This week we have regular Microcosms participant, Meg Kovalik, hosting the competition.
I don’t know about you guys, but whenever I check in on current affairs at the moment I feel like I’m caught up in some elaborate publicity stunt for the latest Dystopian YA franchise. Between rampant xenophobia, deadly riots, government doublethink, and summary executions by friend and foe alike (sometimes even by robots!) it can be hard not to fall into a mire of fear, rage and existential dread.
I’m sick of it. This week I would love to see stories about finding hope and joy in a world of chaos. Whatever the genre I want a story of personal redemption, where your character rejects fear for compassion – and inspires others to follow suit.
People have always used storytelling to make sense of the world around them. Let’s gently guide the conversation towards the light.
As usual, our contest will begin with three things: character, setting (disaster), and genre.
We spun, and our three elements are character: Artificial Intelligence, setting: Political Rally, and genre: Steampunk.
Write a story using those OR feel free to spin a new set of your own. Be sure to include which three elements you’re using.
- Extremist
- Hardline Politician
- Artificial Intelligence
- Shock Jock/Political Pundit
- Police Officer
- Persecuted Minority Figure
- Bystander
- Grieving Parent
- Child
- Journalist
- Political Rally
- Riot
- Marketplace
- Press Briefing
- Televised Debate
- Hostage Situation
- Military Checkpoint
- Abandoned Village
- War Zone
- Headquarters
- horror
- adventure
- sci-fi
- steampunk
- mystery
- fantasy
- romance
- drama
- comedy
- poem
Judging this week is Microcosm 28 judge’s pick, Stephen Shirres.
All submissions should be a maximum of 300 words in length. You have until midnight, New York time to submit. Results will be posted on Monday.
If you like, you may use the following picture to inspire you (not required).
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