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Dec 17, 2009, 11:54pm

Writer's Sanctuary :: Contests :: Short Story Contest :: The Short Story Contest #1!

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Topic: The Short Story Contest #1! (Read 302 times)

casketbase
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The Short Story Contest #1!
« Thread Started on Feb 13, 2005, 3:34pm »

I have to say I'm amazed everyone was so keen on the idea! But signing up was the easy part, because now YOU have to come up with the goods!

So now we have a contest on our hands. This is how its going to work.

1. There was a lot of deliberation on whether to have a starting sentence. I have decided against a starting sentence for this contest. For future contests, then we'll definetly have one. But this contest is 100% free. You can write a short story on whatever you like!

2. We need two backups in case anyone pulls out. If you would like to be a reserve, then please sign up in the other thread. Prepare your story like everyone else and in the likely case of someone quitting, you'll be in. First come, first served.

3. Limit 2500 words. Short story, lol.

4. Deadline mar(the last day entries will be accepted). Feel free to post your stories before then.

5. Post your stories in this thread. On Saturday 5th March I will start a new thread with poll with everyone's stories and people will start voting. Voting deadline Saturday 12th March. Results announced on Sunday.

6. There is no problem with putting your stories in Short Stories normal board for people to review them.

7. Of course I can't stop you, but please write something new, not something you've written before.

8. Really try to get your story in. Others may have wanted to enter. If you realise you can't, pM me and I'll open up your space.

9. Your own story, duh.

UPDATE-NEW SPACE AVAILABLE. ONE WRITER HAS PULLED OUT. 2 RESERVE PLACES STILL AVAILABLE.

Enjoy yourself, and happy writing. Any questions then pM me.

EDIT: I changed the deadline, looking back it would be a bit tight on time. We've got another week.

« Last Edit: Feb 23, 2005, 3:32pm by casketbase »

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Sirius Wolfsbane
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Re: The Short Story Contest #1!
« Reply #1 on Feb 13, 2005, 7:23pm »

I didn't feel like PMing you, so I'm asking here (:P). Do you want a graphic made up for the winner? I might be able to get one like the Outstanding Forum Award I'm having made, only it would have the Member Winner's Name and the Contest Name. Lemmie know.

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Re: The Short Story Contest #1!
« Reply #2 on Feb 14, 2005, 10:21am »

Yeah that'd be cool, as long as it isnt too much trouble.

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Sirius Wolfsbane
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Re: The Short Story Contest #1!
« Reply #3 on Feb 14, 2005, 11:54am »

Okay. I'll try and get a request in for one. We'll have to wait some, though, because the Forum award one isn't done yet! :-X

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Re: The Short Story Contest #1!
« Reply #4 on Mar 2, 2005, 1:26am »

So is the deadline the 5th of March?

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Re: The Short Story Contest #1!
« Reply #5 on Mar 2, 2005, 5:38pm »

Yeah, I haven't written a word yet due to a huge number of exams...but I'll have it done. 5th of March.

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Christabel
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My contest entry
« Reply #6 on Mar 4, 2005, 5:02pm »

It's here! Here's my contest entry. Yay.

Finally Being Myself

The school bell rang, indicating the end of lessons for the day. Helen quickly packed away her books and left the school building at a fast pace. Why was she walking so fast, she asked herself. Oh, yes. Those inssuferable girls who never failed to waylay her and ruin her day. Helen was almost at the exit and thought she might have escaped her tormentors. No such luck, of course.
“Look what we have here.” A preppy blonde girl sneered. “Miss I’m – so – special – and – intelligent – but – a – little – grey – mouse – and – have – no – friends.” Another girl grabbed Helen’s school bag and emptied the contents onto the floor. Helen glared and yanked the now empty bag from the other girl’s hand. She collected her scattered things and then ran all the way home as fast as she could, tears clouding her vision.
Once at home, Helen dumped her school bag into a corner and slumped down on a chair at the kitchen table. After shoving a pizza into the oven she took her homework out, sighing and started to write her insanely boring geography essay.
Helen’s mum wasn’t at home much. She was abroad on business a lot. Her father had left them some years prior.

