Short Story Contest - Theme: Conversion

[wgjones3]

I saw this bantied around the web a bit this morning, thought I'd share:

The Next Short Story Contest

One of the most crucial (and hard) things in writing Christian fiction is the "God talk"--making it sound authentic and natural. And one of the hardest things to write is a conversion scene. Yet, this should be the most powerful thing we should read--this should render us awestruck that a name has been written in the Book. (Metaphorically or literally, depending on how much Calvin you like in your theology.)

So, I'd like us to write conversion stories. Simple as that.

We complain a lot about bad conversion stories, so let's see if we can write something more compelling.

Rules (to this point, more may be added)
1. 3000 words or less.
2. I have no definition for what a conversion story is, but we're talking about some Christian salvific experience. It also needs to be fiction, no autobiography or memoir.
3. Deadline will be Friday, September 30, 5:00pm central time. Earlier is appreciated.
4. I haven't talked with anybody about partnering on this one, but I'll try to track somebody down. Let me know if you have suggestions or contacts at online journals.
5. There will be prizes for the chosen finalists. They will be more symbolic than impressive. Unless someone wants to give me a grant.

More info here (http://faithinfiction.blogspot.com/2005/08/next-short-story-contest.html).

[DrRita]

Sounds like an interesting challenge go me. I was thinking about the "conversation" thing and I think one of the problems we have is expressing the communication between us and the HS or God because it's ususally in emotion, wordless impressions on the heart and soul. It's so hard to translate that into believable dialogue. But it's a good exercise to try. Thanks WG for the link!

[Merry]

Well, well, Mr. Jones...once again you have found a contest that, win or lose, would be good for me to enter. Especially given the other nights chat... In fact, Dr. Rita is right. I hope most of our crew checks this out and at least considers coming up with an entry. I mean, coming up with ways to communicate the conversion experience is time very well spent.

[Chiara]

So this would be a story about someone converting to Christianity?

Forgive my dull thinking... :confused:

[davenporter]

I'm thinkin' about just going for this. I doubt that I could actually write anything amazing about a conversion, but at least it's a topic I can more or less understand... ;)

So maybe... once I get a little more work done on my other short story. I already saw this this morning, but thanks for sharing it anyway. :)

[Diannecp]

Hmmm,this might be just what I was looking for with regards to a story I've been working on. Thanks!

[wgjones3]

Bumpity bump.

Yeah, I'm assuming this would be about conversion of faith, although somebody on the f*i*f forum did make a comment about currency conversion stories being so out of vouge these days. I did think about going the opposite way, having someone convert to secularism/humanism from Christianity. But, I suppose, that would be more or less de-inspirational.

We've got three potential entries in the workshop now; anybody else want to throw their hat into the ring?

[BrotherDave]

I converted a bright yellow powder to Mac and Cheese today.
Could I write about that?

brotherdave

[Bill Snodgrass]

Can I share a link to a published story that is an pretty good (IMO) example of such a conversion story?

(I don't want to come off as a SPAMer.)

[Rebecca]

Yes Bill, please do share. Thanks for asking in advance. !thumbsup!

Rebecca

[Bill Snodgrass]

Yes Bill, please do share. Thanks for asking in advance. !thumbsup!

Rebecca

http://theswordreview.com/item.php?sub_id=40

This story is among the first we published. The author classified it as "Historical Fiction."

[wgjones3]

I just sent mine off after a few last minute changes. Hope to see some more CW regulars take this challenge up--I've seen several strong contenders already.

Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh five everyone who entered. !thumbsup!

[Hisart]

Sent mine in too. !thumbsup!
God Bless!
Hisart (http://www.hisart.us):cool:

[DrRita]

As soon as I get the rewrites done, mine's going in too. :eek:

[David Meigs]

I am behind the eight ball. I had something started, but after the illness thing, I had to toss it and start over. Just started again. Well, here’s hoping!

Curm

[whitehawke]

Help please,
I was reading the story that Bill gave the link for. I came to the end of that page, but don't know whether to click pdf or html in order to continue. Can someone please give me a hint?
Thank you.

[Diannecp]

I clicked on HTML. This was an excellent story - thanks, Bill, for sharing!

[mwfree]

I just got back from summer holidays without any internet and it seems like everyone on the internet is entering this contest. It's great that so many people are getting involved. I only hope there's some way to see all of the entries when this is all over.

All the best with those conversions everyone,
MW

[DrRita]

Well *gulp* I sent my story off. It's too late now to rethink this whole thing.

[David Meigs]

Well *gulp* I sent my story off. It's too late now to rethink this whole thing. Did you just send it off? It was a great story. I'm jealous!


Curm

[DrRita]

yep, just about 20 minutes ago. Thanks for the kind words. I can't wait to see your finished story. I love it.

[xhalestarz]

Wow! Great idea... sounds scary to me though! Very difficult...

[wgjones3]

The curtian closes Friday. It's go or go home time for anybody still on the fence. :eek:

[David Meigs]

Got mine in seconds ago. It will be there for the big guy when he opens his inbox.

I’m rooting for all you CW’ers!


Curm