Monday 30 November 2015

#WEPFF- HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS that are out of this world!


December is the month of celebrations worldwide, below is a list of just a few. For this challenge, we want you to give your favorite celebration a Science Fiction twist. This month's judge is Alex J. Cavanaugh, author of the Cassa Series and Dragon of the Stars.

Winter Holidays Around the World


Diwali - Recently celebrated, Diwali is also known as the festival of light is celebrated at the start of winter in India, Nepal, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Fiji.

Hanukkah - Also known as Channukkah is a 'Festival of Lights'. One of the most important Jewish holidays.

Boxing Day - Also known as St. Stephen's Day, is celebrated the day after Christmas. On this day it is common to give gifts to the poor and needy.

Las Posadas - This is a traditional winter holiday celebrated in Mexico, Guatemala and Southern parts of United States of America.

St. Nicholas Day - This day is especially celebrated in Northern Europe on December 6. St. Nicholas was a protector of the weak against the rich and the strong.

St. Lucias Day - This is a winter holiday celebrated on December 13 in Sweden in honor of St. Lucia, who lived in the third century and is regarded as the patron of light.

Eid-al-Adha - This is a feast that is celebrated by Muslims, to commemorate Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, at the behest of God.

Kwanzaa - Literally meaning 'First Fruits', this has its basis on an ancient harvest festival of Africa which celebrates ideals like collective responsibility and work; self-determination; co-operation; purpose; creativity; faith; and unity.

Hogmanay - This is a Scottish word which means the last day of the year and is basically celebrating the New Year, according to the Gregorian calendar, in the Scottish way.

Japanese New Year - New Year celebration is one of the most major events in Japan. New Year's Eve is known as Omisoka in Japan. The Japanese spend a lot of time shopping and cleaning their houses in preparation for the new year. This symbolizes getting rid of the past and starting afresh.

For this month, we want you to take us out of this world, whether in a flash fiction piece, a non-fiction piece, a poetic interlude, maybe a photograph or an artwork with an otherworldly flavor and explanation for how it relates to the challenge. This time the sky's not the limit! Think on some of the holidays above and if you need more prompting, remember these are merely suggestions and in no way have to turn up in your entry.

Further prompts:

What if space travel was necessary?

- The world is succumbing to the abuse of its population, and flights to other planets occur regularly...or

- It's simply an opportunity to travel to other planets, say for vacation, a job opportunity, or because it's always been a dream, but you depart or arrive during the Holidays.

- How would you write a farewell scene that takes place on that special Holiday? It could be lovers, families, or friends that are departing.

- What if your job is the Entertainment Director of a new settlement? You have a diverse population, what would you do to celebrate the 'holidays' of the crowd or would you imagine an entire new celebration?

So, scriveners, use your experience, memories, or your out-of-control imagination to write a Holiday Celebration that is out of this World! Or a farewell that is of this world!

December 16 – 19
1000 words or less



Don't forget to share the Challenge!
Tweet one of these:

Do you have an idea for a Holiday celebration that's out of this world @DeniseCCovey & @YolandaRenee join us http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2015/12/wepff-holiday-celebrations-that-are-out.html #WEPFF

Flash Fiction a Holiday that's out of this world What planet would you visit?@DeniseCCovey & @YolandaRenee http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2015/12/wepff-holiday-celebrations-that-are-out.html #WEPFF


How would you celebrate the New Year in Space? Holiday Flash Fiction Challenge @DeniseCCovey & @YolandaRenee http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2015/12/wepff-holiday-celebrations-that-are-out.html #WEPFF



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33 comments:

  1. We celebrate Boxing Day in Canada, but it seems to have morphed into just another day off for most people. Looking forward to this challenge, since I like reading science fiction, flash or otherwise.

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    Replies
    1. We're so excited for the subject. Thanks, D. G. I cut my teeth on reading Ray Bradbury's work. So many options available.

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  2. This should be a fun challenge. Not sure what I'm going to write yet, but the wheels are turning!

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    Replies
    1. Hi L. G.
      I'm sure they are, aren't you about to release a novella on the subject of the holidays. Can't wait to see what you do with this one! Have fun!

      Delete
    2. Yeah, it comes out December 1st, which means it's already available in various parts of the world right now. It'll be out in about three hours where I live. I'm excited.

      And I'm sure I will have plenty of fun! Can't wait!

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  3. Oooh. My spirit is willing, but both the mind and the body are weak. I will see. I hope I can play again - and will certainly read and applaud. Loudly.

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  4. Hello E.C. The scope is wide. I hope your creative brain comes up with something. Sure to be amazing if it does!! Thanks for your support! :-)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much. The body and the brain really aren't behaving well at the moment, but I will see.

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    2. I wish you good health and happiness EC! Take care. :-)

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    3. I have found my missing big girl panties. I will be playing.

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  5. This should conjure up some great pieces.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It so will I'm sure! Can't wait to see what happens. :-)

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  6. Such a great prompt to end the year! Not able to really participate this time as I will be travelling. Will be scheduling a post, of course. I am not signing up straight away for that reason. My first time missing WEP... sigh...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not sure I will cope if you can't post. I hope you have great travels and remember to download the book. :-)

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    2. Thanks for the reminder! Fingers crossed for good connectivity all round :-)

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    3. And we have Desk49 signed up thanks to you!

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  7. Eu vim deixar um beijo,
    dizer que gostei muito
    do seu blog e também
    dizer que o estou seguindo.

    Siga o meu blog também,
    vai.

    Beijos e bom natal.



    .

    ReplyDelete
  8. Replies
    1. Hope you can join us Donna. It will be fun for sure. :-)

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  9. A fascinating prompt. I joined. Several ideas are already swirling around in my head.

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    Replies
    1. Olga. That's great! Can't wait for this challenge!

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  10. I got an email from Yolanda who said we should put our stories up. So, mine is up.
    Nancy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well done getting it up so early, Nancy. It helps with the commenting too! Great entry! I'm still smiling. :-)

      Delete
  11. Mine's up, and I've linked directly. I'm out of town a couple more days and will visit everyone through the weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Got it! Thanks, Donna, for being part of the fun! See you when you return, well, sort of. :)

      Delete
  12. I didn't send the DL last night, as I posted late but here it is if you want to link it directly. I'll be leaving the story up for several days anyway:
    http://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.ca/2015/12/far-future-tales-on-tamut-sci-fi-wep.html

    ReplyDelete
  13. I published my entry. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Published! Looking forward to reading what everyone wrote.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Well, I still have 4 more people to read and I've come to the realization that I was supposed to include Christmas in some manner. Sorry folks. Bringing forth vegetation on a dead planet was a tall order.
    Hehe,
    Nancy

    ReplyDelete

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