Fifty-word story prompt and contest

in #fiction7 years ago (edited)

Hello 50-word story-writing enthusiasts! Our friend @miniature-tiger is currently on a hiatus from Steemit. In the interest of supporting this wonderful initiative, at least temporarily, I'm providing a prompt here and a 2 SBD reward for the best #fiftywords story. I'm also providing some motivation to support your fellow writers. Read on!

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(Image credit: Original image by pixel2013, Pixabay)

50-word story contest rules


The deadline for entries is Saturday, March 10th, 2018, midnight CST. Winner to be announced on Sunday March 11, 2018.

The prompt for this contest is "bark." You can use any interpretation of the word you like.

Simple rules:

  • Upvote and resteem this post to help support the contest and give it some visibility.
  • Write a 50-word story incorporating the prompt word: bark. (Note that posts of exactly 50 words will have an edge in the contest!)
  • Post your story to your blog, using the #fiftywords tag, and submit your link in the comments here.
  • If you include an image, it must be your own or one you have the right to use, and it must be properly credited to the artist or photographer.

Extra credit


These aren't rules, but they will give you a leg up in the contest.

  • Write a captivating title. Grab our attention.
  • Set your story in an identifiable place, scene, or environment, even if it's made up, and make something happen. The trick with just 50 words is to immerse your reader into the story immediately. You have no words to spare.
  • Add an image. You'd be amazed how it adds to your story to have an accompanying illustration.
  • Edit your story for grammar. Excellent grammar is a huge plus.
  • Upvote and comment on at least two other 50-word stories.

What's a 50-word story?


If you are new to this format, here is the idea: Write a short-short story in just 50 words. Convey a moment in time that helps us to imagine the larger scene or world around it.

I'll provide some examples of my own 50-word posts. As you will see, they range from a sorrowful piece about loss and grieving to historic fiction, science fiction, humor, and fantasy. There's even a pirate story. In other words, you can really have fun with this mechanism. My 50-word stories:

The 50-word story clan


I'm mentioning you here if you were tagged in Miniature Tiger's most recent post, or I know you are interested in this story format. Please let me know if you would like your tag removed in this or future posts.

@ablaze, @anjkara, @awhsarada
@bentheredonethat, @bhop42moro, @bitsendpieces, @brandonsadventur, @bryarose23
@carlosparejo, @charlesmackenzie, @curtwriter
@deirdyweirdy, @dinavice, @dirge, @divineinyang
@eaglespirit, @ebitularmbert, @elementm, @enjar, @evgsk
@felt.buzz, @fitinfun
@godwine, @gonzo
@hope-k
@iamthegray, @isa93, @isufbakaj
@janine-ariane, @jakeybrown, @jayna, @joyyrush
@kainos-success, @kamalkennedy
@lonestarpoet, @loraine
@marie-jay, @maxiemoses-eu, @metzli, @mikesthoughts, @mineopoly, @miniature-tiger
@navaneeth, @negativer, @niallon11, @nicolexu1337
@paintingangels, @pixiehunter, @poeticnest, @preparedwombat, @purpledaisy57, @pyrowngs
@saoirseronan, @spalatino, @sukhasanasister, @superjongky
@thatlovechild, @theblackcrow, @therosepatch, @tiatu, @tibra, @tin-tin, @tony-duke
@udayakumarage, @upen-srv
@vaitelavicius, @vivek-g
@whitewizard, @wilfredn, @wordsalmighty, @wylde
@yomibolo
@zen-art

Thanks for participating and good luck!

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Thank you. I hope you had fun writing your story!

I had indeed!

Thank you for hosting such a neat little contest. Upvoted and Resteemed.

Here is my entry, appreciate the read!

At the park the other day, I couldn't believe this conversation!

Make it a great day!

Very clever story! Thanks for entering the contest!

This is sad and poignant stuff :(

You certainly pulled my heart strings with this Sir!

Good luck :)

xox

You can read my entry here ~ and thanks for the heads up.

Great! I’m so glad you entered!

The end got me

I cant say I expected it

Read your entry....
I could literally feel the passion behind your writing.
Love it....

thank you!

Hi, so nice you picked up this contest. Here is my entry: https://steemit.com/fiftywords/@marie-jay/freedom-fiftywords-story-contest

Thank you very much for entering the contest!

"If we must die, we must die as free men"

I got that from a movie

I like your piece

Awesome story. He had a good run...

I commented on your post.

