Hello, everyone! And welcome to Microcosms 72. Today’s theme comes from fellow writer Michael Emerson. And I think it’s such a cool idea, that we’ll probably make this a special series. Enjoy!



Mythology, from the Greek ‘mythos’ meaning story-of-the-people, and ‘logos’ for word or speech, the spoken story of a people, is a collection of often sacred tales or fables of a culture that deal with being human. Good, evil, our origins, life, death, the afterlife, the underworld, and the gods. Whatever the subject, Myths express the beliefs and values about these ideas held by a culture. We have explored our world through myths and legends, we still do, our Fantasy worlds bring elements, themes, and discussions from the real world into a new context, one where every voice can be treated as equal. It is our way of being able to explore topics that normally we cannot truly express in our societies or cultures. This is the magic of Fantasy, of Myths, of Legends. Michael

For this week’s contest, I’ve decided to focus on Greek mythology. The characters and settings will be strongly influenced by stories from ancient Greece. (A future contest will likely focus on another culture’s stories.) And since we are dealing with myths, I’ve also included a special challenge. I won’t be judging, so I can’t promise any brownie points for completing the challenge, but feel free to use it if it inspires you. KM

(If YOU have an idea for a future contest and would like to be guest host, please contact us.)

Our contest this week begins with THREE things: character, setting and genre.

We spun, and our three elements are – character: Nymph, setting: The Underworld, and genre: (coincidentally) Myth.

Write a story using those OR feel free to click on the “Spin!” button, and the slot machine will come up with a new set – you can keep clicking until you have a set of elements that inspires you.

Special Challenge

Create a new “myth” and use your story to explain one of the following topics:

Good

Evil

Our origins

Life

Death

The afterlife

The underworld

Gods

If you complete the special challenge, please indicate so and which topic you are exploring. Then, our judge can decide if she wants to take it into consideration or not.

*** HEY! Remember to include which THREE elements you’re using AND a title for your entry ***





Kidnap Victim

Farmer

God of the Underworld

Half Human, Half…?

Cursed King

Sailor

Hero (with a Weakness?)

Gorgon

Cyclops

Nymph

Flying Man

Inventor

A “Pandora” Figure

A Demigod

A Poet or Musician

A Soldier Forest

Mountain or Mt. Olympus

Battlefield

Riverside

Flying

Castle

Cave

Sailing the Seas

Falling Through the Sky

In a Labyrinth

The Underworld Crime

Romance

Fantasy

Comedy

Memoir

Horror

Drama

Mystery/Noir

Poem

Science Fiction

Myth

Spin!

All submissions should be a maximum of 300 words in length. You have until midnight, New York time (EDT) to submit.

*** If you are new to Microcosms, remember to check out the full submission guidelines. ***

All being well, results will be posted on Monday.

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