Short story writing challenge results are in!
What the judges said about my strange cryogenics comedy...
Round 3 of NYC Midnight Short Story Challenge
My topics for Round 3 of the NYC Midnight Short Story Challenge were comedy, immortality, and a statistician. After 2 rounds, I had narrowed the field from 6,100 to the top 210 writers! When I got my assignment, the first thing I did was search "immortality" and wormholed deep into cryogenics. With only 48 hours to write, there's no time to overthink, so I wrote the first thing that came to mind. Read my Round 3 story “Dr. Amaz's Gateway to Immortality.”
Judges’ Comments
Unfortunately, I didn't make it to Round 4. While all 4 judges agreed that I had, indeed, written a comedy (phew!), they also agreed that the story needs tightening: condense the 1st paragraph, slow down during the chaotic thaw and leading up to Benjamin's confession. They all wanted a little more explanation of why they decided to stay and freeze.
By removing the critical tool of time (48 hours to receive 3 topics, write, and submit a final story), this competition demands good writing in the first draft. Developing a clean plot, good pacing, in-depth characters without time to reflect is a real challenge. Upon later read, I agree with the judges and can see where there's room to improve. Who knows, maybe this story is a launching point for something else? I definitely wouldn't have written it if not prompted, or challenged, by this competition.
What To Do with Stories?
Good news! Last year, I was assigned ghost story, audition, and divorcee. What came out was so creepy the judges said, "This was a very dark and disturbing story" and "This might be a ghost story, but dang, does it read as a horror story too." While I didn't even get past Round 1 that year, I did find this story home for publication. Read “I Am Your Madeline,” recently published on Haunted MTL Original.
As always, thanks for reading. I appreciate your support! And I hope you are doing well.
Thanks,
Meghan