Cliffhanger Short Story Writing Contest - April 2018 Edition
Sponsor: Rickie O. Pauley (a.k.a. @Lymmerik)
Hello Friends!
I am Announcing a short story writing contest. This contest is not an ordinary writing contest. I have been working on starting a 'different' kind of contest, and I think I have found it. The Cliffhanger!
If you remember the late 1970’s TV show Dallas, the season finale (1979-80), ended with J. R. Ewing getting shot by an unseen assailant. 'Who Shot JR?' became a marketing catchphrase. It was a cliffhanger that left millions of Dallas fans wanting for months, until the Fall season began. Cliffhangers have been used many times on TV and in books written with a sequel planned to lure the audience back.
What is a Cliffhanger?
A cliffhanger, or cliffhanger ending, is a plot device in fiction which features a main character in a precarious or difficult dilemma or confronted with a shocking revelation at the end of an episode of serialized fiction. A cliffhanger is designed to ensure the audience will return to see how the characters resolve the dilemma.
Example: Please Read BEFORE Entering the Contest
As you can see, this example that I wrote for STACH 199 Word Writing Contest # 23 has a cliffhanger ending of the first 'episode' or chapter.
Example of Resolution of Cliffhanger: Please Read BEFORE Entering the Contest
In this example, again from a STACH 199 Word Contest # 24, the story resolves the cliffhanger of the previous 'episode' or chapter.
The Contest
The contest will consist of two (2) ‘episodes' or chapters of the same storyline. The entrant will write a short story with a cliffhanger ending for the first entry, as I did, in the first story, Under a Blood Red Sky.
Then, in the second contest, (see date below), the story you write for the second contest will resolve the cliffhanger from your first story, as I did in All is Not Lost
THIS IS THE FIRST OF TWO (2) CONTESTS IN THIS TWO (2) PART SHORT STORY CONTEST.
This FIRST contest will run until Midnight, April 11, 2018, Phoenix, Arizona, USA time. Winners will be rewarded with the prize payout listed below on April 13, 2018.
The second contest will begin on April 14, 2018, and end at Midnight, April 19, 2018 Phoenix, Arizona, USA time. Winners will be rewarded with a prize payout listed below on April 21, 2018.
PLEASE DO NOT ENTER OR POST YOUR SECOND SUBMISSION FOR THE RESOLUTION OF THE CLIFFHANGER UNTIL THE SECOND CONTEST IS ANNOUNCED ON APRIL 14, 2018. (Doing so will disqualify your entry into BOTH contests.)
The Rules
- Write the first part of your short story with the cliffhanger ending under THIS contest.
- (PLEASE DO NOT write your second short story installment under this contest.) The second contest will be announced as stated above.
- Your story can consist of no more than 301 words. More than 301 words will disqualify the entry.
- Post your Cliffhanger Short Story, IN ITS ENTIRETY, AS A COMMENT, at the end of THIS post. ALSO post a link to your post below your story in the comment!
- Entrant may post your story in a separate post.
- USE THE TAG #cliffhanger and #contest and 3 other tags of your choosing.
- The first contest’s first and second place winners may or may not be the winner(s) of the second short story contest.
- UPVOTE this post.
- Your short story must be true to the PROMPT below.
- Resteeming this post is not required, but appreciated.
The Prompt
Dark Treasure, Full Moon
The Prizes
FIRST CONTEST Begins with this post.
Best Cliffhanger - 5$ SBD
Runner-Up – 2.5$ SBD
SECOND CONTEST
Begins April 14, 2018 with a NEW post entitled: Cliffhanger Resolution Short Story Writing Contest - April 2018 Edition
Best Resolution to Cliffhanger - 5$ SBD
Runner-Up – 2.5$ SBD
When this contest gains some traction in future editions, I will expand the prize pool and the number of winners.
Judging
This contest and future contests will be judged my me, @Lymmerik
I am open to any assistance with prizes and judging, just let me know if you wish to contribute to additional prize money and if you wish to assist in the judging.
So, go on, get to writing and good luck to everyone!
Thanks again for taking the time to read my ramblings!
