Monthly Horror Short Story Prompt

Haggis · Feb 2, 2009

You want a monthly horror prompt? You'll get a monthly horror prompt. But you're going to have to work for it.

Each month I'll pick a different horror hound to set the agenda for the new month. This month, since I blame him for the original idea, the prompt setter is StevenJ.

Let's use this thread for the prompts and for discussion. We can stick the stories in SYW, where they'll be hidden from the ever-wandering eyes of the bots. You can link to them from here if you'd like.

So where's that prompt, Steve? We're waiting. Waiting....

StevenJ · Feb 2, 2009

Updated:

Theme: Legends: Take a legend of your choice, whether ancient or even urban, and surprise us with your variation on the theme. A fairy tale is also acceptable.

Closing date for entries: 2nd March, 4pm BST.

Word Count: Limit is 1800 words.

Stories to be posted in the Share Your Work (SYW) Forum. It would help if all entrants label their stories as something like 'Legend Challenge', alongside the title of their SYW-placed story.

Useful Links:

Legends: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legend

Urban Legends:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_legend
http://www.snopes.com/

Fairy Tales:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairy_Tales
----------------------------------------

Entries so far:

The Truth About Fairy-Tale Weddings by slcboston:
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3252479#post3252479

Pay the Piper by StevenJ:
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130385

The Nix by jgold:
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130388

The Key to all Mysteries by StevenJ:
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3263008#post3263008

The Mission by Haggis:
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3263789#post3263789

Lizzie's Gift by HeronW:
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130571

Flore Pleno by Soapdish:
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130727

The Deep by Kerr:
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3275811#post3275811

I Can Not Tell A Lie by Ken:
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131123

Trick or Treat by Faerydancer:
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131349

The Tellian Law by The Rav:
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131382

Haggis · Feb 2, 2009

StevenJ said:
Thanks, Mr H.

I don't actually know the word count limit for SYW, so I'd appreciate if someone could inform me.

Anyway, here's this month's theme: Legends: Take a legend of your choice, whether ancient or even urban, and surprise us with your variation on the theme.

Good prompt, Steve.

There's no real word count limit in SYW, but the stories that tend to get read and critted are usually not above 2000 words--usually more like 1500. I have posted a 3K story though, so it can be done.

StevenJ · Feb 2, 2009

Ok folks, the limit is 1800 words.

BTW, am I supposed to enter this 'contest' or not?

I don't mind either way, but it would be a bit unfair considering that I chose the theme.

Haggis · Feb 2, 2009

StevenJ said:
Ok folks, the limit is 1800 words.

BTW, am I supposed to enter this 'contest' or not?
I don't mind either way, but it would be a bit unfair considering that I chose the theme.

I don't see why you can't play too. Others will have the same opportunity in the coming months.

StevenJ · Feb 2, 2009

It would help if all entrants label their stories as something like 'Horror Forum Challenge', beneath the title of their SYW-placed story.

Perhaps then Mr Haggis (or I) will post a poll thread here, so people can vote for their winner.*

*I'm assuming this is a contest of sorts - if anyone dislikes this idea, then we can discuss it here.

StevenJ · Feb 2, 2009

By the way, closing date for entries is 9th February, 4pm BST.

Haggis · Feb 2, 2009

StevenJ said:
It would help if all entrants label their stories as something like 'Horror Forum Challenge', beneath the title of their SYW-placed story.

Perhaps then Mr Haggis (or I) will post a poll thread here, so people can vote for their winner.*

*I'm assuming this is a contest of sorts - if anyone dislikes this idea, then we can discuss it here.

We can discuss whether to make this a contest or not. I'm happy to go with the consensus.

StevenJ said:
By the way, closing date for entries is 9th February, 4pm BST.

You're tough, Steve. It normally takes me that long to think of a title.

StevenJ · Feb 2, 2009

I wasn't expecting to be one of the entrants...how I wish I'd chosen the theme: Describe Steve's house from the inside.

Haggis · Feb 2, 2009

StevenJ said:
I wasn't expecting to be one of the entrants...how I wish I'd chosen the theme: Describe Steve's house from the inside.

Oh, I could so do that.

CACTUSWENDY · Feb 2, 2009

To be sure I have this right....1800 words max in seven days? Interesting. Not impossible.....but interesting. (Wonders away muttering to self......)

StevenJ · Feb 2, 2009

I don't mind extending the deadline if others request it, Wendy.

jgold · Feb 2, 2009

StevenJ said:
Anyway, here's this month's theme: Legends: Take a legend of your choice, whether ancient or even urban, and surprise us with your variation on the theme.

Great topic.

I've already started mine.

StevenJ · Feb 2, 2009

jgold said:
I've already started mine.

Oh well, I've lost already...

soapdish · Feb 2, 2009

crap! I voted for this and now I better get my butt in gear...

Haggis · Feb 2, 2009

soapdish said:
crap! I voted for this and now I better get my butt in gear...

Cranky · Feb 2, 2009

Sweet! I'm in. Don't know what the heck I'll write yet, but I'm in.

Ken · Feb 2, 2009

...never mind. Have lost my enthusiasm. Good luck to everybody else.

Cranky · Feb 2, 2009

Ken said:
hate to sound like a dolt, here, but could you give an example of a legend. Not exactly sure what one is. Would the one about George Washington and the cherry tree be one?

ps Neat idea with the prompt!

Or, since it's the horror forum, perhaps the Legend of Sleepy Hollow? Lots of stuff out there...ghost stories, etc. And don't forget the rest of the world.

Question, Prompter Steve and Haggis:

Shall we post the insipiration at the beginning or end of our piece? Just wondering...

StevenJ · Feb 2, 2009

I deliberately chose a wide-ranging theme. This is because I couldn't think of something as interesting as J's 'baby shoe' idea

By 'legend' I mean, oh, everything from ancient legends/myths (like those listed on the page linked below) to urban legends like 'Bloody Mary'.

Legends:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legend

Urban Legends:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_legend

StevenJ · Feb 2, 2009

Cranky said:
Question, Prompter Steve and Haggis:

Shall we post the insipiration at the beginning or end of our piece? Just wondering...

I dunno, C. If the legend is so obscure that not many people would know about it, then perhaps it would be best to post your 'inspiration' idea alongside your story.

Cranky · Feb 2, 2009

StevenJ said:
I dunno, C. If the legend is so obscure that not many people would know about it, then perhaps it would be best to post your 'inspiration' idea alongside your story.

Gotcha.

Good idea, btw. Me likey.

StevenJ · Feb 2, 2009

I am the last person anyone would choose to organise anything.
So be prepared for this Challenge to explode or something equally disastrous.

Cranky · Feb 2, 2009

It'll be fine, Steve. No worries.

StevenJ · Feb 2, 2009

*Challenge explodes*

Told you.

Monthly Horror Short Story Prompt

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