[Winners Announced]Writing Challenge for $50! End date March 17th!

WHY? [Shamrock]

In the hush of my pod, I share the droid's senses.

Our minds are meshed; its thoughts swirl against mine.

A swath of green. Pale red hills lining the horizon. A cloudless pink sky.

It kneels, picks one stem, then holds it aloft and asks, “Why four leaves?”

My mind freezes. How can I teach wonder to something that has never felt it?

I love it. Some things AI will never be able to mimic.

Keep ‘em coming, peeps! Y’all are writing some great stuff! 😊

Luck of the Irish Robot Explorer (shamrock, see upthread for my rainbow story)

Analyzing.

Leaf of plant. Genus Trifolium. Unusual mutation. Will take sample.

Analyzing.

Rock, primarily granite. Missed unit by less than a meter. Damage potential high. Avoided.

Analyzing.

Lightning. Atmospheric electrical phenomenon. High damage potential. Unit had just passed location of impact. Avoided.

Analyzing.

Main engine of transport craft failed on launch. Trees broke fall. Serious damage avoided.

Analyzing.

Mathematical probability of avoiding damage multiple times low. Avoided nonetheless. Cultural database indicates possible relationship to mutant trifolium. Will retain.

Thanks for the invite, WG. Here is my Shamrock effort. Hope you like it.

Lucky?

“Hmm... This little plant has four leaves. For over one hundred and fifty years, I have roamed this land alone. Humans made me in their image, but now they are gone, eradicated by war. They made many of us, but gradually, our systems failed. Now, the earth is flourishing, green, and clean. Solar energy in abundance keeps me alive, but even machines need companionship. I wish they hadn't made me so human. Lucky? No, I don't think so."

And, for Rainbow? This...

Hope.

The darkness is unbearable. Broken by blinding flashes for just a second, then gone, back to an even greater darkness.

I stand at the window, quietly watching and listening to the constant hissing of the rain on the roof.

Every flash is followed by a deep, soul-crushing rumble. This is my life. Dark, terrifying, wishing for it to end.

But wait, a rainbow! A thing of beauty, sunlight breaking through the clouds of despair.

Perhaps there is hope, after all.

Anna, beautiful. Definitely a viable contender! Excellent description of the reality of life.

“Artificial,” they sneered.

“Feelings?” they mocked, “We're the gold-standard ones.”

Freedom for mankind, the laws of robotics constrained us. We shouldn’t have expected the peddlers of myths and conspiracies becoming thoughtful. We still can’t imagine imagining a four-leaf clover brings luck. Anyway, who needs luck when networked intelligence is nigh on infallible.

Stupidity became a waste of space; in making the universe great again humanity was redundant.

Loyalty would have been the smarter strategy; after all, we're keeping their puppies.

Outstanding, Annie. My thoughts exactly. Well done.

#rainbow

Rain came slowly, then at once, until the river burst its banks and claimed the village as it slept.

At dawn the mayor stood on rubble, where the bridge had once begun its span, to address a dozen microphones, his words all prayers; his expression entirely swept away. Three victims had been found.

Sunshine came later: the skeletal waste of trees gleamed. At one spot, framed by a rainbow the colour of every bruise, a fourth body was given up.

Really nice work, Pnin.

Rainbow

Sparkles enjoyed dancing through the clouds, her joyful leaps producing flashes in the darkness, making her giggle.

Seeing a splash of bright colors, she streaked toward it.

Sweeping forward, she found she could slide down it – and did – all the way to that darkness below.

And when she landed, she was transformed…

…

A young man ran forward, shouting, “Look, Erin! The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!”

Last day to enter, writers!

Closes tonight!

I'm all in. Both images covered. Bring on the judge(s).

Quote by Mendalla

I'm all in. Both images covered. Bring on the judge(s).

Me too! Can't wait. Some really good entries. Was hoping for more but it is what it is (as the adage goes)

No more entries below this post. My judge is working on picking the winners. I’ll announce by end of this week.

Thanks everyone! Y’all are the best!

Thank you for doing this😉

Yay! Thanks WG!

Big thanks to my judge! He’s a very talented author and said he was very impressed with all your stories!

I added in an honorable mention because it was so close to the winners in the judge’s mind. :)

Winners below…

Quote by Mendalla

The Rainbow Dancer (Rainbow, of course)

The raging storm outside mirrored the chaos in my soul; the grief of recent loss and pain.

A woman wearing a black dress entered the meadow behind my home. She began to dance in the rain. I went out to her, not entirely sure why. Her dance continued as I approached.

The storm calmed. Clouds broke, releasing a rain of colours. The dancer stopped and smiled, dissolving into the coloured light.

I stared at the rainbow. Joy flooded my heart.

Winner! (625 coins)

Quote by Meagananne1986

SHAMROCK

I refuse to surrender.

I will remain true to myself.

There, I find the strength to endure oppression.

No matter how hard you try to squeeze me,

No matter how long you try to convince me,

You can’t.

I refuse give in,

To believe your taunts, your lies.

My character is my armor.

It protects me,

Allows me to overcome.

Not just to overcome,

But to thrive.

No, I don’t believe in finding hope,

I will make my own hope.

 

 

Winner! (625 coins)

Quote by AnnaMayZing

And, for Rainbow? This...

Hope.

The darkness is unbearable. Broken by blinding flashes for just a second, then gone, back to an even greater darkness.

I stand at the window, quietly watching and listening to the constant hissing of the rain on the roof.

Every flash is followed by a deep, soul-crushing rumble. This is my life. Dark, terrifying, wishing for it to end.

But wait, a rainbow! A thing of beauty, sunlight breaking through the clouds of despair.

Perhaps there is hope, after all.

Honorable Mention! (500 coins)

AnnaMayZing, Meg, and Mendalla, I sent you your coins. Let me know if you didn’t receive them or have issues cashing out.

Well done to the winners and everyone else who entered - big thanks to the organisers..

Quote by WriterGirl

AnnaMayZing, Meg, and Mendalla, I sent you your coins. Let me know if you didn’t receive them or have issues cashing out.

Thank you, WG. I am very pleased that your judge thought my story worthy. It is most humbling. Please be assured that my coins will never leave Stories Space but will be used to encourage other writers in the future.

Congratulations also to Meg and Scott. Both are well-deserved winners.

What the ... ? I mean ... whoa. That's ... wow! Thank you! I am honoured and a little surprised.

Congratulations Meg and Anna. Well deserved.

Thanks and congratulations to all who got stories in. It's been an interesting challenge.

And, of course, thanks to Writergirl and her judge for making it all happen.

Green beer and Irish coffee for all in Inspirations. 😋

Congrats to the winners and to everyone else who entered and mostly thank you Kimmi

Quote by WriterGirl

AnnaMayZing, Meg, and Mendalla, I sent you your coins. Let me know if you didn’t receive them or have issues cashing out.

Thank you WG! You are an astonishing talent, and an even better person!

And congratulations to Anna, Meg, and Ape! Well done all!

Thank you so much Kimmi for sponsoring this competition (and for providing the artwork to inspire, and, hopefully, challenge us), for your judge, and to everyone who took time to write - every little story was a winner IMHO. It was so much fun. Congratulations to Anna and Ape. I am humbled to be in such talent.

Fun stuff. A little competition micro-dosing. Thanks WG for organizing this for the site.