The contest that generates tales...

**Captain Pike** · 03-25-2010, 11:27 AM

I am writing this now because it happened again!
I have no quarrel with the 500 to 2000 word format of this contest -- heck, I have a hard time reading them all as it is.
But I don't know how many times it has been my intention to write a story for this contest, only to be thwarted by reaching the climax at 1928 words -- with lots more exciting stuff to follow.

And pairing a story down to fit! AARRIGH -- what a horrible prospect -- like slicing off toes in lips -- painful! I'll admit that I can get a bit wordy, and lots can be economized by creating creative contractions. One of my favorites is: can-not-have: can't've!

Of course I'm not saying whether I've submitted anything ever before or not. Or certainly whether I am now or not -- that might make a good contraction right there...

**Scheherazade** · 03-27-2010, 06:55 PM

I realise that it is quite a challenge to be able to tell a good story in less than 2000 words but that is the whole point: It is a competition, it is challenging

And I am always amazed at both the number of entries and their quality.