Would you like to see more CW writing contests in the future?

[Rebecca]

Would you like to see more CW writing contests in the future? If so, elaborate by giving us your ideas and suggestions for future contests in this thread!

Rebecca

[Invisionary]

The 95 word flash fiction one was fun. More like that would be great. Perhaps some poems off a set theme too. Short poems that is... I think alot can be said in very few words and I perfer short poems to long ones.

[whitehawke]

I think the flash fiction was so cool. I'd love to see that done again. Next time, I might even give it a try. lol

[DrRita]

Yes ma'm. I'd like to see one with a challenge or elements or ? It was so fun!!

[MsSherry]

Maybe the contests could be in different genres, like one month the entry has to be historical, next time horror.... just to get us to try something new (I need to actually enter one instead of procrastinating til it's too late--hehehehe)

[Invisionary]

Quote: Maybe the contests could be in different genres, like one month the entry has to be historical, next time horror....

Horror? I don't think I could draw inspiration from satan for such a work.

[rljfl]

Invisionary,

There is such a thing as Christian horror. Think Frank Perretti's Visitation.

[MsSherry]

Yes, Invisionary, there is indeed such a thing as Christian horror. If I am not mistaken, at least one of our members here sort of "specializes" in this genre. I was just stating that a contest that would take us out of our "comfort zone" might be beneficial to us.

[Invisionary]

Huh? Christian Horror?

[HisWriter]

Yes, there is a "Christian Horror" genre, but I'm with you, Invisionary; I'm not sure what to think of it, and definitely don't want to read it. (No offense to anyone who writes it!)

Yeah, I would be interested in contests in different genres, maybe different audiences too? Since I'm a children's writer.

[miranda119]

One fun idea that my high school English teacher used to do - he would come up with some crazy, off the wall title and we had to write a short story that fit. One of the craziest titles I remember (15 years later!) was "A Hole in the Wall with an Orange in it." I don't remember how I handled that one, but I do remember how much fun we had reading them all in class!

[Keith Wallis]

Christian horror - leading a service with your fly undone !

[rljfl]

hahaha, Keith, you crack me up.

As far as Christian horror...again, doesn't have to have anything to do with Satan. I tried writing a story (gave up on it though) set from an unbelievers point of view. A mysterious light was making people vanish. Very scary and intense. Turns out though, the light was God, and people were "vanishing" when they became believers. (They didn't really vanish, but from the unbeliever's view, it was scary and they were gone). Anyway, depends on how you write it, but could be good.

[Lookin^Up]

The idea of Christian horror is a new one to me, too. I write science fiction, which I've always considered a completely separate genre from horror. Sci-fi is postive, horror is negative. Sci-fi generates hope; horror, fear. "There is no fear in love," after all. People become paranoid by reading or viewing horror, including me.

When I saw The Blob as a teenager, I couldn't sleep for a week. On a lark as an adult, I also went to the theater to see Alien, and I again couldn't sleep afterwards. What ended the nightmore in both cases was a prayer to God to take the images away, to pour his blessing and assurance over them so they would no longer bother me.

Therefore, I've had no interest in horror, and I, like Invisionary and HisWriter, find it hard to imagine how this genre could be inspirational. The plot Keith mentioned sounds more like a scary mystery than true horror, "intense" though it may be.

To answer the question at hand, I put "Not sure" because I've never gotten into writing contests. They put a restriction on me that I'm not used to having, although I could talk myself into calling them "challenging". Maybe one of these days I'll try my hand at one.

[Invisionary]

So when is the next one?

I wouldnt mind seeing the flash fiction one weekly. 7 days to write, 6 days voting, and 1 day annoucing the winner and the next theme.
While we write the entires to the next one the public will be voting, that way we dont have to wait two weeks.

Jeremy

[Keith Wallis]

So when is the next one?

I wouldnt mind seeing the flash fiction one weekly. 7 days to write, 6 days voting, and 1 day annoucing the winner and the next theme.
While we write the entires to the next one the public will be voting, that way we dont have to wait two weeks.

Jeremy

Oh my goodness that sounds like hard work !

[MGalloway]

I thought the flash fiction contest was fun, although I could not figure out the high number of views and the low voting totals. Oh well.

[Invisionary]

Oh my goodness that sounds like hard work !
Hard work setting up the contest or writing the piece?

Only took me like an hour or two total to write my last entry, and I assume (being I am familiar with forums) it only takes about a half hour to an hour a week to set up the contest pages.

Jeremy

[Keith Wallis]

I meant writing the pieces - when "inspiration" is more in drought than in flood.

[Invisionary]

I cant imagine a drought for a flash fiction story. :p

[NurseConnie]

Hi guys.
I'm with you who say "Christian" horror isn't for me. I mean, for the most part.. "horror" usually involves something demonic and as a CHRISTIAN writer, I tend to want to write with "Light" instead of "darkness" . Don't know if my opinion matters, but it's there just the same.

God Bless!
Connie

[Mickyjo]

I agree there is a such thing as Christian Horror, Frank Perretti is one, but I believe Tedd Deeker is to an extent too.
God Bless
Michelle!



hahaha, Keith, you crack me up.

As far as Christian horror...again, doesn't have to have anything to do with Satan. I tried writing a story (gave up on it though) set from an unbelievers point of view. A mysterious light was making people vanish. Very scary and intense. Turns out though, the light was God, and people were "vanishing" when they became believers. (They didn't really vanish, but from the unbeliever's view, it was scary and they were gone). Anyway, depends on how you write it, but could be good.

