Author Topic: Fortnightly Writing Contest: Drabble / Mini-Saga (Read 2060 times) Tweet Share

CaptainD · « **on:** 29 Jul 2011, 13:33 »

For the next writing competition, I have a challenge for you: write a drabble or a mini-saga. If you've never heard of those... a drabble is a story of exactly one hundred words, while a mini-saga is a story of exactly fifty words (that can include or exclude the title, whichever works for you). I've always found trying to tell a complete story in such a short space incredibly challenging and fun, so hopefully others will too.

Here are a couple of examples from my own meandering writing:

1/ Drabble

The alien looked at the ship's controls. This time it would work! There would be no mistake, not like the last time. Last time his ancestors had tried to contact the people of the planet earth, his father had gone down to the surface, and received a most unfriendly welcome. It was later discovered that his name translated into English ("Ivcumtodestroilahuminrase") was somewhat offensive to humans. But now, with his son bearing a different name (despite similar looks), the message of peaceful benevolence would come across.

This alien, the ambassador for his (its?) people, was called, translated into English:

"Dyeurflingskum".

2/ Mini-SagaSo, over to you. Competition closes on 12th August.

Have fun!

And now, finally, I bring you the trophies!

Oliwerko · « **Reply #1 on:** 29 Jul 2011, 19:10 »

Great topic, I've written some of these in the past and have to confirm that it's one hell of fun

CaptainD · « **Reply #2 on:** 29 Jul 2011, 20:48 »

Quote from: Oliwerko on 29 Jul 2011, 19:10

Great topic, I've written some of these in the past and have to confirm that it's one hell of fun

Great, so I can count on at least one entry then?

Oliwerko · « **Reply #3 on:** 29 Jul 2011, 22:49 »

You bet your socks, sir

monkeyislandfan#1 · « **Reply #4 on:** 31 Jul 2011, 18:16 »

Sooo... can the drabbles/mini-sagas be Fanfic or not?
Just wondering.
I may enter, and I want to know.

CaptainD · « **Reply #5 on:** 01 Aug 2011, 08:33 »

Quote from: monkeyislandfan#1 on 31 Jul 2011, 18:16

Sooo... can the drabbles/mini-sagas be Fanfic or not?
Just wondering.
I may enter, and I want to know.

Yep, any subject or style whatsoever, as long as it totals 50 or 100 words! 8)

CaptainD · « **Reply #6 on:** 02 Aug 2011, 08:38 »

Has my lack of coming up with any trophies yet put people off entering?! :o

Oliwerko · « **Reply #7 on:** 02 Aug 2011, 09:25 »

Chill out, it's more than a week until the deadline. Entries usually don't appear until the last few days

Ponch · « **Reply #8 on:** 03 Aug 2011, 01:58 »

WHERE ARE MY TEENY, TINY TROPHIES?!?

Domithan · « **Reply #9 on:** 03 Aug 2011, 06:22 »

Felt like being Captain Bring-down this time. I wrote (unless I counted incorrectly) 50 words about the various wars during colonial America:

You're going, now. It's time. There is no choice, it's time.
It's time to watch villages burn and friends die.
Take this rifle and this knife. You're going to use them.
You'll think of your life and all its shortcomings just before you die.
Yes, that is your destiny... conscript.

CaptainD · « **Reply #10 on:** 03 Aug 2011, 18:00 »

Quote from: Ponch on 03 Aug 2011, 01:58

WHERE ARE MY TEENY, TINY TROPHIES?!?

Hey I've made some, really lovely I assure you! :

It's just that they're on my work computer right now... and I'm at home...

Will put the up tomorrow.

voh · « **Reply #11 on:** 04 Aug 2011, 14:27 »

Right down my alley! One piece of 100-word fiction coming right up!

Found in Space

CaptainD · « **Reply #12 on:** 04 Aug 2011, 14:52 »

Two great entries so far! 8)

Now as soon as I find out how to get my trophies appearing... (or more specifically, the icon that will let me do it, which is stubbornly invisible...), you can see what my (less than) glorious graphical talents have come up with.

Trophies now added - long live the Count!

ArKaN01D · « **Reply #13 on:** 04 Aug 2011, 18:16 »

Count me in!

I'll work on my entry today and it'll probably take a couple hours to get it quite right, though. I'm a shameless perfectionist. Anyway, I can even use this later for content in the ancient library in a game I'm working on.

CaptainD · « **Reply #14 on:** 04 Aug 2011, 18:46 »

Quote from: ArKaN01D on 04 Aug 2011, 18:16

Count me in! I'll work on my entry today and it'll probably take a couple hours to get it quite right, though. I'm a shameless perfectionist. Anyway, I can even use this later for content in the ancient library in a game I'm working on.

I always wonder how much stuff created for these competitions ends up in games later on!

Look forward to seeing your entry.

Atelier · « **Reply #15 on:** 04 Aug 2011, 19:39 »

My love has no limit, but my words are running out.

Do you remember that day in the snow, when you held out your hand to me? I see you now, holding out your hand to me. Your eyes were bright as stars, and your gaze melted my heart; then the clouds rolled over, and I fell into an abyss. I still scale the walls; abound with razor rocks of my own creation. Soon I will sit and dissect my dreams, in my disillusioned outer world.

My last three words carry the weight of my crippling burden… you never knew.

CaptainD · « **Reply #16 on:** 05 Aug 2011, 08:40 »

I'm already amazed at the depth created by our three entrants in such a short space. Awesome work guys!

BTW anyone like the trophies (first post)? The idea just came to me, not sure if anyone's done it before?

kconan · « **Reply #17 on:** 05 Aug 2011, 11:13 »

Quote from: CaptainD on 05 Aug 2011, 08:40

The idea just came to me, not sure if anyone's done it before?

Its a safe bet that this is the first muppet Dracula trophy 8)

voh · « **Reply #18 on:** 05 Aug 2011, 12:39 »

I... I'm not sure about the trophies, to be honest

CaptainD · « **Reply #19 on:** 05 Aug 2011, 12:52 »

Quote from: voh on 05 Aug 2011, 12:39

I... I'm not sure about the trophies, to be honest

Philistine!!!