Story Ideas for a High School Writing Contest

I'm a fantasy/sci fi person, but those types of entries usually don't do well in this sort of thing in my experience (though I could submit twice if the pieces are totally different from one another). I live in a rather conservative community, and I'm not very confident about submitting my usual dark and violent works.

Are there any rules or guidelines to this contest? Any sort of information would help us help you.

And what sort of word count?

It has to be 3-10 pages, 12 pt Times New Roman, etc.

Topic, tone, subject matter should be appropriate for presentation in a high school classroom.

1. Quality of writing. Does the writer demonstrate a command of language?
2. Development. Does the writer sue purposeful details that deepen understanding?
3. Craft. Does the writer skillfully use story structure and/or literary devices?
4. Tone. Does the writer set a consistent tone or impact the reader emotionally?

While this does sound wonderfully ambiguous, I want to be careful because the people in this area, working in this school district, are conservative. I work best with dark undertones, but I'm not sure how they'd like that. Previous winners are mostly about looking up to the future, standing up for yourself, and sappy things like that. I want to break the mold while not mortally offending the judges.

edited 6th Jan '11 9:21:48 PM by snowfoxofdeath

If you prefer sci-fi/fantasy Maybe Magic, Maybe Mundane might be a useful trope for you to work with.

What kind of stories do you write ignoring the fantastical elements? Do they work ported into a mundane reality?

Other than that I can't really suggest anything. How important is it for you to win? Because I recommend writing your own style/subject matter rather than trying to second guess what the judges want. It'll both most likely hurt you writing quality and there's a good chance that you'll end up too obviously Pandering to the Base (kinda) and end up sort of Executive Meddling yourself.

The last time I tried to write a non-magical story was for English class. I didn't have a lot of editing time, and I felt that I had very little to drive the plot with. Basically, four girls got kicked out of their homes and try to persuade a fifth girl, much younger and actually the cousin of one of them, to do the same before the world "ruins her". It ended up being anvilicious, and the little girl was shot to death. I got a 19/20 for the stilted voice, but a good story. Then again, my English teacher personally loves Black Humor.

Winning is pretty important to me, so if I get desperate, I might take advantage of the "you can submit twice if the two entries are totally different" rule.

Just hit the ends of the spectrum. In one fake the best uplifting piece of fluff you can manage and in the other dark undertone as much as you like.

Hmm... I don't think I was quite clear. I meant look at your fantastical stories and see how viable they are without those elements. Or maybe just share some details of your favourite pieces and I'll have a go at Doing In the Wizard / Demythtification (sort of) myself.

edited 7th Jan '11 12:21:56 AM by Luthen

Write a miracle/ordeal story. Two people meet, then something weird happens, they try to figure it out and/or escape with their lives, they survive and find themselves bonded by the ordeal. Simple stuff, always works. You can decide how dark/gory/scary you want to make it and you don't really have to explain what exactly happened to them.

edited 7th Jan '11 4:11:58 AM by Koveras

What do you think about bittersweet endings?

My ideas:

1. A story that gives the reader a feel that "everything has consequences, life is what we make of them."
2. Similar to the above, except the protagonist dies illustrating that "sometimes in order to achieve the greater good we must make sacrifices."

Earn Your Happy Ending is a favorite of mine which encompasses both ends of the spectrum.

Anyway, my current fantastic story is about a war veteran whose little sister gets kidnapped, forcing her to confront her dependancy and seek therapy, told mostly from her therapist's point of view. Fantasy elements are in the setting, not the plot—said therapist can heal people with a touch, and said veteran slew dragons and vampires and the like.

So get vague with your synopsis.

edited 7th Jan '11 6:40:08 PM by Slan

I don't recommend changing your style, necessarily, but if you want to win you should probably adapt your story to what you think judges want. I suggest against sci-fi/fantasy— I submitted a few fatasy-esque stories to a local contest, to get shot down with a "you should focus more on local stuff" spiel. Local contests just aren't interested.

Maybe you could find a way to mix what they want (inspirational/school-related stuff) with your darker tones. A story from the POV of a bully, trying to get into the head of someone who willingly torments others? Or a victim who, pushed too far, becomes an abuser themselves? Or write a story about the ill effects of drugs use, but then focus on the horrifying trip rather than just your average "drugs are bad mmm'kay?" aesop? Or a student who tries really hard to achieve, but teachers aren't supportive, and then after all his efforts and spirals into a depression? Something that looks at themes they want, but in a more cynical tone that you want.

I agree with not moving too far from your style. I've entered three writing competitions and won two of them: the first victory was a childish fantasy in grade 6, and the second victory was a more 'poetic' fantasy in grade 10. The one I didn't win was in grade 7: it was a mystery because everyoine told me I was too old to write fantasy anymore.

Unfortunately the judges' preferences do carry a lot of weight so try to use your best judgement there.

The only real piece of advice I can give you is that if you personally do not like the story then the chances are it won't fly.

Self-Insert Battle Royale Fan Fiction. Write Who You Know

edited 12th Jan '11 5:11:35 PM by dafsa

I almost wrote a really creepy story for such a contest, but now I'm working it slightly differently. I don't want to draw attention to myself by posting my idea, but I'll say this: you can take what you have and work off of it to produce something more "acceptable" while sticking to your style and your ideas, if need be.

Then again, I made it past a sort of "preliminary" with a horror sample, so it might work either way.