[MsSherry]

Hard work setting up the contest or writing the piece?

Only took me like an hour or two total to write my last entry, and I assume (being I am familiar with forums) it only takes about a half hour to an hour a week to set up the contest pages.

Jeremy

Rebecca does this entire site on her own, and leads a very busy life. She may not have the time to do a contest every week, and the other members also lead very busy lives so they may not have the time to enter a contest each week what with jobs, families, and other writings they are working on....
I think once a month or every couple of months is a bit more reasonable.

[Invisionary]

Ah, Ok.

I assumed there were more than one running the forum, such as moderators. I can see why it would be difficult with only one running it.

Jeremy

[elbib]

Unfortunately some of us are unable to sign in on a regular basis so we do not see the contests. Is it possible to send an email announcing when there is a contest?

If not, can there be a place on the Home page announcing the contest? (You may have this already and I've missed it. Sorry.)

Thanks - elbib (Kimberli)

[writegirl1949]

I'd like to see more fiction contests ... although a 95 word count is hard for me.:cool: I would like something say 500 words or less maybe????

I know Rebecca must be one busy dudette ... so, I vote yes ... understanding it may be occasionally?

I must also confess, I usually stick to forums and know I'm missing a lot of good stuff. Maybe when I get all unpacked.:eek:

Blessings, Francine

[Treasure2Christ]

!thumbsup! :o How do you get your own books or poems published?

[HisWriter]

Do you mean published on this site or just generally? If the former you could re-post this question in a new thread in Member Support. If the latter, you could re-post it in the Writer's Lounge. You'll be sure to get more replies that way.

Welcome, by the way! May I suggest that you introduce yourself in New Members-Meets & Greets? Then we can give you a proper welcome! :)

[guernseyscot]

Christian horror? Well, Keith has done it again with his earlier thread about Christian horror would be 'leading a service with your fly undone!'

I have ACTUALLY experienced being upfront with the worship team and singing with my fly undone!!!!

I am having three or four people gesticulating furiously, amongst their smirks and giggles trying to attract my attention. Finally, when I realise what the problem is, I try to continue singing without 'cracking up!' None of the other worship team members have a clue what's going on!

As any lady would (that's me out!) I continued singing, pulled my jacket edges together, and in between the songs turned around with my back to the congregation and adeptly (I hope) zipped it up again!
Now that's Christian horror..............
I think I'll 'pass' on that subject, and do something far more tame like a children's story or devotional!

[DrTraceyBrown]

I would classify some of the "Left Behind Series" as Christian horror to a point. Horror only for those that were left behind and had to face the wrath of the antichrist for preaching God's word.

Tracey

[lfutral]

Contests are fun and a way to enliven your writing. As to the Christian Horror genre I love it. I think most of you are missing the boat thinking horror as blood and guts, killing and maiming. Frank Peretti and others write based on our fears of the unknown. Take a common fear such as what will happen to us if the Anti-Christ shows up--what form will He take? If false prophets show up--what promises will they make? Take a Christian who does something wrong by accident like running over a child and then this Christian becomes barren--does she believe God is punishing her for her action or did she ask God to bless the couple whose child she took with the child she might have had. Think of it in those terms not Stephen King or Nightmare on Elm Street terms.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Why such a hullabulloo over Christian horror? The Visitation and The Oath are both horror without being gratatious (sp?) I'm not a horror fan myself, but I can appreciate a good scare as good as the next person (Comes a Horseman by Robert Liparulo is Suspense/Horror also). Much of Christian suspense/thrillers border on horror anyway. The spiritual realm is one of Horror and one of Hope. As writers/readers we shouldn't give Satan too much credit, but we shouldn't also ignore him or the impact writing Christian fiction of any genre can have.
Left Behind series are Horror. But only in the sense that they are horrifically badly written novels and horrifically lax in their theology. (lol)

Christian Erotica on the otherhand wouldn't work. (Thank God!)

[Lookin^Up]

Why such a hullabulloo over Christian horror? The Visitation and The Oath are both horror without being gratatious (sp?)
That word would be gratuitous.

I think the reason we don't like the idea of "Christian horror" is that it implies that Christians have something to be horrified about. But even in the most threatening circumstances we are practically commanded to not be frightened, because whether we live or die we'll still be with the Lord.

What proponents are calling "Christian horror" seems to actually be horror for others, not for ourselves. That's why the Left Behind series of books is being touted in this vein. If that's the definition, then I do have a kind of "horror story" to share, although it is not overtly Christian. Check out "Deathmist" in the Fiction Writers' Forum.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Sorry about the spelling mistake, I'm dyslexic.
Hmm... the term Christian Horror is pretty broad. I guess I see what you mean though.

[ellenjames]

I like to see a contest of children's fiction. I know that limits the contest. I wonder how many here write children's fiction?

Anyway, let's have a contest!

Bertha
www.freewebs.com/wayber

[Lookin^Up]

Writing a story that would appeal for children is a challenge for me, since I'm used to adult writing, but I could probably do it. I'd just have to avoid words like "sistibalista" or whatever it was.

[deepmagic]

Another contest idea: must write story or poem or whatever, but it must incorporate as many words from a prescribed list as possible.
OR...must include all the words on a list...
whatever! you get the idea :)
sb