Emerging Writers

Writing Contest Announcement: Rules Updated

2009-06-07T23:11:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that the rules have been updated. These should be final but if there are any more changes I will be sure to let you know. If you have any questions, comments or concerns please let me know. If they are related to the rule changes or the rules you can leave them here and if they are generic please let me know on the questions and comments page.

Thanks,

-Resounding Glass

10 Unusual Knives, Swords and Blades

2009-06-07T00:21:00.000-07:00

A very interesting article by C Jordan. It fascinated me to learn about all these unusual swords and other weapons. In addition to reading it and learning about the history and uses of each of these weapons, I also enjoyed looking at the pictures of these cool and wacky blades. Enjoy!

From the article:

The Kukri

Some readers may be surprised to find that the image shown is actually modern British army issue. It is issued to one of the most feared units in the British army: the Gurkhas.

It is their weapon of choice in close combat, rather than the bayonet.

The story of the Gurkhas is a long and historically complicated one.

Succinctly: Gurkhas hail from Nepal which was part of India. In its Empire building days, Britain made India one of its colonies. The Gurkhas were seen as brave and heroic fighters who were recruited into the colonial Indian army as a “Martial Race”, a term which meant that they were not classed as mercenaries.

With the independence of India in 1947 four regiments became part of the British army. Prior to this they have fought in both World Wars and latterly were part of the forces that in the 1980’s defeated the Argentine army in the Falklands and also served in the Middle East.

The Kukri shown above is the standard army issue with karda and chakmak.

Traditionally the blade is 12-15 inches (30-38cm) long. The karda is a small accessory blade used for many tasks. The chakmak is unsharpened and is used to burnish the blade. It can also be used to start a fire with flint.

read the rest of the article

When My Dog Ate My Homework Simply Won't Work Anymore

2009-06-06T01:04:00.000-07:00

When My Dog Ate My Homework Simply Won't Work Anymore is a list of 10 amusing excuses why you couldn't do your homework. Along with the prank call articles number 1 and number 2, I thought this was a very funny article written by littlekid137.

From the Article:

I would've done it but I didn't want to show you how smart i am, it makes me feel bad.
I was walking home and some bullies grabbed me and my backpack and took me to the woods. They tied me to a tree and ripped all my homework.
These aliens.... wait you wouldn't believe it.
My dog urinated on my homework.
See my sister was doing a project where she had to cut a paper to look like a snowflake. Since my family can't afford paper, and I always think about my family first I gave my homework for my sister to cut up.
I was cooking dinner, when my buddy called and asked if I had done it. When I told him no he asked whether he could borrow it to copy after I did it. I didn't want to be a cheater or a liar so I couldn't do it.
My mom told me I didn't have to do it because she couldn't even get it.
Those poor tree's.
I needed something to clean up #4!
I was too busy.

Writing Contest Update

2009-06-04T23:15:00.000-07:00

Hello All,

I wanted to start off by saying thank you for dropping by and reading about the Writing Contest that will be held here. I am glad to say we seem to be getting a steady number of people visiting every day.

I wanted to point out to you the change in the rules though don't be worried as it is just in the limits. I have changed the article maximum to 800 words or 1 page for articles (whichever is longer) and 1500 words or 2 pages for short stories (also whichever is longer).

Sometime soon, hopefully this weekend, I plan on going back and working on the rules to make them a little more formal so be sure to check back in for that, especially since I may be revising them a little.

This contest seems to be getting off to a pretty good start and I cannot wait for the first submission. Please note the links on the right hand side near the top. These are to the questions, rules, and submission pages, all for your convenience.

Thanks and happy writing,

-Resounding Glass

Writing Contest Rules and Guidelines

2009-05-29T22:03:00.000-07:00

Hello All,

I am going to be holding a writing contest for the online writing community. There will be three categories: Poetry, short stories, and articles. The limits will be 1 page max for poetry, 800 words or 1 page for articles (whichever is longer), and 1500 words or 2 pages for short stories (whichever is longer). Anyone can enter but please only one entry per person; you can only enter in one category and you can only enter once in it. Preferably all pieces will be in the form of an online article (Triond, Bukisa, or other).

