I’m excited to bring back our 100-word contests! These were a staple of Go Teen Writers back in 2011 and 2012, and many of you indicated in your survey responses that you missed them. I’ve missed them too! Here’s how these contests work:
Your entry is the prompt sentence + 100 words. The prompt for this contest is:
As soon as we arrived, I knew I had been right to think that this was a bad idea.
This should be the first sentence of your entry, and what you write next should sound like the opening paragraph of a story. Your job is draw us in, same as you would in a novel or short story.
You can submit your entry using the form below. The contest closes for entries Friday, February 8th, 2019 at 9pm Central time.
Our final round judge this time is contemporary YA author, Taylor Bennett. Thank you Taylor!
Taylor Bennett is the author of the Tradewinds Series, and her debut novel, Porch Swing Girl, was the winner of the Go Teen Writers #WeWriteBooks contest several years ago. You should check out her website!
Here’s what happens after you submit your entry:
When all the entries have been submitted, the names are removed so they can be judged anonymously. First round judges pick their 15 favorites and provide feedback for all entries using this form.
The list of the top 15 will be posted here on the site. Those who did not make the final 15 will receive emails with their feedback, so make sure the email address you give us is accurate!
The final round judge will then read the 15 entries and pick their 4 favorites. Those winning entries will all be published on the website.
Other rules and important details:
This is an all-ages contest for writers who are unpublished in fiction. This means if you have traditionally or self-published a novel or a short story collection, this contest is not open to you. If, however, you’re published in a genre like poetry or you’ve been paid for articles you’ve written for magazines, you may still participate. If you have questions about your specific situation, please email me: Stephanie(at)GoTeenWriters.com
You must use the prompt exactly as it is and exactly as directed. In this case, as the first sentence. No adding or subtracting words from it or changing punctuation.
Entries may be less than the prompt + 100 words, but they may not be more. If your entry exceeds prompt + 100 words, it’ll be disqualified.
You are only allowed one entry per contest.
There are no prizes (other than our deep respect and admiration) outside of feedback on your writing from published authors.
We advise that you keep your entry PG-rated.
This is hard! I keep getting 150ish words, rewrite it, then get the same number. Any tips?
Emily | growingintofriends.com
Yes, it’s deceptively hard, I think! You could have a friend read and see what you could take out. Look for if there are times when you’re relying on adjectives/adverbs instead of strong nouns and verbs. Maybe try to not progress the story so quickly?
So glad these are back! I loved them as a kid. I had a short story win a contest and get published in a collection, so I’m assuming that counts as published. But I’m definitely going to try this just for myself for fun, because that’s such an awesome prompt! And I’ve been wanting to brush up on my flash fiction skills!
Have fun everyone!
We would love to have you judge for us some time, Maddie!
I’d love that!
Oooh, I loved these! I definitely will be doing this. I’m not published yet, so I want to enjoy this while I can. 😀
We have to take all the unpublished perks we can get, right?
Hi! I’m so excited that you guys are doing one of these contests again! I wasn’t able to participate in previous ones, and always hoped you’d bring it back.
I do have a little question—do hyphenated words count as one word, or more? I have the current draft of my entry at exactly 100 words + prompt in Microsoft Word, but the program counts my use of “half-moon” as a single word, rather than two. How would you count it?
Thanks in advance!
I agree. I have a hyphenated word in mine, too.
Microsoft Word is our standard for word count, so whatever they say goes. But, yes, hyphenated words tend to count as one. I love it in times like this, but it sucks during NaNo!
This looks so fun. Except, I’m already published…:( Will there be another contest for us?
We’ll find opportunities to open it up to the published writers as well, Ryana. We would also love to have you as a judge!
Whoa! Seriously? I would love to!
I’m assuming the story must have the sentence in it? Does it have to be at the front or the end or anywhere in it?
Oh, man, I’m glad you asked! YES, it should be the first sentence, and then you get the next 100 words to expand on it. I went back and saw that I had implied that but never outright stated it. Thank you!
Oops. I’m already published. Haha. I don’t applyyyyyy.
We would love to have you judge for us at some point, though!
I would love to! ?
I love writing prompts! Maybe I’ll give this a shot. It sounds like fun. 🙂
I hope you’ll give it a try, Mallory!
I just sent my entry in!:D I’ve never agonized over 100 words so much. It was really fun. Thanks! 🙂
I’ve never done one of these, but am excited to try it! A couple questions. Do we need to title our prompt? If so does the words in the title count towards the overall 100 words? Also does the sentence count towards the 100 words? Thanks
There’s no need to title your prompt. And your entry is the prompt sentence + 100 words. So this time around your entry should be no more than 119 words.
Enjoy!
Although I have an article in a published book I don’t think that quite counts as being published. I’m so excited these are back!
No, it doesn’t 🙂 Glad you get to participate, Bethany!
Is it okay if its 119 words (one hundred of mine + the prompt)?
Yep, that’s perfect!
I think I submitted my entry? I’m not sure if my iPad loaded correctly… Will there be a confirmation email? Thanks for the opportunity to enter! 😀
Katelynne, I don’t see your name in the responses. Why don’t you try again? Sorry!
Actually, I think I found you, but go ahead and submit it again just to be sure.
Ooh, this looks like so much fun! Best of luck to everyone entering! I would, but I’m an associate editor for a flash fiction publishing company and I’ve had multiple short pieces published, so I’m pretty sure that rules me out ;D. I might have to take a shot at it just for fun though! Flash fiction is a blast.
What time will the results be published?
I’m too late for this one now, but for future reference: I’ve had a few short stories published in a magazine, would that rule me out?
theonesthatreallymatter.blogspot.com
I’m really happy and appreciative that this contest gives feedback. I’ve entered a couple contests in the past, and the thing that bothered me about them was they only announced who won. They didn’t say why they won or how those who didn’t win could improve their writing. I was fine with the fact that I didn’t win, but I was curious if they liked anything about it or if they had any advice for me. I was so excited to find out that this contest would let me know what I did well and what I can work on, and I look forward to hearing back from you. Thanks. 🙂