Welcome back, fellow flashionistas.
Was it destiny that I should be hosting Round 73… or was it luck? You see, for reasons I won’t go into while there are children in the room, 73 is my lucky number.
So, while the slot machine is being serviced again, I thought I’d mash things up…
Your task this week is to select at random a print copy of a novel from your book shelf, and turn to page 73. Scan down to the first paragraph that does not begin with direct speech: e.g. ‘What’s direct speech?’ the writer asked in bewilderment.
Then use the first sentence / phrase in that paragraph as the opening to your story. You may change the name – especially if this is something like ‘Harry Potter’ – and / or gender of any character, and change the punctuation, if you wish.
Select a genre for your story from:
Crime
Romance
Mystery
Sci Fi
Comedy
HorrorGeoff
(If YOU have an idea for a future contest and would like to be guest host, please contact us.)
Special Challenge
Include one or more of these lucky items in your submission:
Amulet
Charm
Dip
Four-leaf Clover
Horseshoe
Number
Quarter
Rabbit’s Foot
Strike
Star
White Heather
If you complete the special challenge, please indicate so, and which item(s) you included. Our judge can decide if she wishes to take it into consideration or not.
And REMEMBER:
include the title of the novel from which you took you opening line, the genre you are using and, if accepting the Special Challenge, the lucky item(s) you’ve included. Also, don’t forget to give your entry a title.
*** NO FAN-FICTION, PLEASE, and NO USE of COPYRIGHT CHARACTERS ***
Judging this week is Microcosms 72 Judge’s Pick, Damhnait Monaghan.
All submissions should be a maximum of 300 words in length. You have until midnight, New York time (EDT) to submit.
*** If you are new to Microcosms, remember to check out the full submission guidelines. ***
All being well, results will be posted on Monday.
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