CONTEST CLOSED
(Thank you to all the brave writers who gave this round a go! There are still four more chances to enter so get familiar with the process below. A new 24-hour prompt will be revealed September 7, 2018, at 12:00 a.m. EST. It will close at 11:59 p.m. EST 9/7/18.)
The clock started ticking at 12:00 a.m. (EST). That’s midnight in New York City when September 1, 2018, begins. The contest ends by the close of day September 1, 2018, at 11:59 (EST).
This is a free-write flash fiction contest to qualify five writers to compete in the October TUFFest Ride event during the 2018 Flash Fiction Rodeo at Carrot Ranch. A free-write requires you to draft quickly.
You can revise, edit or polish. But you only have 24 hours which is not enough time to let a first draft set. We know that. We are looking at your free-write skills, your bravery to write freely according to a prompt.
Judges will examine how creative a writer can be within both time and word constraint. Charli Mills, Cynthia Drake and Laura Smyth all of Hancock, Michigan will judge all TUFF contests. Your free-write must follow all five rules to qualify.
RULES
- You must use the revealed prompt: “scars from climbing”
- You must enter using the provided form below
- You must write your story in 297 words (exactly, not including title)
- You must enter by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on September 1, 2018 (use the form provided below or email your full name and entry to wordsforpeople@gmail.com)
- You must be willing to compete in the 2018 October TUFFest Ride if selected
If you qualify, you will be among five winning writers to further compete for first, second and third place in the TUFFest flash fiction contest you will ever enter. The event equates to bull-riding in a cowboy rodeo. It’s a chance to show your versatility of flash fiction writing skills. Five writers will compete:
- October 1: Writers tune into a live video posted at Carrot Ranch Facebook Page for the announcement of who will be selected the Fab Five from the September entries. These five writers will have five days to do a new free-write.
- October 8: The Fab Five tune into a live video for a twist to a 99-word challenge to rewrite their free-write. They will have five days to write.
- October 15: The Fab Five tune into a live video for a twist to a 59-word challenge to rewrite their 99-word story. They will have five days to write.
- October 22: The Fab Five tune into a live video for a twist to a 9-word challenge to rewrite their 59-word story. They will have five days to write.
- October 29: The Fab Five tune into a live video to find out which three advances. The remaining three contestants will have 24 hours to write a final 495-word story from their TUFF exhibition.
- November 2: First, second and third place announced. All five contestants will win a prize (yet to be determined, based on sponsors).
WINNING TIPS
Go with your gut. At Carrot Ranch Literary Community, we play with 99 words, no more, no less every week. We’ve learned that our first instinct to a prompt might be strange or uncomfortable. The natural tendency of a writer is to water down that reaction — to write safely. Don’t. Be brave and go where the prompt leads you.
Be creative. Along with going with your gut, take a creative approach. If you are literal, you might write too stiffly. But do poke a literal response if that comes to you. Ask yourself how you can turn it upside down and create a surprising twist. Also, you don’t need to use the exact phrase (or the quotation marks unless you are using dialog or showing irony).
Be professional. We are all adults here, and adult content is a part of literary art. However, think like a professional literary artist whose job is to write. If you think shocking readers gives you an edge, think again. We live in a world desensitized by global crassness, violence, and inhumanity. Shock value is cheap. Instead, craft a clever twist, show intelligence and the ability to interpret the global theater. Make your readers think.
Write with emotion. You also want to make your readers feel. Characters give us all the opportunity to experience life beneath the skin of another. Literary art can share imagined experiences from what it is like to attend school at Hogwarts or be a polar bear. Invite your readers to feel these unique perspectives. Avoid stereotypes.
Breathe! When you control your breath, you control your mind. Yes, it’s a competition. Yes, it’s only 24-hours. Yes, you have a lot on your plate. But you have the right to be here. You are a creative writer — so breathe, read the rules, write, count your words, and enter. No matter the outcome, you were brave enough to write!
You can use Microsoft Word or use WordCounter.net to determine 297 words.
There are no entry fees, and five winning writers will each win a cash prize. Please thank our sponsors:
Openings Life Coaching
SmythType Design
Solar Up
ENTRY FORM (Closed)
Write again!
