Florida Humanities Council Micro-Fiction Contest – cast your vote by April 30th!

I entered the Florida Humanities Council Micro-Fiction Contest a month ago.  When I saw the ad for it in Forum Magazine, I couldn’t wait to learn more and enter.

The micro-fiction contest offered up one sentence, “They named the gator…”

Then contestants like me had to finish the story in 250 words or less.  This was definitely a challenge.  The top finalists would be shared online and voted upon.  Then the winner with the most votes receives a $1,000 prize.  There was no fee to enter.

I’d be a fool not to participate.  I already determined what I would do if I were to win first place.  I would donate half ($500) to local arts and charities of my choice.  Then I’d spend the other half ($500) toward taking a real family vacation in Florida this summer.

So I did enter.  But sadly, I did not make it as one of the top three finalists.  Apparently there were over 400 entries.

Even though I did not make it to the winner’s circle, I had a lot of fun writing for this contest. I’m rather proud of my entry too.  I worked hard to encompass as much Florida symbols, local culture, community and entertainment as I could into the entry.  I thought my story was playful, witty and fun.

Here is my submission – 

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They named the gator Ponce de Leon.

Despite his historic name, Ponce was a science experiment for Shelly and her younger brother Hayden. They had found the abandoned baby during a boat ride in the marsh.

The siblings discovered the hatching did not like oranges. Instead he snatched insects meant for the mockingbird. The children told Ponce stories of the Seminole people that once inhibited their neighbor’s land.

As Hayden sung the last line from his favorite Tom Petty song, a wind gust took them all by surprise. Rain began to pour from the skies. A lightning strike hit the ground 700 yards away. Ponce whipped his tail, spun around, then smacked into a Sabal Palm tree.

“I think a hurricane is coming,” feared Shelly.

“Wow, I think Ponce can predict the weather. Let’s teach him other tricks. Maybe he can win us a trip to the beach!” Hayden said excitedly.

“Or Disney World!” chimed in Shelly.

“Yeah, Ponce can take us all over this great state.”

“We’ll fly with the Blue Angels…”

“Swim with the Dolphins…”

“Race down the Daytona 500 speedway…”

“Become a Buccaneer…”

“Catch blue crabs…”

“Hike the Apalachicola trail…”

“Drink a mojito….”

“What’s that?”

“I don’t know. I heard mom say she needed one the other day.”

“Ponce will take us on many adventures…”

“Children come inside from the rain now!” their mama shouted from  the house. “Or I’ll cook that gator and turn the skin into a purse!”

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You can read the top 3 entries by visiting the Florida Humanities Council website.  Then vote for the one you like best by April 30, 2014.

I just cast my opinion.  I wish it were my story but hey, we can’t all be the chosen ones!  🙂

I am a supporter of the Florida Humanities Council and I subscribe to their Forum magazines.  I enjoy staying tuned in to other literary lovers in Florida and networking with other writers, creative artists and more in this state.

Thank you Florida Humanities Council for giving me a writing challenge and for offering up this contest.  I’ll definitely keep reading and continue trying for others in the future!