Results: Setting That Eats [an unofficial challenge]

THE RESULTS ARE IN!

This challenge was quite fun! All of your entries were so interesting to read, and I absolutely adored all of the variety! I try to keep it as open-ended as possible, which of course leads to it being so SO hard to pick a winner. But! I still love the challenge!

Please keep in mind (although this is not an issue I have run into quite yet) that if you ever have a discrepancy with your placement in a challenge, I am more than happy to further discuss it with you! Leave a comment if you'd like to know more about how I chose the Top 3, and I will be more than happy to discuss it!

Now, let's get into the prompt, shall we?

The Prompt

In case any of you forgot, the prompt was to:

Write a story based on a setting which feeds on living beings.

You can view the original challenge post here:

I loved seeing the different settings you chose, from manmade buildings to natural structures like forests, to even mundane everyday settings, like workplaces. Before I get into the Top 3, all of you did absolutely amazing, but you always do! Blow me right out of the water, every time!

So, without further ado.

THE TOP THREE

In reverse order, as always, to build the suspense!

3RD PLACE: "Verdant Haven Gardens" by Matthew Spinelli

Matthew's work is extravagant. This entry was one of my favourites, with the small bouts of humour and the way the dialogue just seemed to flow effortlessly. Things take a tremendous turn, and the writing is phenomenal! This is a great piece of horror writing, allowing the readers the ability to get to know and relate to the characters in such a little amount of time, while maintaining an incredible storyline. Congratulations, Matthew, and thank you so much for entering!

2ND PLACE: "Grey Matters" by Kendall Defoe

Okay, Kendall. You were just a HAIR behind first with this one. Although you wrote only a 3-minute piece, trying hard to make the Vocal permitted minimum word count, you made quite an exceptional entry. Neglecting typical mediums for storylines, Kendall went the route of pure narration of a work orientation/instruction bit. Could've been an email. Could've been a voice recording. Either way, a brilliant one. Kendall speaks on a metaphor that we can all understand, plain as day, hidden in plain sight. Although on the surface, "Grey Matters" is not a scary tale, I would say it is just as worthy of the horror genre, with capitalism and the corporate world as the scary monster waiting to eat... Congratulations, Kendall!

(Seriously guys, go check this one out! It's pretty cool.)

1ST PLACE: "Blackrot: a Twisted Fairytale" by Ian Read

Ian, stealing first place! "Blackrot" is a very intricate tale, with so many details... I was extremely impressed reading it. Even just the words you used, the world you created, absolutely astounding! Ian paints an image that every reader will see effortlessly, with so many incredibly crafted descriptions of the forest! The "parasitic vegetation," the "grim simulacra of fauna," the "dark pantomime," the "languorous breezes"! You are truly an inspiring writer. The fact that this tale itself has its own world, with developed characters and biomes, specific roles that they play, it's enticing.

It's an absolute pleasure to award you first place! Congratulations, Ian! You are undoubtedly deserving!

Note to Ian Read: For your prize! I have subscribed to you, and I will be reading, liking, and commenting on five of your works in the next few days (or week or so) that I have not read already! Congratulations on your win, and thank you so so much for entering!

Some other little notes before you go:

My September 2024 unofficial challenge is open now! It is called "Us and Pigs [an unofficial challenge]" and is viewable below!

ALSO! I do have a pillar post where I typically list all of my open and closed challenges. I have not been able to successfully update it in a while (I keep getting error messages) so I might just go ahead and make a new pillar post! Thank you all for your patience as I've dealt with these issues!

THE ENTRIES

Here is a complete list of all six entries in the order they were submitted! Please show them all some love!

1. Ian Read "Blackrot: a Twisted Fairytale"
2. Mike Singleton - Mikeydred "La Torre Que Se Come A La Gente"
3. Matthew Spinelli "Verdant Haven Gardens"
4. Matthew Spinelli "The Silent Suburb"
5. Addison Alder "Organ Grinder"
6. Kendall Defoe "Grey Matters"