Enter the Crossroads Story Contest by Gotham Writers! Share your 50-word story about a pivotal choice for a chance to win exciting prizes. Submit by Nov 30!
About the Competition
From Les Miserables to The Road Not Taken and Casablanca, some of the most memorable stories revolve around heart-wrenching decisions. These narratives often center on characters standing at pivotal moments, faced with difficult choices that could alter the course of their lives. Such moments resonate deeply because they reflect real struggles and dilemmas we all encounter, making us wonder: What would I do in their place?
Stories about crossroads and crucial decisions capture our imaginations because they delve into the essence of being human. These tales remind us of our vulnerabilities, our dreams, and our fears. They highlight that moment when everything hangs in the balance, and even a small decision can lead to significant consequences. In this context, Gotham Writers invite you to explore the power of decision-making through storytelling.
Challenge
The challenge is simple yet profound: write a story, either inspired by real life or entirely fictional, in 50 words or less that captures the essence of a character standing at a crossroads. It’s about that pivotal moment of indecision, that split second where everything could change.
Your story should convey the weight of a choice, whether it’s small and humorous or deeply life-altering. This is your chance to explore how a single moment of decision can shape a character’s fate.
Examples of Crossroads Stories
Example 1: A Choice of Dresses
“Sapphire or cerulean?” Rose said.
“The difference?” Kathy uncrossed her legs and rolled over on the bed to consider the two dresses.
“Life-altering. If I don’t pick right, no one will dance with me and I’ll end up single and alone and sad forever.”
“Oh, well, in that case, cerulean.”
– Sam Dunne
This story captures a seemingly trivial choice but frames it with humor and drama, showing how even the smallest decisions can feel monumental.
Example 2: Life-Changing News
The pink plus sign, hovering in its little impersonal screen, seemed to extend in all directions, going nowhere. Her fingers trembled. It was like something had slammed behind her, stronger than the metal door to the office ladies’ room stall. Maybe being a mom wouldn’t be so bad, she thought.
– Emma Stephenson
Here, the protagonist faces a life-altering moment, where a new reality suddenly presents itself, and the path forward is uncertain yet filled with possibility.
Entry Requirements
- Write a story of 50 words or less.
- Must be original and unpublished.
- Limit one entry per person.
Registration Free
Entry is free.
Judgement Criteria
Entries will be judged based on originality, quality, spelling, and grammar.
Prizes
- The winning story will be featured on GothamWriters.com, and the winner will receive a free Gotham class of their choice (excluding premium classes).
- The winner will be notified by mid-December.
Why Enter?
This challenge is more than a writing exercise, it’s a chance to explore the powerful theme of decision-making in a creative way. Whether your story is based on a real-life experience or an entirely imagined scenario, it should encapsulate the tension and excitement that comes with making a choice.
Participating in this challenge allows you to:
- Sharpen your storytelling skills by writing with brevity and precision.
- Express your creativity through a powerful, compact narrative.
- Reflect on moments of choice, whether they’re humorous, heartbreaking, or suspenseful.
- Gain exposure if your story is selected as the winner and shared on GothamWriters.com.
How to Submit?
Interested participants can submit through this link.
Submission Deadline
The deadline for submission is 11:59 pm Eastern Time, Saturday, November 30, 2024.
