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EVENTS & PROMPTS

Five00-20 | Where have you been all these years?

Write a story incorporating the sentence ‘Where have you been all these years?’ in it.

Want to know how the events are judged at ArtoonsInn? Read this: https://writers.artoonsinn.com/a-guide-to-artoonsinns-short-story-event-rubrics/

UniK-18 | Beyond The Obvious

Write a captivating 1000-word short story by incorporating the timeless wisdom of Dr. Seuss: “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”

More context:

Ever noticed how our brains do this hilarious dance when faced with a curveball? Picture this: your professor, with a twinkle in their eye, drops the bombshell, “What’s 2 + 2?” Your gut screams “4!”, but your brain, oh, your brain, it’s like, “Hold on a sec, can’t be that easy, can it?” It’s like we’re programmed to overthink the simplest things, just because, well, why else would the universe toss such a quirky question our way? But hey, sometimes the universe is all about those ‘aha!’ moments where the answer is as plain as day. And folks, this event is all about embracing those moments of simplicity!

The theme for this month’s #UniK18 event is “Beyond the Obvious,” challenging you to dive deep into the layers of creativity and unveil the hidden narratives that lie beneath.

Remember, you’re not bound to use the line verbatim; let it guide your imagination and lead you to unexplored territories. We encourage you to push the boundaries, experiment with perspectives, and explore the nuances of simplicity and complexity in your storytelling. But, make sure you use the line in some form or other explicitly. Surprise us with your inventive interpretations, and remember, there’s no need to overthink the challenge because, at times, the solution to any seemingly difficult challenge is elegantly simple.

Want to know how the events are judged at ArtoonsInn? Read this: https://writers.artoonsinn.com/a-guide-to-artoonsinns-short-story-event-rubrics/

Five00-19 | Pull The Rug 2.0

Write a story you always wanted to. No genre constraints -No setting -You are your own maker.

Pull the rug with the last line such that it changes the entire context of your story.

Artales-26 | WInnterfest

Write a 2000-3000 word story based in or around a winter holiday. It can be any festival from around the world. Christmas, Yule, Hanukkah, New year’s eve, Boxing Day, Saturnalia, Hogmanay, or Winter Solstice.

The only condition is to use any of the following genres:

Romance
Thriller
Fantasy
Horror

(Sub-genres accepted however it should predominantly be in one of the above genres.)

UniK-17 | The First Experience

In 1000 words, explore a pivotal first human experience, such as the discovery of fire, the realization of human intimacy, the thrill of flight, the wonder of space travel, or the intriguing encounter with an unfamiliar animal. Dive into the intricacies of this moment, delving deep into the emotions, challenges, and revelations that accompanied this monumental first in human history. Whether it’s a leap forward in evolution or a personal epiphany, paint a vivid picture of this transformative event, making us feel the excitement and uncertainty that defined the dawn of these unique human experiences.

Note : Dig deep into the first experience concept, don’t just look at surface level human discoveries and yes, the stories need not be in prehistoric times it can be as recent as the first experience with a smartphone/AI etc. Go crazy.

UNIK 16 | JULY 2023

Weave a story around unique cultural practices.

Have you ever marvelled at the beautiful world you live in, a world imbued with harmony and yet, so diverse?

What is it that creates this diversity? 

Is it the different nationalities of people who form its population or their distinctive cultural practices that make them unique?

We, the Fantastic FunScribes, offer you a chance to explore the fascinating arena of cultural practices around the world and let your imagination run riot.

Write a story in any genre revolving around one of these practices and how it impacts your protagonists. The story should clearly bring out its nuances, giving the readers a chance to fathom the significance and the reasons behind the chosen practice. 

It would be useful to have a postscript with an explanation of the chosen theme at the end. (Make sure that your story works without the post script, it should not be dependent on post script for resolution or characterization). So, put your thinking caps on and get ready to explore the fascinating world of cultural diversity. 

FIVE00 17 | JUNE 2023

English is a language that has united the world. It has an unimaginably large coffer of vocabulary, yet it has never shied away from incorporating words from other languages when its own repository falls short or the other one expresses the meaning more succinctly.

Choose one word or phrase that has been borrowed into English from any other language and write a 500 word story making sure the word/phrase is either the basis of your tale or plays a major role in the story. The meaning of the selected word(s) should be self explanatory from your story but adding an author’s note at the end regarding the origin and meaning of your selected gem would go a long way in helping the reader so make sure to add one.