Short Story Writing Contest: “Rain Stories”
Our free short story writing contest “Rain Stories” enters a crucial stage as we are about to reach halftime…
More than 50 stories are in the competiton already and our discerning readers on BookRix.com started to choose who shall win. So far it’s a close race.
Please vote for your winner.
On the line: $1800 prize money for writers, “fame!” and Amazon vouchers (each worth $20) for voting readers.
Your goal: To choose the best story, considering content, style and spelling. The polls close 15th of October at 3pm, GMT London.
Check out the participants, who are allowed to register more than just one rain story, as readers are welcome to vote for more than one book: Click to see all Rain stories in contest
In the meantime, stay tuned to the BookRix.com forums to track your candidates’ discussions and progress.
Supporting colleagues & fairness: Good luck to all!
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BookRix – your place to read, write and network free literature on the internet…
Lovers Dance
By: David Wood
– Look into my eyes, look at the hypnotic essence of my stare. As my strong but gentle hand scoops you up, and we begin to glide over the dance floor, like the fog does over the water. My hot breath breathing on your neck, ear lobe. Not letting you go, as you stare into my hypnotic eyes. Your arm over my shoulder, the other holding my face near yours. As you bring up a leg while I steady your balance, I slide a open hand across your shin, like that of a violin. We begin bringing the audience’s stare, as they are captivated by our dance. We are performing the “Love Makers Dance” as we take over the dance floor. Like a hot fever leaving them breathless and thirsting for more. -
Now let’s take a look at this passage and what it has done:
1) Simply by using a little imagination and a picture that I had seen, it has presented you a subject.
2) You need to help the reader(s) see in their minds what you are describing. Give them the feeling of being there and seeing what you write about.
3) At times, using a little imagination and actual happenings from your life, can be useful when writing on-line. They can draw the reader into your thoughts as you express them from your heart, and not just going through a dictionary looking for words. I, for example, try making it as simple as possible for the reader as I can, that means that more people are willing to read my writing. Some authors like using giant words or words that you have to look up in the dictionary. If you’re stuck and not sure what to write about, try looking at different pictures, or people for that matter, and imagine what they are thinking about.
I hope this works, I tried by using a little story that I wrote to show a form of subject and how it draws some readers into the story.
Sincerely,
David Wood
Rescue Me!
The Plight of an Incomplete Hero
They lurk in the darkest crevices of our subconscious without form and without purpose. They were sired by some of our darkest fears, dreams and wishes. Before they were formed their creators spent hours, days, weeks and even years contemplating who and what they’d be. They knew in advance the exact map of their genetic code, their lineage, their culture, their life’s mission and how they’d end their life. They were given dreams; goals and ambitions – yet – some of them will never see the light of day or spend one glorious day in print.
Are you guilty? Have you started to create a character when your enthusiasm was at its highest level and allowed him or her to fizzle out as you lost interest? I’m guilty and a lot of my characters are trapped in an odd place between my mind and the keyboard. If I really think of my unfinished works there are about twenty different characters that I’ve left in this state. There are some created as lead actors while the others are just “stand-ins” – who are trapped in some most unfortunate predicaments.
I can recall the creation of an inventor on the verge of starting a revolution. I can vaguely remember a warrior just inches away from his enemy’s spear. There’s even a guy out there about to tell his leading lady that he loves her for the first time. Some of my characters have been formed internally while they lack hands, feet, eyes and bodies. So, what are we going to do about it?
I have a suggestion, actually I have two suggestions; either finish what you have started or at least develop your characters and find somewhere nice for them to wait for you to stop by and make them whole. Writer’s block can be a challenge and it even kept me away from a project for eight years. Can you imagine… eight years of my character’s life unaware of his purpose and lifespan? Eight years of writing and rewriting and even inventing a character on page 10 and finishing a book without mentioning him or her again!
While we wait for inspiration our creations call out; “Rescue me!” Set them free today because there’s a whole world waiting to meet them.
Thursday Tips: Writing from the heart daily
Several times, people tell me that they want to write and then get stopped because their analytical mind takes over. Try waking up earlier than usual and writing before your logical mind is fully lucid. You need to write with your heart and edit with your mind. These are two separate functions. Think of when you are most awake and do your editing during that time.
If you are stuck, make yourself write every day. Write about your weird anecdotes, your stupid boss, your funny little nephew. Just write. The daily habit of writing is key when you can’t think of something novel to say. I get a lot of my funny writing done in my emails that I send to my friends. Funny or bizarre situations happen to me constantly and they are great comic relief material for my friends. If you have a slew of dating disasters, office horror stories or whatever, write it out. You may find your niche in your daily life.