Beautiful ~ dogs are stars!

xox

Thanks for entering! I didn't see a photo attribution in your entry. If those are your pictures, you want to be sure to mention that in the post, so readers know you have the right to post them. Thanks!

yes they are it is one of my sanctuary residents named Titine. I usually only credit the stuff that is not mine .

Good to know, and thank you for clarifying!

I love this contest, thank you @jayna for picking up the torch and continuing the tradition.

Here's my entry:
https://steemit.com/fiftywords/@brandonsadventur/the-postman-s-rebuttal-fiftywords-story-contest

Great! I'm so glad you entered.

A downright Churchillian response.

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Oh my! How so? I was thinking more of Kipling. :-)

The statement seemed that way for it's insightfulness. Not to take anything away from Kipling.

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I'm now thinking this was an ignorant comment on my part, for reasons I'm not going into here... My mistake.

I've had bosses take a bite out of me but this is ridiculous.

Great! I’m so glad you entered. And thanks for the subtle link to your contest. I will check that out!

What a fun wee contest :)

And thanks for the challenge.

Here is my entry which is based on true events:
DOGS STILL BARK IN HEAVEN.

Accompanied by one of my original digital illustrations.

Universe and Angel.jpg

I wish all well.

xox

Your artwork is amazing! Thank you for entering the contest!

Thank-you Jayna, that honestly means alot to me.

xox

I have an idea. I may join in. Thanks for hosting the contest, Jayna:)

Oh I hope you do. I think you would be a natural at this, @prydefoltz. And it’s so fun.

I have written it. Just letting it settle and I will post later on this evening:)

That is so smart. I wish all writers would do that very thing. We tend to gain new perspective on our work when we step away and let it rest a while. (Even with a little 50-word story. 😊)

New ideas have time to land too:)

Oh no, I just noticed this, too late though.

But still, thanks for doing this.

(I was actually thinking of creating a contest for fiftyword story writers too, but I am too poor to offer any meaningful rewards...)

Then you will just need to earn by writing. :-)

Thanks for picking up the mantle @jayna. I was wondering what had happened to #fiftywords and have been quite eager to write something for some time.

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Here's my story! fiftywords (BARK): The Escape

Awesome! Thank you so much for helping to revive #fiftywords!

We should be thanking you @jayna for taking the initiative!

Hi, @jayna!

Thanks for this fun challenge. Who can't carve out the time to write a mere 50 words? Hahahahahaha!

Here's the link to my entry:

"A Prehistoric Walk In The Park"

😄😇😄

@creatr

Oh I’m so glad you joined, @creatr! I’m having so much fun with this. I hope you enjoyed writing your story!

Thanks, @jayna...

Yes, I enjoyed it a great deal. I don't think I've ever written such a short story... well, except for my Sci-Fi slam a long time ago that was also a contest response. ;)

Thanks for running the contest. Interesting exercise--great fun! Fifty words, no more, no less. My entry: A Bark Was not Enough.
Have tagged, resteemed and upvoted.

Awesome. Thank you for joining the contest!

Cool idea. I’ve think I’ve met all the requirements. Here’s my entry, entitled “Curse of the Bark”
https://steemit.com/story/@momzillanc/curse-of-the-bark-fiftywords

Awesome. Thanks for entering!

Since technically the next round of Write Club isn't till tomorrow, I may try this :P

I hope you do, @caleblailmusik! You would have fun with it. 😊

Oh, cool! You're picking up the banner! I'm in. Thanks for coordinating this @jayna!

Hooray! I’m excited to see what comes if it. I look forward to reading your story, @negativer.

Adding mine here. Forgot to drop it in after posting it. :)

A Lonely Sound

Wow, look at all those entries!
Here's mine to throw into the fray. Thanks for the fun Jayna.

https://steemit.com/fiction/@aksounder/automaton-oligarchy-a-50-word-short

Thanks for entering! I'm so thrilled with the great participation overall, and the awesome showing from The Write Club.

First-timer here! Love the contest idea. What a challenge! Here is my entry https://steemit.com/fiction/@freewheel/free-to-race-fifty-word-story-contest Off to check out some more of the other entries now.

Great! Thank you for entering the contest!

Great prompt and contest @jayna :)
Here is my first ever 50 word story for it:

https://steemit.com/fiction/@cizzo/b-b-or-50-word-story

Thank you for entering. This is all so fun! I can’t believe all the wonderful little gems people have produced.

Here is my story: The haunting bark
ENJOY!

Great! Thank you for joining the contest!

Great thing that you decided to host it. And thank you for the opportunity to participate in this kind of contest.
Here is my entry: https://steemit.com/fiftywords/@anixio/a-dog-that-could-not-bark-fifty-word-story-contest

Thanks for your entry!

