So I created a new writing game that isn’t the Survivor format, and this time I’m playing.  There are 16 competitors who will face off in a round robin format.  Each week is a 59 word story, so it should be a fairly low stress game. Three judges will pick a winner of each match-up, and the best records at the end will meet in a playoff.  It remains to be seen how the short format will affect the competitors, but I’m looking forward to it.

The first week we had to write about the end moments of a showdown between two people or two groups.  I was contestant #1 in this match-up.

Jason Carmichael checked his watch.

“This is it, folks!  Game one, Bulls ahead by one.  Carmichael with the ball, ten seconds left.  Jordan’s guarding.  He drives the lane!  Steps back, shoots…”

His words died out as the ball missed wildly.  He looked around.  “Foul?”

“Supper time!” Mom yelled.

Jason sighed, “Game two, Michael.  You’re going down,” then bounded inside.

MATTHEW: Right off the bat, a couple of tricky twist endings. I didn’t see #2 coming really, but I liked the way #1 felt more, because lord knows I’ve been that solitary kid playing by himself. WINNER: 1

ANDY: Ah, the world of sport. I feel the tension and the heat of battle a little more viscerally in #2. Enough for me to overlook “ponced”, anyway. But I warn you all: spelling errors will mean your doom in furture!!! So, #2.

NOVAK: Both stories do a nice job of taking an obvious conflict and turning it into something else.  Not the easiest task in 59 words.  Nice, clear storytelling in both.  I think story 2 had a bit more surprise to the twist, so it gets the edge from me.

Result v. Eric Schapp: LOSS (1-2)

Current Record: 0-1

Next Match-Up: Christina Pepper (1-0)