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If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional), use the same beginning words and end with the words: "the door swung shut." (also included in the word count)
For those who want an even greater challenge, make your story 200 words EXACTLY!
Once you’ve posted your Challenge post on your blog, pop back here and link directly to it in the Linky List below (please make sure you include the direct link to your post, not just the link to your blog!).
Entries in the First Campaigner Challenge will close on Friday, September 9th (at 11.59pm EDT), so make sure you get your post in the Linky List before then if you want to be eligible for a prize! As usual, while everyone is very welcome to take part in this Challenge, only Campaigners will be eligible for prizes.
Thank you so much to all the Campaigners who have volunteered to judge one or more of the Challenges. I'm amazed by your generosity—you all rock!!! In terms of judging,Michael Offutt from SLC Kismet will be in touch about that very soon (and if you don't hear from us this Challenge, it's because we're hoping you'll judge the Second or Third Challenges instead). I'd love you all to take a moment to pop over and follow Michael, to say thanks for all his hard work in co-ordinating the judging.
There will be a stack of prizes awarded this Challenge (and future Challenges), both for the entries that are judged the best and through Random.org. We're talking ARCs, books, critiques, and other items galore! My thanks go to everyone who has volunteered to donate prizes. You're all awesome!!! Either I or someone in my team will be in touch over the course of the Campaign.
I've also set up the Linky List so you can "Like" entries, so make sure you come back here and vote for the People's Choice Awards!!!
I'll hopefully be announcing the winners on Monday, September 19th (the same day as my Campaign Beta Match post).
So, all that remains is to enjoy. Leave a comment to let me know you're doing the Challenge. Have fun writing your post, then pop round to the other entrants, check out their posts, follow and comment, and decide which entry or entries YOU like the best!
And don't forget to add your name and post link to the Linky Link below before 11.59 pm this Friday!
IMPORTANT: DON'T PUT YOUR NAME IN THE LINKY LIST UNTIL YOU'VE WRITTEN YOUR POST - THEN LINK DIRECT TO THAT POST PLEASE (ie, insert the complete URL to your Challenge post, not your blog address/URL)
"Like" voting is now over, please don't vote any more, thanks!
156 comments:
Nice one! I'll be doing this challenge and I'll probably post mine on Wednesday. Looking forward to reading the others :-)
Ah, Sarah beat me here. ^^ Now ideas are starting to swarm, I just need one of them to stick...
Hi Rach. I'm doing this challenge - just posted it on FB. Will get it up as soon as I write it as I post my romance story on Friday! D
I just posted it on FB, too! I was going to head up to bed, but now I think I'll start brainstorming. I can't wait to read everyone's 200 words :)
Oh my goodness, I can't believe I'm the first one to post!
*Glee* Managed to get it to fit all three. And without a single word spoken or living thing in sight. ^_^
This is fun.
This will be fun!
Hey! 1000th.monkey, I can't believe I did this at ALL!
How scary...lol.
I really enjoyed doing this challenge. It was fun.
yep will be doing this challenge.having great fun in the process of working it out!janex
So I know how I am spending my labor day :)
What a fun challenge to wake up to!
Just posted mine. Great challenge Rach. :O)
What a fun idea. I may do this one.
I'm busy attempting this challenge at this very moment.
I plan to write the challenge! I'm still kicking myself for being a coward last time on the microfiction challenge. Cross your fingers. ; )
I am getting ready to post mine now. What fun! My blog is on my website, so it doesn't let me do everything that blogger does, but I will try my best to link it correctly. Can't wait to read all of the entries!
I've written my story. Now I've got to figure out how to link it to your blog. This type of thing is more challenging to me than writing is.
OMG...I knew my story instantly! Great fun to write! Thanks Rachel! :-)
This is going to be awesome!
I will be doing the post. SO excited!!!
Fun challenge as always!! I'm in.
Hi Rach!
I've completed the challenge and linked in my post. This was so fun! Using the beginning and ending words and making my story exactly 200 words was tricky - but I couldn't resist the challenge. I can't wait to read what everyone came up with!
