RESULTS: On This Street [an unofficial challenge]

Hi everyone. -An embarassing return to Vocal Media. Due to some personal things and an apparent inability to manage my time (across anything that isn't school) in finishing up my university degree, I have had some time away.

I don't want to use that as an excuse to leave my contestants hanging, so let's talk about the last challenge.

If you don't remember, the prompt was:

Write a short story that begins on the street selected for you by randomstreetview.com!

You can view the original challenge post here:

I was actually really excited about this prompt, and I love the ideas that you came up with! I find that I always struggle to correctly find a Top 3, as everyone has been so creative in their responses.

Before I address the Top 3, I just want to make a couple of notes.

My Unofficial Challenges Pillar Post is currently not working properly. I have been notified that when you try to open it, it gives an error message. It also gives me an error message when I try to edit it, and I suspect it is due to the number of hyperlinks in it.

I have had this issue once before (hence the "2.0" in the title of the post). I will likely create a 3.0, but I will only use hyperlinks for the currently open challenges and avoid using them for the closed challenges and winning entries. I think this might solve the problem...

On that note, I do not have any open challenges currently and do not think I will be opening any until, likely, April. This is because I am finishing my degree and have some things that I need to prioritize over this currently. I do want to say - this has been an absolute pleasure, and I can't wait to open up my challenges again!

Having said all that, let's get into this challenge's results!

THE TOP THREE

In reverse order, as per always...

3RD PLACE: "Transmission" by Kendall Defoe

Kendall never fails to surprise me in their creations. The picture that they received from randomstreetview.com was a desert view at dawn/dusk, and they truly ran with this idea! I loved the supernatural elements that were implied in this as well and the cliffhanger ending... a fantastic read! Congratulations on 3rd place, Kendall!

2ND PLACE: "A Letter to the One" by Diane Foster

Diane has a knack with descriptions that I can't seem to fathom. The characterization and the storyline that Diane found in the storefront of a Greek shop/restaurant is so creative and truly lovely. As a (perhaps hopeless) romantic, I loved this entry. It is such a wholesome read! Definitely worthy of 2nd place!! Congratulations, Diane!

And then of course, last but not least--

1ST PLACE: "It's Beautiful Here" by Dana Crandell

There is something about this entry that truly floored me. Dana was given the view of a little walkway in the trees, and there are so many different routes this could have taken! Many people would have shrugged and refreshed the page to find a new street, but I loved the creativity and imagination that went into this. Especially considering the unique detail that the story does not start with this image! I found it so endearing! Dana manages to craft a thoughtul story that captures meaningful and important themes while also being engaging and interesting. I loved this piece! A well deserved win, Dana!

A Note to Dana Crandell: For your prize, I will be reading, liking, and commenting on five of your works that I have not already! I will also subscribe to your Vocal account! Thank you so much for entering!

♡ ♡ ♡

Thank you to everyone who participated in this challenge! I also want to sincerely apologize for how late these results came out... It is important to stick to your commitments, and I hope that in the future I will become more active on this platform, both as a reader and a writer. Thank you again to everyone who has participated in my challenges thus far, and I look forward to when I release another challenge! (which should be in just a few months' break) ♡

Belle

The Entries

Here is a full list of the 5 entries for this challenge in the order they were submitted. Be sure to show them all some love!

1. "Rocky Mountain Way" by Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred
2. "A Letter to the One" by Diane Foster
3. "The Journey Home" by Tanya Lei
4. "Transmission" by Kendall Defoe
5. "It's Beautiful Here" by Dana Crandell