OUR NEXT CONTEST HAS STARTED!
THEME: HISTORICAL FICTION – AMERICA
The theme is broad but should be a story or poem about America’s history. Historical fiction is made up but is set in the past and sometimes borrows true characteristics of the time period in which it is set. (Example: “The Night Lincoln was Shot” could be a story of the people who were there and witnessed it). Examples of popular novels written are: The Help; Grapes of Wrath; Cold Mountain; Orphan Train; Lonesome Dove; To Kill a Mockingbird, The Godfather. All have the elements of historical fiction. It can be any subgenre such as Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn or Kurt Vonnegut’s sci-fi, Cat’s Cradle.
There are seven elements to writing a good story: character, dialogue, setting, theme, plot, conflict, and world building. Historical fiction adds the element of bringing the past to life.
So, get on your thinking hats and travel back in time to a place you’d like to be. Tell it from your (or your characters’) perspective. It can be about a person, place, or thing.
RULES:
1. No politics, please.
2. 750 words (or less). –The title does not count toward word count.
3. Any subgenre.
4. Winners of the Spring Contest are not eligible.
5. Must be the unpublished writing of the author.
6. SWG MEMBERS ONLY
7. DEADLINE: July 31- midnight.
Winners will be announced at the August meeting.
First prize – $75 / Second prize – $50 / Third prize – $25 / Honorable Mention
Send to: springfieldwritersguild@gmail.com with CONTEST in the subject line – or reply to this email and put the story in the body of the email.
Happy writing!
