This year, spin a yarn as long as the Rio Grande (in 99 words, that is) to be a contender in a Western-themed Folk Tale or Fable event of the Carrot Ranch Writing Rodeo!
Yours truly is the leader for this event, so saddle up, round ‘em up, and write those words for a shot at winning a $25 Amazon Gift Card and your work immortalized at https://CarrotRanch.com/
How do you participate?
SIMPLE! Write ONE original folk tale or fable in 99 words. Exactly 99 words (not including title and byline) *Don’t publish the piece anywhere until after the contest is completed (The end of November, 2020) because we want the blind judging to be fair and uninfluenced.
Is there an entry fee? NO, Cowfolk! No Entry Fee!
Can I enter more than one story? No, one only. Sorry.
Deadline? All entries must be wrangled and submitted to me by noon EST on Tuesday, 13 October, 2020.
Do I have to be a published writer to enter? NO, Cowfolk! All are welcome to try their hand at writing a western folk tale or fable in 99 exactly words.
What if my story’s word count reaches 101 words? EDIT it to 99 words, my friend, before you submit your entry. The story must be 99 words (not counting the title and byline) to qualify. I know, I know. It’s a challenge to convey what you wish with brevity. You can do it!
Need inspiration? Check out the adventures of Pecos Bill and Paul Bunyan. Real life characters like Wild Bill Hickcock, Jesse James, Calamity Jane, and Doc Holiday provide fodder. Or re-imagine real-life happenings, like the shoot out at the OK Corral or the gold rush. Native American culture is another rich source of inspiration. Or mosey on to something western-themed in these modern times.
*Any genre, as long as you keep the western feel. Stretch your imagination, mind the word count, and lasso something great!
Ready to saddle up? Submit to kerrylizblack@gmail.com (subject line Rodeo Entry)!
Winner for this event will be announced on Tuesday, 3 November, 2020.
Meet the Judges:
Debra R Sanchez is an award-winning bilingual author and editor-in-chief at Tree Shadow Press. She leads various writing groups, hosts writing retreats, teaches workshops at conferences, and has been judging poetry and short story contests since 2010. Four of her books have earned awards from The Author Zone (2017, 2018, 2020), and her other writing has won awards at writers’ conferences in numerous genres. Several of her plays and monologues have been produced and published. Other works have been published in literary magazines, newspapers, and anthologies. Visit www.debrasanchez.com for more details. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter @DebraRSanchez.
Beverly V. Blickenderfer is an award-winning Western Pennsylvanian writer and photographer. Her short works have appeared in Gannet Publications, and she’s written a novel and a children’s book. The writing influences of this avid reader are many and diverse, but her literary hero is Victor Hugo’s Jean Valjean.
Need an example for inspiration? Here’s something I whipped up.
Rattlehog, – told in 99 words
Written by Kerry E.B. Black
Jeb rushed into camp, eyes wild, mustache bristled. “A creature talked to me!”
We eased him into a seat and handed him a whiskey.
“A groundhog, but…” He bolted the whiskey and tapped for more. “Stood waist-high, wise-eyed as a Granny’s, lower half a rattler’s.”
“Was it trapped,” I asked. “Or bit?”
“No, listen. It talked, quiet as a breeze. Said, ‘Better clear out. Something bad’s aboutta happen.’ I asked what, but it lowered itself to the grasses.”
I scoffed, but Ed packed his things, saying, “If a Rattlehog says get, you get.”
A plains fire started that night.
October 6, 2020 at 2:26 pm
Reblogged this on Carrot Ranch Literary Community and commented:
Join Kerry E.B. Black for this week’s Rodeo Contest!
October 6, 2020 at 2:30 pm
A rattlehog! That gives me chills, though the critter seemed to have saved lives. Great example for folklore and fables. Thank you, Kerry, and your fine judges!
October 6, 2020 at 4:03 pm
What a great example. Great writing, Kerry! I’m rebologging on Always Write.
October 6, 2020 at 4:05 pm
Reblogged this on Marsha Ingrao – Always Write and commented:
Saddle up cowpokes, the 99-word Rodeo Contest starts NOW! It’s going to be legendary.
October 6, 2020 at 10:23 pm
Ohhh, this sounds brilliant! I love it, Kerri! ❤
October 7, 2020 at 11:30 am
Reblogged this on Norah Colvin and commented:
Here’s the first weekly Carrot Ranch Rodeo Flash Fiction Contest for 2020 – a Western Folk Tale or Fable in just 99 words. What could be easier than that, right? Just write.
October 7, 2020 at 12:13 pm
Thank you!
October 7, 2020 at 7:59 pm
Go Kerri!
October 7, 2020 at 9:43 pm
Reblogged this on Word Craft ~ Prose & Poetry and commented:
Who’s ready to join the rodeo? All you have to do is to Write ONE original folk tale or fable in 99 words. Exactly 99 words (not including title and byline). Read the rest of Kerry Black’s post! It’s time to get your rodeo on!
October 7, 2020 at 10:00 pm
Kerry, where do they submit the stories?
October 8, 2020 at 5:40 am
Submit to kerrylizblack@gmail.com (subject line Rodeo Entry).
October 8, 2020 at 7:01 pm
Should I be doing that as well? I set up the submission form??
October 11, 2020 at 6:35 pm
Sending an email!
October 8, 2020 at 10:11 am
kerrylizblack@gmail.com with subject line writing rodeo for submissions
October 8, 2020 at 7:00 pm
Perfect. Thanks, friend. ❤
October 8, 2020 at 3:14 pm
Hi Kerry
My FF is in! (emailed to you)
Enjoyed exploring and writing the FF. Thanks very much!
Saifun.
October 13, 2020 at 7:05 am
Thank you to everyone who reblogged this! It helps to get the word out! I appreciate you!
And thank you to all of our entrants. You sure put your minds to work and came up with some great material! Look for the results on Tuesday, 3 November at Carrot Ranch (and here!)
Now, we have to check out the next #2020CarrotRanchWritingRodeo event hosted by Colleen Cheseboro! I hope to read your words there, too!