I am fine with offensive language, just remember that this is being judged on quality and offensive language can sometimes detract from the quality of your writing though other times it may add to it and make it more realistic. Just be sure to pay attention to how it is effecting your piece.

The contest will close on July 21 so please have your submissions in by then. If you know you are going to enter and which category you will be entering in, it would make it a lot easier if you could say which category you will enter on the submission page. All entries require a link posted on the submission page along with your name and the category. If it is unpublished and a word doc, please send to t-man15@hotmail.com and leave the other info on the submission page.

For judging I will try to get the results out as soon as possible. I will judge one category at a time. Once all submissions are in I will decide in which order I will judge the categories, depending on how many entries each category has.

First place in each category will get a feature article and interview which will be posted here and on Triond. Each category will have a second place award and possibly a third place depending on number of entries and on whether I feel there is one particular entry that deserves it.

I am currently planning on judging the contest by myself but if you would be interested in helping to judge let me know.

If you have any questions or comments please be sure to tell me on the queston and comments page.

If you can keep generic questions, comments and suggestions to that page that would be very much appreciated. Anything related to any articles or blog posts about the contest can still be on that page.

Entries can be submitted here but please remember, only one entry per person.

Please let all your friends and fans know so we can have an even better contest. Happy writing,

-Resounding Glass

Writing Contest Submission Page

2009-05-26T01:27:00.000-07:00

This page is dedicated to the submission of your writing to the contest. Please put your name, the category you are entering and the link to your piece.

Writing Contest Questions and Comments Page

2009-05-26T01:19:00.000-07:00

This is a page reserved solely for questions and comments pertaining to the writing contest I am holding. Please keep all of your questions and comments here.

Thanks,

-Resounding Glass

Writing Contest

2009-05-26T01:13:00.000-07:00

Hello All,

I am going to be hosting a writing contest for all to enter. More details and rules coming in the near term in the form of a Triond article. I will be sure to keep you posted.

Thanks,

-Resounding Glass

From Slavery to Freedom

2009-05-26T00:44:00.000-07:00

From Slavery to Freedom is an interesting article by OhSugar about famous freed slaves and their contributions to society. I thought it was a great article and extremely informative, especially since I only knew about two of the people covered in her article.

From the Article:

Abram Petrovich Gannibal

Was an African prince, before he was captured and brought to Russia. After being brought to Russia he became the son, by adoption, of the Russian czar, Peter the Great. As an adult, he held positions such as, major-general, military engineer and governor of Reval, renamed Tallinn, a city in Estonia. His education was completed in Paris. He studied, art, science, and mathematics. He was the great-grandfather of Alexander Pushkin, a great Russian poet and the author of a novel, that he never finished, titled, Peter the Great's Negro.

New Blog

2009-05-09T19:06:00.000-07:00

Hello,

I'd like to start off by thanking all of my readers, I wouldn't have made it without you. I am very grateful for the kindness you have shown me and the support you have given me.

In my new blog, I will be talking about whatever comes to mind. I hope that you will follow this new blog and give me feedback as your feedback and suggestions will be what help to dictate what I write about.

Thanks once again,

-Resounding Glass

Atlantis Found with Google Ocean

2009-05-09T00:57:00.000-07:00

Do you believe that Atlantis, the lost city, truly exists? And was it a city, island or an entire continent? Whatever it was, it may exist and might have been found. Atlantis Found and Lost with Google Ocean is a fascinating article, complete with pictures and videos, by Patrick Bernauw.

From the Article:

It happened only a few days after Google Ocean was launched. The UK tabloid The Sun published an article, titled Is this Atlantis? Bernie Bramford (38), an aeronautical engineer living in Chester, had spotted the mythical lost city here (co-ordinates 31 15'15.53N 24 15'30.53W), on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean, near the Canary Islands, 620 miles off the coast of north west Africa. Bramford claimed that the network of criss-cross lines, forming a perfect rectangle about the size of Wales, looked like an "aerial map" of a city.

Atlantis experts said that the perfect rectangle of criss-cross lines was located at one of the possible sites of Atlantis, as described by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato. After a failed effort to conquer Athens, around 9000 BC, the fabulous city with its advanced civilisation was destroyed by earthquakes and floods, and sunk with all its citizens beneath the Atlantic Ocean.