@Lymmerik
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Begins April 14, 2018 with a NEW post entitled: Cliffhanger Resolution Short Story Writing Contest - April 2018 Edition
Best Resolution to Cliffhanger - 5$ SBD
Runner-Up – 2.5$ SBD
When this contest gains some traction in future editions, I will expand the prize pool and the number of winners.
Judging
This contest and future contests will be judged my me, @Lymmerik
I am open to any assistance with prizes and judging, just let me know if you wish to contribute to additional prize money and if you wish to assist in the judging.
So, go on, get to writing and good luck to everyone!
Thanks again for taking the time to read my ramblings!
@Lymmerik
My Entry...
THE DEVIL'S CURVE
We had heard of The Devil's Curve for years, but we never thought it more than a wild rumour. So when Charles and I found ourselves staring at the illuminated entrance of the famed "Mouth of the Devil", we had little else on our mind than the rumoured treasure to be found within its walls. As involuntary steps took us closer to the shiny entrance, time seemed to stand still, and the story of the dark treasure came once again to my mind...
It is told that a sorcerer once lived in this town, and that he had kept his dark practices a secret due to enforced laws against the practice of sorcery. For years he had successfully lived among the people, with no one suspicious of his presence, until he had come undone by that sickness that even great sorcerers are not immune to; the love bug.
It is told that he had fallen for a slave girl, but her master had refused her permission to marry him. For even thinking of marrying and becoming free, the slave master had punished the slave girl badly. This had infuriated the sorcerer who then used his magic to bring a deadly flu upon the slave master.
This action had then revealed to the people who he truly was, and the king had ordered him banished, and the slave girl was hanged. Upon news of her death reaching the sorcerer, he had cast a spell on the King's entire fortune, and had hidden it all in a secret cave; "The Devil's Curve".
It is told that the cave can only be illuminated for ordinary eyes, under the light of a full moon...
This was the first full moon in decades I thought, as we stepped into the Mouth of the Devil...
https://steemit.com/cliffhanger/@seesladen/the-devil-s-curve
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@seesladen,
Thanks for the entry. Awesome!
@Lymmerik
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Very nice! You have packed a lot of story in a mere 301 words!
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Dear @lymmerik,
Thank you for this cool contest, I am notorious for cliffhangers so this is right up my alley!
Word Count: 301
Here is my official entry:
Santiago stood over the dead body with blood spatter on his face, holding the knife he had just used to slit the condescending Captain's neck. He knew the day would come when vengeance would finally come, as he wiped the blood from his hands on the Captain's white shirt, turning it copper red.
As he looked up Javier appeared, he had his gun at the ready but put it back in his waistband and secured it with his belt once he realized it was his loyal friend. All the lashings he had taken from the Captain's cruelty was over, his heart lurched with excitement knowing his freedom was close at hand.
It was over a year ago when he and Javier first started working on The Villarta, the notorious pirate ship that was said to hold the mysteriously allusive treasure map of The Esperanza. It was whispered amongst pirates that the treasure was said to be over 1.5 million gold pesos that had been stolen by pirates, the ship sunk on an island named Palmyra Atoll during the full moon.
It was said the treasure was cursed and caused the ship to crash straight into the island never to be seen again. That is why the Pirate brotherhood called it dark treasure, full moon but Santiago and Javier took a blood oath that they would find that treasure. To Hell with the talk of curses, they would kill for gold. It was Javier that found the treasure map hidden in a secret compartment behind the Captain's bed. They looked at each other with understanding, they both had suffered humiliation to get to this point of their quest.
They quickly changed clothes and took the loot off the table as they made their way to the top deck and their escape ...
Original Contest Link.
Respectfully submitted,
@eaglespirit
Plagiarists Beware: I will send your blog to Steem Cleaners! Find your "inspiration" elsewhere.
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@eaglespirit,
Thanks for the entry, I await with baited breath for the next contest.
@Lymmerik
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hi, my only question and this is a learning experience ... i have seen this a few times wherein a prompt is given but the exact words are not used and people win. however, i have been in many other contests where the prompt MUST be used. can you help me understand this ... i do realize that ultimately the win is up to the one holding the contest (i've helped judge enough contests to know this much.) LOL!