So glad I found your prompt, @jayna. Getting mine together now, even so close to deadline. Nothing like pressure to get it down. Thanks for doing this! Edited to add: Here it is https://steemit.com/fiction/@ktfabler/good-fight-short-life-a-long-journey-continues

Good job getting your 50-word story in on time!

Thank you, and for this opportunity!

Thank you for the inspiring contest,
this is my entry:
Receiving Ancient Wisdom

I look forward to being a part of more in the future!
Upvoted & Resteemed

Thank you for entering and helping to make this contest successful!

Almost late, but not quite. It sure can't compete with most of the other stories here, but here's my entry anyway. It's not that bad either. https://steemit.com/fiftywords/@isa93/trembling-a-50-words-story

Thanks for entering, @isa93! I look forward to reading it.

Thanks so much for participating!

Thank you for your entry! I'm going to have a terrible time judging, but I'm so pleased by all the participation.

Here's the link to my tiny little story. Thanks for the prompt and the challenge!

Stumps

Thanks so much for joining the contest!

Thanks for hosting this contest! Here's my entry, You'll Get Yours.

Yay! I'm so glad you jumped in. Thanks for your entry, @bryarose23.

I did one, but no high hopes. Maybe it'll at least freak you out next time you go shopping :P
https://steemit.com/fiftywords/@caleblailmusik/walmart-at-3-am-fifty-word-short-fiction

Indeed it will! That is spooky. The is near and far, loud and silent. Thanks for joining the contest!

The link to exactly 50 word Entry is below

https://steemit.com/fiftywords/@naso/dead-end

@moneyinfant has added your contest to the list Steemit Writing Contests: Issue #38. The list is updated on a daily basis and your contest will remain on the list until its expiration - there's nothing you need to do.

The list was created to save writers the excessive amount of time spent searching through the #contest tag for writing contests. Now they can just come to the list each day, see new contests and use their time doing what they love - writing.

If you'd like to help spread the word about the Steemit Writing Contest List I'd really appreciate a resteem, but it certainly isn't necessary. The project is simply meant to help writers save time and contest creators attract more contestants.

P.S. If you know of any contests I've missed I'd love to hear about them. Thanks!

Thanks for spreading the word!

I love the idea. I've upvoted but am not sure I'll enter. Will give it a try. Get back to you in a couple of days if I come up with something worthwhile.

Thank you and good luck!

Hi! @jayna. I may join the contest too. But, I have a question: Can I use a pixabay image retouched by me?

Yes, you can do that. If you go to any Pixabay image and click the Creative Commons link, you can review the terms and conditions. I think it’s a great courtesy to attribute the image creator. 😊

Oh my gosh, some of these stories really make my heart race!

Nice initiative! I'm not much of a writer myself and I've never heard of 50 word stories before. But here's my entry: https://steemit.com/fiftywords/@adigitalife/forever

I hope I did it correctly.

You did great! Thanks for joining, and I hope you had fun with it.

Oh I definitely had fun! And I never would've tried it were it not for this contest. So thanks!

I have a feeling I'll be writing more of these.

Ah, so good that this is back!! Thank you @jayna
Here is my entry
https://steemit.com/fiction/@ablaze/obliterated-fiftywords
Bark.jpg

Nice! (In a frightening sort of way.) Thanks so much for your entry.

All the thanks goes to you @jayna Thank you for reviving this. I am looking forward to contributing each week..

Thanks for picking up this contest and running with it @jayna! Here's mine!

https://steemit.com/fiction/@negativer/a-lonely-sound-50-word-story

Thanks so much for supporting the contest, @negativer. Love your entry. This is going to be ridiculously difficult to judge!

Great initiative. #elementm had also started one! Which I supported. Great minds think alike. I'm sure we'll all manage to meet up here sooner or later.

Oh, I'll see if I can find that. It's a really fun way to get people thinking and writing. :-)

here is my entry:

https://steemit.com/fiftywords/@jadams2k18/the-tie-50-word-story-contest

And like to say: It's hard to use only 50 words! I felt handcuffed

ha ha ha ha

Thanks for the opportunity @jayna

Yes, it is a very tight number of words. You did very well! Thanks so much for joining the contest!

I have meant to participate a number of times, so perhaps it is fitting that I start now under your watch. Here is my entry The Hive

Thank you for entering, @naquoya! And welcome to the #fiftywords club. Warning: it's incredibly addictive!

Is the title included in the word count?

Good question, @damianjayclay. No, the title is outside of the word count.

PHEW! - I never thought of that. lol

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