Winners - #WEP August 2022 Challenge #Moonlight Sonata

 What an amazing group of entries for Moonlight Sonata. Dazzling, heartbreaking, poetic, and educational while fully entertaining. Was it the imaginative, artful prompt? The selection of music? Or just the superbly talented writers who participated? All of it, of course! This is why the WEP challenges are such fun, but so very hard to judge.

Thank you, everyone, for your excellent entries:

Here's a round-up of the entries posted :

Taglines: Moonlight Sonata

Shannon Lawrence - Tagline: Sometimes you need to get away for a bit to find some peace.

Jamie - Tagline: An unanticipated kiss fails, revealing a crush.

Lenny Lee - Tagline: Beethoven writes a poem for his lover in the form of a sonata.

Nila Bose - Tagline: Shining on empty.

Olga Godim - Tagline: Moonlight and music combine in mysterious ways.

Debbie D - Tagline: Who was that mysterious pianist? 

Bernadette Braganza - Tagline: Judge furniture by its soul, not age.

L G Keltner - Tagline: Even in dark times, music can provide the light you need.

Jemi Fraser - Tagline: The ability to create music, our species' most redeeming quality?

Denise Covey - Tagline: There are more things that nature has wrought than humans can ever imagine.

N. R. Williams - Tag line: When life is stressful, time off is everything.

Pat Garcia - Tagline: The Power of Touch.

J. Q. Rose - Tagline: Romance and danger in a moonlight stroll through a college campus.

Renee - Tagline: Moonlight thrall or real-life goddess?

Damyanti Biswas - Tagline: So unguarded in repose.

Michael Di Gesu - Tagline: Noir, party time, dead body time.

Roland Clarke - Tagline: As relationships are rekindled, an all-women squadron reforms in Ukraine.

Christopher Scott - Tagline: This is the price for inspiration.

Naughty Netherworld - Tagline: The Birth of Luna.

Kalpana Misra - Tagline: Why don't these parents call the police when their child goes missing?

J Lenni Dorner - Tagline: Did your parents fear you would be kidnapped by the government at birth?

Michelle Wallace - Tagline: This was not the re-connection I had hoped for.

Sonia Dogra - Tagline: The Call of the Past.

Mary Aalgaard - Tagline: Mother Nature calms the Night Terrors.

Hilary Melton-Butcher - Tag Line: Allow Family Time ...

Shortlist

So many great entries. We had such trouble whittling down our choices. On our first pass, we chose Mary, Bernadette, Jamie, Michelle, Pat, Michael, Ornery Owl, JLenni, Shannon, Debbie, Hilary, Lenny, Nancy ... 

Before Nick Wilford gets our final list, each of us defends our individual choices. And this time, we wanted to share those words that flipped between emails as we justified our choices:

"The twist was spectacular."

"Best twist ever!"

"Her words were lyrical."

"Brilliant use of the prompt and packed a great punch."

"Compelling use of the prompt and a super engaging story. I loved how she stripped the music back to its essential vibrations and combined so many sweeping themes - love, war trauma, healing, disability - into this compassionate, lovely flash."

"A nuanced flash about the effects of colonization. Maybe I connect with his stories because of my country's history."

"Great imagery, and something anyone who has struggled with night terrors or anxiety can relate to."

"She took the prompt in an unexpected direction."

"I enjoyed hers best with the prelude, the pictures, the gripping, evocative narrative."

"He is so great with his descriptions and setting the scene. I'm envious."

We all agreed that this was one super splendid challenge. I can't remember when I last enjoyed this level of reading pleasure all around. Beat all expectations this prompt has!

There are more superb entries for every challenge than winners' places. So don't be disheartened if your name isn't there this round. Maybe next time. Keep writing! Who knows? You could be the winner of the next challenge.

Commenting

Thank you to all those who comment widely, especially those who read and comment even when they do not have an entry in the ring or are unwell. Commenting is super important to us both as feedback towards the improvement of writing craft and as a communication channel for community building.

Sadly, this month as in months past we've had commenting issues. No one's quite sure what is going on, but it is not just a WordPress/Blogger issue. Please check the comments on the WEP post where we posted comments that wouldn't take on blogs. 

Please note that due to incessant spamming issues, we have had to keep comment moderation on. So your comment may not show up right away, but we will get to it soonest possible. We value your comments, please keep them coming.

