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Blind-sided!

     So I freely admit that I was not expecting the tale to be Snow White.  In fact, I had carefully laid out all my reasons that it surely would NOT be Snow White.  Clearly...I was mistaken.

     My hat is off to all of you who predicted Snow White.  Nice work!  Your validated guess, as Mr. Bennett said, "shows some greatness of mind."

     I am not a dark-and-disturbing sort of writer.  The fact that the tale was not what I expected plus the thought that contest winners would be of the dark-and-disturbing sort made me highly in favor of skipping the contest this year.  I felt disappointed and petulant.

     I called my husband to complain and fret and assure him I intended to sit this one out.  But, far from offering sympathy, he expressed only excitement of what I could do with the tale.  And I have to say his enthusiasm was contagious.

     Think of it, he said.  How much fun I could have developing the characters of the seven dwarfs?  And the story has a strong villain -- he loves stories like that.  Good.  Evil.  A country under a dark rule.  What all could I come up with in such a  tale?

     I continued to whine, throwing at him all of my reasons for my disappointment.  But he answered each one.

     And, you know...he was right.

     So, this post is mostly directed toward those who DIDN'T want Snow White.  Because maybe you don't have somebody at home to be so encouragingly contagious.  If you don't want to write for this one, who am I to judge?  I'm sure you have some other excellent writing project to work on.

     But you will come up with some good ideas for this one if you give yourself a chance.  Even if it is not the tale you expected, or not the tale you planned for...do you really think a little twist like this is going to stop you?  My husband was right -- there are some amazing things you can do with this tale!  Think about the key elements of Snow White.  What can you build onto that?

     And so what if the judges are looking for a different tale than the sort you write?  For me, the best part of entering a contest is the process of writing and finishing a story.  I learn so much each time I do this!  Who cares if it doesn't win!  And, you know what?  Writing a story from your heart...a story that is your very own...well...it has more of a chance of winning than you might think.

     So, come on, and give it a shot!  I'd love to hear about what you come up with!

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  1. Skye HoffertJune 5, 2017 at 12:44 PM

    This was encouraging, because to be honest I wasn't happy that it was Snow White either. I have a few ideas now though, so I am excited.

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    1. Esther Brooksmith (wisdomcreates)June 6, 2017 at 11:45 AM

      It makes me wonder what sort of genius things we'll come up with.

      Delete
  2. Katherine S. ColeJune 6, 2017 at 10:40 AM

    Aww...that's too bad you were disappointed, but that's awesome your husband was so encouraging. :D And exactly what you said at the end - whether you win or not, you end up with a story that /you/ like and, when you're writing for God, one that He can use...so it's a win either way. XD I hope you have fun with it!

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  3. Sophia WhiteJune 6, 2017 at 12:06 PM

    I wasn't going to enter, at first, when I saw it was Snow White, because the idea I had in mind is a very sunny Mediterranean one, and I didn't think it would work with the mood of the other stories (you know,*dark* and lovely), but on the chance that it will get feedback, and since I do like my idea even if it isn't very Snow White-ish, I think I'll try. Even if I don't win, I still, like you said, end up with a finished story that's mine to expand or seek other publication with.

    https://ofdreamsandswords.wordpress.com

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    Replies
    1. Esther Brooksmith (wisdomcreates)June 6, 2017 at 5:56 PM

      I'm glad I'm not the only one drawn to sunny Mediterranean stories. ;) I hope you have a lovely time weaving your story. And you're right -- we get feedback this year, even if we don't win.

      Delete

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