By Rivenblade the winner of the last challenge from that other site.
Theme: A New Beginning
Word limit: 1,500 words
Submission deadline: December 15th, 2017
Voting Deadline: December 18th, 2017 by 11:59 pm Pacific time
Optional Secondary Objective: Everything happens in the same small location
Welcome to the first ever Reset Era Creative Writing Challenge! We welcome veterans and newcomers to join us and show off their creative writing chops. Now, onto the theme...
After "winning" or (more likely) losing at nanowrimo, we could all use a fresh start. With that in mind, give us your best 1,500-word short story that embodies the theme of a new beginning. Maybe it's someone's first day at a new school. Maybe it's the end of one relationship and the beginning of another. Maybe it's election night in the not-too-distant future.
Whatever works for YOU and gets your creative juices flowing.
As a totally optional secondary objective, see if you can make all of the action in your story happen in the same small location. Not just the same country or town, but the same room, gas station, store, whatever. And keep it interesting!
Good luck!
Submission Guidelines:
- One entry per poster.
- All submissions must be written during the time of the challenge.
- Using the topic as the title of your piece is discouraged.
- Keep to the word count!
- On its own line, type #entry for the bot to find your submission.
Voting Guidelines:
- Three votes per voter. Please denote in your voting your 1st (3 pts), 2nd (2 pts), and 3rd (1 pt) place votes.
- Please read all submissions before voting.
- You must vote in order to be eligible to win the challenge.
- When voting ends, the winner gets a collective pat on the back, and starts the new challenge.
Important side note: A lot of our regulars like to write out short critiques/comments for the stories, but you can always opt out by simply adding a note like "I'd prefer no critiques" in the post where you submit your story. We're an understanding group and respect that not everyone wants comments on their work. Above all, we just want to read your story.
Since this is a fresh start, here is the full FAQ for first timers, and for those of us who could always use a reminder: [Revisions en route]
Thank you, C.B. for the banner
Theme: A New Beginning
Word limit: 1,500 words
Submission deadline: December 15th, 2017
Voting Deadline: December 18th, 2017 by 11:59 pm Pacific time
The First Ever List of Entries
End of Days by Oyashiro-Sama
Council of Sigma Hyperion by Magenta
The Waiting Room by Arkestry
The Weights of Knowledge by Chainsawkitten
A Star is Born! by Dongs Macabre
The Start of Something New by Chodi
The Fire is Fine by AaronD
An Escape by Rebel-TT
You're Always on my Mind by Dedication Through Light
Let It All Out by Xagarath
Hanalin by Weemadarthur
Retirement Home by Sober
Lost Violent Souls by John Dunbar
Application Day by W-00
Whats at the End of the Line by FlowersiBritish
As Men Are by Charade
An Honest Job by Rivenblade
One Step Further by UC Booties
Her Inner Flame by Tangent
False Starts by Mike
Fame by Ashes
Mojo by DumbNameD
Evacuation by Nezumi
Optional Secondary Objective: Everything happens in the same small location
Welcome to the first ever Reset Era Creative Writing Challenge! We welcome veterans and newcomers to join us and show off their creative writing chops. Now, onto the theme...
After "winning" or (more likely) losing at nanowrimo, we could all use a fresh start. With that in mind, give us your best 1,500-word short story that embodies the theme of a new beginning. Maybe it's someone's first day at a new school. Maybe it's the end of one relationship and the beginning of another. Maybe it's election night in the not-too-distant future.
Whatever works for YOU and gets your creative juices flowing.
As a totally optional secondary objective, see if you can make all of the action in your story happen in the same small location. Not just the same country or town, but the same room, gas station, store, whatever. And keep it interesting!
Good luck!
Submission Guidelines:
- One entry per poster.
- All submissions must be written during the time of the challenge.
- Using the topic as the title of your piece is discouraged.
- Keep to the word count!
- On its own line, type #entry for the bot to find your submission.
Voting Guidelines:
- Three votes per voter. Please denote in your voting your 1st (3 pts), 2nd (2 pts), and 3rd (1 pt) place votes.
- Please read all submissions before voting.
- You must vote in order to be eligible to win the challenge.
- When voting ends, the winner gets a collective pat on the back, and starts the new challenge.
Important side note: A lot of our regulars like to write out short critiques/comments for the stories, but you can always opt out by simply adding a note like "I'd prefer no critiques" in the post where you submit your story. We're an understanding group and respect that not everyone wants comments on their work. Above all, we just want to read your story.
Since this is a fresh start, here is the full FAQ for first timers, and for those of us who could always use a reminder: [Revisions en route]
Submissions:
Is it safe to post my story?
If you would like to link your work here on ResetEra but are worried about publication rights, the consensus is a password-protected pdf on Dropbox or another cloud drive service. This gets around any possible issues with the language in the TOS, lets you remove it later, and allows you to set a password and make it non-public, which means the work will not count as having been published. If you're looking to publish your work later, this is key.
How do I interpret the theme?
Any way you want. Literally, metaphorically, homophonically. Just remember that others will have their own interpretations and may vote or critique accordingly.
Can I change my entry after submitting?
You can submit and then edit if you'd like (all the way up to the deadline), but finalizing before submitting is encouraged. Some people start reading/critiquing before the deadline, so if you submit, you should be ready to have that version judged/critiqued as is.
Can I submit but opt out of critiques?
Yep! Everyone has their own preferences for giving or receiving critique. If you're not comfortable or would otherwise prefer not to get critiques, just note in your submission post that you're opting out. Totally fine.
Is the deadline strict?
The previous challenge winner/thread starter is the final arbiter. Typically there is a six hour grace period, after which entries are cut off.
Is the word count strict?
Yes. Nobody wants to be a word count nazi, but everyone else goes to a lot of effort to fit under the word count, so it wouldn't be fair to let some people ignore it. (Plus, it's good practice in learning to cut unnecessary words!) Please note your word count in your submission, so we know you're paying attention.
Is there a minimum word count?
Nope. We've had some really short entries in the past. But if you want to win, that haiku had better be top-notch.
How do I do a word count?
There is a handy word count checker at www.wordcounter.net, or just use your word processor's count function.
Are there any format or style requirements?
Any writing style is welcome, but remember that most people are probably going to vote for the well written short story over an elementary acrostic poem. Also, know that making a series of apparently serious posts that you later reveal as your entry has been done.
Do you guys care about spelling and grammar?
Spelling and grammatical errors can be used to great effect when the story, characters, and setting demand it. However, proofreading and spell-checking your writing will probably result in a more positive attitude towards it when people are voting.
Why can't I use the topic as my title?
We prefer if people don't do this. These challenges get a large number of submissions and if entries share the same title, it's difficult for the readers to separate them out come voting time.
Voting:
Do I have to critique to vote?
No. Critiques/comments are appreciated but not required.
I didn't write anything. Can I vote?
Anyone can vote, even those that do not submit a piece during the thread.
What happens if there's a tie?
In the event of a tie, the story with the highest number of first place votes will be declared the winner. If they are still tied after this first tiebreaker, the previous challenge winner will decide any further tie-breaking measures (2nd Place votes, longest since winning, etc.)
Do I have to vote?
You must vote in order to be eligible to win.
My story was super awesome. Can I vote for myself?
Nope.
What happens if I win?
You will get a collective pat on the back and will be in charge of posting the new challenge. Thus the cycle continues. Pick a theme, word count, and secondary objective, and copy/paste the following format into a new thread: https://www.resetera.com/posts/1592023
Thank you, C.B. for the banner
Last edited: