All stories take place somewhere, from the depths of space to a warm cafe. Settings become characters: inviting, dynamic, and alive when the spotlight is focused on your WORLD BUILDING.
Send your entry in 1,000 - 6,000 words by email to submissions@writersworkout.net OR upload your document through our DropBox app before 12 am Tuesday, UTC. Remember to include your Title Information specifics: Name, Title, Event Name, Word Count. May the words flow to your victory.
Core Concepts: description, voice
Oooooooooooooh another really good one! You're all putting our brains to work! <3
Jumping in with a question from the get go! Are any other characters allowed in the story? Or does it have to focus solely on an unoccupied setting?
Characters are allowed. As long as that character doesn't overshadow the setting then it's all good!
Hi there! Exciting prompt! I have a few questions, though: 1. In the email, it says that the "world" needs to be the main character in the story. Just confirming that is indeed the case. 2. Core concepts for this challenge are description and voice. Can you please provide a definition for what you are seeking here in terms of description and on voice. 3. With regard to voice, is it the "world"'s voice that's most important or is it the voice of any other character ?
The setting should take precedence, but your story does need at least one character to further the plot. The focus should remain on your world.
In terms of description and voice, your setting should be brought to life, giving it the power to feel real, tangible, and defined for the audience. Whether or not the world is sentient is up to you!
Ooh, I like the sound of this one!
Can the setting itself be alive in any way, for example, like the Tardis in Doctor Who is?
Yes! Your world can be sentient.
@Jake Reilly Ooh, so many possibilities! Thank you!
Is there a parameter on how large the setting has to be?
Your setting can be as vast or minuscule as you want!
Will stories using traditional Sci-Fi or Fantasy tropes fare better in this challenge than other potential "worlds"?
Nope, we're open to all genres!
@The Writer's Workout thank you.
Hot damn! I have been *waiting* for this since the Team Games (and I was on vacation and unable to participate. Gah!) Above it's mentioned that the world can be sentient. Is that a requirement, or can it just be vibrant and well defined? A silent character so to speak....
The world doesn't have to be sentient. It's up to you!
I'm going to ask this just in case: are we allowed to reference real-life locations? IE Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, etc?
Real-life locations are fine. As long as your setting isn't built off of existing stories, you'll be set to go!
Can you give a few examples of stories or books that embody this concept of a story where the setting is the main character?
How you approach the prompt is up to you. We're eager to see what you can come up with!
@Clarissa Rossman Let me try a different question! Without revealing any titles, can you think of a few stories and books where the setting is the main character in a story? I'm having a tough time orienting myself with this description, as you can tell!
Hi Marcy, I'm so happy to see you back this portion! There are several books and series that I can think of that do embody (and inspired) this Event. It's open to any genre and I'm sure if you give it a moment, you'll start your story without even realizing it. Just consider how important this Event's name is to writing.
This is definitely interesting! I just need to figure it out the right way. So the setting has to be the main character that may or may not sentient. I think I vaguely get it. Will think over it for now. Good luck, writers. :)