it okay if there are kids (toddlers) in it?
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Yep, I just don't want the main character(s) to be young.
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Hey, question... Can we do a war/soldier perspective story? I mainly ask because I want an idea on the level of violence you find acceptable...
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You can, though I'll admit war stories aren't my favorite genre. If done right, they can be good though. Violence is fine as long as there's not a lot of gore. If in doubt enter it anyway, you can enter twice.
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Ah, cool! Well, that helps. Thanks.
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