PRACTICE THINKING LIKE JESUS
Jesus wrote parables that confronted major issues in the society. You can too. The third phase of the Presbyterian Writer’s Guild, An Experiment in Modern Parables contest is receiving submissions. You are invited to submit a short story (4,000 words or less) that lifts up some of the major issues that confront both the faith community and society. (Deadline for submission February 15, 2016)
THE ART OF SHORT STORIES
If you want examples of artful short story fiction, review some of Jesus’ parables. In less than 320 words (an English version), Jesus engaged his listeners in probing our response to violence, bigotry, and hypocrisy in the parable of the Good Samaritan. In approximately 200 words, Jesus probed the destructive impact of materialism in the parable of the Rich Fool. In just a little over 100 words, Jesus paints a picture of the effort God will go to in recovering those who have lost their way in this world. (Luke 12:3-7.)
Note that many of Jesus’ parables were not overtly religious but raised deep spiritual issues. That is your challenge too. Remember that the Bible takes on the whole issue of nationalism, bigotry, and religious narrowness in around 1,500 words in the book of Jonah. Ruth and Esther are other examples of short stories that examine complex issues. You can have fun, exhibit your gifts as a writer, and stimulate wider thinking around some of the issues that confront us as a society.
WINNING WHILE DOING GOOD
The opening paragraph of the top eight stories will be published in The Writer. The winner will each receive a $100 Amazon gift certificate, second, third and fourth $50. In addition the winner will be published in subsequent issues of the Presbyterian Outlook in serial form and the second place will be published on the Outlook Web page.
We hope winners in all three phases will be put together in a bound book for the General Assembly. Authors retain copyright on their submission but grant PWG permission to make use of their writings in publicity and in the manner identified in the contest. This permission includes having your piece included in a PWG book of all the winners. Our hope is that several participants will be invited to contribute their writing skills at many levels within the church.
HERE COMES THE JUDGE
Again, those who write the stories will be involved in judging them. We will ask all of you to read the stories and evaluate them according to some suggested criteria. First, did the story grab your attention and hold your interest? Second, can you picture the main characters—how they look, feel, interact with others. Third, do you know what the tension or conflict was at the center of the story? Fourth, did reading the story expand your thinking?
The purpose of the three-level contest is to engage PWG members in creatively reflecting on the issues confronting the church in a fictional manner. We want to challenge, in a parabolic manner, the thinking of the whole church. In the process, emerging writers among our membership will gain recognition among those within the Presbyterian media and beyond.
MAKE IT YOUR cHRISTMAS GIFT TO YOURSELF OR YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION AND SHARE YOUR STORY.
SUBMIT TO PRESBWRITERSCONTEST@GMAIL.COM
