Tired Writers Community: Summer Mini-Awards

☀️ Best Prologue Winners ☀️

☀️ Batch 1 winners ☀️

🥇 1st place 🥇

Fall of Dragonesia by _abhipreeti_

I think this is one of the best prologues I've read on this app. The reader is instantly plunged into a dark and brutal world where innocence is shattered by unimaginable horror. 

I love that the author doesn't play around and starts the story on a high note, leaving no room for the reader to accommodate. It might be bothersome for some people, but I think it's a great way to start a story.

Another thing that the author managed to do skillfully is convey the intensity of Alana's pain and anger, making her transformation from a frightened child to a determined survivor.

The prologue is full of vivid imagery, but the scenes in which Alana confronts the Dragonesian stood out to me the most. The descriptions of the creature's transformation and the ensuing battle of wills are both terrifying and fascinating, drawing the reader deeper into this nightmare world. 

The story does not shy away from the Dragonesian's brutality, but it also highlights Alana's remarkable inner strength and intelligence as she outwits her mother's murderer with a poisoned dagger.

🥈 2nd place 🥈

Her purpose by sulkytae

Very good prologue, but a little bit sad. Okay, maybe a little bit more sad. Elizabeth looks a like an underdog to me and this makes her a relatable character for anyone who has ever felt invisible or outshined by others.

I think the author decision to use a self-deprecating tone fits the story very much, matching Elizabeth's apparent lack of confidence.

Overall, the prologue does a good job of setting up Elizabeth as someone who's easily overlooked, but whose story might have more depth beneath the surface. It makes me curious to learn more about her and see if she eventually finds her own way to stand out.

🥉 3rd place 🥉

The Lab by mysticalelf08

This prologue begins with a relatable and common piece of advice that many of us have heard from our parents: do not take candy from strangers. The character then quickly draws the reader into a personal and chilling story by confessing that she was the very child who disobeyed this warning.

As the character reveals her traumatic experience, the tone effectively shifts from casual, almost dismissive of parental advice to much darker and more serious.

Overall, the passage is interesting, and the transition from a typical childhood scenario to a traumatic experience is well done.

☀️ Batch 2 winners ☀️

🥇 1st place 🥇

Fate Tied Us Together With A String by julias_diary

As a reader, the narrative is engaging thanks to a combination of descriptive detail and a slice-of-life atmosphere that effectively transports the reader to the scene. The Anderson family is getting ready for a big change in their lives, and the opening scene creates a sense of urgency and expectation. It adds a sense of calm before the rush, which contrasts nicely with the family's busy preparations. 

A hint of the characters' cultural background is revealed through the dialogue, which is authentic in part because it makes frequent use of Italian expressions. Particularly between Bernard and Marcus, this bilingual feature contributes to the development of a close-knit family dynamic.

The scene is brought to life through the use of specific details, such as Marcus's knitted sweater and the fogged-up shower door. But occasionally, these particulars can come across as a little intrusive, which slows down the narrative's flow. For example, in order to keep the story moving forward, the paragraph where Marcus describes drying himself could be made shorter.

🥈 2nd place 🥈

Hot-Hearted by delulu_alex

The conversation begins with a lighthearted tension that immediately draws the listener in. The characters' flirty and cheeky tone is established by their conversation. Y/n's dominant position is depicted quite well; her physical dominance over Jungkook emphasizes this.

Jungkook's response, which combines charm and resistance in spite of his submissive posture and a smile, gives his character more nuance. His lighthearted demand for future control raises questions about their complicated chemistry and implies that this isn't merely a one-time power struggle but rather a continuation of a meaningful conversation.

With a touch of fun mixed with power, the last line—a formal "You have the right to remain silent"—twists to effectively round out the action. Though tailored to their particular exchange, it's a witty homage to the traditional Miranda rights.

🥉 3rd place 🥉

What if Geto is your master by mothboyikari

I have to admit, this was a guilty pleasure. Considering how dark, domineering, and emotionally charged the scene was, the prologue was strong and compelling.

The writer does a good job of capturing the unfiltered, raw environment. There is a tangible sense of urgency and want created by the use of language like "aggressive tempo," "jarring the both of us," and "pained with lust".

I lowkey enjoyed Suguru's domineering side in your narrative. The sensory elements significantly support the entire imagination.