That night there was a violent thunder storm. Helen woke up at around three ‘o clock in the morning because the strong wind had crashed a plant pot in the garden.
Helen got up and went to the bathroom to get a glass of water. Though instead of going back to bed afterwards, she stayed in the bathroom and stood infront of the mirror, staring at her reflection. Long frizzly brown hair… boring. Freckles that made her look younger than she really was. Helen hated herself. Her self-esteem was at a dyingpoint. ‘I wish I could change.’ She thought. ‘Is this really me?’ Helen had often wondered why she was the way she was and why everyone hated her. But she hadn’t come up with an answer yet.

“You want to be different. Don’t you?” Helen heard a voice from behind her. But there was no one there. She would have seen in the mirror. Wouldn’t she?
“Deep in your heart you know that who you are isn’t the real Helen.” Helen spun around in and screamed. Infront of her stood the weirdest person she had ever seen. It was a girl with neon-pink hair with two braids, dazzling blue eyes and with the clothes she wore she looked like she had jumped right out of a sci-fi video game.
“Who are you and how did you get in here?” Helen asked in shock.
“I’m Mia.” The cyber-girl introduced herself. “I’m a time-pirate. And as to how I came in here, I just did.” Helen stood there, completely flabbergasted. Was she dreaming all this? Helen pinched her arm. No, she was positively awake.
“You’re real.” She squealed.
“Why thanks, captain obvious.” Mia said with a smirk
“Ok… Mia. Why are you here?” Helen asked, irritated.
“I am here to help you. I can help you to become who you really are. But in order to do that you have to help yourself first… in a way.” “Yeah… right. Are you insane? You come here in the dead of night, tell me that I’m not who I really am and what did you say? You’re a time-pirate? What is that?” Helen exploded. She didn’t believe a word and she wanted to go back to bed.
“I can show you.” Mia said calmly, not even slightly phazed by Helen’s outburst.
“Do you trust me?” she asked.
“No.” Helen replied flatly.
“Sorry, but you have to do this.” Mia pleaded with Helen.
“I’m not going anywhere with you.” Helen spat.
Mia sighed dramatically. “Well ok then. I have no choice. You’re not exactly making this easy.” She scowled and then suddenly grabbed Helen by the wrist and pulled her close.

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Christabel
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my contest entry ctnd
« Reply #7 on Mar 4, 2005, 5:03pm »

