Weekly Wattpad Contests

Contest #52 Results

Where have you been? What adventures have you had? What are the things you've seen?

I wish I could explain my absence away with an answer to that, and I would be remiss in admitting that the extent of interesting things I've seen were my ceiling and tax forms at the office.

However, despite my uncomfortable disappearance, I've had you all in mind for these weeks. In a totally non-creepy way, of course.

I've actually been feeling such a buzz for these results, and today is the day we premier our new segment and introduce a super fun new Contests mechanic: Guest Judges!

Every week (mostly), I'll be inviting one of our community members to participate as a guest judge. I've had interactions with so many of you, and, whether that has been conducive to a lasting friendship (Callout @DavidLikesBigRobots – we're friends now. Congratulations!) or perhaps a fleeting conversation, the fact remains the same that I meet wonderful, incredible, interesting people.

I think so many of you have very special talents, and I'll be inviting regular contestants to participate as a judge with their unique perspective and interesting outlook on authoring.

Which, naturally, brings me to the unveiling of our first guest judge!

For Contest 52, I've asked Katherynnicoleeto be our guest-judge prototype and select her winner from the entries. Additionally, I've tasked her with writing a short review on why, in her perspective, it's winner material. I'll keep you in suspense, and only reveal her contribution later.

I've asked Katy to be our first guest-judge because she's been very active in the contests. I see her here a lot and her work always seems exceptional to me. But, more than that, I think she's a really positive, good person, and she inspires me. She has a YouTube channel where she does a bunch of wacky things, but, among them, she provides legitimately useful advice for authors. I thought it would be very nice to give her some well-deserved publicity, because I think she's doing a lot of good in the world and I want that influence to spread.

For this week, I've selected one winner to avoid complications in placement. It's a work in progress, really, and we'll be refining our new system as the weeks roll by.

Before we indulge: Welcome to the new faces! I was a little bit shocked to see so many new participants, and I'm very happy that you're here. I hope you enjoy the general experience and have fun with us.

Have you read 'Dance with Me' by Astrid_Krumholtz ? I'm not certain, but I feel like she's won before? I don't recall, but she's winning now.

'Dance with Me' was a journey – an experience. After reading it for the first time, it just stood out to me every time I attempted to select a winner.

While being a very beautiful interpretation of the prompt, it also has very imaginative and almost surreal imagery that floods the senses. Maybe I have a thing for the strong motif of colour and music, but I'm certain that most would agree it's a wonderful along-side to the poem we had.

I never cared much for feelings, but the emotions in the story were so beautifully expressed trough the concept of dancing and music and colours, presented almost as photographs – paintings – and that stuck with me.

There's a turning point in the story, where the colours go grey and dip to darkness (though they glow again in the end) where I thought it wasn't necessary. The first half of the story is so good that the second part isn't needed at all, but it is there, and, honestly, it's just as beautiful as the first. This is a double whammy of imagery and art, and I encourage everybody to give it go, to live the experience.

Have you read 'Memories aren't your Enemies' by RoxyPuppyLove? @Katherynnicolee has selected it as her winner, and here's her review.

I loved Memories aren't your Enemies because it captured more than just the prompt and what was assigned, it captured the elements of it, of course, but It also told a story. Each step, and each sentence I took while reading I was taking WITH the character and I loved that.

The story flowed very well and grammar was not a big issue to the point where I was stumbling over myself as I read.

Great job! I can't wait to read more of your work :)

I agree with Katy. The story is an experience you're living with the character, and that's not something that just happens. Stories don't always hook you and draw you into them. Often, you find yourself reading from an outside perspective, and to have the experience of living with a character is what makes them beautiful.

Additionally, I have an honourable mention I'd like to make. TheDrunkenChipmunkwith "Stockholm Syndrome" in 'Cynic: An Anthology'. It was a bit difficult to place the piece with the prompt, but I nevertheless love the writing style and the narrative voice I've come to accept as 'Unique to Ray'.

Finally, before we part ways, I present the Official TimberWoolf Certificates:

Living-the-Upgrade receives 'Symbolic Storytelling' for Hydrangeas.

notwilightreceives 'Outstanding Achievement in the Arts of Confusing TimberWoolf' for doing exactly that with their comment asking about submitting with a fake account. I'm still not sure what you meant. You are the second person to hold this certificate. Bear it proudly.

herald_of_hell receives 'Newbie Extraordinaire' for coming in with a bang with Beauty in the Ashes. I really liked your story!

receives 'Disappearing Act' for... Well, I don't remember where I was these two weeks.

And with that, I bid you good grace and farewell. Let's hope to see me again in the next chapter.