UPDATED — We have a winner!
After a week of voting and a VERY close race, Fraser of Floating Spheres is the winner of Round 3 of the 150-Word Writing Challenge.
Congrats, Fraser! And thanks to everyone who participated and voted. Stay tuned for Round 4 on June 15!
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Welcome to the newest feature here on A Dangerous Business!
We all know the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Using this as my inspiration, I decided to start a new monthly writing contest on my blog, where I will challenge writers to come up with a story based on a photo.
But the real challenge is, they only have 150 words in order to tell their story.
YOU, the readers, will choose the winner, by indicating in the comments which story you like best. Each month, the winner will receive a small prize. This month, the winner will get a $25 Amazon gift card.
Round 3
Here’s the photo I sent out this month to participants:
Read all the entries below, then scroll down to read the REAL story behind this photo.
Before you go, make sure to vote for your favorite story, by leaving a comment at the end of this post.
Round 3 Entries
Written by Gail West
Spring came. In the middle of the city, it blossomed overnight, bringing promises on the just warmed waft of a sweet smelling breeze. I stood on the deck of the small pavilion, listening and waiting. Having finished my morning routine of jogging through the park, thinking thoughts of new beginnings and solemn endings, I stood listening to that false quiet, thinking of spring. I heard the caress of water against the shore beneath me, water just broken free from winter’s grasp, calming my thoughts. Shakespeare floated around and suddenly lent me a thought. “Oh how this spring of love resembleth the uncertain glory of an April Day.” I looked slowly through the canopy of blossoms to the spire beyond and made the decision. I heard the rustle of leaves on the path. I smiled to myself and waited. When his foot hit the deck, I turned, and Spring came.
.
Written by Fraser of Floating Spheres
It was always the same.
The walk to the jetty was long, but it was gentle. Paths were set with the dust of silence, and the blossoming surroundings were only interrupted by the occasional fall of leaves.
The feeling of isolation and the minutes of stillness kept everything balanced, neutralising the furious intensity of the city, of their lives.
The balance is what had kept them together so long. The shimmering mystery of the lake’s surface gave them a connection and a meaning. They relied on each other, and they relied on the simplicity of the lake to help them understand why they were so necessary to each other’s happiness.
The walk was always the same. The serenity was always the same. There was only one thing that separated this time from the countless before it.
He had a question this time. It was an important question.
.
Written by Caz of y Travel Blog
The morning breeze whipped icicles across my face as we stood there watching the tower, the pavilion sheltering us a little from the wind and curious onlookers.
We wanted it to look like we were just another couple enjoying the peacefulness of the lake on a fresh Autumn day. We had been taking photos of the white buds on the trees, the misty haze rising off the water once the sun rose, the random deer sauntering by, and of course the stone walls of the tower.
Once again I rubbed my hands together and blew frosty rings out my mouth,
“What do you reckon? Think we can get up there under the cover of darkness?”
Steve, my accomplice, was convinced this was no easy task, but one we could accomplish with a bit of rope, good luck and ingenuity.
“We have to. I won’t rest until we get it back.”
.
Written by Ally of The Further the Better
“See, New York is not that bad. We’ve got trees, cherry blossoms, all that kind of stuff… You could nearly mistake it for China or something.”
“I’m still going.”
“You won’t last long. The second you can’t get a decent night of sleep, you’ll be right back in cozy Manhattan.”
“No way! I want to see things, go around the world and have no schedule, no Blackberr–”
“You mean no Facebook or Twitter for 6 months?!”
“Well maybe not. But you know what, I want to get that rush of adrenaline going through your veins when you just arrived in a new place. Your heartbeat getting faster when you see something incredible. Your tastebuds surprised by mysterious spices in a market. The heat, the cold, the sweat, the passion, the journey, the–”
“Don’t be so sentimental. Come on, I’ll drive you to the airport.”
——
So what’s the REAL story?
I loved seeing where everyone set this story. The actual photo was taken in Central Park in New York City on a chilly April day a couple years ago. It was overcast, so a lot of my photos in the park weren’t turning out the greatest. But I saw this scene and snapped a shot, and here you go.
Would you like to participate in a future round of the 150-Word Writing Challenge?
Each month, I will pick 5 writers to participate in the challenge (even though I know this month only featured 4!). I will also be posting the monthly photo on Facebook, and will accept 1 or 2 additional entries into the contest each month. If you’d like to be assigned to a month, or just get more details on the contest, shoot me an e-mail, or leave me a comment.
And, before you go, be sure to vote for your favorite entry from Round 1 by leaving a comment!
(Voting will be open for one week — through June 3.)
Close one this time, but our vote is for Ally!!!
Skott recently posted..We Bought Our New “Homes”
I would vote for Fraser.
Charles McCool recently posted..Travel Tip- Cemetery Visits
I really enjoyed Fraser’s story.
Audrey recently posted..Surviving the Louvre
I’d vote for me! Can I do that?
I like Gail’s
Fraser recently posted..the art of the thumb
Not an easy decision, but I loved Caz’s entry =)
I think Fraser’s entry was the best.
All great, but my vote goes to Gail. Thanks for sharing
Pete Heck recently posted..Foto Friday – The Monkeys of Puyo- Ecuador
Well thanks for voting, Pete!
I vote for Ally.
Juliann recently posted..Manatees In The Wild
Based on the question I got asked the other day, Ima have to vote for Fraser
Hit a soft spot, that did.
Chloe recently posted..Dear Benalmadena- Please- stop doing this
Awww, well congrats!
Congratulations Chloe!
You are a great photographer as I had said earlier too. Since its a contest I liked Fraser’s Story above the all. The rest were also good.
Anthony recently posted..Making a DIY Chicken Coop – How Big
Thanks for the compliment, Anthony. And thank you for voting!
Hard to choose, but I vote for Gail’s subtle and poetic entry
Got to go with Ally on this one!
have to go with Ally
I’m going with Ally on this one too! They’re all great entries though!
katie recently posted..The Berlin Wall turns 50 in August
Ally
My vote goes to Ally from The Further The Better. Great!!!
My vote is for Fraser here, great piece.
Justin Morris recently posted..48 hours in Budapest
Fraser gets my vote!
My votes for Fraser! The boys got skills!
i think im gonna have to vote for fraser – really struck a chord
Fraser all the way! A beautiful story indeed.
I vote for Gail. Loved her story.
Gotta vote for Gail – great imagery!
My vote goes to Fraser. Obviously fantastically talented!!
Tough one…quite like Ally’s in that it is pretty different… but overall, Fraser’s is the most gripping!
My vote is for Gail. Awesome descriptive writing.
I loved Gail’s!
I vote for Gail…and I’m glad Spring came!
I vote for Gail. Wonderful writing!
I vote for Gail. I believe her vocabulary really captured the moment best.
I vote for Gail
I vote for Gail.
I vote for Gail
Fraser’s story was sweet with a nice ending. You have my vote
Gail West seemed the Best…….
Gail!!!
For someone with Bad AIDS, Fraser’s story was truly remarkable.
Fraser does it for me!
Every one of these compositions was excellent, but I have to say that Gail West, with her descriptive technique, won this one hands down. It pulls the reader into the photo, and makes him feel like he is a part of the great city. Spring did indeed come when I finished the piece, and, although it is mid-summer, I was looking around for a jacket. Congratulations, Gail. And you know what? I believe you could do a lot more than 150 words.
I like them all. Fraser’s leaves me warmest, though.
Fraser.
Love these little competitions, great stuff!
Thanks, Candice! If you want to get involved in a future one, just let me know!
Congratulations to the winner!
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