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Dec-12-2009 22:43

Holiday Story Writing Contest

Happy Holidays all!!

We're running a bit late, but as promised, here's one of the two contests sponsored by the people of Wish On a Star. Good luck, and enjoy!! ;-D

The Rules

They're fairly simple. You need to write a holiday story, using the requirements listed below. The *deadline for ALL entries is December 31, 2009 at 11:59PM (ie--server turnover).* Spelling, punctuation, and grammar, as always, do count (and will be looked at by the judges). No, it doesn't have to be set in the Noir-era necessarily (though that will probably earn you bonus points with the judges). And no, it doesn't have to be mystery- or Noir-themed for a plot (though again, if you do manage to work some element of that into your creation, all the better ;-). There is a *4000-CHARACTER limit* on all entries (ie--2 posts). And you're only allowed one entry per person/double. Other than that, sky's the limits. See? Piece of cake!! ;-D

Oh yeah...Remember those 'requirements' I mentioned before? There's two small components that you MUST include in your story. (Well, we couldn't make things THAT easy for ya, now could we?? ;-)

Requirement A:

You MUST include ONE (or more) of the following holidays in your story, and build your story round that/those day(s):

Hanukkah
St. Nicholas' Day (and NO, this isn't Christmas, it's Dec. 6)
Bodhi Day (Buddhist holy day in India, Dec. 8)
St. Stephen's Day (Dec. 26)
Boxing Day (also Dec. 26)
Kwanzaa
Chinese New Year
Muharram (Islamic New Year)
Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year's Day
Ashura (Islamic holy day, on the 10th day of Muharram)
New Year's Day (Western world â€" Jan. 1)
St. Basil's Day (Jan. 2)
Epiphany (usually about Jan. 6)
Lohri (Hindu holy day -- the Bonfire festival)
Pongal (Hindu holy day of thanksgiving)
Australia Day (Jan. 26--Just for Squirrel ;-D )
Losar (Tibetan [Buddhist] New Year)

Yeah, I know. What the....?? It gets better. ;-D

Dec-21-2009 07:22

Many foreigners have deserted the place due to the invasion. Mei Ling strolled down the abandoned street, and finally noticed a string of twinkling lights hanging by a window. Mei Ling put her face to the glass and looked inside. What she saw was a funny little paradise.

There was a miniature train set running through a model town. Figurines of a troupe dancers was twirling in the middle, and a clown with bright red shoes was giving balloons to miniature children figures on the side. A reindeer was drinking from a beer keg, while a Santa Claus was dancing with a polar bear. Little Mei Ling was absolutely enchanted by the miniature set.

Suddenly an old granny with a blue wig poked her head out from the other side of the window. Mei Ling was startled and ran. The old lady opened the window and called to the little Chinese girl. "Arrete! Mon cherie! Come! Come!"

Mei Ling looked around and saw the gentle face of the granny, who took off her blue wig and was beaming at the girl. "I have a lot of vood, come eate with me!" she said. Mei Ling stood on the street and thought for a while, and decided that she had nothing to lose. The brave little 10-year-old accepted the invitation and went inside.

The old French ladies' home was decorated with rusty candelabras and inflatable palm trees amongst other odd gadgets. Soon, the scent of roast beef from the oven filled the air. The lady had quickly prepared a basket of rye toast, a bowl of salad and some purple potato pancakes for the sudden company. "Mon cherie. Help yourself to some vood!" The old lady beamed, glad to finally have a guest in the house. "Just don't touch the fruitcake by the cupboard, it's been there for une year."

Mei Ling smiled and poured herself some milk. She happily ate the pancake and conversed with the old lady with the limited English she still remembered. For one short evening, two lonely souls spent the Chinese New Year in the war torn city together, oblivious to their own troubles.

Dec-21-2009 22:19

lol sorry to say my little story turned out about 4 posts too long, lol, so well done to those who can keep their thoughts so concise :D

Dec-21-2009 23:19

And???

So it won't be eligible for judging.

Put it up, and let's have a look at it!! ;-)

(And you thought you could get outta this. Hah. ;-)

Breit

Dec-22-2009 03:08

I'll put it in anything and nothing so that the real entries don't get bumped.

Dec-26-2009 18:20

Wow, 5 more days until contest deadline. I'm sure the last minute.com types are beginning to grab their paper and pen (i mean Word program and keyboard). Really took forward to seeing new entries ;)

Dec-31-2009 23:24

Me too.....

*Wondering just how many last minute.com types we have out there....*

:-.

Breit

Jan-30-2010 21:30

I'd like to thank the entrants of this contest for their incredible patience. Unfortunately, Real Life events have conspired against the members of Wish, and we were unable to close out this contest sooner.

We had some really wonderful entries, including the four-post entry that is over on the Anything or Nothing post in the Lounge. *pokes Secret_Squirrel*

First place goes to the beautiful and talented Molly Maltese, whose prize should be to her soon - it's double-super-secret, but I'm sure all of Sleuthville will fall victim to it soon.

Second place goes to the handsome and talented Joseph Zeo, who shall receive $50,000 SleuthDollars.

Congratulations to you both, and a huge thank you to all our entrants!

Jan-30-2010 21:31

And, lest I forget to say it... GETCHER BUTTS OVER AND ENTER VIOLET PARR'S CONTEST!!

:-D

Jan-30-2010 22:43

"The beautiful and talented Molly Maltese"... well goodness, it's a good thing you all are so honest or all the flattery might go to my head!

;D

Just kidding!

Thanks so much, guys! And congrats to JZ! I intend to enter the lovely Violet's contest, 'twas a wonderful idea!

Jan-31-2010 14:45

gratz to you Molly :)