Writing Contest: NPR's Three-Minute Fiction

NPR's three-minute fiction writing contest

LAUGHING/CRYING

snap shot of the details: 

1.  entry dates between January 8, 2011 and January 23, 2011

2.  600 words or less of fiction

3.  one story/one entry per person

4.  story must include one character who tells a joke and one character who cries

5.  Entrants must be 18 or older and legal resident of U.S. 

6.  The Judge: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, author of the critically acclaimed books Purple Hibiscus and Half a Yellow Sun; judging will be based on originality, creativity, and quality of writing

5.  Prize--a radio broadcast interview and your story read on NPR's Weekend All Things Considered plus a copy of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's collection of short stories, "The Thing Around Your Neck."

If you prefer to read the legal official rules, click here

To submit your story click here

Everything Elephants

I heard an NPR commentary by a clever scientist who said there is so much water in a cloud, he can only logically discuss the measure in elephant units.   Now, whenever it rains, I think of elephants.  And it's raining today, so naturally I feel compelled to offer elephant reading recommendations.

Here are my three favorite elephant books...I promise hours of fun reading!!
Modoc by Ralph Helfer
The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen