Richard Brautigan was a poet who weaved together few words to give the reader a punch in the gut. His ability to incorporate sarcasm and bitterness made him quite the facetious writer. He has inspired me to write many things, but most of all, his style has taught me the impact of brevity.
Brevity is an important thing when you write poetry. I for one admire people who can say so much in so few words. With all this said, I'm going to go along with the theme of the last contest and see who can learn what from this writer.
The goal of this contest is to learn. There is no point to writing if you can't spread your wings a little, eh? So, again, I'm going to ask everyone to leave their shells or their boxes and experiment with writing a bit.
The point: Read Richard Brautigan. Read of his life. Read his work. The key to most of my contests are to read. after all, we never stop learning. From your readings, I would like you to:
1. use Brautigan's style to write something of your own (brevity being the key-- combine your style with his)
OR
2. write a piece in any style, albeit article, poem, or story, about Brautigan's life.
I would prefer to see more of option one than two. However, I would not be opposed to see articles or criticisms on Brautigan or his works. The main goal is to convince me that you have learned something.
OK, as for the rules...
1. Use enough correct English so that I don't assume that your ignorant. (i.e. use spell check, no chat talk, etc)
2. I don't care if you curse or not.
3. I don't care if you comment on others work or not. However, remember this is a learning experience. Who knows, you might learn something. AND... considering that these contests (ones in which take effort) usually only attract the more seasoned writers, you might find someone you enjoy reading. But, hey, it's up to you.
4. HAVE FUN! Learning is enlightening. Who knows-- perhaps you'll adopt a new style of writing.
And for the bribery part:
1st place - 700 points
2nd place - 250 points
3rd place - 150 points
Two honorable mentions.
I will have the points by the end of the contest. No worries. The points are subject to increasing, depending upon how many points I can make in the next few weeks.
good luck and have fun!
Brevity is an important thing when you write poetry. I for one admire people who can say so much in so few words. With all this said, I'm going to go along with the theme of the last contest and see who can learn what from this writer.
The goal of this contest is to learn. There is no point to writing if you can't spread your wings a little, eh? So, again, I'm going to ask everyone to leave their shells or their boxes and experiment with writing a bit.
The point: Read Richard Brautigan. Read of his life. Read his work. The key to most of my contests are to read. after all, we never stop learning. From your readings, I would like you to:
1. use Brautigan's style to write something of your own (brevity being the key-- combine your style with his)
OR
2. write a piece in any style, albeit article, poem, or story, about Brautigan's life.
I would prefer to see more of option one than two. However, I would not be opposed to see articles or criticisms on Brautigan or his works. The main goal is to convince me that you have learned something.
OK, as for the rules...
1. Use enough correct English so that I don't assume that your ignorant. (i.e. use spell check, no chat talk, etc)
2. I don't care if you curse or not.
3. I don't care if you comment on others work or not. However, remember this is a learning experience. Who knows, you might learn something. AND... considering that these contests (ones in which take effort) usually only attract the more seasoned writers, you might find someone you enjoy reading. But, hey, it's up to you.
4. HAVE FUN! Learning is enlightening. Who knows-- perhaps you'll adopt a new style of writing.
And for the bribery part:
1st place - 700 points
2nd place - 250 points
3rd place - 150 points
Two honorable mentions.
I will have the points by the end of the contest. No worries. The points are subject to increasing, depending upon how many points I can make in the next few weeks.
good luck and have fun!
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on November 9
- Rewards: Gold: 700, Silver: 250, Bronze: 150, Honorable mention: 5 people
- Final notes: This was the hardest contest that I have ever judged. I was lucky to have four other people help me judge. One was a member whose condor I respect. thank you justplainwaynethen. Two were high school literature teachers and family members. The third was a dear old friend of mine who teaches creative writing and literature at a nearby university.
They all enjoyed the plethora of creativity that you all unleashed in your writing.
I was honestly amazed by all the entries. Thank you all for entering, and I do hope that you learned a bit
The top three winners were chosen because they either incorporated Brautigan's style or life story with their own style.
Thank you again for all your entries! Be looking for the next learning contest. We're thinking Anne Sexton next!
Contest Winners
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by Night Hope 62 lines, 9 comments, on Oct 7 1:56 PM. In Contest, Contemporary, Life, Love, Nature, Sad, Spiritual, Inspiration, Hope
Bronze trophy winner
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I lingered too long ...by waydownuponjoy 15 lines, 12 comments, on Oct 7 6:36 AM. In Contest, Contemporary, Thoughts, Life, Love
Honorable mention
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by Emmyb 17 lines, 31 comments, on Oct 26 4:17 PM. In Love, Adult, Life, My own style, Romance, Freewrite, Contemporary Honorable mention
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"so the wind won't blow it all away...Dust...American...Dust".
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fly like a charcoal butterfly• Viewed by judge. [remove]
Gold trophy winner
Silver trophy winner
Entries [15]
1 - 15 of 15
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• Commented on by judge.
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the old sailor stands
on the bare headland• Viewed by judge. -
To the North again.
In that glacial climate• Viewed by judge. -
He writes me. He’s sixteen
and likes my poetry.by fanniesson 10 lines, 8 comments, on Oct 7 4:43 PM• Commented on by judge.
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Comments
1 - 19 of 19
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bookmarked, for sure. love brautigan.
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can't wait to see what comes of it
have fun!
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probably something along the lines of semen and mass genocide lol
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as it should be LOL!
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i love Richard Brautigan's poetry. will see if i can write someting
~ Nicolette
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I generally have a hard time writing to prompts but I wanted to encourage your view about reading other poets. Sometimes I feel this sight is like a crowd of kids all shouting at the same time with nobody listening. I am as guilty as the next. Seems there is no shortage of poets, more a shortage of audience members.
Read Braudigan years ago when I was a drug crazed hippie. Will have to go back and see what he had to say now that i am older. Thanks for the tip.
I like you background also. -
Use enough correct English so that I don't assume that your ignorant
That's "you're". Tee hee hee
(Good contest - it has attracted some good poets)
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that is hilarious. I wrote out this contest three years ago. I didn't really reread it. Just copy and paste. Thanks for the laugh
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Too bad ...
you aren't taking prewrites. -
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I've done this contest before. That's why I'm not taking prewrites. Plus, how would I know that you learned anything new if it was prewritten? It would lose the value of what this contest is really about.
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NOOOOOOOO I WROTE SOMETHING
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i'll open it for another week. I had four other people ask to do so.
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yayyyyyyyyy
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Well, thanks for taking such consideration! I don't envy your job!
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Thank you for hosting an inspiring contest and for the bronze. Congratulations to Scott, Budart and to all who entered. Ooohhh, Anne Sexton??? I'll be there, with bells on. 
Be well, Poets and Scribes. 
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thank you
I appreciate how seriously you took judging this contest. Not enough people do that. -
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i appreciate how serious the contestants took the contest. I reciprocate effort. So, thank you all!
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Thanks so much for the Gold - I am honored to know that I was able to capture the voice of Richard Brautigan, my favorite poet. You had some great entries, and that makes it even more of an honor to have stolen the trophy
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Thanks so much for an HM and for hosting such a great contest.
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