How did you all get it done so quickly?? Wow! ~ Nadja
This is literally the first time I have ever done something like this, so thanks!
Done and done. I had to use a generic linky pic because I had technical difficulties adding a photo for the thumbnail. Just picture a wickedly awesome UFO hovering over a cornfield, or a gorgeous profile shot that captures my good side.
Ahh, I'm always up for a good challenge--gets the creative juices flowing.
So fun.
Done. That was fun! Looking forward to reading the other challenge entries.
Yay! I just posted mine :) 200 words exactly. Now I'm off to read the ones that have already been posted :) Good luck to everyone and happy writing!
Marie
Good fun. Enjoying reading the others.
Just posted my entry. I look forward to reading the rest of them! :)
So fun! Just posted mine and will try to visit everyone's throughout the week. WOOT!!!
Hmm. I thought signing up last month meant I would be included in this. Guess not.
This one was fun! I did the challenge, although Google/Wordpress get my information mixed up.
- Bill Jones, Jr.
I just posted my flash fiction piece. It was a definite challenge since I wanted it to be exactly 200 words and include the begin and end words mentioned.
This was so much fun. Time to go check out the other great stories :-)
Sorry I didn't have time for this one.
Finished reading the stories so far! I can't wait to read the new ones tomorrow! I need to sleep~ (it's 1:43 am over here)
This sounds really fun. I'll work on mine!
Great challenge! I just posted my piece and I'm excited to see what everyone else writes.
...considering so many people are reading these, I'm surprised that very few people are actually voting for the ones they like best... maybe that isn't clear enough?
I actually did this! I always have a hard time writing flash, but I did it!
I'm not a campaigner, but I couldn't resist this! A great challenge.
Phew ! I just posted my piece and linked it ! What a great challenge !
First time at the Campaign, first time attempting a Challenge - very excited!! Hmm, now if only I can think of something good...well, I have until Friday... :)
It sounds like a great challenge! :) Will have to get to work on it. It looks like I'm going to be posting a lot this week!
I'm doing the challenge but removing myself from judging. Hey Rach, email me the password for the campaign email account.
I'm linked and posted! It was way fun. Thanks Rach!
Awesome challenge. I had fun with it :)
My first attempt at flash fiction - this was a blast!
And so many great submits out there; to think we all started out with the same first line, it's amazing to see where we all ended.
I don't usually do flash fiction, but enjoyed doing this one. Although, I may incorporate it into a novel I'm writing :)
This was so much fun!
Got mine done and posted on my blog. Uhm, where I enter the URL though? I'm having a Stupid Monday and can't figure anything out today ^_^;; And yes, it actually was more fun to do than I expected!
All done! Gotta say, that was a fun 200 words.
I just finished mine. So much fun! I'm so glad I decided to be a campaigner. :)
Great challenge! I'm new to flash fiction, but I really enjoyed the constraints, and I'm having even more fun reading everyone else's entries. This is such a talented group of people.
I'm entering the challenge!
Love this challenge. It gives me a good chance to write something different. I'm entering.
I've been traveling and I'm so sick I can't see straight but I can't resist a challenge.
Not sure it's coherant but it's written.
http://acleverwhatever.blogspot.com/2011/09/campaign-challenge-number-1.html
Oh and I have no idea what you mean by Linky List or where it is.
Where and what is it?
Tirz
I'll be posting mine on Thursday! Can't wait! :-)
So glad you're all enjoying this :)
@jasonbeineke - you need to click on the Linky Link (where it says "Click here to enter"). When you fill out the form, the URL you enter is the direct link to your Challenge post.
@Kristy K James, I'm not sure what you mean? All Campaigners are very welcome to join in on this Challenge, but it's voluntary - you don't have to take part unless you want to :)
@Kristy K James, I'm not sure what you mean? All Campaigners are very welcome to join in on this Challenge, but it's voluntary - you don't have to take part unless you want to :)
@TirzahLaughs - it's at the bottom of my post, where it says "Click here to enter". Your name/image/link to your post gets put in that list so other people can find your entry and visit.
Love this challenge -it's already written and scheduled to be posted for Wednesday :)
I plan on entering and it will be up a little later this week. I'm looking forward to reading what everyone's written!