Then the time-pirate held up a strange staff and called “Travelling through time and space, back in time to a foreign place.” A bright red, blinding light filled the room and Helen felt herself being lifted off her feet. A timeless flash of lights and fog followed before helen felt her rear colliding with solid ground.
“Ouch.” She whined. “What was that and where the hell are we?” She asked Mia who was standing upright, obviously used to such occurances.
“That, my dear, was a time travel. And we are now in the Caribbean in the year 1695.” “Ok. The Caribbean, the year 1695. And why in all the world are we here?” Helen screamed.
“Whoa. Calm down, girl.” Mia soothed. “You’ll find out why we are here soon enough. Or rather, why you are here. But first…” she motioned for Helen to follow her and started walking.
“Where are we going?” Helen asked absentmindedly, trailing behind the time-pirate. “Pirate… the Caribbean. How clichee is that?” Helen mumbled under her breath.
“We’re going into town.” Mia ripped Helen from her thoughts. “You need some different clothes. The way you’re walking around people will think you’re a pirate.” “Yeah, really funny.” Helen retorted sarcastically. “What do they think you are, then?” Mia stopped in her tracks and turned to face Helen, a self-assured smile gracing her face.
She snapped her fingers once and in a flash of a second stood there wearing a beautiful, frilly, sea-green dress. Another snap of her fingers and Mia’s hair colour turned from pink to light chestnut.
Helen stood there, gaping. “How did you do that?”she asked, completely astonished.
“It’s magic, luv. Come on, the dresses are waiting.” With that the two girls started walking again and soon found themselves in a small town.
Right on the main street there was a small shop with beautiful dresses on display in the window.
They entered the shop, Mia in the lead and were immediately greeted by a friendly elderly lady.
“Hi mum.” Mia said, hugging the lady who was obviously her mother.
“Mum?” Helen asked incredulously.
“Yep. Helen, meet my mother, Salene.”
Helen shook hands with Mia’s mother. “I guess you are in need of a dress.” The elderly lady stated and started bustling about the shop. Mia turned to Helen, smiling reassuringly.
Mia’s mother soon returned, holding out a navy blue dress and a strange square thing.
“What is that?” Helen asked, pointing at the square artefact.
“Oh. That’s a corset.” Mia answered as if it was the most normal thing in the world.
“ A corset? I’m not wearing that.” Helen stated hotly. “They’re not good for the health.” Salene laughed lightly. “We know that, darling. But you will have to wear it for now. It won’t be for long.” Helen sighed. “Ok. I’ll wear it.” She said, defeated.
Half an hour later she stood clad in an incredibly tight corset and the most beautiful dress she had ever seen. Her hair was put up in a tight bun with a few curled strands hanging loose.
“Okies. Now we can go.” Mia stated with satisfaction. Helen followed her out of the shop, finding it very difficult to move in the corset and the heavy dress.
Mia and Helen walked throught the town for a while and then came to a more deserted and very posh area. Mia led the way and at some time stopped right infront of the enormous iron gates of a grand mansion. Helen’s breath caught in her throat. The sight was truly magnificant.
“We’re there.” Mia stated solemnly.
Helen looked straight at the house which seemed completely normal. She was just about to say something when the front doors opened and a girl stepped outside.
Helen took in a sharp breath. “She looks just like me.” She gasped.
“She is you. Or rather, you are her.” Mia informed, squinting into the sun.
“How can that be? How can I be her?” Helen asked, completely lost now.
“You are her reincarnation.” Mia finally explained. “Remember how I said that you weren’t really you? You can be yourself, but you have to prevent this girl’s death. Her name is Jane, by the way.” Helen contemplated this for a moment. It sort of sounded freaked out, but also seemed tomake sense, in a way.
“How will she die?” Helen asked cautiously, not really sure if she wanted to know.
“Come with me. Let’s find out.” Mia said cryptically, and started following Jane who had started walking towards the town center.
They walked for a while, keeping a safe distance behind Jane. She seemed to be heading for the market.
Mia and Helen lost track of the girl they were stalking, but soon found her again. She was standing agains a wall with a group of girls surrounding her.
Mia pushed Helen forward a bit. “Sneak up and listen to their conversation.” She encouraged. So Helen sneaked closer and crouched behind some randomly placed crates.
“Why hello, Jane.” Helen heard one of the girls say.
“Nice day, isn’t it. For me it certainly is. Guess who I was with last night?” another sneered.
“Who were you with?.” Jane asked, her vioce squeaky and unsure.
“I think you know. He stood you up, didn’t he?” The other girl laughed. “I’m not surprised, though. Look at the way you dress.” By this time tears were streaming down Jane’s cheeks. “You.. you…, but he loves me.” She said in disbelief. “He doesn’t” her tormentor spat.
Jane suddenly pushed past the other girls and started to run. At almost the same time Mia grabbed Helen’s hand and started to pull her along.
They ran along, trying to catch up to Jane. She was fast. “She’s like me.” Helen panted while running. “She’s just like me.” “Yeah, right. Now run faster.” was Mia’s answer.
“Where is she going?” Helen asked with dread, noticing that the ocean was in sight.
“The cliffs.”
“Is she…?”
“Yes. She’s going to jump and you have to stop her.” Mia finally clarified.
When Mia and Helen arrived at the cliffs Jane was already standing dangerously close to the edge, her dress billowing in the wind. She seemed unsure weather to really end her life.
“Now.” Mia hissed to Helen, while they crouched behind some shrubs.

