CONTESTS & SUBMISSIONS

I've paid for this challenge and have it scheduled on the Calendar. Prompt cards will be dealt at 10 pm on Aug 2nd. I then have the choice to redraw replacement prompt cards until Aug 3rd at 10 pm. The specifics of the prompts are unknown but it appears there will be a Genre Card, a Character Card, and an Object Card. All I can do is wait...(Anxiously of course)

I've paid for this challenge and scheduled it on the Calendar. Prompts will be issued at 8 PM on May 12th. My submission is due by 8 PM on May 19th. 

This is the second ever Twist in the Tale contest and the first ever 1000-word length contest. All entrants will share a main genre but will be given a secondary subgenre from a pool. Each entrant will also be given a character that must be included in some way, although it does not have to be the main character. Subgenres and characters can be rerolled up to three times each. 

Use this referral link to join if you are interested in this competition too: https://twistinthetale.com/referral/65a6f749a7d41bdaa0b20764 It's going to be a blast! 

The prize pool has been increased from the last contest. 

1. $1200 (US)

2. $400

3. $250

4. $150

5. $100

6. $50

7. $50

8. $50

9. $50

10. $50

11. $20 site credit

12. $20 site credit

13. $20 site credit

14. $20 site credit

15. $20 site credit

16. $10 site credit

17. $10 site credit

18. $10 site credit

19. $10 site credit

20. $10 site credit 

I've paid for this challenge and have it scheduled on the Calendar. Prompt cards will be dealt at 10 pm on May 3rd. I then have the choice to redraw replacement prompt cards until May 4th at 10 pm. The specifics of the prompts are unknown but it appears there will be a Genre Card, a Character Card, and an Object Card. All I can do is wait...(Anxiously of course)

My short story, "Ashtray" came away with a ranking in the top 125 out of 312 writers or the top 40% of participants.   

Prompts: Main Genre: Thriller Subgenre: Environmental Event: Blackout

Overall I enjoyed writing Ashtray, and I'm very pleased with my title. To write this, I pulled from personal experiences from my childhood, and at times it was tough to get through. Additionally, I refreshed a bunch of prompts and came up with dozens of great ideas that were more expected for the genre, but in the end, I am happy with what I produced in 500 words and I'm glad I went in a different direction than expected for a Thriller. 

I also learned that 500 words are not a favorite length to write for contests, but I'll continue to write them. 

For Twist in the Tale or T3, I was not as much of a fan of the rubric-based grading system, but I very much enjoyed the prompts and the fact I could have a little more control and choice over my story as we were allowed to cycle through a few before being locked in. 

I have signed up for the second contest and will return. 

Previous Update:  Coming in at 496 words, I have written, beta'd, and submitted my story Titled "Ashtray."  Huge shout out to Freya for helping me with a bunch of corrections that enhanced the story to the next level in my opinion. The results of the contest on Sunday, March 31st, at 8 pm EST. The Top Ten Prizes awarded are listed below. The best of the best are competing here so it's unlikely I place, but I remain hopeful. 

Oldest Update: I've paid for this challenge and have it scheduled on the Calendar. Prompts will be issued at Midnight on Feb 24th. This is the first-ever Twist in the Tale contest! It’s 500 words and I will have a week to write. I'll be given the same main genre as everyone else but may get a different twisted (unusual) subgenre. For this contest, I'll be given an event to include and 3 rerolls for the subgenre and the event. Use this referral link to join if you are interested in this competition too: https://twistinthetale.com/referral/65a6f749a7d41bdaa0b20764 It's going to be a blast! 

The prize pool: 

1. $1000 (US)

2. $200

3. $100

4. $25 site credit + rare pet item

5. $25 site credit + rare pet item

6. $10 site credit

7. $10 site credit

8. $10 site credit

9. $10 site credit

10. $10 site credit 

My short story, "Canary" was awarded an Elite 8 Silver Trophy winning 9 out of 10 duels and ranked in the Top 8 out of 375 writers or the top 2% of participants in the False Utopia genre. It earned a Top 32 placement among 1208 total submitted stories or the Top 3% in the entire contest across all four genres. Also, there were nearly 397 people who were unable to finish or submit in time.  This was a wild ride that at times induced near panic attacks, especially on results day, but also during the entire debrief. I received 93 reads and comments during the debriefs. It was insane, and I do not know how, but I return-read every fan who read mine. 

My favorite part of this WB season was that I had so many people get to enjoy and read my work and connect to my character Ellie-May (46). It was such an experience to be among the best writers battling it out in the end and I am so honored to have prior champions and writing badasses such as Suzzane Link, Freya King, and RP Mickler  rooting me on. Additionally this season, I found a wonderful community on Discord named 11:59 Workshop that is insanely helpful and supportive. Spring Writing Battle is already signed up for. Here I come!

Previous Update: I'm Stoked. I cannot reveal much until the Prompt Cards I received, but I can reveal the Genre! Here is a breakdown of my story.  

Day 1: Fri, Feb 2nd, 2024 - On Thursday at 9:30 pm battlers received a sneak peek of the Four Genres just before the official Start time. The categories were Buddy Cop, Culinary Catastrophe, Enemies to Lovers, and the genre I got False Utopia! 

Prompt Cards: Genre: False Utopia Character: Widow Object: Ladder

I picked my cards, which I cannot reveal yet, brainstormed heavily, and then began outlining most of the Friday until nearly 2 pm. I then spent the following seven hours producing little on paper. I would estimate I ended with around five-hundred words which may sound good for a one-thousand words story, but I had overwritten my outline and only accomplished the first two chapters of my five-chapter story. Needless to say, I ended my day tired around 9:30 pm overwhelmed that I was way off track and disconnected from my story and characters. 

Day 2: Sat, Feb 3rd, 2024 - I got great sleep the night before and woke up at 6 am ready for war. I attacked the story and wrote with little breaks until finishing my first draft at 4 pm. I had 1817 words written for a 1000-word flash fiction contest. Yikes! After dinner with my wife and a much-needed break away from the screen, I came back to the editing phase of my night and skimmed down the story to 1648 words until stopping at 10 pm, 150 words above my goal for Saturday. I then came up with a plan just in case I wasn't able to edit my story down without maintaining its integrity. I went to bed, worried, but focused. 

Day 3: Sun, Feb 4th, 2024 - I woke up focused, determined, and in a good mood at 7 am entered the "War Room" by 7:30 am and spent the entirety of the day editing down to 1000 words by 8:30 pm where I submitted my final battle draft of my story I cannot name yet.

It was punishing, yet rewarding, but we did it! Shout out to my angelic wife who deserves a gold medal for helping me with preparations, offering invaluable brainstorming ideas, and contributing to my overall mental health during these three days. 

The next phase will involve me reading ten other stories and voting on them in different categories, and the next announcement will be posted when the results arrive at the end of February. Stay tuned and wish me luck! 

Oldest Update: I've paid for this challenge and have it scheduled on the Calendar. Prompt cards will be dealt at 10 pm on Feb 1st. I then have the choice to redraw replacement prompt cards until Feb 3rd at 10 pm. The specifics of the prompts are unknown but it appears there will be a Genre Card, a Character Card, and an Object Card. All I can do is wait...(Anxiously of course)