Critique Prize

The winner of each Challenge has an opportunity to get a critique prize from professional editors/published writers – our sidebar displays the prizes for 2022. If the winner has no manuscript/WIP ready for critiquing, then the prize is passed on to the runners-up. Therefore, it’s important that the winner(s) let us know immediately if they do not have work ready to be critiqued, so that we may get in touch with the next in line. Also important to submit work for critique within three months of winning so that editors can plan their work schedule. They are busy people and work to definite, often urgent deadlines. So thank you for your cooperation on this matter.

 This month the winner gets a 10,000-word critique from CHRISTINE RAINS, a Speculative Fiction author. 

Christine says, "I'm a detailed critic. I give my reactions as I read, along with what I like and don't like, overall plot, tropes, and characterization. I try my best to be as helpful as possible."

The winner also gets a guest post here at WEP on a topic of their own choice.  

NOW LET'S CONGRATULATE THE WINNERS! 

THE WINNER OF THE AUGUST 2022 CHALLENGE, MOONLIGHT SONATA, IS PAT GARCIA -

CONGRATULATIONS, PAT, for your wondrous entry, Power of Touch. The team was breathless at the concept of the power of touch and the delivery of this concept in such a moving story. Thank you!

Nick said - "Achingly romantic and a testament to the healing power of music. As important to the soul as to the ears."

PAT, please post this badge and link it to your winning entry. Enjoy the critique prize or pass it on if you’d prefer. We look forward to a guest post here on a topic of your choice soon.

THE RUNNER UP OF THE AUGUST 2022 CHALLENGE IS MARY AALGAARD -

Congratulations, MARY! Your first entry for WEP, Drifting Away, captured us with the flawless, lyrical writing and enchanting images. Thank you for this reading pleasure.

Nick said, "Calming, meditative and restoring, like watching the moon rise over the lake. I felt like I was there in that moment."

MARY, Please take this badge and link it to your winning entry on your blog.

AND FINALLY, THE ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD FOR THE AUGUST 2022 CHALLENGE GOES TO BERNADETTE BRAGANZA -

Congratulations, BERNADETTE! Your entry, Antique Antics, delighted the team. So few words, such a great little story. Thank you!

Nick said, “Short but intriguing. I'd like to see this expanded but what's there gives the reader enough to add more details on their own..”

BERNADETTE,  please take this badge and link it to your entry on your blog.

Thank you to all our amazing participants for your entries. We read so many magnificent and magnificently varied takes on this month’s prompt!  

Read stunning entries from our WEP AUGUST 2022 MOONLIGHT SONATA winners @DeniseCCovey @yolandarenee @LGKeltner @OlgaGodim @jemifraser #amwriting #flashfiction #wepwinners https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2022/08/winners-wep-august-2022-challenge.html 

#WEPFF MOONLIGHT SONATA winners announced @DeniseCCovey @yolandarenee @LGKeltner @OlgaGodim @jemifraser https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2022/08/winners-wep-august-2022-challenge.html #amwriting #flashfiction #wepwinners

Come congratulate our AUGUST winners! #WEPFF MOONLIGHT SONATA Challenge @DeniseCCovey @yolandarenee @OlgaGodim @LGKeltner @jemifraser #amwriting #flashfiction #wepwinners https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2022/08/winners-wep-august-2022-challenge.html 

Please join us in October for the next, exciting Year of Music Prompt -

Renee and Denise for 

#WEP 2021 Continues the Artistic Inspiration for December - NARCISSUS! Sign up here today! Write your own #tagline!

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If you're wondering when the winners will be announced, wonder no more. In case you missed the MailChimp email, due to Christmas activities, we won't choose a SHORTLIST until the end of December! 

Apologies to Jemi who wasn't on the team when this badge was made. 

Please Note:

CRITIQUES

Remember:

The WEP is a place where writers can confidently share their work without fear of harsh words or biting feedback. No matter what the choice is by the author of the type of critique.

For the WEP, a critique is:

Constructive feedback or positive reinforcement of the writer while helping reign in problems or giving helpful suggestions.

The point is to be helpful, not hurtful.

Check the Menu Items Under The Critique for more information!

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BLURBS ARE BACK, BUT WITH A DIFFERENCE!

We need your help. Place your tagline for the piece you've submitted above your story. It's an essential part of the writing process when giving your pitch or submitting to agents and editors. It helps us get to the core of the story.

We were thrilled with the taglines last challenge! Thank you!

For those new to taglines:

Here's an example of a #tagline from Denise's Paris Dreams novel:

"Sometimes, a new life comes at a cost."

