#24: Genre-Blending
This week is a special edition of the Reedsy Prompts contest because our friends at Barnes & Noble Press are taking it over with their own theme, prompts, and special bonus prize! We'll let them take it from here...
With an abundance of content these days, it really takes a little something extra to keep a reader engaged. And one optimal way to do this is by blending genres.
When a story takes on characteristics of more than one genre, it’s not just about reshaping norms or conventions; it’s also about understanding what makes the different elements of those genres fit together. If the elements are treated with respect and appreciation, blending together multiple genres can have the positive effect of capturing your reader’s attention, and also maintaining it. This happens because it keeps a reader guessing, it subverts expectations, and it highlights narrative strengths.
For our takeover, we've put together five genre-bending prompts that we hope will get the creative juices flowing, strengthen and flex the narrative muscles, and sparks new ideas.
As extra incentive, we’re throwing in a $50 B&N gift card to the winner who best blends different genres in a way that feels fresh and unique. Good luck!
This week's prompts
Write a thrilling adventure of a special agent who is harboring a paranormal secret.
Thriller and Suspense – 47 stories
Write a magical realism story that takes place in the Wild West.
Fantasy – 51 stories
Stories
“A Material Girl” by JOANNE HAGEMEYER
Submitted to Contest #24
“Dyrads, Faeries, Nymphs” by Tamika Kutty
Submitted to Contest #24
“Wrong Place, Wrong Time ” by Elyse G
Submitted to Contest #24
“Detective Biyu and The Missing Dragon” by Amanda Knapp
Submitted to Contest #24
“Holden the Determined ” by Joanne Mack
Submitted to Contest #24
“A Writing Legend ” by Kacie Bass
Submitted to Contest #24
“The Strange Case” by Destiny Colclasure
Submitted to Contest #24
“D E A T H ” by Shihyeon Kim
Submitted to Contest #24
“Super 8” by Frank Cabanas
Submitted to Contest #24
“Good Hearted, Deadly Intentions” by Sarah Hawkins
Submitted to Contest #24
“Double-O-Dead” by Jackson Boomhower
Submitted to Contest #24
“THE DARK PROMISE” by Kelly Sullivan-Pezza
Submitted to Contest #24
“Coffee and French Fries” by Roger Martin
Submitted to Contest #24
“Call Me Becky” by Luanne Hope
Submitted to Contest #24
“The Last Hunt” by Kate Seger
Submitted to Contest #24
$50
Prize money
293
Contest entries
0
Stories
Ended on 23:59 - Jan 17, 2020 EST
Won by Gabrielle Gerstley 🏆
Title: The Ghostwriter
Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.
Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!