100-word short story competition

[BERNADETTE]

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

I have actually written a story that is exactly 100 words long...now the question is...do I submit it?

Yes you do, you are a brilliant story teller

[Restless]

Competition Rules

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Entry fee: £2.00 non-members; £1.00 members, payable through Paypal, via the button above, or by cheque, payable to “Lancashire Authors’ Association”.

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Entries must be typed in double spacing on single sides of A4 paper, with a front page stating entrant’s name, phone number, and (where possible) e-mail address. Please also state story title and word count.....

Address and postcode

[Margaret Pilkington]

Originally Posted by BERNADETTE

Yes you do, you are a brilliant story teller

Thank you Bernie...for your vote of confidence...are you on the judging panel?

I would have thought it would be possible to e-mail your story through......but not according to the rules...yet they will e-mail you to acknowledge receipt.

I do not mind the entry charge.
I have time to think about it...the closing date is not until the 30th of June.

[DaveinGermany]

I did have a nose at the site, but as to entering I baulked at the idea of no online entry & having to pay ! There's no reason as far as I can see & if they're after encouraging people to be literary & the proliferation of the English language as a whole in all its charms & nuances, then surely free entry & email would be better.

Just my views of course, still if folk fancy it why not start an Accyweb short stories thread/section.

[MargaretR]

Originally Posted by DaveinGermany

I did have a nose at the site, but as to entering I baulked at the idea of no online entry & having to pay ! There's no reason as far as I can see & if they're after encouraging people to be literary & the proliferation of the English language as a whole in all its charms & nuances, then surely free entry & email would be better.

Just my views of course, still if folk fancy it why not start an Accyweb short stories thread/section.

I bet you could write 100 words in one sentence

[DaveinGermany]

Originally Posted by MargaretR

I bet you could write 100 words in one sentence

One tries to elevate standards where one can my dear MargeR.

[Bob Dobson]

The fee will ensure that the whole exercise is not massively over-subscribed , and offset the prize money. I suspect that the competition is a publicity exercise.

I am reminded of Somerset Maugham ( I think it was him) who gave a lecture on how to write a successful short story. His advice was that a winner would contain religion, sex and mystery. He closed by inviting his audience to write a story. Within minutes, a lady put up her hand and said she had finished hers. Expressinbg surprise at the speed at which she had written her story, Maugham invited her to read it out to the audience. She did so - " Oh my God, I'm pregnant. Who done it?"

[Eric]

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

I have actually written a story that is exactly 100 words long...now the question is...do I submit it?

If you don't submit it, post it on here ... And just so that you won't be left alone, swinging in the winds of criticism, I'll post one too You show me yours and I'll show you mine

[Margaret Pilkington]

Hmmmm...Eric. I fell for that one once before .

[Eric]

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

Hmmmm...Eric. I fell for that one once before .

Only once, eh Well, that's your story, and no doubt you are sticking to it

By the way, I just wrote my story ... the hundred word thing is kinda tricky ... and my counting ain't all that good when I'm boxed.

[Margaret Pilkington]

Yes only once Eric.......if you don't learn from your mistakes you're a damn fool

[Margaret Pilkington]

I agree...the hundred words thing is very tricky...gives you no time to build a character, let alone a plot......and no chance for a sub plot.

[Eric]

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

I agree...the hundred words thing is very tricky...gives you no time to build a character, let alone a plot......and no chance for a sub plot.

Nor much for a plot either ... I left dialogue out too .... all those "he saids" and "she retorteds" use up too many words ... hyphenated words are handy ... and I didn't use a real character; more of an "everyman".

[Margaret Pilkington]

Oh, I used me, but in a fictional event.

[Bob Dobson]

It may be difficult. but it can be done. I repeat my suggestion that you have a look at last year's winner - a belter.