Requirements:

• Writers of all ages may submit. Winners are judged on the best stories.
• The subject matter should be appropriate for everyone, ages 9-99.
• There may be fewer than 55 words, but there may be no more than the limit. Hyphenated words count as one word, as do numbers when digits are provided (i.e., “one hundred twenty-seven” is three words; “127” is one word). Initials each count as a word (e.e. cummings would be three words); acronyms, such as MGM, would count as one word.
• Please follow the MLA format. Edit for errors.
• Titles are suggested, although not required, and should not exceed ten words in length. They are not included in the 55-word count.
• Entries should be typed in Times New Roman font and double spaced.
• Include the following: name, age, postal address, and email address.
• This contest is for fiction only: setting, characters, conflict, and resolution.
• Poetry and essays will not be considered.

Prizes:

• 1^st place: $100 and a one year subscription to Fine Lines
• 2^nd place:  $50 and a one year subscription to Fine Lines
• 3^rd place:   $25 and a one year subscription to Fine Lines
• Three Honorable Mention winners will each receive a one year Fine Lines subscription.

Cost: The first entry is $5 and $3 for each additional entry. Make all checks payable to Fine Lines or use PayPal.

All entries must be sent (emailed or regular mail) no later than December 31, 2010. They will not be returned. A winning story uses a minimum amount of words and tells a powerful message with the absence of fluff. The winning and honorable mention submissions will be printed in the Fine Lines spring issue. Email inquiries and entries to fine-lines@cox.net or send hard copies to: Fine Lines, 55 Word Contest, PO Box 241713, Omaha, NE 68124-5713.

Grades 4-12, College, and Adults

Click for a downloadable flier .doc
Flier in a .pdf

This is our eleventh year sponsoring Fine Lines creative writing summer camps for students of all ages. Join writers who add clarity and passion to their lives with the written word.
We will have fun with words, learn to play while developing poems-stories-essays, and discover creative corners of our minds that we did not know existed. Metaphorically, we will take our journal under a “shade tree” and talk together about issues that matter. We will swim around important “buoys” in our educational journeys. We will row a boat to a “lighthouse” that shows us our path through the fog. We will take our minds for a “jog” to the library. We will learn to write more, write faster, and write better. More than anything, though, we will create time to dream about our ideas and celebrate the power and beauty of words.

Where: Beveridge Magnet Middle School
When: June 14-18, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Beveridge Magnet Middle School is located at 1616 South 120 Street, Omaha, NE 68144-1687. Contact the school office if you have questions (402) 557-4000.
Cost: Make checks out to Fine Lines ($100/person/week). This includes the summer camp registration, a camp T-shirt, snacks every day, several guest speakers, and a yearly subscription to Fine Lines: a national, quarterly, creative writing journal for writers of all ages.

Camp Director: David Martin, fine-lines@cox.net, 402-871-3682
Fine Lines is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization – www.finelines.org
Send checks to Fine Lines, PO Box 241713, Omaha, NE 68124. PayPal is available.

Please see the attached flier for more information and a printable registration form.
Flier in a Word .doc

Flier in a .pdf

First Place

The Truth

By Marc Magisana,    Omaha, NE

The cards said murder. The old woman’s tarot readings were never wrong. To win the contest, I would need to kill. Who? She pretended not to know. Enraged, I beat the truth out of her. Her murder made me a famous writer. Now I’m framed: “Winner: First Prize Fiction Contest” hangs on my cell wall. (55)

Second Place

In Montana

By Marge Barrett,    Minneapolis, MN

By campfire light near Many Glacier, she snaps, crackles, pops. He strives to snuff out the flames, steaming water, sifting sand. Like paint pots in Yellowstone, they bubble, sizzle, while cedars crash and swans soar. Yet as fields seared in the fall, they spring up renewed, sip Beaujolais, curled together in Rising Sun’s fireplace lobby. (55)

Third Place

Toddler Turnabout

By Alberta Lee Orcutt,   St. Paul, MN

Chubby fingers clutch the peach to her mouth. Juice trickles down her chin and wrist on its way to her elbow, sugary orange passing through yesterday’s scratch and today’s dirt, finally sticking to the squirming kitten trapped between her knees. Then – the bolt! And Huntress drops the hallowed peach to devotedly stalk her panicked prey. (55)

First Honorable Mention

Spinach Salad

By Shawna Mayer,   Springfield, IL

Second Honorable Mention

Animated Acting

By Johnnye Gerhardt,   Omaha, NE

Third Honorable Mention

Rage Against Machines

By Angie Schendt,   Omaha, NE

Fourth Honorable Mention

Limitations

By Steve McKenna,  Albion, NY

]]> http://www.finelines.org/2010/04/winners-of-the-55-word-fiction-contest/feed/ 0 http://www.finelines.org/2009/11/messages-from-summer-camp-2009/ http://www.finelines.org/2009/11/messages-from-summer-camp-2009/#comments Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:51:23 +0000 Jeff http://www.finelines.org/?p=415 Messages from 2009 Fine Lines
Creative Writing Summer Campers

“Writing to some people is a joke. To me, it is my life. I have never
been in a place where I have felt so welcome, because of my talent.”
Ellen Garfoot

