Topic ID: 17059
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Sam
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 Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 8:49 pm Post subject: Fiction: Operation Anti-School Book |
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HERE'S THE SCOOP:
I realized a few minutes ago, whilst critiquing, that I've never really read a good historical fiction story about Native American culture. The problem? There's not a whole lot out there, and most of it is pretty dry because it's been written for school anthologies and the like.
So! Your challenge? Write me a really awesome historical fiction story featuring Native American culture.
BUT...I'M NOT FROM THE U.S.!
[Or: BUT...I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT NATIVE AMERICANS!]
That's okay. I'll provide a few ideas for research and the like:
- THE WAMPANOAG: Strange British people arrive on your shores, smelling really terrible and lending you the gift that keeps on giving- smallpox! Also, there's a rumor going around that'll feature in many cheesy movies: the tale of an especially smelly redhead and your chief's daughter. Juicy.
- THE CHEROKEE: You start a newspaper and live on plantations. But then, big shot President comes and tells you that you have to move to Oklahoma...even though you win a Supreme Court case against him. Racism? Hmm...you've got several hundred miles to go. (Google: "Trail of Tears").
- THE SHOSHONE: Another set of redheaded, smelly people comes and takes one of the redheaded, smelly people's wives- your chief's sister. And then she proceeds to lead them over mountains. Charity, or suicide? (Google: "Sacagawea".)
- THE SIOUX NATION: White people want to take your land- especially this one man, with curlers in his hair. Strange? Kind of. But it's a Sioux-to-US Army ratio of 10:1, so you've got this one in the bag. (Google: "The Battle of Little Bighorn", or, "Custer's Last Stand".)
These are just a few ideas- if you've got another tribe or time period you want to write about. A few guidelines, though:
- The tribe must reside within the United States. Alaska and Hawaii are okay.
- It must be historical fiction- meaning, before the 1950s. Think prehistory to Navajo Wind Talkers if you're not quite sure where you fit in.
- The story can be anywhere from 500- 5,000 words. Knock yourself out.
- I won't be judging mainly on historical accuracy, since you don't have a ton of time to research. However, if someone nukes a Hot Pocket for a snack after a buffalo hunt, you can bet you're not going to win. Use your best judgment.
- What will I be judging on? I really want to see something creative, that is artistic and totally beyond the realm of "School Multicultural Anthology" literature.
- Bonus points if your tribe resides within Nebraska! Omaha, Ponca, Pawnee, Sioux...well, not really. But you'll receive a pat on the back and a cookie with a big red frosting 'N' on it.
- Deadline? JUNE 30th. I'm going to need judges for this one, too- more than one, preferably. That way, if a judge wants to enter, they can without having to judge their own stuff.
Post here if you want to enter. 
EDIT: Goodness gracious, I forgot to put what you win!
A note of explanation- usually, I do a critique that's good stuff, and then two major areas of improvement that I ramble on about for awhile. An Uber Critique is that, plus character analysis and a possible line-by-line, depending on how well-disposed I feel that day.  Basically? It's a lot longer, and more in-depth.
1st Place: 3 Uber Critiques for short pieces, or one novel.
2nd Place: 1 Uber Critique and two regular critiques.
3rd Place: Two regular critiques.
If you still want me to read a novel, but you don't get first place, we'll talk.  |
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Last edited by Sam on Mon Jun 11, 2007 2:26 am; edited 1 time in total |
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kitty15
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| Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 9:17 pm Post subject: |
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I may just enter, the theme is certainly perfect for me. I may not be American but I studied this for 2 years for GCSE History and my exam was on the Sioux tribe and the battle of the little bighorn and General custard... uh I mean General custer =)
I shall see if I have time... |
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Areida
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| Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 2:01 am Post subject: |
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Yay! Cool contest!
This is good incentive for me, because I've been meaning to do some reading on Indians. For a while we thought we had Cherokee blood, then found out that our great-grandmother (who was a full-blooded Native American) was actually Apache.
This would explain Addie's vicious streak. And our dark hair. |
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Wiggy
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| Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 5:50 am Post subject: |
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| I love reading on Indians. They're so...connected, and well, although it's not a normal word to describe their culture, zen. This sounds really interesting-yay, two contests to get me back into the swing of things with writing-the detective one, and now an historical fiction one! |
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DragonWriter
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| Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 5:48 pm Post subject: I am going to enter! |
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| i am goijg to enter, but it will take me a week to do this. I will also be a jusge if you want me too. bye * goes off to work! |
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