If you missed this free-write, you have more chances to enter. You can enter more than once. Next qualifying free-writes will reveal secret prompts:
- September 7, 2018 (12:00 am – 11:59 pm)
- September 13, 2018 (12:00 am – 11:59 pm)
- September 19, 2018 (12:00 am – 11:59 pm)
- September 25, 2018 (12:00 am – 11:59 pm)
Carrot Ranch Literary Community 
What a TUFF contest, Charli. It’s going to be a real test of writing performance and endurance. What a clever program. Good luck to all the writers!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Agreed Norah but I can’t open the ENTRY FORM … 😦
LikeLiked by 2 people
Just paste into the box and press submit – or am I missing something?
LikeLiked by 3 people
Rules say it must go onto their form?
LikeLiked by 2 people
See my comment about the Submit form – that might help.
LikeLiked by 3 people
thanks Jules, I will return and look now 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Kate, enter your submission in the form above. It should work like the weekly challenges. If you are having problems, submit by email to wordsforpeople@gmail.com by the 11:59 p.m. EST (Sept. 1)
LikeLiked by 2 people
thanks Charli, Jules clues were correct, have to go to your actual site and it works well … got a lot of editing to do 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! This is a competition that will be like an exhibition of skills. I echo your wishes — good luck to everyone (and have fun)!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looking forward to it, Charli.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Charli.. I am not seeing this as a contest. It is a learning platform for me to write fiction of more than 200 words. getting selected or not is not my aim. how much I am able to learn is my goal. Thanks for the opening prompt.
LikeLiked by 4 people
I see it as an opportunity to write something, whether it is selected or not, that I might be able to use somewhere else after the contest is over.
LikeLiked by 5 people
You’re right, Frank.
LikeLiked by 5 people
These challenges are all learning curves!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Deepa, Frank, Miriam & Ritu — yes, yes, yes! I see the weekly challenges as the opportunity to explore, discover and play. Competitions are another level to grow and learn and you all have the right (write) attitude. You can learn from the experience or develop material for other submissions. I hope you all find it challenging and rewarding.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I can’t even SEE the entry form. That probably eliminates me on the grounds of stupidity
LikeLiked by 3 people
I hope not! Can you try another server?
LikeLiked by 1 person
See my comment below…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Richmond, if the form is not showing in your browser send your full name and response to wordsforpeople@gmail.com by 11:59 p.m. EST September 1.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alas Charli, I am at work and will be until the closing. But thankyou. I will try to tag along next time
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are yet four more chances to enter, Richmond! Next one is September 7.
LikeLike
Mine is ready to go but I can’t see any instructions about titles and word count. I’m assuming it’s as usual with the weekly challenges (i.e. not part of the 99 words) but, just in case it’s not, I might submit untitled unless I hear back before drink time.
LikeLiked by 3 people
The word count is 297 – it’s there in the post. I didn’t see anything about titles either.
See my comment post about the Submit issue.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh yeah, I meant 297. Hope that didn’t confuse anyone. Agree, the instructions on wordcount are clear.
LikeLiked by 3 people
The information does say 297 words, not including the title. 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
The email version stated:
3. You must write your story in 297 words
(exactly)
So I guess it got fixed since the posted version now is different. But it’s all good. Iron out the boo-boo’s now. There’s bound to be some glitches. – Thanks.
I’m sure since Charli has read through most of the conversations – that there won’t be anyone penalized because they didn’t have a title.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Charli is very generous. I think a title was optional, not required. You’re doing well to keep us all up to speed. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Norah, but it didn’t say that yesterday! This jamboree is certainly bringing our different time zones to light.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Title was not originally included. I went back in clarified. They’re called clarifications, not boo-boos. I don’t want people thinking the rules were in error.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Opps. Clarifications are good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! The no submitting or posting after drinking rule? I sometimes stick to that one. Sometimes.
LikeLiked by 7 people
By this extreme measure, some might never submit…
LikeLiked by 3 people
“In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is Freedom, in water there is bacteria.”
― Benjamin Franklin
LikeLiked by 4 people
That rule’s certainly necessary for me! I don’t drink alcohol very often but yesterday, with a return to sunshine on the first day of meteorological autumn, I fancied an early evening meal in the garden with a glass of wine. And very nice it was too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds lovely, Anne!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Anne, same as with weekly challenges and thanks for clarifying. I did fix the form and update an alternative method of entry. The challenge is not meant to be figuring out how to submit!
