Ghost in a Flash: Christmas Ghosts!

Photo by Josh Boot on Unsplash

This is a ghostwriting flash fiction contest, in a nutshell. 

I tried launching this last week, with ZERO response, so I obviously got it all wrong. This time, based on some feedback that initially irked me, I'm going to focus these efforts on actual writing, rather than fictional characters from TV and elsewhere. And here's how this will help you become a better writer: 1: You're writing. 2. There are a good number of people out there seeking ghostwriters who are great writers themselves, but they're just short on time. Writing for these folks pays well, but it's also challenging. It takes practice to put your own voice aside and adopt something else's - so let's practice!

I have a timely activity to help - one that I think you'll all enjoy . . . 

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The Ghost of Christmas Something

For this activity, you'll be channeling the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens to create a fourth ghost. The Ghost of Christmas [insert your creation] will teach Ebenezer another valuable lesson about something. It could be any kind of Ghost - but it should teach a lesson somehow. Serious, satirical, life-changing - whatever you think is impactful and will make for an enjoyable read.

It could be the Ghost of Christmas Past Participle, teaching Ebenezer about grammar; the Ghost of Christmas Candy, sharing why he needs to eat more/less sugar; the Ghost of Christmas in July, showing the ripple effect of actions taking place months before/after the holiday perhaps; or maybe the Ghost of Christmas COVID, putting a pandemic spin on it, if you aren't sick of everything COVID already. Maybe not that one. But, you get the idea. It's wide open!

How to Participate in This Writing Contest

The "how to participate" remains the same: Join our Facebook group to participate (as that is where the votes will be tallied) - and watch for the weekly writing prompt, with the focus of that week's activity. When posted, prepare and post your entry as a comment. Other members will vote for it by emojis (every reaction is a vote). Try to keep it tight. I originally had it at 300 words, but up to 1,000 words is okay, I suppose. We're pushing the "flash fiction" boundaries if you go beyond that (and people may not read it, unless it's absolutely stunning) - and it's good practice to say many things in few words. 

You'll have until Thursday at midnight CST (the following week) to submit your entry and get votes (submitting late is not advised, as no one will see it/get a chance to vote for it!). And every Friday, as the new Ghost in a Flash is announced, we'll announce the previous week's winners!

All entries will be published here, along with a link to your website (so be sure to add that to your entry!), with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place entries indicated. And there's a cash prize as well. $10 for first place, and $5 each for 2nd and 3rd place. It's a great way to practice capturing a voice AND helping people find your work online.

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