Continue reading | digg this

The Final Chapter of Deception of Love!

2009-04-30T20:44:00.000-07:00

Fresh Writing has published the final chapter of the Deception of Love. For those of you not familiar with the Deception of Love, it is an all around excellent novella about a boy and his struggles in a rough neighborhood in Hell's Kitchen during the Great Depression. Remember to read the story from chapter one if you have not done so already. There are also links on the final chapter to all the other chapters.

From the Chapter:

“’Ou know how it is, Juve.”

“I hoped this day wouldn’t have to come…” He rubbed something in his pocket.

“Yeh tried to feckin’ kill me twice Juve, yeh sold out on me, and yeh tried to cover yer own back! What worse can happen now?”

“I-I have to kill yeh Frank.”

The sadness, solidarity, anger, and frustration that had boiled in Frank was slowly releasing, but he knew he had to conserve it. “Didn’t have this much trouble last time. Look, yeh can still get out, yeh can still back away from this—yeh don’t have to stay in it!”

“Where are the police?”

Frank frowned. “I-you think they took me? I was gone before they could haul me there. Had to whack three of ‘em.”

“That won’t fly a whistle.”

“Neither will yeh life.”

Juve moved closer to Frank. “Are yeh threatin’ me?”

Frank walked towards his ex-pal. “Are you?”

“Look around, Frank. I was always smarter. The Street is here. The Whyos are comin’. What’s yer best card?”

We Know of God

2009-04-30T20:38:00.000-07:00

An interesting poem by Vertjaars with "a new look at a classic character."

The fire and the flames, they burn in the hearth
We know of the devil, do we not?
Destroyer of all and the creator of death
Deceiver of all for whom knowledge is sought

The brilliant lightning and Godly cloak
We know of God, do we not?
Bible tales read by the light of the village folk
The vindicator of those for whom the hard battle is fought

Two creations as varied as these
Are they somehow related to each other?
With human knowledge, can we seek to seize
The treasured secrets of another?

Nothing of this world is found perfected
Is the case any different with the world above?
Dark visions of a mind defected
Wrapped in the innocence of Nature's dove?

Might God have needed to expel
A part of him so dire
To create, even, a veritable Hell
To drown his sorrows in fire?

The Deception of Love: The Heat Cranks Up!

2009-04-26T12:30:00.001-07:00

Fresh Writing has rolled out another chapter of the Deception of love and it is as gripping and suspenseful as ever.

From the Chapter:

If you have not yet read the novella from Chapter One, I suggest you do so. Otherwise, reading this will spoil it for you.

Later that day, I helped bring down the mob families, both of them. I don’t remember how fast it happened, it being no more than a blur. After hours of pain in the razzer department, I decided to help them out. As long as I stayed cool, I could pull it off, and get on with my life, going straight again.

I have tried to adapt as I write this journal. This journal that happens to be my safe, sacred haven. Without it, I’d be knackered and away in the head. So much I owe to this simple notebook.

They would’ve confiscated this notebook had I not demanded I keep it or they would not find the families. Might I only hope that today is my last day eating straws out of the cup, and taking me life in me own hands every time I turn a corner.

I’ve prayed for survival, I’ve prayed for guidance. But most of all, for my family. There is no such thing as a thief who steals and gives to the poor, but today…and over the past few weeks…I have become one, one that works not for personal gain, or glory, but for my family. If anyone is to enter this journal after my death, might I say as a last note, and as an imparting saying: This is my story, and my life.

A Changing World, What Could It Have Been?

2009-04-26T11:05:00.000-07:00

This is a poem I wrote about our changing world today. Any thoughts or feedback would be very much appreciated as it helps me to improve. Thanks for reading and hope you enjoy it.

In a world plagued by violence, hatred and crime, wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all take a moment and stop to shake each other's hands? What if our world was something different, something better than the one we look at today?

Image via Wikipedia

What if the Nazis had won the war? What if the MLK had never been born? What if there were no religions? What if Lincoln wasn’t president? What if we never had rebelled against England? What if money didn’t exist?

What would our world be like today? Would it be changed for better or worse?