“I plan to keep on writing, because now, the words just flow in my
head. Before this camp, that did not happen. I think this experience
made me a better writer.” Mandie Livermore

“I enjoyed all the speakers, but I enjoyed most the two boys who played
a guitar and the piano. Their songs sounded like good poems put to
music.” Catie Doran

“This camp was the best experience I have had in a long time, because
not only did I enjoy it, but I could share my writing gift with others.”
Andrea Dai

“I was surprised how many jobs are connected to good writing techniques.”
Taylor Sutherland

“I enjoyed how the teachers at camp were always so energetic and
funny. I admire their passion for writing.” Falesha Jacobs

“Thank you so much for letting me participate in this inspiring camp.
I know that I will continue writing throughout the summer.” Lauren
Bexten

“I have come to writing camp for several years, now, and I want to
come back next time and learn even more about writing well. I am a
writer because writing is my born talent. I’ve been writing ever since
kindergarten. Second grade was when my writing skills skyrocketed. In
that class, I wrote at least 20 short stories. Writing is my life.” Gabby
Albeck

“I want to come back to writing camp again. Maybe, you should make
each camp last for two weeks each year, instead of just one. I am sad
that I never heard of Fine Lines and this camp before now. I am going
to try to write as much as I can for the rest of the summer.” Devin
Grier

“I never would have guessed how much writing I could put into my
notebook in five days of writing camp, and I never would have guessed
how much my writing hand hurts now.” Claire Lavender

“This week was so much fun. I really feel like I have learned a lot while
I was here. I have always loved writing. This writing camp showed me
how much I really love poetry.” Emilee Sloan

“Thank you so much for having this camp every summer. This was
my fourth year in a row, and this year I see how much my writing has
really grown. This year was the best year of the four. To be in a room
with a bunch of writers is a powerful thing. A sense of power is noticeable
when there are so many brilliant minds in one room. I always learn
so much here. Thank you. I think I learned over 100 new vocabulary
words this week.” Emma Vinchur

“I wish the camp could have been longer, but I want to thank you for
inspiring so many young people to write and value good communication.
This is a wonderful talent to have. I think it helps people learn, no
matter how old they are.” Carrie Wogeman

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this writing workshop.
Each time I attend, I discover something new. The first year of
camp, I began my script of Nutcracker Delights, which is now in its
third year of production. The second year gave way to some great ideas,
and I was prolific. This year was the biggest surprise. I created a children’s
picture book, and I have finished chapter 6. I don’t know how
long it will be. Thank you for letting me bring my dancers and perform
for your campers on the Beveridge stage. I look forward to next year’s
camp and the next and the next.” Julian Adair

“The talent and passion of the Fine Lines teachers are contagious. I am
thrilled to be infected by this group. I did not know what I could do
here when we started this week. I only knew this was a stop I needed
to make. I’m so glad I came. My growth is a newly planted seed, just
beginning to sprout. I’m so very excited.” Gretchen White

“I really appreciate all the instructors’ efforts at this writing camp. The
fact that so many young minds are here to be shaped by these passionate
instructors is truly amazing. We all have stories to tell, worlds to explore,
and lives to lead. Writing is so important to the world, and I am
glad you and the teachers are doing your part to encourage good writing
in both young and old alike.” Adam Young

“I have been coming to your camp for four years now, and it just keeps
growing and growing. When I first came here, I was in sixth grade. I
started my stories simply, like ‘One day, I was sitting on . . . .’ Now, I
write like this, ‘As my eyes awoke to the sounds of nature, the sun’s
rays smacked me in the face.’ I learned so much each year at writing
camp, so I will return next year, too. I found I love to write, and coming
to these camps helped me find that key.” Anne D’Souza

“I am a writer because I love words and putting them together to make
something bigger. Writing makes books, which are very important to
people everywhere. I like making a difference, and writing gets my
voice out into the world.” Katie Hollenbeck

“Growing up in a poor barrio, I saw so many things: violence, drugs,
abuse, robbery, and I also saw some beautiful things: the way people
talked with each other, cared about each other, and the stories they told.
I have so many plots bottled up inside me that I want to tell.” Marco
Bravo

“This week at camp has inspired me to open our home in an attempt to
start our own writers’ group. My wife and I want to encourage others to
‘write on.’ Thank you for your support, resources, intellect, and willingness
to listen and divulge.” Casey Horpedahl

“Fine Lines writing camp has opened me up to new opportunities like
learning about script writing and non-fiction. Fine Lines has also made
me see that other people my age have the same drive and passion for
writing as I do. Writing is integral to life.” Molly Misek

“I feel stuck until I get to writing camp, then a bridge is opened, and I
begin to see what it is about writing, sharing, and creating that hides in
my soul on every other average day. There is a great void that is filled
when I come and make time for Fine Lines and writing. It is my passion.”
Mindy Venditte

“I want to thank you so much for making this camp fun. I can’t imagine
how much time and effort it took to set it up. This experience totally
changed my writing habits. Now, I can write without having to think so
hard.” Amalia Hansen

17.2 Summer 2008

(David Martin is the Fine Lines Creative Writing Summer Camp Director.)

