Welcome to the results of May month writing contest.

🌾 Before we announce the winners, reviews and suggestions have been provided for each entries, so the writers get some benefit from it and polish their crafts more. Stay motivated. Kindly don't be discouraged if you didn't win. Learn more, write better, and keep entering the contests with your amazing entries. Keep your chin up and dive in for the month of July!

🌾 Since Wattpad DM feature has been disabled, it's hard for us to reach out to the contest winners regarding the prizes. It'd be helpful if the winner and the honorable mention provide any way to bridge a communication. It can be via E-mail ID, Discord, or Instagram. Whichever mode the writers feel comfortable with, let us know via inline comments.

🌾 We are planning to bring a different format challenge for the month of July. Stay tuned and do keep a lookout for the new update, which will tail in a few hours!

Now, without further delay, let's get started with the results!

Clapping please...

WINNER: StephanieProchaska
(All Your Secrets)

RUNNER-UP: Rutger_Galtiarii_9
(Mind Games)

Good job everyone!
A round of applause for all the participants for their hard work. Scroll ahead for reviews.

Entries And The Reviews:

1: CANGEL1915: A Lost Paradise
Scoring:

A: Prompt adherence – 6/10
B: Pitch – 4/5
C: Storyline  – 13/15
D: Characters (Narration) – 13/15
E: Hook – 14/15
F: Grammar & Style – 14/15
G: Worldbuilding – 14/15
H: Reader's enjoyment – 8/10

Total: 86/100

Review: “Darkness only lives where we let it” – such a great theme! Sometimes a few stories stick to us for long after we are done reading, this is one such short shot. Mara’s determination, her rebel against the magically secured world and ultimately her venture towards the outer world of darkness, these events have been portrayed in a well-thought manner. The tiny bit of criticism would be about the prompt execution. Almost the whole of the story narrates the tale of unfortunate sacrifices of the newborns. Mara refused to do that. It would be a much immersive read, had the writer bring forth the spotlight upon this event where she is giving birth and what she feels of the sacrifice and of saving his son. A more thorough description of the emotional details, that's what the suggestion is. Overall, it's appreciable how well a whole story has been squeezed within this word count and all the while the sequence remains coherent. Well done! Keep writing.

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2: ebony_ice: All but You
Scoring:

A: Prompt adherence – 8/10
B: Pitch – 4/5
C: Storyline  – 13/15
D: Characters (Narration) – 12/15
E: Hook – 13/15
F: Grammar & Style – 11/15
G: Worldbuilding – 13/15
H: Reader's enjoyment – 8/10

Total: 82/100

Review: A story that can easily snatch someone's breath! From the title one can make a guess of this shot being a love story, although it is a dark spectrum love story. The way the writer has pulled up a character, the narrator, with such a psychopath tendency and the questionable way his mind works – writing such things is never easy, and yet with ease here it has been shown. It's admirable. The point of criticism would be technicalities. There are many grammatical issues, and a few run-ons – these can be rectified with one keen reading. Description of the characters or the surrounding could enhance the readability. Conclusion of the story is the highlight overall. A love so obsessive that it left ruins in its wake. Point of view is also refreshing, given it’s not easy to balance a second person POV with clarity. On an additional note, if the writer ever decides to expand this one shot, hopefully it won't be the glorification of such tragic and disturbing obsession. All the very best, keep writing!

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3: Amypretty1: His Heart
Scoring:

A: Prompt adherence – 7/10
B: Pitch – 3/5
C: Storyline  – 13/15
D: Characters (Narration) – 13/15
E: Hook – 13/15
F: Grammar & Style – 10/15
G: Worldbuilding – 13/15
H: Reader's enjoyment – 7/10

Total: 79/100

Review: Storyline of the shot is ethereal. Someone devoted to fighting off the demons of the ones close to them – it's very hard to find and read about such love. The theme is beautiful. Depiction of darkness and of light in the form of Jesus is also shown well. It's all about faith and trust. The point of criticism would be grammar and formatting. Punctuation errors are persistent, which cuts down the readability. One thorough editing may do wonders. Overall, strong theme, nice portrayal of the characters and the bond between them. Rectifying fallacies will lead to a better story. Good luck!

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4: SugarCinnamonRoll956: Crimson Tears
Scoring:

A: Prompt adherence – 8/10
B: Pitch – 3/5
C: Storyline  – 14/15
D: Characters (Narration) – 13/15
E: Hook – 13/15
F: Grammar & Style – 14/15
G: Worldbuilding – 13/15
H: Reader's enjoyment – 8/10

Total: 86/100

Review: Hauntingly beautiful! Leah’s turmoil, her sadness, and anguish over losing Tyler is very well portrayed. Emotional appeal is the strongest aspect of this tale. Among the strong points is the pacing and formatting of the sequences, which flow smoothly like clear water. Scene upon scene, from the initial determination, to losing it for a flicker of a moment, and ultimately fulfilling the desire of revenge – the pacing is indeed admirable. Point of criticism would be the lack of world around the characters. There's much space for showing the grief, the world closing in, heaviness inside the heart, vulnerability and everything in between. The more the rawness of grief is described, the more hooking a narration becomes. Overall, a pretty strong and enjoyable read. Keep writing!

