Constrained Writing Contest #13 + Winners of Constrained Writing Contest #12

Judge’s overall note: I would like to thank all the writers for entering the constrained writing contest this week. I am still honored that I could read and critique the entries. Each of them was well written, and you all used the writing constraint of “little did __ know” very creatively.

For help with your writing, there are many places on Steemit to turn to. If you have not joined any Discord group yet, I would suggest that all members of Steemit do it. Once on discord, I would recommend the Minnow Support Project, and the Writer’s Block. Both groups have workshops available with highly skilled writers and editors, who can help writers with English, and with the elements of a story or a post.

The outline I follow when writing a fiction short story, is to create a character, reveal a problem, or dilemma, develop the character, and by the end, resolve the problem, or dilemma. Of course, if I can think of a surprise ending, then that is a bonus.

The best advice I’ve ever heard was, “put your character up in a tree (in a predicament), and then throw apples at them. (more problems)” If your character doesn’t have any struggles, then there is not much to the story. The more your character overcomes in the story, the more the reader will care about the ending. It is your job as the writer to be sure your characters have the resources needed to solve their problem(s)… all in less than 2,000 words.

The winner of this week’s Constrained Writing Contest are:

• 1st place - @felt.buzz with the entry “Kipper”.

Judge’s note: I liked this story because it starts right as the action starts. We learn about the characters by how they act, and respond to the others. There is a great bit of build-up which made me wonder what was going to happen down in those mines.
The writing constraint was used well to let us know something bad was going to happen once they got there. A flashback of another character reveals the danger, and the surprise ending was the perfect way to end the tale.
Hats off to @felt.buzz for the amazing late minute entry.
Little did I know we would have such a spooky story to read this week, but at the last minute, felt.buzz delivered.

• 2nd place - @theprintuplist with the entry "MS. SWEETHEART".

Judge’s note: I really liked this entry because we see the character, understand how she feels, and watch as she develops during the scene. I also like that @theprintuplist used such vivid imagery with her writing. She used all the senses, so we knew exactly what the character was feeling. Especially about the wasted grapes, which I must agree with the others, was an awesome line in the story. The twist ending did it for me! Bonus.
Just when I thought I knew it was going to end… BAM! That was great. Thanks to @theprintuplist for the awesome entry, and for winning the prize! Little did I know how good this story would be when I clicked on the link, but I am glad I did!

*P.s. The writing constraint was also used very well in this story.

• 3rd place - @foragingquietude with the entry "The Day That Changed Her Life".

Judge’s note: This story gradually builds up, as we begin to understand why the characters are where they are, and the reasons they were incarcerated. The little did she know writing constraint was used at the end as a twist ending, so that was a bonus!
I would suggest @forgingquietude to visit the writing groups on discord who focus on helping new writers develop their writing voice. The story itself is wonderful, but the scene is being described, instead of told. We need to see the scene develop, rather than know all the facts. Reading the story out loud is always helpful.
Little did I know that I would read such a dramatic story in this contest, but @forgingquietude rose to the occasion with a thriller of an entry, and I am glad I was on Steemit to read it!

@svashta’s note: We had 6 amazing entries this week, I enjoyed reading each and every one of them! I will be honest; I’m happy I wasn’t judging this week because I would have a really hard time picking the winners. Thank you very much, to all of you who participated, and those who just stopped by to read the entries and dropped some upvotes!