Constrained Writing Contest #16 + Winners of Constrained Writing Contest #15

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Most writing contests give you a writing prompt or at least a couple of words to work your idea around, which is why I decided to host a slightly different contest.

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A constrained writing contest

Instead of being given an idea or a writing prompt, you are allowed to choose the topic completely by yourself. But, varying from week to week, You will face different challenges that limit your writing.

You will be required to omit certain words, use a specific word in every second sentence, use a given sentence unchanged, write a story with a certain amount of words... or a combination of all.

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Winners of constrained writing contest #15

This week I myself was the sole judge of the contest and picked the winners at my own discretion.

This week we had 17 writers join us by submitting their entries, the most participants by a long shot! Previous record was 9 participants. I am very happy to see the contest grow in size and reputation, and to be able to read all the stories you've come up with! This week was especially different and fun!
I'd even go so far as to say it was an emotional rollercoaster with all the sentimental stories I've read, all written by you. Some of them were real emotional/existential crysis triggers... and what's not to love about a story that really makes you think?
As much as I liked each and every story you had written, the contest rules only allow for 3 winners, and what a hell it was to pick those 3 winners. But, what had to be done, had to be done.
And so here they are, the winners of this week’s Constrained Writing Contest:

• 1st place : 2,073 SBD + 0,344 STEEM : @zen-art with the entry “With my last breath... I will give him life...”, narrated by a Pencil.

Judge’s note: The first part of the story is all about the pencil feeling like a god. It creates anew on a clean slate. Then when the story goes on, however, the more the pencil realizes it is nothing but a vessel. No one will ever put it on a pedestal, only its work, and not even that work is made entirely thanks to it. In the hands of a good master it will do good, while in the hands of a peasant it will do poorly. It is but a tool toward perfection.
Your piece sent me down an emotional rollercoaster filled with existential crysis.

• 2nd place : 1,244 SBD + 0,206 STEEM : @eriesunkite with the entry “Silent observer”, narrated by a Mia memorial.

Judge’s note: Much like @zen-art's story, yours also made me think. You chose an object which by itself holds a very powerful message. You told us how some people appreciate it and what it stands for, while others don't even look at it. Much of your story implies to just about every situation, regardless of the choice of the inanimate object. Although I must say, it was very fitting.

The flowers they bring and the small lights that flicker in the nights too.

I am glad to hear this made the statue happy.

• 3rd place : 0,829 SBD + 0,138 STEEM : @littlescribe with the entry “Inanimate object”, narrated by the Homeplate on a baseball field.

Judge’s note: I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge you made us face when we had to guess this one. And also, much like with the prior two stories, your story also made me think. What if we're also stuck somewhere, and need just a little nudge in the right direction to feel free, even if we broke in the process. Should we stay inside our own comfort zone for the price of freedom?
I would very much like to thank you for writing two additional entries for which you are also rewarding SBD to the people who figure out what the inanimate object was.
Make sure to check out her blog! ;)

Congratulations to the winners!

Proof of payment:

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With that out of the way, onto constrained writing contest #16!

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Rules:

This week it’s all me, again.
I very much enjoyed the sentimental value of the previous week's stories, which is why I wish to continue down that road.
This week I want you to play with the reader's mind and emotions.
Here are the rules I’ve come up with for this week;

• Write a story that either starts happy and ends sad, or starts sad and ends happy.
• Raise at least 1 existential question in your story. You can have your characters straight out ask it, or you can be more profound and conceal it within your story.
• The story must be at least 250 words long and in English.
• Upvote this post.
• Post a link to your entry in the comments below.
• Include tag #constrainedwriting among your other tags.
• Should you wish to help raise awareness of the contest, please consider resteeming this post (it is by no means compulsory).

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Prizes

I will pay out this post's payout in full, both SBD and STEEM!

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• 1st place: 45% of post's payout
• 2nd place: 27% of post's payout
• 3rd place 18 % of post's payout
• Judge takes 5 % for his/her efforts
• I will take 5 % for hosting, writing and editing the contest

*Note: In case I receive any donations for the contest, the payout percentages apply to the donation itself as well.

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Judges

This week I am the judge of the Constrained Writing Contest and will be picking the winners based on my own preference, but try and be as objective as possible.

I will begin reading all entries just prior to this post's payout and hopefully finish right when this post pays out, or slightly after and announce winners.

What's that I hear? You wish to be a judge too? Well look no further!
To apply for a judge and make up your own rules, simply send @svashta a hearty hello on steemit.chat.

*Disclaimer: I will only allow fellow writers as judges to keep the competition high quality.

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Deadline

• Entries are accepted until this post's payout
• Your entry post must be newer than this post

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Good luck!

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