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Jul-18-2007 14:03

I've been wanting to do some kind of contest for a while now, so here we go. By the way, a huge thanks to Lady Emerald - she knows why. :-)

The rules of 50 Words or Less: Using a given opening line, you must write a story that uses 50 words or less. The opening line does not count toward your word total.

The rules of the contest:

* I will give a total of 5 opening lines. You may choose whichever line(s) you wish to use.

* You may write an entry for as many of the opening lines as you like, but only 1 story for each line. So, your maximum number of entries is 5. If you only like 3 of the opening lines, then write 3 stories. It's up to you.

* If you write multiple stories, they are not required to have anything to do with each other. On the other hand, you may link them into one overall story.

* Your story or stories must make sense. It also should be mystery-related, or be mysterious with a really interesting twist.

* Spelling and grammar DO count. Please. Spellcheck is our friend. (I realise that english is not everyone's primary language. It is usually not difficult to tell the difference between the grammar of someone writing in a not-ingrained language, as opposed to the grammar of someone who is too lazy to learn how to write properly.)

*All entries must be posted no later than 11:59 PM server time on July 28, 2007.

Now, you can't have a contest without prizes, right? Make sure you get those imaginations going! The winner will receive a three-month subscription (compliments of me) and a unique book for their detective (compliments of Ben). Sweet!

Your opening lines:

1. If I'd known how it would all end, I would never have started it.

2. The evidence was there, had anyone bothered to look.

3. Jimmy Donuts was just an old bum.

4. How had things even gotten as far as they had?

5. Tallulah shook her head in denial while her eyes opened wide with horror.

Jul-28-2007 23:45

Wow, I really need to thank all you creative story submitters for your entries! Time is almost up to put in an entry, but seeing as no new stories have been posted in the past 48 hours, I don't think that's going to be an issue. :-)

There are three judges: the lovely Arabella Parker, the spirited Rhiemma Moon, and the... well, me. It may take a couple of days, considering the number of wonderful entries, but you'll hear from us soon!

Jul-29-2007 00:41

Jimmy Donuts was just an old bum.
He sat around on park benches, drinking from a bottle, swearing at anyone who would listen.
Too bad he swore at the wrong person today.
Now he was dead, kicked to death.
I looked down at my shoes, they were covered in blood.
"Too bad Jimmy"

The evidence was there, had anyone bothered to look.
But the police had hushed everyone away, nothing to see, just an old tramp, that's all.
Seems to me these police don't do their jobs properly these days, all they wanna do is stuff donuts.
They would never find their killer, not if I could help it.

How had things even gotten as far as they had?
Tallulah had put up with Jimmy for years, he was always womanising and drinking, spending all the housekeeping down the bookies.
She should have just left him years ago, she loved him I guess.
She would never have let anyone else have him.

Tallulah shook her head in denial while her eyes opened wide with horror.
She couldn't believe what she had just done, she threw herself down to poor old Jimmy, "I'm sorry baby, I didn't mean it," crying.
I'd seen the whole thing, "Tallulah, get over here now!"
I pulled her away and dragged her into the bushes.

If I'd known how it would all end, I would never have started it.
But it was too late now. Tallulah was on the next plane to England and I was here wearing her shoes. I couldn't let her take the wrap for that, she was far too young, still had a life ahead of her.
"So have I" and walked away.

Jul-29-2007 00:59

Good luck to all who entered. I for one found it fun to read the competition’s entries!

May the best Sleuth win.

Jul-29-2007 10:28

Yeah, it was certainly a fun competition, I loved the challenge, and enjoyed reading the entries as much as I enjoyed writting my own.
What a talented bunch you all are ;)

Jul-29-2007 11:04

I realy hope there will be more writing competitions soon. Thanks Anikka for arranging this one.

Jul-30-2007 04:40

It definalty was a great competition, good luck to everyone! I can:t wait to find out the results.

Good luck everyone!!

Jul-30-2007 06:18

Seconded! - really fun to read everyone's stories, and a big thanks to Anikka for arranging it.

Jul-30-2007 15:55

I've changed my mind - I'm keeping all the prizes for myself!

MUAHAHAHAHahahahahahaha.... *chokes* *faints*

Well, maybe not. :-D

Results to be posted soon!

Jul-30-2007 18:14

Well, the judging is complete. It was decided, before we started, to split into two categories (hence, two winners): single paragraph stories and extended stories.

You guys are all so creative, you didn't make it easy! However, after much discussion and deliberation, winners are:

Single paragraph story: Cordelia Falco
Cordelia won for either the poisoning of Harvey, or Jimmy Donuts' memory returning. Please don't ask me which - one judge said one, one judge said the other, and the third judge couldn't make up their mind which one. Either way, Cordelia was our hands-down winner. Congratulations!

Extended story: Brasco De Gama AND Breitkat
Yes, you heard me. You'd think three judges would mean one was a tie-breaker. It didn't quite work that way. I think each of us kept hoping one of the others would lean in one direction. Instead, we were all sitting straight up. No bad posture here!
Congratulations!

Thank you all, again, for your wonderful entries. You all worked hard, and it shows! Here's hoping you all have the same enthusiasm for the next contest (already brewing in my mind)...

Jul-30-2007 18:28

WOOT! Yay to the winners!!! :D Good job authors and judges. :D