Unlock Your Writing Potential: Students in Our Writing Competition Preparation Class Are More Likely to Secure Awards
Focus on What Matters
Forget about epic backstories and cinematic buildups for a moment. Just focus on that one moment and make it the heartbeat of your story. Maybe it’s a memory that won’t let go, a decision made in a snap, or a glance that says everything. The smaller the lens, the sharper the picture.
Example: Instead of wasting words on the whole “will they, won’t they” saga, focus on the moment the lovers hesitated. The choice to stay or leave forever.
Trim the Fluff
You only have 100 words so there’s no room for unnecessary details, fillers, or elaborate descriptions. Strong verbs and precise language will sharpen your narrative. Every adjective, every line of dialogue—it all needs a reason to be there. If a word doesn’t move the story forward or hit readers in the gut, it doesn’t belong there.
Example: Instead of “She was extremely sad, tears streaming down her face as she walked slowly through the empty street,” why not go for “She wept, her footsteps swallowed by silence.”
Less is More
The best micro-stories thrive on implication. A subtle hint or a single line can suggest an entire backstory. Let readers fill in the gaps and trust your audience to read between the lines.
Example: “He set two plates at the table, but only one chair was pulled out.” (It implies grief or loss without saying the exact words.)
85% of Aralia Students Win Awards in Writing Contests
Embrace Emotion
Emotion is your secret weapon if you have limited space. Whether it’s joy, sorrow, fear, pain, or relief, readers will remember how your story made them feel. Find that emotional pulse and lean into it.
Example: She pressed her palm against the cold window, watching his taillights disappear. He never looked back.” (This is regret, longing, and closure in two sentences.)
End with an Impact
Whether it’s a twist that hits like a freight train or a moment that just resonates, the final line should leave readers thinking, questioning, or feeling something. Whatever you choose, make sure those last words leave an indelible mark.
Example: “He whispered, ‘I Love You.’ Voicemail beeped. Call erased.
Make Another Round of Cuts
Think you’re done? Think again. Revise mercilessly. Strip it down, find weak verbs, and eliminate redundancy. If a sentence doesn’t snap, tweak it until it does. Remember, clean and crisp pieces always beat the clever and clunky ones.
Example: First Draft – “The old man, who had seen many winters, walked slowly with his cane, the wind howling around him.” Recut – “The old man shuffled on. Winter snapped at his heels.”
Ready to Put Your Skills to the Test?
You’ve got the tools; now it’s time to use them. Put your new skills to the test in the Tadpole Press 100-Word Writing Contest! With a $2,000 top prize and writers from all over the world in the mix, it’s a golden chance to let your story do the talking.
Happy Writing!
Aralia Education is proud to collaborate with the Tadpole Press 100-Word Writing Contest, a competition that challenges writers to craft compelling stories in just 100 words. This contest provides a platform for creativity, encouraging writers to express powerful ideas with clarity and precision.
The following article is written by the staff at the Tadpole Press 100-Word Writing Contest. We are excited to feature their insights on our platform as part of our collaboration to support and inspire young writers!
Aralia Courses for Aspiring Writers
For students and families aiming to excel, Aralia offers the following courses taught by top-rated instructors:
Writing Competition – Summer
This class is offered in the summer every year. Students from 13 to 19 years old wanting to learn how to shape their written English into effective and publishable creative pieces will find this particular Writing Competition course very exciting. The class will be shown a range of tools to learn the nuances of controlled, purposeful writing, including: figurative language, effective structuring and specific forms that they will apply to their own pieces.