I'm in! Looking forward to writing this, hopefully tonight. Thanks so much for putting on this campaign, Rachel, and for these challenges!
Fun challenge Rachael! I just posted mine :)
I posted mine. It was not easy. I'm a novel person, not a short fiction person. Still, it was quite fun. :)
Posted! Now I'll have to come back and do a bit of reading.
Thanks for a great challenge, Rach!
@Rachael Harrie - Sorry, my bad connection was not loading the Linky Link tools.
Folks, remember to like people for their work. I see a lot of comments on peoples' blogs pertaining to their pieces, but no "Likes". That is sad :(
Posted mine! I'm not very happy with it, but it was a fun exercise that gave me a glimpse into something I hadn't known before. So thanks for the challenge!
I'm definitely in and posted. This was a fun challenge!
This was hard but fun...thanks Rachael. Loved it!
I'm #140, peeps! Already started voting for my faves. Wow, a lot of stories to read through, great job, everyone!
And those of us who signed up for nonfiction? ;) I guess I'll wing it, and write something true. lol
It was really fun doing the challenging, very interesting to see what I can come up with using guidelines!
God bless the judges! I'm going to do my best to read as many as i can, but that's a lot of reading! Putting the finishing touches on my own...
My entry's in! 200 words of fantasy goodness : The Magister Clock. Now I'm off to read some others ...
Phew! Did it! Thanks so much for the challenge, Rachael. I enjoyed it. Now I'm off to link it and check out some of the others.
Just posted mine! This was so much fun taking a break from the current wip. Thanks Rach!
I just posted mine too. Woohoo for entry number #169! lol Fun stuff.
Yes, just posted, having fun reading all the entries.
this was a good idea. I just posted
I've graced over three dozen entries so far, and I have to say I'm really impressed with everyone! Here's to another three dozen and more! Reading on.
oh my goodness, how am I going to get through all of them, I don't want to miss any :)
I just posted my entry and I'm about to fill in the linky list. I can't believe I actually managed to complete all three of the challenges!
Now, I'm off to read them all... Er, prepare for school tomorrow.
Great challenge Rachael!
Thanks for a great challenge Rachael. That was fun!
Just posted. Quite a fun challenge! Now I'm off to read what the group has done. :-)
This sounds like fun! I'm definitely doing this one!
oops, i posted the wrong blog and have since corrected it but the little tiny 'title' on my Linky square #204 is incorrect. it should read "Hottie Trey Jackson" it now points to the correct blog entry as well. Not sure if I can change the linky square info. But anyways...that's the title.
I posted and linked last night. Then, I liked myself (because I like my story) plus a couple of others. This morning, I decided it's unfair to like my own stuff and tried to un-like but instead, it liked me again. Did you know that you can add likes to the same entry over and over again (or at least every day)?
Thanks for hosting thei Canpaign btw. I'm already loving it, although I have a hard time following everyone in my groups.
Hi Rachel, I just learned of this tonight and stayed up till 2AM having fun with it. Work is going to be tough in the morning!
Just scheduled a post to go up tomorrow. Will add to the linky list once the post is up! Thanks for organizing this Rachael...and I'd like to remind all fiction authors that they're invited to enter the The Rule of Three Blogfest !
It is a month-long shared-world fiction extravaganza starting 5th October--- with some great prizes, and of course, a lot of exposure and constructive feedback for your writing. This is one Blogfest fiction authors ought not to miss. Go ahead and sign up!
I haven't done a writing exercise in a while. This was fun. Thanks Rachel.
Should we only vote for one we like? Or can we pick more than one. I'm not really sure I can make a decision, although I do have a favorite at the moment. I still have a lot of entries to read.
@Cat, I do know, though ta for mentioning. I'm hoping people will be sensible in voting and not vote-rig, seeing as it isn't a popularity contest!
@Kelly, seems people are voting for multiple entries - I hope within reason! More than one if you want :)
Hugs,
Rach
Rach, can you tell me how can I put the first campaigner's badge on my blog? will you please e-mail the code to me?
wow, this is alot of fun. Just posted my, trying a different genre than my normal.