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thank you for the response and sounds like i may have made it to next week! :p
yay,
eagle
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@eaglespirit,
Thanks for contacting me about this. The prompt was given as a guide, it was not specified to be used word for word, nor as the title. I also have seen contests where it is specified and judged accordingly. I don't like it when contests are so stringent. I hope this answers your question. I hope you finish your story in Part Two of the contest starting tomorrow. Have a great day.
@Lymmerik
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i see, i guess the words "must be true to the prompt" in your post meant to me that the prompt must be used. i will have to ask for confirmation in any future contests (from any i enter) since i have seen people accept something outside of a prompt. it just feels strange to ask a million questions to someone holding a contest. LOL even a photo that was asked to be used but it wasn't. i do prefer contests that do not restrict to the exact wording of things too. thank you for the reply.
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@eaglespirit,
I see the dilemma. I apologize for the confusion. I will be more specific in the future. Please don’t be discouraged. Your story was very good and I look forward to reading the wrap up of your story. Thanks again.
@Lymmerik
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dilemma! Yes. :) LOL
no worries, i know now because i was getting my feelings hurt for awhile and finally got brave enough to ask someone. a guy named Lymmerik sounded sweet enough to ask. thank you again for responding so nicely.
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@eaglespirit,
Thanks for the compliment. Hurt feelings, I've had them and feeling that I was not good enough...BUT...I am and I can tell by your writing that you are way past me in that arena.
I look forward to your resolution to the story. Have a good one.
@Lymmerik
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I enjoyed reading your pirate story! I look forward to finding out what happens next.
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jayna you found me! lol
thank you for reading, i appreciate the support. :)
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Here's my entry:
The white march
I quietly march forward through the meadow, my eyes fixated on the tiny village in front of me. Ten almost identical houses next to each other, separated by only a tiny yard and what looks like an identical stone statue close to their front doors. Two of the houses are still lit, and out of the chimney of one of them comes smoke. An odd sight on this warm and bright summer night.
Myrthe and Laïs follow closely behind me. The full moon guides us forward. The plains of wet grass feel like a red carpet, thrown out as a warm welcome. The silence is comforting. We’re getting close.
I peek through the curtains to see what’s inside the house. In the left corner a couch and a small table on top of a bearskin rug. Candles all over the place, which makes for a cosy atmosphere in combination with the crisp sound of the timber from the fireplace. I try to adjust my angle a little bit, but the cracks between the curtains are too small to get a thorough image of the room. I’m still not sure what we’re looking for. Myrthe and Laïs are getting impatient, but await my orders. Quietly.
A baby cries. I sneak to the front door which opens without having to touch it, as if it wasn’t locked on purpose. The weeping pulls me closer to a white package in front of the fireplace. I grab the baby. Myrthe and Laïs are happy. I can feel it.
Footsteps in the hallway disturb our peaceful moment together. “Lisa, baby, are you all right? Who’s there?” A man enters the room and looks at us, terrified. He quickly draws his gun. “Put her down, now!”
https://steemit.com/cliffhanger/@tuwore/the-white-march
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@tuwore,
Thanks for the entry! Good job!
@Lymmerik
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WARNING - The message you received from @omarbushra is a CONFIRMED SCAM!
DO NOT FOLLOW any instruction and DO NOT CLICK on any link in the comment!
For more information, read this post: https://steemit.com/steemit/@arcange/virus-infection-threat-reported-searchingmagnified-dot-com
Please consider to upvote this warning if you find my work to protect you and the platform valuable. Your support is welcome!
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@arcange,
Thank you for the heads up. I did not open any links from that comment. I thought it a strange and opportunistic comment on my post. I merely asked it to be removed.
Thanks again,
@Lymmerik
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@moneyinfant this looks like another great contest! :)
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@omarbushra,
I don't understand why you would hijack my contest post to promote your offer without upvoting it? If you would be so kind as to remove your offer from my post, I would appreciate it very much.
Thank you,
@Lymmerik
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It's not an offer, it's a phishing link that will steal your password.
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@cryptosharon,
Thanks for the info, much appreciated.
@Lymmerik
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