#267: Overcoming Obstacles with Writers Ink
This week’s contest, "Overcoming Obstacles," is hosted by our friends over at Writers Ink, the online mentoring and coaching wing of award-winning magazine website www.writing.ie that’s run by Writing.ie’s founder, bestselling author Sam Blake, and business and mindset coach, journalist Maria McHale. Sam and Maria’s mission at Writers Ink is to help you say goodbye to limiting beliefs about your writing, and give you the training, tools, and support you need to get everything you want as a writer. Members of the Writers Ink community are getting publishing deals and hitting the bestseller lists, and Writers Ink’s free writing challenges have resulted in whole novels coming together. Here’s what they have to say about their chosen theme for this takeover:
Writers Ink is delighted to partner with Reedsy to present this week’s contest! As mentors, we encourage writers to develop their creativity muscles. Muscles are built through exercise; so is writing! One of the main issues we see writers struggle with is mindset. They often have all of the tools to nail a great story — EXCEPT they get hobbled by limiting beliefs like a fear of failure or a fear of success — obstacles!
Most great stories contain obstacles that challenge heroes, but the best characters always overcome them. Share yours using the prompts below...
Special Update: The Results
Writers Ink's top three picks for this takeover were: 1) "One-Mississippi, Two-Mississippi" 2) "The Rag-Man" and 3) "You're Not Even Happy"
Here's what they had to say about the winning story, "One-Mississippi, Two-Mississippi": "We believe this story works on both a metaphorical and literal level. It's an engaging and clever response to the prompt — we get a clear sense of the character, and the use of interior monologue works really well."
Congratulations to contest winner Fi Riley and the runners-up, Richard Stickann and Anna W!
This week's prompts
Write a story with two characters who meet for the first time — and one of them has a secret.
Short Story – 84 stories
Your character overhears something that changes their path.
Short Story – 38 stories
There’s been an accident — what happens next?
Short Story – 70 stories
Write a story set against the backdrop of a storm.
Dramatic – 107 stories
Your character wants something very badly — will they get it?
Short Story – 60 stories
Stories
“The Man with a Hole in His Head” by Marty B
Submitted to Contest #267
“No Vacancy at the Coral Reef Motel” by Story Time
Submitted to Contest #267
“Secrets and Lies” by Kaitlyn Wadsworth
Submitted to Contest #267
“THE OTHER PREDATOR” by Darvico Ulmeli
Submitted to Contest #267
“A Weathered Life” by Kritika RM
Submitted to Contest #267
“Jack Flynn's Brillant Plan” by Ralph Aldrich
Submitted to Contest #267
“Blue Tina” by Martin Ross
Submitted to Contest #267
“Claw Your Way Up” by Joshua G. J. Insole
Submitted to Contest #267
“Detour” by John K Adams
Submitted to Contest #267
“THE PRICE OF FREEDOM” by Darvico Ulmeli
Submitted to Contest #267
“Hello, I've Been Hit by a Truck” by George Georgerfrost@gmail.com
Submitted to Contest #267
“Isabella” by K.A. Murray
Submitted to Contest #267
“Downward” by James Scott
Submitted to Contest #267
“Lavender and Mystery” by Cindy Calder
Submitted to Contest #267
“Scandalous” by Trudy Jas
Submitted to Contest #267
$250
Prize money
359
Contest entries
127
Stories
Ended on 23:59 - Sep 13, 2024 EST
Won by Fi Riley 🏆
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!