LikeLiked by 3 people
There are bound to be teething issues with the first one, even though it’s only an extension of the weekly challenge. I hope our questions haven’t interfered too much was your weekend off!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I discovered the problem:
You don’t see the submit form until you actually open the post? If you are only looking at the post in your mailbox you will not see the Submit Form. I just check and if you don’t open the post and are only reading in your mail box then there is no form. I repeat you have to open the post first and you do that by clicking on the Blue heading that says September 1 Free-write.
I had no problem seeing the form. But… I opened the September 1 Free-Write post via my mail as it wasn’t up at Carrot Ranch…(as of 11:05 am my time -same as NY, yet.) The only thing on the side in regard to latest posts is the current 99 word Aug 30 Challenge.
I don’t see a space for a title so I am thinking that this Free-write doesn’t need one.
LikeLiked by 8 people
Ah, mystery solved.
LikeLiked by 5 people
Did it work then – did you find the submit form? I’m not sure when I discovered that sometimes what you get in your mail isn’t what is on the post.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Coming to it later than others I actually saw the submit form immediately but was trying to work out why others couldn’t see it – that’s the mystery you solved for me! I was also reassured that I wasn’t the only one who couldn’t see the instructions about the title.
LikeLiked by 1 person
While the Boss is away, Jules saves the day.
I am sure it is all salvageable either way and all good. Despite the very TUFF challenge, it’s still an easy going ranch.
LikeLiked by 6 people
Awe shucks. I just figured it out first. That’s all.
Helpin’ each other is what us ranch hands do.
LikeLiked by 4 people
that works perfectly, thanks for the clue Jules 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
The post is in the side bar at the Ranch now… so it shouldn’t be an issue anymore.
LikeLiked by 3 people
thanks heaps … now for an edit 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yep.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ah! I never realized that Jules so I appreciate you sleuthing it out. The post was scheduled so it should have been up. The next one, I will manually post just to be certain. I also added the option to email. Thank you for taking the time to problem solve and communicate with everyone!
LikeLiked by 3 people
There might be something off with your time stamp. I’ve had other CR posts that I get in my mail first, but are delayed getting on the blog. The next time I notice it – I’ll let you know.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh! I will look at that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] was written for the 2018 Flash Fiction Rodeo under the ‘scars from climbing’ prompt. I immediately thought of this idea, about […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
I of course always have a title so this venture into untitled flash is a bit disconcerting. Nevertheless, its posted, bereft of a name, but, on the bright side, I can always name it later…Thanks to the sponsors and Charli for her creativity…and anybody else I should thank.
LikeLiked by 8 people
I titled mine so I can keep track of it in Google docs, but I won’t add that title when submitting it in the form. I figure just follow the rules, whatever they may be, when submitting something.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Oh goodness – I titled mine! Crap! Too late, oh well.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Frank,
I didn’t title mine. But I did make a folder just for the Tuff stuff.
LikeLiked by 4 people
I’ve submitted it untitled, but saved it with a title for myself, in my TUFF folder!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Sorry about the confusion over the title. A title is not required. But if one is used it is not part of the story word count (297 words).
LikeLiked by 3 people
First of all, I gotta say that the prompt is superlative. Thanks, Charli.
Next, thank you, sponsors! It’s great to see businesses who care enough to get involved with communities such as this. Your generosity encourages my faith in mankind.
I have submitted; sans title. I have not published my submission in my blog and will refrain from doing so. Maybe after the Rodeo, I can rehash all my writes and rewrites in a single post. That might be fun!
LikeLiked by 5 people
Is it against the rules to post a submission on your blog? I didn’t see anything against it on this page. I feel like there’s all kinds of minutia about this challenge that I was unaware of…
LikeLiked by 3 people
I don’t know if it is or not. I’m just saving it.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, Thom! I appreciate that you recognize the sponsors, too. As always, copyrights stay with the authors at Carrot Ranch. It’s at your own discretion to publish the entry on your blog. I created some confusion by not clarifying the role of a title — simply, if one is included, it does not count toward the 297 words.
Last year I had the ambition to publish a digital book, but ran into several unexpected hurdles, including the entries adding up to the size of a hefty novel! This year we will publish entry collections when each contest winner is revealed. I’ll be a stickler for word count, though.
