Tell A Story To Me, And Win 5 SBD! Writing Contest #2 & Winners – Poetry/Prose – Theme Overpopulation

calluna (63)in #contest • 6 years ago (edited)

Tell A Story To Me,
Oh The Endless Possibility,
Let Your Imagination Run Free
And Maybe Win Some SBD!

Welcome to Tell Me A Story I was so blown away by the amazing quality of stories in the first contest, some astounding stories, and I can't wait to see what you have for me this time. Thank you all so much! Please upvote and resteem to get the word out there!

The Winners

In some ways, this was nearly an impossible choice, such heartfelt, elaborate stories, I feel so honoured you all took the time to tell them to me. So without further ado

First Place - Winning 5 SBD - @tygertyger

A truly breath taking start to what could only be an epic. Reading this, I couldn't help but think of the Stainless Steel Rat, a character who started in a small story like this, and rapidly grew in to a series. The world created here feels real, there is sincere depth and consideration for detail that makes the story a delight to read. I can't wait until the book comes out!

Second Place - Winning 3 SBD - @dirge

This is such a well constructed and skilled piece, I loved the concept of Utopia being a planet where the dead live out their days in joy, and I really loved where you went with it. The use of repetition was fantastic, and I loved the tag line for this story - It didn't matter, so long as he was dead...

Third Place - Winning 2 SBD - @surelyyoujesst

This tale of a young girl, growing up to follow in her fathers footsteps, to Utopia is incredible. This really had me hooked, it was very well put together, and I really loved the ending, and the way the story unfolded getting there.

Honourable Mentions

I really wish I could have given out more prizes, there were so many amazing stories, this was the only way I could chose three! So in no particular order:
@laurentiu.negrea with This amazing concept of how you get to Utopia
@mervin-gil with This incredible exploration of the multiverse and the subjectivity of Utopia
@iamthegray with This fantastic write about the subjectivity of Utopia
I also really appreciated these two, This by @cheekah and This by @jacksondavies - some really impressive stories, I loved the added aspects of realism
Finally we had some amazing poems, but these two really stood out, This more experiential poem by @ini-martin and This wonderfully write by @neenarose

Round Two

Rules

1. One Entry Per Person
2. Prose, poetry, any form of fiction is accepted, as long as you tell me a story
3. Your opening line or title must incorporate the prompt
4. Entries must be submitted by the time this post pays out (7 days from now - the winner will be announced a few days later)
5. Work must be your own
6. One picture only please, additional images of text are fine, but I want you to tell me a story with words, so only one actual image
7. First Place wins 5SBD (If we get enough entries, there will also be a second and third place, currently at 2 and 1 SBD)
8. Upvote this post, and resteem (not resteeming won't get your entry disqualified, but resteeming is very much appreciated to help get the word out there)
9. I don’t really want to specify a length, aim for under 3,000 but if it goes a little over, don't worry
10. Post a link to your tale in the description

The Prompt

You must incorporate the prompt in either your opening line, or title. It must be featured in it's entirety, although you can make this part of a longer sentence.

“They thought they had found the solution to overpopulation…”

This is another favorite scifi topic of mine, and I am very excited to read the next set of entries. Some of my favorite tales on this topic are 2 B R 0 2 B by Kurt Vonnegut, This Crowded Earth by Robert Bloch and Soylent Green by Harry Harrison.

I am looking to hear the tale of a state, country, planet or organisation, who believes, or believed, they have found a reasonable way to keep the population at a steady level.

If you are looking for more ideas, some of the questions I have pondered on, that you may want to answer include:
- How did over crowding become such a problem?
- Does everyone agree this is a solution?
- Does it require enforcing?
- Who came up with the solution? Are they still around?
- Why is your character telling the story?

I am really looking forward to reading your entries.Good luck, and don't forget to include a link in the comments!