What a difficult task fior the judges to read through all these before making their choice!!
What a blast! Thanks, Rach, for putting together such an incredible event.
The posts I've been able to read so far give me confidence that I've connected with a very talented group of writers. I can't wait to go back through the list and vote for my favorites.
I entered my post! Thanks for doing this.
Wow I can't believe how many people are joining in! This is AWESOME!
What a great idea! I just posted mine. Good luck to everyone!
Thanks for the great first challenge, Rach! This was so much fun!
This is gonna be a HUGE contest. But I love the idea!! I just came up with a whole story around a door last week so this was a perfect motivation to begin! Can't wait to read everyone's entries!
I just entered my flash fiction, that was fun!
Uhm... I've done the challenge but I can't find the linky list? Here's the link to my post: http://tessasblurb.blogspot.com/2011/09/first-campaigner-challenge.html
Rachael I thorougly enjoyed this challenge (my first attempt at flash fiction). Pushing the "publish post" button was one of the scariest things I've done in a long time. Thanks for helping me push my boundaries.
I'm with Tessa... can't find a linky list? I'll check back later, maybe it's only temporarily vanished... still, here's the link, just in case: http://sashssecrets.blogspot.com/2011/09/first-challenge-for-rachaels-campaign.html
This was so much fun! I've participated in flash fiction contests (through NYC Midnight) where the limit was 1000 words, but never 200, so this was a real challenge. Such a great exercise, and I'm really enjoying all the variety out there.
GUYS, THE LINKY LIST IS GETTING A BIT FIDDLY, PERHAPS BECAUSE IT'S SO LONG (bring on the unanticipated problems!) IF YOU CAN'T FIND THE LINKY LIST, TRY REFRESHING YOUR PAGE. IF THAT DOESN'T WORK, CLOSE OUT OF THE BROWSER COMPLETELY, THEN COME BACK STRAIGHT AWAY - IT SHOULD APPEAR. IF IT STILL DOESN'T, CLOSE OUT OF BROWSER, AND COME BACK A LITTLE LATER.
Sorry for the problems :(
Rach
Booo, it's not a workin' for me. I've refreshed & shut down & revisited numerous time. Will check back later. hehe
Okay, I'll play. The prompt reminds me of an incident from about five years ago. (And the linky list worked fine for me. I guess I hit it at the right time.)
Looks like the Linky list worked..yay! am number 279. Now, off to visit the others :)
Would like to remind you and your readers to take a look at the The Rule of Three Blogfest ---a month-long extravaganza in the fictional town of Renaissance this October, with some great prizes, comment love, and of course, a lot of exposure for your writing.
We need short stories from all genres at the Renaissance!
Love the challenge, Rachael! It was so much fun to write!!! Now it's time to hop around from blog to blog.
This was a challenge, but one I thoroughly enjoyed. Now off to read more entries. I'm starting with my group and see how much more time I can squeeze out of the day. Thanks, Rachael!
Finally posted mine at 284. Let me go check out a few then. Thanks for this opportunity.
Oh wow, there are so many entries! I know it's only 200 words but I might be a bit snowed under to attempt this one. Hope to visit others' attempts though.
:-)
This is AWESOME! I love seeing all the different things that people are coming up with. AND I think you are queen of the linky's! I need to learn how to do them. So cool. This is wonderful! Thanks for doing it!
Holy toledo, that's a lot of entries! Can't wait to read them all now I've done mine! :-)
Great first challenge - proud to be #293! Thanks for all your great work, Rachel.
I had so much fun with this challenge! Just added myself to the list (#292.)
I almost didn't do it because I didn't have any ideas, but I got a visit from "the muse" at the last minute! Phew!
Now, off to read a gazillion blogs!
Maybe I'll start at the bottom of the list and work my way up. :)
Just posted my challenge, Thursday Sept.8, not my usual day to post. Not sure what to do about my publishing commitment to post Tuesdays and Saturdays. Should I still post those days, too?
