To win short story competitions, you need to pay attention to character development. Make your characters relatable and complex. Also, polish your writing style to make it clear and vivid.
As someone who loves reading novels, I don't have any real-time updates to answer your questions about the short story contest. However, you can follow the relevant novel websites or social media accounts to find out if they are holding a short story competition or essay contest and participating. Some novel websites would also regularly publish essay questions and competition requirements. You could read them carefully and participate in the competition if you met the requirements.
One popular one is the Young Writers' Award. It offers great opportunities for YA writers to showcase their talent. There's also the Teen Ink Contest, which gets a lot of entries each year. Both provide good platforms for young writers to get noticed.
Start with a unique and captivating idea. Make your characters relatable and the plot engaging. Pay attention to the language and keep it concise and vivid.
The British short story often has a strong sense of place. For example, many stories are set in the gloomy and atmospheric British countryside or in the old, cobblestoned streets of London. It also typically features complex characters with deep-rooted social and cultural backgrounds. Moreover, British short stories are known for their understated yet powerful emotions, where the feelings are subtly conveyed rather than being overly dramatic.
The origins of the British short story can be traced back to various sources. One origin lies in oral storytelling traditions in Britain. Folk tales, legends, and anecdotes were passed down through generations, which later influenced the written short story form. Another factor was the growth of periodicals in the 18th and 19th centuries. Writers began to contribute short fictional works to these publications, which helped to develop and popularize the short story genre in Britain.
Here are some recommended British short stories:
1. "The Signal Man" by Charles Dickens -This is a horror story about a railway signalman who has an unusual encounter with a ghost.
2. "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" by Arthur Conan Doyle -This is a short story in the Sherlock Holmes detective series, which tells how Holmes and Watson solve a strange murder.
3. "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. This is a classic horror story about how a family uses the mysterious power of a monkey's paw to fulfill their wishes, but the result is disastrous.
These short stories covered different topics and styles, suitable for readers who liked horror stories and mystery novels.
😋I recommend the following two novels to you:
1. League of Legends: Extreme Madman, written by the Wolf Moon Ancient Sword. This novel tells the story of a gaming genius who once dominated "DOTA" and returned to the competitive stage. It is worth reading.
2. If the author of "Dota Campus" was Hai Min, then he would choose Hai Min. The protagonist of the novel entered the school Dota world because of his loyalty. From then on, he began his growth in the school's Dota branch. It was very interesting.
I hope you like my recommendation. Muah ~