I think it’s a great idea to publish your own post with all your entries after the contest! I want writers to feel supported in their own goals, so do what works best for you.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Gracias Charli, gracias.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Charli,
I was a tad busy figuring out the submit issue that I forgot to say thanks to the sponsors. Good to have back up in any form! From the key players, the prompter, judges and all the ranch hands.
Thank you very, very much. ~Jules (JulesPaige)
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Jules! I appreciate all your help and willingness to jump in and set the arena to rights when needed. I appreciate our sponsors, too! More to come!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Ditto that!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I have submitted…
Wow! That was a bit intense! Though we have 24 hours, there are so many other things to do in the day, that it was more an hour!
Thank you, Charli, and you wonderful Rodeo crew for setting this up, and a big thank you to the sponsors for supporting our literary art!
I’ll be saving my entry(ies) for possible use later on, if they go nowhere here!!!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes! I was hoping for that feeling of intensity a tight deadline gives. If this were a live TUFF, the free-write would only be 10 minutes!
I think that’s a great idea, Ritu. I’ll always encourage writers to make something of what they create through these challenges and contests. I see them as seeds.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Charli, for the opportunity to stretch our creative selves 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m with you on the intensity. It felt a lot harder than 3 x 99 words – or even another 1000 words of a novel-in-progress, but it was fun and I’m glad I braved the ring.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If nothing else, we can say we tried!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wholly cow patty! Boss, do you realize how much work this is for you and your co-judges?! Jeez, Louise, you love bottlenecks.
LikeLiked by 4 people
I’ve been working on this since January! Of course, we’ll see how it runs. I really wanted something that could be an exhibition, but make it manageable (five writers). Also, it creates another local connection for me and yet serves our global community.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Psst. Charli…
I submitted a second one because I actually screwed up the prompt phrase in the first submission. Please disregard and shitcan the first. Or maybe I’m disqualified. All good.
I wasn’t going to submit anything but couldn’t see how to just do this as a challenge and also what fun- I’m gonna play.
LikeLiked by 2 people
As long as it’s within the timeframe, that’s doable! It’s a fun one to play!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like you, I wasn’t going to go with this – I prefer the more collegiate atmosphere of the Ranch. But an idea came to me, and it was fun. Now my competitive edge has been reawakened I’m hoping I can fit the rest into my creative day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I posted the entry in my blog. Not sure if i did the correct way. Not sure if it has reached. Charli pls help
LikeLiked by 2 people
Your entry form came through, Deepa! Thank you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank u Charli
LikeLiked by 1 person
God that went fast. I blame a full day at the MN State Fair for coming up with something weird…corn-dog and blueberry beer hangover, perchance?
A few things puzzling me as we barrel race through the Rodeo:
1. The idea of a free write that allows us to edit (cuz free writes often feel like beginnings, rather than something in the shape of a story, or a skipping stone). I always though of free write in terms of time…new sensation!
2. The parameters around word count (Geoff’s dialog advice for his challenge)–do we count an elipses as a word? I think Word does count them as such, and it was an issue in the 2017 Rodeo, so it’d be good to be clear on that as we wait in the shute.
3. Not always sure if our entries are meant to be fiction, or creative non-fiction, or writing up someone else’s story/joke. Sounds like we have a real variety of writing types to deal with in this month(s)-long challenge.
4. Oh yeah! And will there be a consistent system of recognition across all challenges? Great to be recognized, but will it be First/Second/Third, or First and Judges Picks, or something (also) creative? Inquiring minds, ya know…
Okay, good night, all!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Wow! I hadn’t thought about ellipses as a word. I guess it depends how Microsoft Word or WordCounter.net counts them. But what if they throw up different answers?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Good question. It’ll make word count a little more complex, but I’d hate for folks to be tossed out of the running because too many words. So we need a ruling before we go in, I think.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Liz,
Welcome back from the Fair to the Rodeo! Good points of clarifications.
1. Free-writes are timed (typically). the 24-hour free-write is the closest approximation I can get to a live “10-minute” free-write. As an editor, I know it is not possible to truly edit within 24-hours. As an editor, you have to let a piece sit for a few days before you see it fresh. Yes, you can tweak and change it but I see that as part of drafting. As long as it’s within 24 hours, it will count as a free write even if you upload changes. However, the free-write doesn’t count errors.
2. Yep, different word processors count ellipses (and dashes) as words. That’s why we require the use of Microsoft Word or WordCounter.net The count the same, thus giving Mac or free-ware users a secondary option to Microsoft Word.
