The Television Show Contest
Details
Deadline: October 31
Fee: Free
This month's contest is sponsored in part by Scribophile member Keshiins Deer.
Scribophile is proud to present flash fiction master Len Kuntz as the judge for our newest contest. Len is a writer from Washington State and, in the last two years, over 500 of his fiction and poetry pieces have been published in print and online. Several of his works have been named "Best of the Web" and anthologized, and he's currently an editor at the literary magazine Metazen.
Everyone has a favorite TV show. Whether it’s a sitcom like Friends or How I Met Your Mother, a science fiction adventure like The X-Files, or a crime drama like Criminal Minds or Law and Order (or perhaps even L.A. Law or Hill Street Blues for those of us of a certain age), television shows have left their mark—shaping both our culture and us as individuals. Our favorite programs not only entertain, but for us writers often inadvertently instruct us in writing techniques like plot, pacing, point-of-view, dialogue, symbolism, and character development—sometimes without us even knowing it!
For this month’s contest, write a piece of flash fiction (1,000 words or less) inspired by a television show. Note: While we have nothing against fan fiction, this isn't a fan fiction contest. Stories that include characters from a television show won't be eligible. Instead, choose themes, character types, and plot devices you've learned from your television to inspire your writing. Use your favorite TV show as a springboard for your muse. If you’re inspired by I Dream of Jeannie, a story about a genie is appropriate. A story about a hot genie and an astronaut—not so much. Don't be limited by decade, genre, country, or popularity. Use television to spark your creativity—don't just copy it!
Ladies and gentlemen, start you remotes!