Helen slowly made her way forward and then called Jane’s name. The girl in question whirled around and nearly lost her footing, but managed not to fall.
“Who are you?” she asked, her voice thick with tears.
“I’m Helen. I’m here to help you.” Helen said, pleadingly, slowly advancing until she was close enough to get a good grip on Jane’s arm and pull her from the edge of the cliff.
“You look just like me.” Jane said, in wonder.
“Well, yes.” Helen replied, a warm smile on her face. “I am you. It might sound really strange, but I came here from the future. We are the same person conected by the same fate. We both have our tormentors.” “What are you tryig to tell me?” Jane asked, sniffing.
“Jane. When they treat you this way, do you have the feeling that it will never end?” “Yes.” Jane whispered.
“It won’t if you commit suicide.” Mia suddenly stepped out from behind the shrubs.
Jane looked towards the new arrival confusedly. “Jane, if you kill yourself now, you will relive all this again, through Helen. It will get better. They might never stop, but you will learn to cope with it and you will find happyness.”
“I will?” Jane whispered, hope in her eyes, her tears slowly drying.
“I’m sure it will.” Helen said, reassuringly with confidence.
Jane smiled for the first time that day. “I will help you, too. Won’t I?” she asked Helen.
“Well, I guess you will.” She replied somewhat hopefully.
“All right. I will try to go on.” Jane finally resolved, letting out a long sigh.
“You will manage. I’m absolutely certain.” Helen reassured the other girl.
Mia cleared her throat.
“I’m sorry to interrupt this.” She said. “But we have to go now, Helen. You might not be able to return to your time if we don’t.” Helen sighed sadly, turning to Jane with an apologetic look.
“It’s allright.” Jane said, her eyes suddenly lighting up. “We both have to go on with our lives.” The two girls, who looked practically like twins embraced and held eachother close for some time. Then they said goodbye and Helen and Mia returned to the year 2005 in another bright red flash.

Helen slowly opened her eyes when she felt solid ground beneath her feet again. “We’re back.” She breathed, slightly relieved.
“Yup. We are. And I’m afraid I have to go now.” Mia said apologetically.
“But why?” Helen whined.
“There are other people who need my help, you know?” Mia replied, talking to Helen like to a little child.
“Ok. I guess you’re right.” Helen hugged Mia and the stepped back and smiled. “Thank you.” She said.
“No problem. Just promise to never give up. Ok?” Mia asked, getting her staff out, to disappear again.
“Promise.” Helen said with resolve. “Good bye, Mia.” “Bye.” Mia shook her staff two times and was gone in a flash of gold.
Helen looked at the clock. “Time towatch OC California.” She said to herself and plopped down on the couch, switching on the TV. Yet she was tired, and it didn’t take long for her to fall asleep, while watching TV.

The next morning Helen woke up, feeling incredibly happy. She went to her room ang grabbed a low-cut bright green tank-top, a pair of dark blue jeans and her black sandles. Then she went to the bathroom and cramped her hair into a tight bun, letting some curled strands hang down. Last she covered her annoying freckles with some make-up. Full of confidence she left for school, a smile on her face.
Once she was there she of course passed the girls who always had something to say to make her feel terrible for the rest of the day. But today they didn’t say anything, for they sensed the change that had come over Helen.

The end

« Last Edit: Mar 4, 2005, 5:04pm by Christabel »

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Apprentice
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Re: The Short Story Contest #1!
« Reply #8 on Mar 8, 2005, 11:33pm »

Hmm I guess Cristabel is going to win then ^^ I didn't get the chance to check and see if the deadline was the 5th, so I'll have to wait till next time =\

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casketbase
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Re: The Short Story Contest #1!
« Reply #9 on Mar 9, 2005, 4:43pm »

I'm really embarrassed- I made the competition and couldn't get my entry in :'(

... When I started the thread I had no idea what the next few weeks would entail. Science GCSE exams, French, Geography and History Courswork, Maths GCSE exam and a ton of homework.

I've really let the side down, I'm really sorry.......................... I honestly couldn't, but you'll just think I couldn't be bothered. By the way Cristabel, you wrote a really good short story there, well done..

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