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Second Annual FPN Holiday Writing Contest


Titivillus

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Being for the benefit and edification of the Fountain Pen Network it is herewith and herein pronounced that a holiday writing contest shall begin Today and shall last until November 30. The contest shall be for any form of writing of a pleasing nature. The story must not have appeared anywhere else ( either print, verbal or electronic means) to be considered for the contest.

 

All entries shall be emailed or PMed to tytyvyllus and a poll to determine the winner shall be opened for 2 week after November 30. Unless there is a tie then another poll will be opened for an additional week.

 

The winner of this contest shall receive an exceptional prize along with a certificate of merit. The item was left by an exceptionally generous and mysterious benefactor in a box that has yet allowed ingress. We hope that by the end of the competition it will reveal it's suprise.

 

 

 

Thank you,

 

Kurt H,

Moderator The Write Stuff.

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Here is last year's winner:

 

"The Curiously Odd Shop of Little Old Things"

 

 

It was a cold December evening and he was walking fast along the quickly darkening street. The snow was settling softly on every immoveable object and several that had just stopped breifly. This would have been an idillic scene worthy of Mrrs. Currier & Ives but he was desperate to find a store open at this late hour where he could purchase a gift. As usual work had become busy after Thanksgiving and he’d no time to brave the mall or other big box store in search of the perfect present or at least one that would make due. So now he was walking down these city streets in hopes that something would catch his eye as well as be in a store that still was open. He was caught up short by a taxi at an intersection when he saw it. "It being a store as he obviously saw the taxi-ed.". It was down a little alley where he didn’t seem to remember seeing anything last time he had ventured out beyond the path from office to subway. It was a cheery green and red or at least must have been at one time for no one would intentionally paint a store the colors of rain beaten red and wind swept green. It said on the window, actually it was just written on the window no vocalizations occurred Yes I know it seems to be one of those shops that magically appears and splendiferous trinkets turn to puppies when open on Xmas morn. Well it might not so stop hoping-ed. E. R. Beckhamm and L. E.Tontemp, Purveyors of unusual artifacts OK, maybe it is one of those stores but he’s going to have to go in and find out- ed.’

My what a curious store he remarked to no one and slowly walked down the way hoping that the faded cardboard said open and not closed in the door. Luck was with him and OPEN to all was displayed so he tried the door and found it locked until pushing instead of pulling gave him ingress. He was met with the largest smile he had ever seen attached to the largest stuffed crocodile he had ever seen as well. Granted he had only seen one and it was in front of him now but still it was rather large. “I see you admire Matilda”, said a voice from somewhere near the back of the store,” she had a taste for timepieces and phalanges so we had to put her down.”

 

“Pity really as she was a most excellent watch animal, please excuse the little joke, Lucius Tontemp at your service”

 

“Hello I’m looking for a gift” said Tom yes his name is Tom. A curriculum vitae is available for the asking-ed

 

“Well my good man this is indeed the very location for you gifting perambulations” said Tontemp

 

“great I’m Looking for a..”

 

“No I’m keen to guess you are looking for……. A …A a aahh…..gift”

“well yes” replied Tom.

“And it is for a woman” , he said tapping or at least making some motion by his nose.”

“Yes for my wife”

“ Oh well then the interesting leather goods are right out” spoke Tontemps motioning away from a darker corner

“How about a set of Gutta perch gutter snipes excellent for use in holding needles, notice the details”

“No sorry my wife doesn’t sew”

“ Oh then how about a puzzle box, never been opened. Not really sure what’s inside but a very interesting Arabic detail”

“Maybe a mechanical heart guaranteed never to stop of course requires winding and a little bit of installation”

Tom blanched slightly at the thought of this last gift but at the same time was almost certain that Mr. E.R. had probably given L.E. one of these and he was standing in front of a quietly ticking man. I wonder how he goes on airplanes? Tom thought.

 

Lucius had taken this lull in the conversation to pull out a few trays of baubles. There were rings and chains and bracelets all in rows with little tiny white tags attached. What had caught his eye was a pen in a dark coral color near the back of one of the trays.

 

“What about the Pen there, Jane likes to write yes here name is Jane, same info. Available-ed Oh a lover of writing, a writer of word, a word smith, a listener to muses, a …”

“Yes the pen “ said Tom”, “ how much is the pen”

“That is a old and rare pen made in a limited number for very special people”, began Lucius . You knew Lucius was just beginning to rev up for a long history of the pen and manufacturer how all of the pieces fit together just perfectly. “ 5 pounds sterling”

 

“How does it write “ replied Tom.

“Mostly in the normal way you have to dip it in ink and then apply the pointy end here to a piece of paper” said Lucius slightly confused.

He said this while pulling out an old bottle of blue ink and began to work the lever and several small buttons on the side of the pen.

 

“ All instructions are included upon purchase” he said while finishing up the filling procedure as the pen made a slight whistling note.

