Sleuth Home - Message Boards - Message Board Game Room

Mar-19-2008 09:26

The Idea: 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:

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

* There are two ways to enter: (A) single paragraph stories and (B) extended stories. You may either enter (A) or (B). The only way to enter both is to use only three or four starting lines for the extended story entry, and use the remaining one or two for the single paragraph stories.

* To enter (A): 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. However, the stories should not be related.

* To enter (B): Again, you may use as many of the opening lines as you like, but only once each. They should all be submitted as one entry, creating an overall story, although each separate paragraph with opening line should be able to stand alone as its own story.

(If you have not seen last year’s contest, please check out this thread and see how the entries were submitted: http://noir.playsleuth.com/map/cityhall/post.spy?id=22695)

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

* Spelling and grammar DO count. Please. Spellcheck is our friend.

*All entries must be posted no later than 11:59 PM server time on March 29, 2008.

Prizes: YAY! We love prizes. The winners will receive a two-month subscription and some Sleuth cash.

Your opening lines:

1. Leo smirked like a guilty man who knows there’s no evidence.

2. Nobody knew if it was true except one person, and she wasn’t talking.

3. The small box was as full as it could be.

4. I never assumed the search was done.

5. Tilly watched every move he made, ready to break out into a loud screech.

Apr-1-2008 00:43

Now it's time to thank my co-judges. So, THANK YOU Ms. Helen, and THANK YOU Phoenix Shadow, for taking the time to read and re-read each entry.

Also, I'd like to thank Breitkat, who is contributing a two-month subscription prize.

Y'all rock!!

Apr-1-2008 00:45

Yey to all who entered, not a looser amongst us as the standard of story was superb :-)

Thanks to Ani again for a great contest, for Breikat for the great prize, to the judges as ever for a great decision and most of all to all the Sleuthers who took part, great reading was had.

Apr-1-2008 02:24

Thanks Ani and judges, this was a great competition and I had fun both writing and reading. I can't wait for the next one!

Apr-1-2008 05:06

Why I'm smilin' wider than a mule eatin' briars. An hon'rable mention, why that's right kind of y'all.

Last time ol' Bucky won somethin' was when he bet some feller cross the county line I could done beat him in one of them there 'tractor pulls'. That feller had of them new fangled Massey Fergusons, but that ol' thing weren't no match for my Missy Sue. She done pulled the wheels clean of that contraption. Heck mah Missy she done ploughed three fields between birthing each of our boys; Huey, Duey and Sharon. They bein triplets and all.

Thank y'all once again.

Y'all can call me Bucky.

Apr-1-2008 05:07

Thank you for selecting my entry to win a prize. Aunt Pittypat is flabbergasted and for once you made her speechless.

Apr-1-2008 07:52

Please don't tell me Auntie won something that's gonna help her to pinch my cheeks, trust me she doens't need any help with that at all.

Great job everyone and as always Ani, great contest! When does the April one start! ;-)

Apr-1-2008 09:54

Thanks guys, I'm glad you liked my entry. I love this contest!! :)

Apr-1-2008 11:24

Congrats to the winners.
Was a nice contest !

Apr-1-2008 16:01

Thanks Ani for running another great contest. :)

Apr-1-2008 18:20

Thank you for a real treat! This was really great, and I appreciate you choosing me for a shared 2nd place. Kudos to Pittypat!