“All good things which exist are fruits of originality.” John Stuart Hill

Fine Lines creates summer writing camps for those young students of all ages who find peace in words. Our camps are places where writers of all abilitites share stories, essays, poems, and songs. These writing communities become a universe of combined wisdom in metaphor.

As “Woody” Gruber, one of our best camp story tellers, likes to say, “Each writer brings a candle of light and insight to the written page, and when those many sources of energy are united, they create a lighthouse that shines into the darkness and helps ‘those alone on ships at sea.’ Years ago, Arch Bishop Fulton Sheen used to have a television show called The Christophers, and his motto for each program was, ‘It is better to light just one candle than to curse the darkness.’ The most important thing writers can do is to light their candles by writing.”

************

A fox lopes across the gravel road, and a flock of geese head their “V” north, chased by the heat and humidity from the south. Dogs lie in the shade with their tongues hanging out. Patiently, hay bales wait to be picked up and placed in the barn. The wheat fields will soon become heavy with natural gold. Large, cumulous, thunder clouds heavy with tears of moisture loom on the horizon. A man walks down the road and thinks he could leave his troubles behind. Maybe, he should just move on down the line, searching for new dreams and adventures.

Campers have many ideas to write about in their journals.

************

Last year, when David Mainelli entered the room, he wore an open shirt and worn jeans. He yawned after taking a drink of coffee from a cup he held in one hand, while balancing a guitar case in the other. When introduced to the group, he walked to a simple, wooden chair in the middle of the room. Soon, he was surrounded by eager students, and they quieted down when he took his six-string instrument out of its case.

“Artists are uncomfortable human beings,” he said, as he rubbed more sleep out of his eyes. “I can’t remember ever playing in front of group before 9 a.m. No one should be expected to play before noon. The longest days are great metaphors for life, aren’t they?”

They looked at him and wondered what he meant, exactly. One girl wrote that last sentence down in her spiral notebook. A young boy started drawing his likeness on lined paper instead of writing down words.

“The blues come slowly, and the blues come fast. This guitar always talks to me. It is one of my best friends,” he said. “My best poetry comes from my gut. We are surrounded by pencils and pens, and there is so much ink in our world, but there is never enough time to find the right words to say what we mean. Don’t you agree?”

He held his head in his hands, thinking. As the guitar strap held the instrument over his shoulders, he took a long drink from his coffee cup.
Sitting close to him, a sixth grade girl said, “I like to sing, too.”

Slowly, a smile began to escape from his lips. He sat up straight in the chair, pulled the guitar into his hands and sang, “Boom, boom, boom. Bang, bang, bang,” and stopped.

The silence was loud. He asked the girl who said she liked to sing, “Now, what comes next?”

She said, “I don’t know. What do you think comes next?”

He smiled and said, “Writing songs is like writing poetry. We take the verses and put them with tunes to make music. Any kind of music is good for me. It helps me hear what I think. I know I have a good poem when I can sing it.”

The girl laughed. “I never tried to sing my poetry. That would be fun.”

He strummed the strings for a minute, then he said, “I write songs for those people I like. Once I open myself to words, they start to come easily. The more I write, the more words I find. I’ve written over 1,000 songs.

I play the piano, harmonica, drums, Congos, and I am teaching myself the violin. I have fourteen guitars in my house, and each one is like a different friend. The more I play them, the more I get to know my friends.

Usually, when I start to play an instrument, I feel like I do when I pick up a pen. The words start to flow.

Look out! The Beatles are saying, “Here comes the sun.”
“Here comes the sun, do do do do
Here comes the sun, and I say
It’s all right”

At the end of his one hour performance, he started to leave, but the young girl in front said, “Don’t go. Play one more song or three.”

He closed his eyes hard, while he thought of another one they might like. As more words escaped his mouth, his emotions emptied his soul with “Blue Suede Shoes,” “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You,” and “Mary, Mary.”

Then, as he stood up to go, he said, “All writers should turn their hearts on every morning with a song. It will help your writing, too. From Elvis to Eric Clapton to Jack Johnson, your heart and mind are affected by that other language called music. Find the music in your soul, and write that.”

************

Campers also write about the world and how to improve it. According to an Associated Press article, “The richest 2 percent of adults still own more than half of the world’s household wealth, widening a global gap between rich and poor.” James Davies, a professor of economics at the University of Western Ontario, one of the authors, said in a report by the World Institute for Development Economics Research:

• The richest 1% of adults, mostly in Europe and the USA, owned 40% of global assets.
• The richest 10% of adults accounted for 85% of assets.
• Any person who owns assets of $2,200 or more is in the top half of the world’s wealth distribution.
• Owning $500,000 of assets puts a person in the top 1%.
• Wealth in the USA averaged $144,000 per person.
• The bottom 50% of the world’s adult population owned barely 1% of the world’s wealth.

To use a title by Mary Pipher, we should use our “writing to change the world.” Let our words bring the light of understanding to our own corner of the world. Someday, our efforts and our writing might improve the world and help reduce its inequalities.

“It is not enough to have a good mind; the main thing is to use it well.” Rene Descartes