100 Words [Temporarily Closed]

100 Words – An Official Ink Smudge Contest

The Contest:

This contest will last for 100 days, and each day, I’ll post a word from Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day, as well as a theme for that word. Those wishing to enter the contest will then take the word and its theme and write an ORIGINAL story (with a minimum word count of 500 words) and post it to their website of choice.

Artists may enter as well, and any artwork submitted must be a complete sketch—coloring is not required, so long as the prompt is fulfilled.

A link to all contest entries must be posted here, along with a short synopsis, the prompt, and the rating (no higher than T). For “advertising” purposes, I ask that all authors consider specifying in their stories that they are official Ink Smudge Contest entries, linking back to the Forums if possible (not a requirement).

As for your entry, you may choose to write a chapter story or write a collection of short stories—whichever works for you.

The Requirements:

Official Ink Smudge Contests are for original work only. All fanfiction entries will be denied.

The deadline for each entry submission is any time before 11:59:59pm CDT (Central Daylight Time). If you miss a deadline, you will still be able to post your entry, but you'll lose five points for tardiness.

The Point System:

You will gain—

25 points for Participation
Up to 25 points for Flow/Consistency/Movement in Artwork
Up to 25 points for Quality of Content
Up to 25 points for Characterization
and
Up to 10 Bonus Points for Creativity

In all, you have the opportunity to accumulate 110 points every day. I will read and give constructive criticism for each entry (a constructive review for artwork), as well as tell you how many points you earned for your entry, and how many you've earned total.

The Rewards:

After this contest closes on December 2^nd at 11:59:59pm, I will post the final scores as soon as possible; depending on the number of entries, it may take up to one week or longer for me to post the winners. Please be patient during that time.

When final scores are tallied, the three authors with the most points will be given the opportunity to request an original work from me, with the following limitations:

First Place
Any genre, any rating. Word count will not exceed 7,000 words.

Second Place
Any genre, maximum of Teen (T) rating. Word count will not exceed 5,000 words.

Third Place
Any genre, maximum of Teen (T) rating. Word count will not exceed 3,000 words.

In the event of a tie, the two authors will get the same reward. There will be a participation banner available to all who participate, as well as a banner for each of the winners. In the future, these rewards may change, but for now, this is what I have to offer.

The Words:

01— Belaud,meaning “to praise, usually to excess”. Your theme is selflessness[/size].
02— Sedulous, meaning “involving or accomplished with careful perseverance” or "diligent in application or pursuit". Your theme is affection[/size].
03— Cerebrate, meaning “to use the mind, to think”. Your theme is ignorance[/size].
04— Aliment, meaning “food, nutriment; also substance”. Your theme is starvation[/size].
04— Benison, meaning “blessing, benediction”. Your theme is anger[/size].
05— Slew, meaning “a large number”. Your theme is scarcity[/size].
06— Inspissate, meaning “to make or become thick or thicker”. Your theme is stubbornness[/size].
07— Aborning, meaning “while being born or produced”. Your theme is exhaustion[/size].
08— Freebie, meaning “you may choose your own word”. Your theme is your choice[/size].
09— Wend, meaning “to direct one's course; travel, proceed”. Your theme is disassociation[/size].
10— Ecstatic, meaning “of, related to, or marked by rapturous delight”. Your theme is honesty[/size].
11— Inimitable, meaning “not capable of being imitated; matchless”. Your theme is power[/size].
12— Gainsay, meaning “to declare to be untrue or invalid; to contradict or oppose”. Your theme is romance[/size].
13— Oriflamme, meaning “a banner, symbol, or ideal inspiring devotion or courage”. Your theme is justification[/size].


Note: Feel free to ask questions if you need to, and if you'd like to convert time zones so that you know when the deadline is, timeanddate is an extremely useful resource.