SHORT STORY WRITERS CONTEST for April 2019 - "SNEAKING SUSPICIONS" [SS2019]

This is an Official ATS Short Story Writers Contest!

It is open to ALL members of ATS.

There are prizes to be won in the form of ATS "Applause" and even the opportunity for entrants to acquire official ATS "writer" status, but it is more about sharing our creative ideas, encouraging & developing new talent and having Fun!
We usually hold around one contest per month.

This month's contest is LIMITED TO 50-WORDS or LESS!! And the theme is"SNEAKING SUSPICIONS".
It was chosen by our current contest champion jadedANDcynical.

"SNEAKING SUSPICIONS" [SS2019]



Paraphrasing jaded’s own words:

" The idea I have in mind is: "sneaking suspicions," or perhaps, "suspicious activity."
Basically, it's the old: "It's not paranoia if they're REALLY out to get ya..."
Situations, circumstances, or events in which the characters are made to go, "hmm, I wonder..."


So, there you have it.
You are tasked with writing a paranoia-filled SHORT STORY in 50 words or less which contains or relates to the theme: "SNEAKING SUSPICIONS"!
HOW you do that is... of course, up to YOU!


RULES of ENTRY:
Original written entries of 50 words or less please.

The contest will run from NOW to Thurs 18th April. 2019.
(Any submissions after that date will be disqualified.)

A period of ONE WEEK after the closing of the contest will be provided for reading & voting.

All T&C's Apply.

All entries MUST include [SS2019] in the title.
(e.g. "Am I Paranoid? [SS2019]”)

All entries must be posted in their own thread within the SHORT STORIES forum HERE, with a link (to your entry) added to a post in this contest thread. (Just ask if you're not sure how to link!)

There is a 50-word limit this time around!!

This makes it quick-fire but VERY challenging!!
So, we will allow TWO ENTRIES from each entrant, (with only the Top-Scoring one counting towards the final results).

Please END all of your submissions with "THE END" so that everyone is clear that your entry is complete.



WINNERS:
There will be 3 winners among members who already have ATS "Writer" status, prizes as follows:

1st Place -- 5 Applause, and selection of the next contest theme (limited to one in a row)
2nd Place -- 3 Applause
3rd Place -- 1 Applause

There will also be 3 winners from the non-writer category who will receive the following:

1st Place -- 3 Applause & Writer Status
2nd Place -- 2 Applause & Writer Status
3rd Place -- 1 Applause

Scoring

Points are awarded by ATS members giving FLAGS to their favourite story threads and STARS to their favourite story posts.
(You can award a Flag and/or star(s) to any stories that you like, but please don't give flags or stars for any other reasons.)

Flags awarded will be worth 2 points each.
Stars will be worth 1 point each.

If the winner of the "Writers" section is the same person who chose the current theme, then the opportunity to choose the next theme will fall to the runner up.

Our Theme creator jadedANDcynical will be happy to answer any questions relating to this month's theme, and I am happy to answer anything else about the contests/rules etc.

As always... GOOD LUCK and HAVE FUN!
G

So, to summarise...

"Sneaking Suspicions".
In 50 words or less.
Up to TWO entries each.

Go For It!

PS - Remember that THEY are watching you....

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

Looking forward to the entries already and i love the 50 word format . Bring it ATS .

I'm really looking forward to it,but as a reader.
Sometimes I just read all you guys wrote, silently,no stars or any input...but 50 words...not much.like commercial. 5 rows of text to intrigue someones mind
10 words in line just like this..limit reached.

originally posted by: Gordi The Drummer
So, to summarise...

"Sneaking Suspicions".
In 50 words or less.
Up to TWO entries each.

Go For It!

PS - Remember that THEY are watching you....

"They? who is they?"

"Deke Thornton."

"Oh!"

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

Thank you so much for hosting yet another contest for our writers and those aspiring to be.

Last month, when it looked like there was a real possibility that I would be the winner I started pondering what I might suggest as a theme for this month's contest. Knowing of the additional limitation of the very small word count, I also considered what subjects to tackle within such strictures. It wasn't long before the idea we find ourselves contemplating presented itself to my mind and I began wondering how I would address said topic.

With the aforementioned parameters in mind I present the following tale, "Found Out - [SS2019]," a story which takes place a few months after the events described in my previous entry, "OMNI A.I.2019."

Writer status = true.

a reply to: bally001

You having a crack mate , will have a throw away entry up soon .

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

www.abovetopsecret.com...

My 1st effort. Hope this linky thing works

bally

a reply to: hutch622

Had my first "crack" years ago mate! Ohh lol, yeah, nah, on topic. I've posted.

Bally

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer
Sublimation

Kind of a throw away effort ,

haha!
Great 1st efforts guys.

This is NOT AN ENTRY, but as a "tribute" to our theme...
I was thinking something along the lines of:


SNEAKY

"I always had this sneaking suspicion that ATS was gathering information for the CIA or something."
"Well, if THAT was true, they’d find ways of getting you to write down your fears, your paranoia..."
"What? Like holding a contest asking people to write down their suspicions?
Like that would.. ever... .... ...!!?*&#!"

Raunchy Rodney

ETA Throw-away effort too. Just a bit of fun.

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

Here you go.
Contents of a Dead Man's Stomach [SS2019]

I certainly hope the end doesn't count in the word count.

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

My submission.

www.abovetopsecret.com...

Decided to try my hand at this.
Here is my submission.
Am I Really Dreaming? sS2019 (non-writer)

Been a while but I have a couple of things to share...

www.abovetopsecret.com...

www.abovetopsecret.com...

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

Gordy... Was just wondering if I forgot to put SS2019 inside brackets [SS2019] will my submission not be considered?

None of the links work for me.

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer
I would like to participate, but I have no idea how to navigate/post as I am brand new at this. If its not to inconvenient could you walk me through it? I apologize in advance for asking for your time, and understand if its not possible to do so. Thanks

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

Here is mine for the month,enjoy.www.abovetopsecret.com...