New Writing Contest (Page 4 of 5)

The number of published stories with deaf, mute, or blind investigators is small.  It's been done, but it's rare.  Of course, the victim or perp could have the handicap ... or a witness.

I was one of the ones who suggested the contest's topic, and I don't think it's too challenging. I'm already working on my submission.

I agree that a full locked-room mystery might require more than 5000 words, but I'm pretty sure something interesting can be written within the required limit. Sherlock Holmes short-story average word count is 8230 words (source http://www.christianpeccei.com/holmes/). Okay, it's 3230 more words than the contest, but, from my standpoint, it means a decent thing can be done with only 5000. If the average were, for example, 23000, then I'd be worried about writing a decent thing using only 5000.

I think the actual challenge is writing the locked-room mystery. As Vern said, we're an imaginative bunch. Let's see how imaginative we really are.

Kiss,

Gacela

Really? 4 days and still only 4 entries. I'm liking those odds, but geez folks/writers, you ask for contests and then sit on the sideline. Oh well. Take care. Vern

Me either.

While the concept of "pay to play" is certainly not new, I feel that a contest with this requirement may have put off a few of the contestants - me, for one. I don't mind putting out funds so I can get back a product or service, but I don't gamble. And, isn't this really a form of gambling that your story will be chosen for the gold?

Bill

This competition was way too restricted for me.  I normally write something in my head before putting it to paper, and nothing rolled around up there that could be expressed in that short amount of words.  At least not for me.  Catch me on the next one!  Good luck to all!

I had fun writing this one, but I have to admit having a background in mystery/crime probably helped a lot. The syfy part I'm not too sure about but it's good, for me at least, to stretch your writing muscles to include genres you haven't written in before. Thanks for the challenge, Sol

I certainly respect your opinion and obviously would expect no one to enter any contest in which they weren't comfortable. I would add that my statement referred to people asking for "contests" in general not this specific one -- not sure anyone asked for this specific scenario in all it's detail. Although the number to enter this contest is extremely low, it appears to me that most contests in general these days receive less entries than in times past. Although several have stated the strict requirements as a reason for not entering, I'm not sure that small relative number is more a factor than the seemingly diminishing  participation overall. Other contests such as drabbles about time travel would seem just as restrictive but received many more entries. Just my observation. Take care. Vern

Ouch!  I made a last-minute entry (at about 23:35) and realized I'd omitted something, so I edited the version out there.  The edit was completed at about 23:53.  Does the contest get the edit or not?

What happened to the new writing contest?  Did I miss something?  Haven't heard anything about it in ages.

Thanks, Vern.