The contest takes place at NIC’s Comox Valley campus, in Tyee Hall, Room 114, starting at 1 pm. Everyone is welcome.
“It’s amazing what can happen when you lock people in a room and ask them to write their way out,” says NIC English Instructor, Steve Schoenhoff.
The contest winner receives a $300 tuition credit toward any NIC course. The Island Word newspaper will publish the story.
“At 1 pm the doors close and writers will be given elements that must appear in the story,” said Schoenhoff. “It might be a psychological problem deep in the heart of the protagonist, or a conflict over control of a useless piece of furniture.”
Schoenhoff brought the competition to the Comox Valley seven years ago, after hearing about Vancouver’s notorious three-day novel contest.
“There were over 40 entries in NIC’s very first contest,” Schoenhoff said. “The quality of work has been great every year.”
Writers craft their story in NIC’s computer lab and print their work at the end of the three hours. A panel of NIC faculty and staff will judge the stories based on readability, creativity and the degree to which they weave the required elements into the story.
“Writing a story in three hours can be an inspiring dilemma for people,” Schoenhoff said. “I wanted to give short story writers an opportunity to show what they can do under pressure.”
Registration is by donation to the NIC Foundation. Proceeds support creative writing students through the Stephen Schoenhoff Creative Writing Scholarship.
NIC offers a wide range of English courses from upgrading, creative writing and business writing courses through to academic writing and university studies. Many of these courses are available at reduced rates to learners ages 55+ through NIC’s Joy of Lifelong Learning program. To find out more about NIC’s programs and courses visit www.nic.bc.ca.
For contest information or to register, please contact Steve at 250-334-5094 or stephen.schoenhoff@nic.bc.ca by 4:30 pm, Saturday, December 9, 2017. Latecomers will be accommodated as space permits.
Media Contact:
Christiana Wiens
Media Liaison, North Island College
O. 250-334-5280 | M. 250-218-4097
christiana.wiens@nic.bc.ca
