Stylist writing competition - anyone entering?

[BestestBrownies]

Found out about this on Thursday (err yes, that would be only 2 days ago), flicking through the mag at a friend's house. The closing date for entries (by post only no less) is 12th July. EEK!

Am I mad to think I can come up with 6,000 words of story, a 300 word synopsis and 250 word character outline in just over 2 weeks?

Is anyone else entering?

[BestestBrownies]

This is the competition:-

www.stylist.co.uk/books/get-published/crime-fiction-competition

[Punkatheart]

Come on, let's motivate one another.

500 words this weekend.

You can do it.

Or I send round Martin Amis.

[BestestBrownies]

:o Punk

I have so far written the main character bio and started outlining the story (about 700wds) since Thursday evening. Having a bit of a block now though.

This is all very new to me. I normally write stories aimed at children and tweens (although crime thrillers are my guilty reading pleasure :)). I have about a dozen or so half-finished and lost-interest-in ones kicking about. What do you normally write?

[Punkatheart]

I write literary fiction - that always sounds a bit pretentious but all it means is non-genre. Crime interests me thought - it's fun to write and has a great dynamic. There is nothing better than killing people in the comfort of your own home.

Try taking a character from your story and just writing down a stream of consciousness 'blog' about her/him. What does she/he wear, what kind of music. It really makes the characters solid.

Come on - we are going to get it finished!

[Punkatheart]

Damn the inability to edit a post! I mean though - not thought!

[BestestBrownies]

Oh great tip! I will have a good think tonight then give that stream of consciousness idea a go tomorrow. Have to get the shopping put away, dinner on and give DH a bit of attention first ;)

[Punkatheart]

That's research for your sex scene sorted then. ;)

[BestestBrownies]

:o

[BestestBrownies]

Oh wow! 200wds into my protagonist's stream of consciousness (and the very start of the book) and I've had a mini flash of inspiration for her character development and personal journey sub-plot. Woo hoo! I'll be sure to give you a credit there when it's published Punk

[Punkatheart]

Ya! Go you!

[Punkatheart]

Did you get it done, Bestest?

I squeaked it in - rushed it toward the end...never a good thing.

Now on with the next challenge!

[ImperialBlether]

I put in for this, too. Did you find it hard leaving the ending out of the synopsis? (Just put this on another thread in here.) Also, writing about the main character was really difficult because she was an unreliable narrator.

Punk - I read a hell of a lot - would I have heard of you?

[Punkatheart]

I found it really easy to leave off the ending - because I had no idea what was going to happen! I quite literally made it up as I went along.

I am not a novelist, so you might not have heard of me. I am a short story writer and I have won some prizes.

Not sure if I ever will be a novelist - but these comps are great ways of getting me to write.

Good luck to you - I bet they take forever to judge it!

[ImperialBlether]

Anyone heard any more about this competition?

[Punkatheart]

Well I asked Stylist magazine and their only answer was 'No - they haven't announced the winner yet.'

[ninah]

I tried asking too punk, no reply - shame as it was a really exciting opportunity

[Punkatheart]

Slight update: www.stylist.co.uk/books/ruth-rendell-judges-stylists-crime-fiction-competition

Cynically speaking, I think that would have told the winner already - as they will need permission etc...

[ninah]

yes, I think so too - weren't they planning to interview the shortlist?

[Punkatheart]

Never mind. Onward and upward!

[ninah]

really cynically speaking, maybe faber already have a first author ms they are keen to promote ... it does seem rather a gamble to take on just 6000 words

[Punkatheart]

Now that is very cynical! No - I don't think they could or would do that....why not simply promote the author through Stylist? I am sure that if the rest of the book doesn't live up to the beginning, they would not take it. No publisher, competition or not, is obliged to do so...