Here's an example from Renee's first novel: Murder, Madness & Love:

"After a gritty detective becomes involved with a beautiful widow, rumor and obsession obstruct his quest for justice."

Short and sweet. A tagline doesn't have to tell the story. It captures the theme. Go on, give it a try!!!!

Jemi Fraser will collect/collate your taglines  during the reading process. They will then be posted in the December winners post. 

December's Critique Prize is from a great supporter:

CHRISTINE RAINS, Speculative Fiction author - 'All I want for Christmas is a 'especially-tailored' prize from Christine.'

Christine says, "I'm offering a 10,000 word critique. I'm a detailed critic. I give my reactions as I'm reading, along with what I like and don't like, overall plot, tropes, and characterization. I try my best to be as helpful as possible."

Her latest book is Shudder of Spectres, a fantasy LitRPG/GameLit for fans of table-top role-playing games. 

 Here's the blurb:

In every one of their games, the bard dies first.

But this time, she may be the only one who can save them all.

Nora Quinn wants to play a bard like no other seen before, and the newest table-top role-playing game is the perfect chance to show off her skills. Yet when Nora and her friends find themselves in the dark fantasy world of Khthonia, she struggles to be any type of bard at all. There, things aren't as straightforward as the games she's used to playing.

If she and her friends want to get back to the real world, then Nora has to lift the curse plaguing Khthonia for over a century. The fate of the realm and their way home rest in Nora's hands, but will she survive when the bard is always the first to die?

Christine has a new website. Click to visit her.

So, to win Christine's valued prize, submit your Narcissus or Narcissa entry between December 1 - 15.

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FROM OUR CHALLENGES PAGE:

This one depicts a classic subject by an Italian Master and needs no introduction. Narcissus is a well known character from Greek mythology – his story has been repurposed and retold all through the ages. Caravaggio was one of the prime movers of Italian art scene of the 16^th/17^th century and a good few of his artworks are based on the classics. He was a controversial figure in his lifetime, but has come to be recognised as an artist with far reaching influence on modern painting. He was a master of chiaroscuro and developed the use of shadows in art.

This particular painting can be interpreted many ways – will you update Narcissus’ story to fit  a modern timeline?

Or retell it from a different angle/POV,  perhaps a Narcissa instead?

Explore the mental disorder that is known after Narcissus and its impact on caregivers/physicians/family?

Or perhaps go in a different direction entirely -  make Narcissus quite incidental to the story – maybe the painting is only a prop in the setting?

Remember there is no right or wrong interpretation, you can make the prompt front and centre of your entry. Or not. Totally your call. Think out of the box, or rather, frame – and delight us with yours.

Happy writing!

                                                               

So thereby ends our YEAR OF THE ART. I think it's been a resounding success, what say you?

2022 is THE YEAR OF MUSIC!! Yay! Don't we all love our music!

GRAB the badge and post it in your sidebar! Thank you!

Go HERE to our Challenges 2022 page to see all the prompts for the year - we thank Olga Godim for the magnificent badges and Nilanjana for the magnificent blurbs. We have a talented team. 

Here's the link if you want to add it to your page:

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If you want to read about self-publishing, Denise is guesting at Damyanti's site over the holidays. Both Denise and Damyanti would love you to visit and add to the conversation.

 Please tweet one or two of these:

WEP writing prompt Narcissus @DeniseCCovey @YolandaRenee @LGKeltner nullSign up December 1–15th! #amwriting #flashfiction #WEPFF #poetry #nonfiction #amwriting #flashfiction #WEPFF #poetry https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2021/12/wep-2021-continues-artistic-inspiration.html

 Get-your-thinking-caps on for Narcissus @DeniseCCovey @YolandaRenee @LGKeltner  http s://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2021/12/wep-2021-continues-artistic-inspiration.htmlSign up December 1 – 15th! #WEPFF #amwriting #flashfiction #poetry #nonfiction 

Join WEP @DeniseCCovey @YolandaRenee @LGKeltner, for the next Challenge of 2021, December's Narcissus. Sign up and Post December 1 – 15th!  #WEPFF #amwriting #flashfiction #poetry #nonfiction https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2021/12/wep-2021-continues-artistic-inspiration.html 

Write with @DeniseCCovey @YolandaRenee, @LGKeltner, for the December Challenge Narcissus! Sign up and post on December 1 – 15th! https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2021/12/wep-2021-continues-artistic-inspiration.html