As The Clock Ticked-Suspense At A Writing Contest
May 17, 2007
The hands of my wristwatch moved at its usual pace but it seemed that it was my worst enemy at the Google Wordmaster Contest. Three hundred participants of all age groups waited with baited breath as the questionnaire circulated row after row in the comfortable ambience of an auditorium. Two options were given and we had to select one of them to write an essay of 200 words. That seemed easy but the catch was that 20 keywords were given under each topic and every one of them had to be included and underlined in the essay.
Many participants had queries and they were promptly answered by the organizers but they didn’t realize that the more they conversed, the more time lapsed. I blocked all distractions and started writing. I finished five minutes before they announced “Time is up.”
Participating and enjoying such experiences help to develop one’s writng potential. For example: whether I was selected or not, I have 160 words length flash fiction ready. It would have taken me 2-3 days to finish writing and revise this if I had started working on it on my own. Here at the contest, I finished everything in one hour. The quality of work is uncompromised because obviously a lot is at stake.
This experience can help me write an essay or a memoir which can be submitted to numerous magazines. Besides this, I felt encouraged that indeed I made it in record time, within 200 words with all the 20 keywords. That was my achievement for the day. With the list of keywords I can formulate another flash fiction from the second option that I had not attempted. It is a win – win situation at all counts.
Opportunities should be grabbed without thinking of the end result. The benefits from such events are endless so continue trying and who knows what may happen.
©Nayna, 2007. All Rights Reserved.
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Is fairytale can be happen too in real life..?or can be a lovestory may could end also in a happy ending story?
Hi Shary,
This is a real incident that took place few years ago. It is not a fairy tale or fiction.