Liked this challenge. It was fun. Hope I'm doing everything right. :)
Hey Clar, you're doing fine :) It's completely up to you. If it were me, I'd probably post my usual days as well, but it will depend on your time commitments etc. I guess the Campaign stuff can either be in addition to your own blogging routine or instead of - again up to you.
Hugs,
Rach
This was fun! Great challenge!
finally got my post up. It's HARD restricting myself to 200 words!
this is cRAzY!
love it!
suggestion for next challenge, nix the pics for the linx, or possibly close the link and open a new one at a certain point...
it will take me all month to read all these! crazy good!
you are a brave woman!
I actually wrote one short story for this, and then thought of another idea, so wrote it too. I just entered the second idea as number 311. Are we allowed to enter twice?
Hello Rach,
I've posted my link wrong and it isn't linking (I have an extra 'c' in as in '.ccom'. I'm entry #228. Fairview. Will you please delete my entry and I will try again? I tried to fix it but don't know how?
Whew! Finally! Now onto reading all the wonderful flash fiction of my fellow campaigners.
Hi, there! No. 274 here. This was so much fun! I can't believe how many entries there are. How will I read them all? I was up after midnight reading and commenting.
I love seeing all the diversity among the writers, we've got scary / freaky (mine!), sweet, sad, touching, hilarious, punchy, suspenseful, sexy...and the list goes on! Well done, fellow campaigners!
Thanks, Rach and all the judges!
#327 here.... I know I am waaay to late to be in this challenge for prizes, but I wanted to do it anyways! First time writing flash fiction and it was a great learning experience. Can't wait until the next challenge.
@Fairview - fixed, no need to delete.
@Sarah Bee - you're not too late for prizes!
Hugs,
Rach
Posted! Looking forward to reading some of the other entries...:-)
Great challenge! I enjoyed participating! ^_^
Have enjoyed the challenge & reading all the others! ; )
I enjoyed thoroughly while competing and reading various interpretations of different personalities. This was fun. Thank you.
Rachael,
Thank you for fixing!
Fairview
Sorry to post so late in the day, but finally got some time to write something. Yay! Easier than I thought :)
Woohoo, that was fun! (I know I have a history of either failed technology or just plain forgetting to enter! So at least I got this one in on time :-) )
My entry went up this morning and I'm now on the list. I had a problem with the list and comments but they eventually became accessible.
Lee
Tossing It Out
#210 links to a blogger survey- which I can't seem to pass and am unwilling to answer. They might want to put up a new link
Link #366 ... uh ... I guess I procrastinated a little bit?
bwahahahaha
But I did it!! Exactly 200 words.
thanks!!
A fun challenge! I actually did it in 200 words LOL. I loved reading the other challengers site.
Entry Number 369 at exactly 200 words - took me long enough :)
Oops--forgot to comment. I'm #125. :)
This is really fun! Thanks so much!
Finally made it in. #371. Alas, I was always the last to bring in my homework in school. (Dog kept taking it and hiding it) Ha!
Great fun, Rachael. I commend you for putting together such a fantastic event!
I'm 352 - great challenge Rachael! So much fun - ty again for all your hard work on the Campaign - it really is quite brilliant! having a ball :)
My entry is #287 and I'm so impressed by the quality of every single entry (I've read about 275 so far). So much fun!
#244 here and I just have to say how much fun this was! Can't wait to see what everyone else has written. Thanks for the challenge!
Still not able to view the Linkys, Rach, though it is a "good" problem, I know :)
Hi Joanna,
Apparently the Linky List will be down for maintenance on Sunday afternoon/night, hopefully it will be back with us asap.
Hugs,
Rach
Ahhh . . . looks like I'm too late to post my story about how the door swung open at 30,000 feet and the on-board Security Team pushed the troublesome drunken rugby players out for some fresh air sans parapluies. Pity. Might have given someone a laugh.
I'm up to 64 and loving these stories. Everyone did such a good job!
364 entries, it's like being in that huge queue for the X Factor auditions. It has been a great episode, and like the X Factor very popular.
This is such a fantastic idea! It's precisely what authors and bloggers need in this online community. The giveaway looks amazing! Good luck to all who enter!
I thought it was great fun : )
Everyone's writings are superb.
I'm #300.
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