3. “Fiction” means creative. Any genre, including memoir or auto-fiction. Somebody else’s joke? As long as it isn’t plagiarized! Overhearing conversations, you are okay.
4. Yes, we are streamlining the recognition. There will be one first prize winner, then a second and a third for each. Except TUFF — fize writers win $25 and then compete for first, second and third.
Does that answer your questions? Thanks for allowing me to clarify! I’m sure others wondered too!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, it does!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Charli,
Thanks so much for hosting this. I wasn’t sure where to put this question/comment/explanation, but my word count shows as 294 because it’s counting sneaky hyphenated words as just one. I think they ought to count as two; as such, my count is exactly 297 -so don’t disqualify me, please. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wait for Charli to clarify but she does say use the word count as defined by Microsoft Word or use WordCounter.net to determine 297 words. If hyphenated words are to be counted separately mine will be below the required word count.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, but my hyphenated words were artistic conjoinings of two actual words, except for one. Ish.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh, so many possible permutations. Glad it’s Charli leading this, not me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Chelsea, I’m a big fan of coining new words and hyphens are a tool that allows for such artistic interpretation. As Ann points out, the rules do ask writers to use one of two word-counters (which measure using the same count standards). No matter the use of artistic measure of punctuation (for example the use of ellipses, n-dash, and m-dashes measure too!) the standard goes to the word-counters.
Definitely, this is the correct place to ask or comment so we can all benefit from clarification. I did send you a private email and I hope that will settle the entry! Thank you!
LikeLike
Thank you. Now I will hyphenate to my word’s content! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! Crafty-drafting or smashing-strategy. Just run it through the word-counter or word counter.
LikeLike
Thanks so much for hosting this! It’s my first time flash fictioning with you all. I really enjoyed doing this! 😀
https://julihoffman.com/2018/09/01/2018-free-write-flash-fiction-1-scars-from-climbing/
LikeLiked by 3 people
I also submitted on the form. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Enjoyed your piece. Good luck, Juli!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for giving it a go, Juli!
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] (297 words Carrot Ranch 2018 Flash Fiction Rodeo) […]
LikeLiked by 2 people
[…] for Carrot Ranch: You must use the revealed prompt: “scars from climbing” […]
LikeLiked by 2 people
[…] counted using the competition recommended WordCounter.net). Maybe you’ll nip over to the Carrot Ranch and join in with the next themed completion prompt on September […]
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve got a question… as FB was never mentioned that I remember before – for those of us who do not have or want to use FB what is the alternative way to find out who proceeds?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jules, FB is where we can post live. It’s part of the social media engagement to make the event more interactive and a unique way to build audience. It’s not required that the contestants tune in live. We’ll post at the Ranch afterwards. But it’s important that writers want to participate because it is more in the social spotlight than the other contests.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the clarification 😉
I’ll look forward to updates at the Ranch 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Motto: leave no writer behind! 🙂
LikeLike
Here’s mine, posted in time …
https://arousedblog.wordpress.com/2018/09/02/intrepid-trekkers
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m glad you found the form, too! Jules understood what was going on with how it’s viewed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks Charli and now that we all know the next one will be much easier 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aaaaaand, I’ve missed it. Hopefully, I’ll have the presence of mind on Friday to get to it.
Will the entries be posted at the end of all this, co we can read and see what happened?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Goldie, the next one will be September 7 and they will go quickly! I’m collecting them differently this year to post the collections when winners are announced.
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] right, the Carrot Ranch Rodeo is coming back in October. The slack rounds have already begun with Charli’s TUFF challenge, which continues through September. Check out Carrot Ranch for fun and free writing […]
LikeLiked by 2 people
[…] my slow start on the 24 hour free-write yesterday over at the Carrot Ranch I’ve spent this morning a meandering and a mooching, reading various other ranchers and […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh wow. I totally missed this one! Boo-hoo! I NEED this Rodeo to get me back in the saddle. I will be putting the rest on my calendar. Qualify, win, whatever – time to get back at it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No crying in your boots, Lisa! 😀 These free-writes will come and go, fast. But the Rodeo will have a gentler pace this year with lots to give you inspiration. Get in the saddle and write!
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] counted using the competition recommended WordCounter.net). Maybe you’ll nip over to the Carrot Ranch and join in with the next themed competition prompt on September […]
LikeLike