Calling all teens aged 15-19! Here’s your chance to join a writing competition where you’ll be able to use your imagination to craft stories about ordinary people through multi-faceted stories.
Organised by writer-editor-trainer Brigitte Rozario, the Pipit Writing Competition is aimed at encouraging writing among older teens and to give avid writers an opportunity to express their creativity.
The pipit (sparrow) can be found in most parts of the world except the driest deserts, in rainforests, and in Antarctica. There are more than 40 species. The plumage is brown and not colourful or exotic in any way. They are associated with joy and happiness, and represent good luck.
Much like the bird, Rozario hopes this writing competition will spur teens to come up with interesting tales about ordinary people that will resonate with readers.
The ordinary, Rozario said, can birth the most magical and awe-inspiring ideas and tales that briefly make us forget our mundane lives as the storyteller takes us on a rollercoaster ride. That is what a great story feels like.
Rozario said although she had been organising writing competitions since 2020, this was the first time older kids were being given the chance to participate.
“I started the Merdeka Writing Competition in 2020 and it was open to kids aged 11-14. But every time I organised these competitions, parents would ask if the older children could take part,” she said.
“So this year, I decided to organise something fun for those aged 15 to 19, through the Pipit Writing Competition.”
“Of course, there are non-fiction essay competitions. These competitions are good, but they do not allow kids to explore their creativity and use their imagination, which is what I hope Pipit will offer.”
For those who are not quite sure if they should participate, Rozario said, “there is really nothing to lose”.
“It’s not just about having perfect English… it’s also about being able to tell an interesting story,” said Rozario.
“Sometimes, the person who ends up winning is not the one with the perfect English, but one who can tell the better story.”
Rozario also offered some tips for those planning to join the competition.
- Stories must have characters.
- Share the character’s thoughts and emotions.
- Give the characters problems to overcome. These problems should not be easy.
- Write about something that resonate with people.
The Pipit Writing Competition is open to those in Malaysia, including non-Malaysians, and refugees.
Top three winners will walk away with BookXcess vouchers sponsored by Twentytwo13, a prize with their names engraved, a certificate, and a regular-sized Tata Pies apple pie.
Details of the competition are as follows:
- Fiction writing (2,000-3,000 words)
- Theme: Living in Harmony with Animals
- Entries open: July 15, 2024
- Closing date: Aug 31, 2024
Those who wish to learn more, can email Rozario at brigitte.rozario@gmail.com