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5: IDK456K: Monthly contest - May
Scoring:

A: Prompt adherence – 6/10
B: Pitch – 3/5
C: Storyline  – 12/15
D: Characters (Narration) – 12/15
E: Hook – 13/15
F: Grammar & Style – 12/15
G: Worldbuilding – 13/15
H: Reader's enjoyment – 6/10

Total: 77/100

Review: Losing someone close to heart feels no less than hell. Jones's pain and guilt could easily be felt across the pages, although that's not the reason justified to give their own life. The story has much potential, since the events that have been alluded to – fighting parents and neglected child, surviving among the crowd that finds it hard to accept gender fluidity, and a friendship which is an anchor. The events are indeed full of potential. With proper showcase and strong portrayal, this could be a well relatable and inspiring one shot. Point of criticism is the pacing. Instead of rushing through events all at once, focus on one or two strong scenes and rely on the descriptions of the mental state of the narrator. Describing one's turmoil and conflict adds to the emotional value and the hook. Otherwise, overall, the story carries greater potential. Best wishes!

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6: NomiLikesCheese: Not You
Scoring:

A: Prompt adherence – 8/10
B: Pitch – 3/5
C: Storyline  – 14/15
D: Characters (Narration) – 13/15
E: Hook – 13/15
F: Grammar & Style – 12/15
G: Worldbuilding – 13/15
H: Reader's enjoyment – 9/10

Total: 85/100

Review: When a reader is able to visualize the events as shown in the story, it's the strength of the writing style. Faelyn and Cal fighting side by side, their adoration and care for each other – these could easily be felt through the pages. The most unique is the portrayal of Faelyn. Such a strong woman, a warrior, and the fire of determination in her heart. Admirable, to say the least. The only point for which the score has been deducted is technical errors. There are many instances where spelling mistakes dominate, so do the grammatical slips. It can easily be mended through thorough reading. Another tidbit of suggestion is to expand the world of the narrators and infuse a few facial expressions and body language to balance off the strength. Good showcase of plotline. Keep writing!

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7: roshmalaiyo: The weight of vengeance
Scoring:

A: Prompt adherence – 8/10
B: Pitch – 3/5
C: Storyline  – 13/15
D: Characters (Narration) – 12/15
E: Hook – 13/15
F: Grammar & Style – 13/15
G: Worldbuilding – 13/15
H: Reader's enjoyment – 8/10

Total: 83/100

Review: It's very hard to imagine the pain one goes through after losing someone this close to heart. Such sadness, the grief has been portrayed in the story, and the connection to plot is strong. Bullying takes up so many lives, it's a raging topic everyday! Showing the loss and the pain of a mother with such intensity is admirable. The only point of criticism would be taking notes of punctuation errors and adding more descriptions showcasing the mental state of the narrator when she sets foot for vengeance. There is a sudden switch from the hospital room to killing the people who hit the narrator's daughter. This pacing could be managed well. Otherwise, great story. Keep writing!

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8: fanfic_writernim: The hidden truth
Scoring:

A: Prompt adherence – 8/10
B: Pitch – 2/5
C: Storyline  – 14/15
D: Characters (Narration) – 12/15
E: Hook – 13/15
F: Grammar & Style – 12/15
G: Worldbuilding – 13/15
H: Reader's enjoyment – 8/10

Total: 82/100

Review: First and foremost, the appearance of the characters have been written beautifully! So is the portrayal of conflict between Taehyung and Jennie. It's a win for the writer when the readers feel for the characters and wish to pick them and drop them at a safe place! Making the world immersive and storyline this promising is a strong aspect of the story. The only criticism would be to cut out run-on sentences and pay close attention to punctuation. Try to incorporate body language while the characters are talking, to enhance the visuals. Best of luck!

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9: Rutger_Galtiarii_9: Mind Games
Scoring:

A: Prompt adherence – 7/10
B: Pitch – 3/5
C: Storyline  – 14/15
D: Characters (Narration) – 13/15
E: Hook – 14/15
F: Grammar & Style – 14/15
G: Worldbuilding – 14/15
H: Reader's enjoyment – 8/10

Total: 87/100

Review: A pet controlling the mind of a human has to be the worst kind of nightmare! The story was absolutely enjoyable. Eerie, thrilling, and yet funny at the same time. All of Jenny's money is surely going to be spent on toys and treats! Each aspect of the story, from character, to writing style, and descriptions, is well written. No such criticism. However, there's space for adding more inner thoughts where Jenny realizes she might possibly be controlled. Her being restless, almost paranoid, or that sense of something bad – adding these can improve the readability and overall quality. Good luck!

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10: StephanieProchaska: All your secrets
Scoring:

A: Prompt adherence – 8/10
B: Pitch – 3/5
C: Storyline  – 14/15
D: Characters (Narration) – 13/15
E: Hook – 14/15
F: Grammar & Style – 14/15
G: Worldbuilding – 14/15
H: Reader's enjoyment – 8/10

Total: 88/100

Review: Mysterious, disturbing, and oddly compelling. Well-written story with descriptive events. The flow and connection between paragraphs is refreshing. It feels like an intimate diary entry of the narrator, only with a heavy sense of something sinister brewing overhead. Seeing the girl under the tree through the stalkerish gaze of the narrator, the villainous feeling is hard to shake off! Making a reader walk alongside the speaker and in fact making them feel as if they're a part of the story – it's an admirable trait of a good story. The only bit of criticism would be clarity. The lack of a few pointers made the readability slightly hard. Who was the boy? A hint of any such secret that has been alluded to by the end could be a great addition. A few dialogues sprinkled here and there may also balance the descriptions. Otherwise, everything seems well! Best wishes, keep writing.

Thank you for participating. Warm regards.