Writing Contest: NPR;s Three-Minute Fiction

Okay, folks. The deadline for this is coming up fast, but I'm sure you can hack it.

National Public Radio's Three-Minute Fiction contest is looking for the best fiction that can be read in...well, three minutes. That translates to somewhere in the vicinity of 600 words. Your work will be inspired by a photograph posted on NPR's website. Alan Cheuse, NPR's resident book reviewer, will be the official judge.

You've got until February 28 to whip the words out of your brains and hearts. Shouldn't be tough, right? I suggest doing three to five different pieces, so you can choose the best and polish it to perfection.

For the complete rules, go to the official contest rules webpage. To see the photograph on which you'll base your entry, visit this page.

And thanks to Cynthia Riede and her Midnight Lunch for the heads up.

Writing Prompt: Winter Tree

Stimulate your imagination and flex your writing muscles with a writing prompt! Take a minute to observe the contents of the picture below. When you're done, write a story fragment of 200 to 300 words.


Trees know the true meaning of patience. Or do they?

Observe the tree in the picture and identify any human traits this tree would have based on its situation. You can tackle this writing prompt in one of two ways:

• Create a monologue for the tree. The monologue would describe a major event that recently happened to the tree. End the monologue with an epiphany.
• Quick! Imagine someone or something approaching the tree! That someone or something and the tree begin a conversation. What would they talk about?

Whatever you write as a result of this writing activity might lead to your next great story! Have fun writing!

Image by hbrinkman at stock.XCHANG

Writing Prompt: Bear Talk

Stimulate your imagination and flex your writing muscles with a writing prompt! Take a minute to observe the contents of the picture below. When you're done, write a story fragment of 200 to 300 words.


Walking through the woods past lunchtime, you chance upon two grizzlies who appear engaged in an argument.

Take note of the body language and positions of these two characters. You can tackle this prompt in one of two ways:

• The bears are talking in a language you understand. What are they arguing about? How does the argument end?
• The bears are communicating with grunt, snarls, and other incomprehensible sounds. Describe, instead, their actions that will reveal the actual nature of their argument. Again, how does the argument end?

Whatever you write as a result of this writing activity might lead to your next great story! Have fun writing!

Image by kalilo at stock.XCHANG

Writing Prompt: Old Pictures

Stimulate your imagination and flex your writing muscles with a writing prompt! Take a minute to observe the contents of the picture below. When you're done, write a story fragment of 200 to 300 words.

The party is winding down in the living room, but all is quiet in the study. Quiet, save for whispers from the past.


Quick! Imagine a person entering the scene.

• The person entering the scene is a visitor. Who is this person and why does the person take interest in the pictures?
• One of the pictures reminds the person of a love that had ended. Describe this picture, as well as the nature of the person's past affair.
  
• The host of the party enters the room and stands beside the visitor. Imagine what the party host looks like. What does the host say, and what does the visitor say in response?
  

Whatever you write as a result of this writing activity might lead to your next great story! Have fun writing!

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Image is by pipp. http://www.scx.hu

Writing Prompt: Old Car

Stimulate your imagination and flex your writing muscles with a writing prompt! Take a minute to observe the contents of the picture below. When you're done, write a story fragment 200 to 300 words.

It is three in the afternoon. A vintage car, paralyzed by a lost wheel, sits in a Havana plaza.



Quick! Imagine a person entering the scene.

• The person entering the scene has a relationship with the car. What is that direct or indirect relationship?
• Seeing the car makes this person think deeply of something else. What does the person think about? What memories emerge from seeing the car? Identify feelings associated with these thoughts. What is the quality of these feelings?
• After going through thoughts and feelings, the person makes a decision. What is this decision?

Whatever you write as a result of this writing activity might lead to your next great story! Have fun writing!

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Image is copyright 1994-2007 by Gerald Oskoboiny. http://www.impressive.net