Read the responses to this week’s Write to Win prompt and vote for the answer you like most using this form. The deadline for voting is 12pm on Tuesday, November 3.
We have prepared some exciting prizes for our top three contestants:
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Winner: Kindle, City’super voucher and a YP certificate
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First runner-up: Instax camera and a YP certificate
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Second runner-up: City’super voucher and a YP certificate
Bonus prize: Every winner will also walk away with 2 tickets to Hong Kong Disneyland!
Jupiter
Show title: Shadows in Oakwood
Episode 1: “A new beginning”
As dawn breaks over the small town of Oakwood, we meet Jake, a secondary school student grappling with the fresh challenges of starting anew.
At 7.15am, his alarm blares, jolting him from uneasy dreams. With a groggy sigh, he stumbles to the bathroom to prepare for the day. By 8am, Jake stands outside his new school, twisting the rusty padlock that guards the entrance. Despite having moved to Oakwood a month ago, he still feels a profound sense of isolation.
When the lock finally clicks open, he steps inside, but his heart sinks as he sorts through his textbooks. A neatly folded note catches his attention, and as he opens it, Jake’s stomach drops.
“I know why you moved to Oakwood,” it reads. Panic floods his mind – who knows his secret? He tucks the note into his pocket, trying to project a sense of normalcy. Jake walks to his maths class, scanning his peers’ faces for anyone who seems out of place. His anxiety comes from knowing he moved to escape a haunting past where he was blamed for things he did not do.
There’s a shadow of something sinister creeping in – the unsettling thought of a lookalike who was seen causing trouble back at his old school. When Mr Barron hands back their assessments, Jake feels a knot tighten in his stomach. As he stares at the large “F” scrawled across the paper, the disappointment isn’t just about his grade. It’s the handwriting – neatly crafted with answers he would never have given.
Jake flips through the assessment, heart racing, as he recognises strange thoughts and ideas written in a distinct style. Deep down, he knows the truth: the person behind this chaos is back. Just as he begins to regain his composure, his phone pings in his pocket.
A text from an unknown number reads ominously, “You won’t be able to run this time.” The episode fades to black, leaving viewers on edge, eager to find out how Jake will combat the darkness that lurks in his new life.
Neptune
I envision a series titled Homecoming. In the first episode, we meet Jack, a retired soldier returning home after years of service. As he steps out of the car, excitement fills the air, as his family rushes to embrace him. The warmth of their hugs is palpable, but Jack struggles with the bittersweet reality of how much his children have changed.
His once shoulder-high son, Miles, now towers over him, and his daughter, Ava, has shed her childhood innocence, resembling his wife more closely than ever.
After all the hugging, they went back inside for a meal, everything feeling both familiar and distant.
“Dad! I might actually grow taller than you; I’m already 1.75 metres!” Miles exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear.
“We’ll see,” his dad replied.
The sound of metal striking metal echoed in the air.
“I’m sorry, everyone. I’ll clean the plate myself,” Ava said apologetically. But the sound had frozen Jack’s smile. His palms became sweaty; his breath grew shallow. Memories from the war flooded back to him.
“Jack?” His wife placed a hand on his arm. “Are you OK?”
“Yeah ... I just did not sleep well,” he responded, standing up and leaving the room. As Jack walked around the block, he noticed how much things had changed.
“Would you like a bag of cookies, sir?” A small voice interrupted his thoughts. “They’re handmade, and the money will go to helping stray cats and dogs.”
The girl’s smile was bright and warm, untouched by the cruelty of the world.
“Sorry, I don’t have my wallet; I’ll buy some next time,” Jack mumbled.
The girl studied Jack’s face for a moment. “That’s OK; here’s a bag anyway. Sweet treats always make me feel better.”
Jack returned home and sat by himself in the front yard. His son noticed him and quietly sat beside him. Jack looked over without saying anything. He knew it wouldn’t be easy, but maybe he could learn. If war had taught him anything, it was that he was resilient.
This episode sets the stage for a poignant exploration of resilience, healing and the power of love in the face of trauma – showing that even amid chaos, there can be comfort and joy in returning home.
Apply for the next season
Do you love a challenge? Don’t miss the chance to win great prizes by taking part in our next writing contest! Click here and fill out the online form to apply.
The entry question is: What was a boring moment you had recently? Write about it in the least boring way. The deadline is at 11.59pm on November 15. We will notify the new contestants on Monday, November 16.