 

Then with pen in hand he began to write the most elegant copperplate of which seemed a grocery list. Lettuce had never looked so beautiful.

 

“And with an adjustment “ Lucius said while twisting the cap. Tomatoes was written in a gothic of german proportions. “ It has seven settings including cursive, Kanji and Unical but I have always gotten tired doing those little animals”

 

Tom stood there amazed and asked if he could try. He tried to remember a pangram and as he wrote the fox was quickly becoming a beautiful mass of angled script. This was in the hands of a person who could not read his own writing. In fact several people had assumed that he was trying to get a Biro started rather than write out detailed instructions.

 

“I’ll take it”, nearly yelled Tom thinking of the surprise on Jane’s face. Payment was exchanged and Tom walked to the subway with a rather stouter package then he had imagined.

 

 

The next morning with a smile almost as large as Matilda’s he presented his love with the package and was horrified to find that it contained a black plastic nib holder, selection of nibs and book "Calligraphy made exceptionally easy for dummies".

 

Tom now spends his lunch hour since combing the city for that alley and that store but has never seen it since.

 

so yes it was one of those shops but the owners had a twisted sense of humor-ed

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yes, that's right. :lol: :roflmho: a very good writer, that person is, yes, we thinks so. Right, Precious?

 

oh, wait a minute... one question. Will i be able to share whatever i wrote with anyone else after the contest? Thanx.

Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost.

 

Begun, the Spam Wars Have.

How to Be a Perfect Lady: according to the media - a satire

The Adventures of Chewie

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Are there any minimums or limits for the word count of a story? Thanks.

No limits except this has to be an original work that has not appeared elsewhere.

 

 

K

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Is it open to dogs? It's just that my dog recently wrote an account of his holidays (on the Canals Of Britten [sic.]). It is published - but rather privately, on my own website. He'd be dead chuffed.

 

Nick

Boozo Ergo Sum

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Being for the benefit and edification of the Fountain Pen Network it is herewith and herein pronounced that a holiday writing contest shall begin Today and shall last until November 30. The contest shall be for any form of writing of a pleasing nature. The story must not have appeared anywhere else ( either print, verbal or electronic means) to be considered for the contest.

 

All entries shall be emailed or PMed to tytyvyllus and a poll to determine the winner shall be opened for 2 week after November 30. Unless there is a tie then another poll will be opened for an additional week.

 

The winner of this contest shall receive an exceptional prize along with a certificate of merit. The item was left by an exceptionally generous and mysterious benefactor in a box that has yet allowed ingress. We hope that by the end of the competition it will reveal it's suprise.

 

 

 

Thank you,

 

Kurt H,

Moderator The Write Stuff.

Here is a pic of the bespoke Moleskine reporter that is the prize for this years competition.

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Well, after reading last year's winner I am totally disheartened at even attempting to make an entry. The last writing I did in a creative vein was done some thirty-six years ago or so while still attaining a higher education. Since that time most of my writing has been limited to the stuff of everyday life. To keep the creative juices flowing the brain must be exercised like the rest of the body must be execised to stay toned. Since I'm basically a lazy individual exercising my brain will probably go as well as my regular exercise routine. Good gosh, it's just got to be pile of mush like the rest of me!

"Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt. Dance like nobody's watching." Satchel Paige, Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher

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oh, wait a minute... one question. Will i be able to share whatever i wrote with anyone else after the contest? Thanx.

 

I was wondering about that also.... An Idea popped into my head today that would make a fun story..... but I would like to share it with some other people just befor Christmass.....

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oh, wait a minute... one question. Will i be able to share whatever i wrote with anyone else after the contest? Thanx.

 

I was wondering about that also.... An Idea popped into my head today that would make a fun story..... but I would like to share it with some other people just befor Christmass.....

I guess the idea is that the story would be written for this contest and not be a re-cycle from another place.

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I guess the idea is that the story would be written for this contest and not be a re-cycle from another place.

 

I wrote a story for this contest, but after the contest is over, I wanted to post it in another forum. :D

 

I just finished writting it tonight, but I'll take a few days to make sure I have it exactly how I want it.......

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... and shall last until November 30.

 

All entries shall be emailed or PMed to tytyvyllus and a poll to determine the winner shall be opened for 2 week after November 30.

Four Days left to submit your writing to the FPN Holiday Contest.

 

So get your stuff emailed or PMed to me

 

 

thanks

 

K

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I sent mine. Don't know if it will show up in time. :(

Uh sorry that I have a life outside of FPN and just looked at my mail :lol:

 

your submission was 8 hours ago and it will soon be in the list. :ltcapd:

 

 

K

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excuse me, where's the list?

I seem to recall reading Ray's entry, "Dear Santa", but I can't find it on FPN any more

 

<cue "Twilight Zone" music>

 

:unsure: :unsure:

It is still there I unpinned the stories as I pinned the voting that will begin Friday

 

Kurt

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