#5ActFestiveStory writing challenge
BY Maya Fernandes
9th Dec 2024
Welcome to #WriteCBC's #5ActFestiveStory 2024! This blog has the details of the story and competition structure, and will also be where we announce our daily winners.
Find out more about our special festive writing competition, which is taking place on Bluesky @cbcreative.bsky.social (from Mon 9 Dec to Mon 16 Dec), including instructions of how to play, the prizes on offer and the rules here.
We are especially excited that special guest Chloe Timms will be providing the prompt to kickstart the beginning of our story. Chloe Timms is the author of The Seawomen and host of the podcast Confessions of a Debut Novelist.
Chloe is also on the Discoveries 2025 judging panel – she will be joined by chair of judges and founder of the Women's Prize Kate Mosse, acclaimed authors Claire Kohda and Dreda Say Mitchell, Curtis Brown literary agent Jess Molloy and CBC’s founder Anna Davis. Find out more about Discoveries and enter by 13 Jan 2024 here.
This special festive edition of #WriteCBC will follow a five-act structure. Read on to learn more about this traditional story arc and its relevance to our Festive Story:
Act I – Opening & Setup (Mon 9 Dec)
This act should introduce the protagonist and tell us when and where the story is happening.
We’re asking you to continue the story opening using this prompt from Chloe Timms as your inspiration:
- It was on the twelfth consecutive day of snow, the country held in an icy standstill, when a postcard arrived. Sodden and exposing just two words: I’m sorry.
Chloe has set up the story with a character and one location. In your continuation of the opening, be sure to reveal some more details about our protagonist and begin to set the tone for the rest of the story. Perhaps you'll include details that reveal the era in which the story is taking place, or what genre the narrative might fall under . . .
Well done to our two runners-up @malikanwrites.bsky.social and @cbarot.bsky.social! You’ve both won a £50 discount to be used on a short online course of your choice.
Congratulations to our first winner! Our opening act comes from @thoughtworms.bsky.social:
- Ella followed the sounds of dreary Christmas hymns to where her mother sat in the living room. “Someone left this on our doorstep,” she said, handing over the postcard. Upon seeing the handwriting, her mother’s eyes gleamed with tears. “Who’s it from?” Ella asked.
This writer has done a great job at hooking the reader’s interest by introducing our two main characters and a situation that raises several questions. The Christmas hymns create a sense of tradition and nostalgia, contrasting with the tension created by Ella’s mum's emotional reaction to the letter. Who wrote the letter? What’s inside? Why does it affect Ella’s mother so strongly?
Where will the story go next? It’s up to you as you help us write Act II!
Act II – Rising Action (Tues 10 Dec)
Following on from our Act I winner (@thoughtworms.bsky.social), we’d like you to give us an inciting incident… Something must happen to our protagonist that will force them to face a problem!
Well done to our two runners-up @littlewritespace.bsky.social and @writingsloth.bsky.social. You’ve both won a £50 discount to be used on a short online course of your choice.
Congratulations to our second winner! Our second act comes from @mikaelasilk.bsky.social:
- Instead of answering, her mum rushed to grab their suitcases and started shoving clothes in. ‘The snow should have been warning enough, but I thought she’d be able to keep him away forever. 20 years, and now…’ She looked up, her eyes piercing. ‘He’s coming Ella. We must leave.’
We loved this inciting incident! The tension between Ella and her mum is so palpable, and the way the dialogue builds it up is brilliant. The mum's urgency and mysterious words hint at a deeper story that could unfold, perhaps with old wounds or unresolved issues tied to this mysterious "him." Who could this mystery figure be? Will they make it out before he catches up with them? These are all questions that we want you to start helping us answer with your Act III submission...
Act III – Midpoint & Climax (Weds 11 Dec)
Following on from our Act II winner, our characters should have a revelation about how to solve their problem – but something goes wrong. This is the turning point and the part of our story with the highest amount of suspense.
Well done to our two runners-up @joannebarker.bsky.social and @phoebecarney.bsky.social. You’ve both won a £50 discount to be used on the short online course of your choice.
Congratulations to our third winner! Act three comes from @katesfwriter.bsky.social:
- A crash came from the roof. Mum screamed. The house shuddered. Crunching footsteps sounded on the stairs. Ella’s breath misted. Ice crept under the door. The rug glistened. ‘Ella, remember the fire!’ Mum’s voice was a whisper. Ella’s limbs became lead weights as ice engulfed her....
We loved how this writer heightens the action of the story and increases the stakes as we move towards the final acts of this Festive Story. Will Ella and her mum figure out a way to triumph over the intruder and survive the icy storm? We'll leave that up to you as we enter Act IV!
Act IV – Falling Action (Thurs 12 Dec)
Following on from our Act III winner, our story is coming to an end – but there should still be some unknowns and plot twists to be revealed and wrapped up.
Well done to our two runners-up @gsachrajda.bsky.social and @ninakashi.bsky.social. You’ve both won a £50 discount to be used on the short online course of your choice.
Congratulations to our fourth winner! Act four comes from @kaybeen.bsky.social:
- Her head rolled back as she surrendered to the numbing cold – but then a memory, long suppressed, arose. As she concentrated, a flame flickered in her outstretched hands, wavering as she cried out then holding strong, its warmth creating puddles on the floor. The footsteps paused.
We really enjoyed how this writer continued the story. As we near the final act, this entry builds perfectly on the previous act, showing the protagonist overcoming challenges and discovering her powers. It sets up the finale brilliantly, leaving us eager to see how the story will come to a close! We are desperate to know who the footsteps belong to. Help us find out by writing Act V!
Act V – Resolution (Fri 13 Dec)
Following on from where our Act IV winner left off, we need the resolution to our story! Perhaps there’s a revelation and maybe a lesson is learned.
Well done to our two runners-up @edmsrus.bsky.social and @staceygeorgewrites.bsky.social. You’ve both won a £50 discount to be used on the short online course of your choice.
Congratulations to our fifth and final winner! Act five comes from @katelinjoywrites.bsky.social:
- She looked to the frozen figure before her. 'I’m sorry,' he said, 'it was never meant to be this way.' The Winter Warlock cautiously approached Ella, her memories feeding the flame, drawing him in, melting his icy exterior. Beneath it, a man. Embracing his daughter on Christmas.
We really enjoyed how this writer wrapped up the story, capturing the Christmas spirit of joy and redemption. This conclusion is a beautiful reminder that the festive period can bring people together.
Helpful tips
This is a festive story, so bear this theme in mind when you're writing the acts of the story. Try to think about the magic and mystery of this time of year. Pay attention to the details of Chloe's prompt and remember that you will be asked to continue the story from the previous winner's act, so make sure you read the story so far and keep the tone, themes, character names and setting the same.
Consistency is important but remember to enjoy the collaborative nature of the task. There's nothing wrong with a few twists and turns...
Join in on the fun on Bluesky @cbcreative.bsky.social!
If you're one of our lucky winners or runners-up please email help@curtisbrowncreative.co.uk to claim your prize.