Most writing contests give you a writing prompt or at least a couple of words to work your idea around, which is why I decided to host a slightly different contest.
A constrained writing contest
Instead of being given an idea or a writing prompt, you are allowed to choose the topic completely by yourself. But, varying from week to week, you will face different challenges that limit your writing.
You will be required to omit certain words, use a specific word in every second sentence, use a given sentence unchanged, write a story with a certain amount of words... or a combination of all.
Winners of constrained writing contest #26
This week's constraint looked simple at first glance, but was definitely hard as nails upon closer inspection. There were a total of 4 entries this week, and here are the winners I picked out:
- 1st place - "A day of my life - unfortunately" by
With this week's constraint (having to write a journal/diary log) I really wanted to see the writer write in first person and really have the writer write in a way that promotes some kind of an intimate bond between them and the reader - which a diary most definitely should be. When we write a diary for ourselves we lose all the filters we otherwise have and just let go. Write our emotions down. Our feelings. Just as they appear. And your story - or should I say your diary log - is exactly that. You managed to capture the reader-writer relationship perfectly. Those short sentences really make it all that much more believable. Something a person would've definitely written down for themselves!
- 2nd place - "A few pages from the journal of a shipwrecked team" by
The story somewhat lacks in the grammar department, but I love the idea(s) behind it!
Especially because there was this island that no longer exists other than in this person's memory. But it wasn't a dream, no. Because there's proof of its existence and their visit! The diary log!
Very well done!
- 3rd place - "The far pale land" by
As I wrote in the comment under your story, I like the idea very much, but feel like it lacks a certain amount of explanation behind what's going on and why it's all happening. I feel like you could've told us more somehow, though I know it's hard in "journal" form.
Honorable mention:
with the entry "Night full moon"
If I, by any chance, missed your entry, please do not hesitate to let me know, and I will do my best to redeem myself. I have missed an entry in the past, so I now pay extra attention, but ... It can happen still.
Sorry and thanks!
Proof of payment:
With that out of the way, onto constrained writing contest #27!
Rules:
This week we have 
Here is what she came up for this week:
- Write a story from the perspective of an animal, and use the line "I wasn't always afraid of the dark".
- The story must be at least 250 words long and in English
And as for the usual mumbo jumbo, here's the rest of the rules just about every contest has:
- Upvote this post
- Post a link to your entry in the comments below
- Include tag #constrainedwriting among your other tags
- Should you wish to help raise awareness of the contest, please consider resteeming this post (it is by no means compulsory)
Prizes
I will pay out this post's payout in full, both SBD and STEEM!
- 1st place: 45% of post's payout
- 2nd place: 27% of post's payout
- 3rd place 18 % of post's payout
- Judge takes 5 % for his/her efforts
- I will take 5 % for hosting, writing and editing the contest
*Note: In case I receive any donations for the contest, the payout percentages apply to the donation itself as well.
Judges
This week the judge of the Constrained Writing Contest is
What's that I hear? You wish to be a judge too? Well look no further!
To apply for a judge and make up your own rules, simply send 
*Disclaimer: I will only allow fellow writers as judges to keep the competition high quality.
Deadline
- Entries are accepted until this post's payout
- Your entry post must be newer than this post