Writing Battle is “for people who want to improve their writing through friendly competition, set deadlines, and writing prompts.” I submitted my first story, 500 words, $23.64 entrance fee, 2 days to write… what follows is multi weeks of dueling by peer reviews and then final judging. Potential of $800 win. My first three cards (prompts) dealt this week: Romantasy Entertainer Gem.
The rules: work is fully original, not recycled. I cheated. I grabbed the visual of Unavailable Music of Unavailable Men and used several lines verbatim. The surround of those lines, all new. My weakest card is romance. My pipe player in the chamber consort is wearing a clear gem mounted in the circle of space at the base of a carabiner. There is a guy. There is a griffon kitten.
Duel 1 has started. My immediate task is to read and review two stories. After one read I’ve already made my pick? The story with balloons or soap. I’ve got 2 days to submit my reviews.
Suddenly, since 1500 characters is my specialty, 500 words—what should be easy—is stumping me a bit. And, is another $29 and $33 reasonable use of discretionary funds in October? Combination of entertainment, craft practice, gamble for cash prize.
If bardcore has opened a slot from one something into something completely new in my life… maybe fingerprints and snowflakes wouldn’t be a bad choice to follow, if the opportunity arises, as a superior private in joke all my own. Throw Nickleback into the mix and it truly would be amusing.