Writing outside the box

Recently we discovered Figment, an awesome website for writers. Part of the fun at Figment is the contests and in the last few weeks I've tried 3 genres that I never would have tried on my own. First up was Dystopia and this week there was a double whammy- a Scifi about a Utopian Society and a Steampunk Romance. None of those really fit in my comfort zone, but I decided to go for it anyways, and I have to admit, it was a lot of fun! None of these pieces are the best writing I've done, but writing outside the box has really helped me to look at my writing a different way, as well how I can fit in my personal likes into different genres.

So, you want to read the short stories right? Here are links to the Utopia Scifi and Steampunk Romance.

Princess of St. Louis
Steampunk Romance Entry
Blurb:
The Defenders of Man have been around for centuries, persecuting the wicked for their offenses against… mankind. 17 and beautiful, Alessandra is the Princess of St. Louis and just one more soldier in a long line of Defenders. Now she must bring one man to justice while honoring her duty and following her heart


Perfect Peace
Utopian/Scifi Contest Entry
Blurb:
Everone is happy here. Everyone has their personal environment that changes with their every whim, their… every desire. Everyone's days are perfect, so long as no one gets to close, so long as no one breaks that perfect peace.

Dystopia Contest with Lauren Oliver at Figment!

There is a fabulous contest going on over at Figment right now as part of AASL month. Each week in April, they are announcing a new contest prompt in a different genre of creative fiction, and this week it’s dystopia. The best part? The judge is Lauren Oliver- who we love! I know that I am reminded while doing edits to think "What Would Lauren Do?"

This Weeks Prompt (from Figment):

Write a short story or poem in less than 750 words in which two people meet and have a connection (romantic or not), in a society where human interaction is shunned.

Of course, we entered. Here's a little taste of what we wrote! To read our entries in their entirety, just follow the links!

Kate
Title: Silence
Blurb: In a world where the ability to hear is regulated by the Committee of 5 in order to create less distracted… workers, 16 year old Celine Anaprise is alone with the sounds that are witheld from all the other students in her generation. Until her secret is discovered and she must trust mysterious new student Jared to help her survive. Together they uncover the secrets of the Committee and just might change the world.

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Sara

Title: The Road

Blurb: On a road where students walk in single file and are only allowed to interact with those on your approved… list, a young girl's world could change in a single moment. Is the world really as she thought or is there something more?

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Georgia

Title: Beyond The Tree Line

Blurb: Mira has always lived life according to The Council's rules, until one day she starts having dreams of a possible life outside the barrier, beyond the tree line.