Short Shorts

I really like making up contests, so I'm doing a third one for y'all.

This contest is a SHORT-SHORT contest. A short-short, as defined by one of my old writing teachers, is a self-contained story under 500 words.

There are two main rules to this contest:

1. NO UNFINISHED STORIES.
2. MUST BE 500 WORDS OR LESS. NO EXCEPTIONS.

The basic rules apply as well:

A. Check your grammar/spelling
B. Make sure it's formatted so I can read it (ie. A line of space between every paragraph)
C. Don't submit rants or "essays" - I want stories, people.
D. This can be on ANY subject, with as much foul language, sex, death, blood, whatever as you please. Just follow the other rules.

...

Okay, I hesitate to put this last bit in, because it is sorta selfish, but since I'm hosting not one, not two, but three contests right now, it'd be nice if the participants in this contest could read/review some of my stories.

This is NOT required. It's just a suggestion. That's all.

So go ahead and submit, y'all. Any completed story under 500 words. Have fun!

Contest is Over

  • Contest was judged on April 7, 2007
  • Rewards: Gold: 100, Silver: 50, Bronze: 25, Honorable mention: 3 people
  • Final notes:
    One of the worst things about judging a contest is when you have ORIGINAL stories (not prewritten) amongst your entries and you don't have enough trophies to give the author's props for writing something new.

    Thus, I salute all those who wrote a new story for this contest. You guys kick ass and you show initiative in creating something new. If I had more honorable mentions to give out, I would have, solely for your work in making this contest as successful as it was.

    Brief review of winners - why they won:

    1. Shrine Maiden - This was utterly horrifying for such a short story. The noble sacrifice and the ORGANIZED cruelity and brutality of the murder.... It took my breath away and made my horror-loving spirit go, "AWESOME!"

    2. Mrs. Protheroe - There are very few erotica stories out there that I can say, "wow, that's so sweet and wonderful" about. This story had excellently defined characters and a touching, emotional connection between them. Excellent job.

    3. Worthless to Rape - Now, if I were judging this solely based on writing style, you wouldn't have won. But I was also judging this contest on my reaction to the piece and I was so...aghast and horrified and angry by the end of this story that I had to give it a trophy. The tale you had to tell was brutal and honest and affecting. You did a great job with it.

    Honorable Mentions:

    Over and Over - Very original, very cleverly written, and I loved the twist at the end.

    Empty Glass - It was an excellent exercise to give characteristics to the inanimate. You did a wonderful job with that. I was rooting for the glass at the end and worrying that it was disposable ("Nooo, don't throw it away! It loves you!")

    Look - I'm a sucker for teen romance and this was a great slice-of-life bit. The sadness at the end was poignant and fitting. The characters were well defined.


    To everyone who participated:

    Thank you for making my contest as successful as it was. I enjoyed reading and commenting on all of your stories. I hope that future contests will turn out as well as this one did!

    Merci boucoup,

    Delfishie

Contest Winners

  1. The Shrine Maiden and the Shinto Ritual
    Akaira ran the old, wooden brush through her velvety black hair, smoothing it out with her ghostly white fingers. Her deep brown eyes focus
    by Ghost of a Siren 500 words, 8 comments, on Jul 4 9:44 PM 2004. In , Fiction, Spiritual
    Gold trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove]
  2. Mrs Protheroe
    by robert davidson 300 words, 15 comments, on Mar 16 1:41 PM 2007. In Adult, Erotica, Life, Love, Young adult
    Silver trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove]
  3. Worthless to Rape
    by 400 words, 2 comments, on Apr 5 1:31 PM 2007. In , Crime, Inspirational, Non-fiction....all real, Young adult
    Bronze trophy winner
    • Commented on by judge. [remove]
  4. "Hello."
    An old story about a man with no short-term memory.
    by Xineph 500 words, 12 comments, on Mar 3 10:42 PM 2007. In Adventure, Fiction, First person, Murder, Mystery, Short story, St
    Honorable mention
    • Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove]
  5. The Empty Glass
    by The Cube 400 words, 13 comments, on Jan 22 5:09 PM 2007. In Hope, Inspirational, Other, Romance, Spirtual
    Honorable mention
    • Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove]
  6. Look
    by roars-in-public 400 words, 13 comments, on Oct 29 9:44 PM 2006. In Fantasy, Fiction, First person, Other, Sad, Science fiction, Spiritual, Young adult
    Honorable mention
    • Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove]

Entries [15]

1 - 15 of 15

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Comments

1 - 7 of 7

  • beyondsonic
    April 4, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    how many entries each?


    • Delfishie
      April 4, 2007
      Edit | Reply

      I think

      I think I set it as one entry per person. I'm not sure, though.


  • Zephyr Aryn
    April 6, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    Is it okay if mine is a poem?


  • Rune Morose
    April 6, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    Why did you close it so early?

    • Delfishie
      April 6, 2007
      Edit | Reply

      sorry

      It filled up. I limited the number of entries to 20 because there are only so many stories I can read. Any more than that and my head starts to swim.

      I should be starting another contest soon so feel free to enter any qualifying story in one of those.

      Side note: I have become a contest fiend. The things practically 'pay' for themselves, points-wise since I make sure to comment on all of them and it's super fun to make up stuff that other people will write about. This is such a great site. So much better than fictionpress!

      /waxing poetic.

      So. Um. Yeah. This one is full, but good luck in the next contest, should you choose to enter!

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