Shock Totem's bi-weekly Flash Challenge

 I've recently taken over running the bi weekly flash challenge on the Shock Totem forum. I've been doing this thing for a couple of years now and have a heck of a fun time doing it. There is something about only having an hour to write that keeps that asshole "you suck!" voice in the back of my head from having time to speak. No time for doubt. No time for worry. just barely enough time to belt out some words. Then I get to read all of the things other people came up with. It's so awesome, i cribbed the idea and use it with a student writing group I run.

You should join in the fun.


Here are the details*:
This Saturday, March 14, at 8 PM EST, we will once again be hosting the bi-weekly flash fiction challenge. The challenge: You have just one hour to write, edit, and post your story. This is a “prompted” challenge, meaning your story must be based on the prompt, which will be revealed just before 8 PM. The challenge takes place here on their forum, so you’ll need an account if you want to participate. Locking this to registered members .

The purpose of the challenge is to force you, the writer, to clear your mind of all distractions and write a complete 1,000-word-or-less story within the allotted time. You’ll have to not only write the story, but also edit it, and then post it by 9 PM EST.

For those interested, here are the rules:
Unlike the bi-monthly flash fiction contest, the bi-weekly one-hour flash challenge is just for fun. The challenge will be held every other Saturday, officially beginning at exactly 8 PM EST. There are no prizes! And the rules are simple.
1. All stories should be complete, written and posted within one hour, and can be anywhere from one sentence to 1,000 words in length.
2. You may choose to write your story in any genre.
3. Your story must be built around the restrictions—words, themes, photo prompts, word limits, etc.—provided by the Flashmaster at the beginning of the challenge.
4. Once the participants’ work is posted, the voting and comment session begins and continues until all votes are in. Time limit for voting will be determined on the spot, depending on how many people finish the challenge.
5. The winner becomes Flashmaster and hosts the next contest.


And that’s it. Simple and fun.


Think you can do it? Join the forum and be present this coming Saturday at 8 PM EST. More information can be found on the forum.


*this was mostly copied from Ken Wood's entry on the Shock Totem blog. I just changed some of the wording around to make it look like I am talking for myself.

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