SikhNet is looking for Creative Writers to create original Sikh-themed stories.
Selected stories to be made into SikhNet audio stories or animation!
PRIZES! We will be selecting prize winners from two categories:
Ages 8 - 12 years old
First prize: $100 USD
Second prize: $50 Amazon gift card
Third prize: $25 Amazon gift card
Ages - 13-18 years old
First prize: $500 USD
Second prize: $50 Amazon gift card
Third prize: $25 Amazon gift card
Ages over 18 you are welcome to participate and possibly have your script be produced but you will not be eligible for prizes.
One or more of the winning stories will be made into new SikhNet Audio Stories and may also be turned into a simple animated video as well!
Deadline:
Aug 29th
From our first competition we ended up animating 'Team Khalsa'. From our second competition we ended up producing 'Singh The Lion' and animating 'Can Trees Grow Overnight' as well as 'Bibi Sharan: Courage of Kaurs'. Your story could be the next great story on SikhNet Stories!
The submission form is below, but please first read our guidelines:
No AI
We are exclusively interested in your original ideas and creations. We believe in the power of the sangat. It is for the sake of the sangat that we are engaging this competition. We will not accept any AI generated ideas or text. However, there is no way for us to really distinguish if AI was used at any phase in the process like research, rough draft script or plot ideas. Therefor all we can do is ask you to be on the honor system. Please accept that we do not want you to use ChatGPT, or any other artificial intelligence, to aid you in your creative process, on any level, and refrain from using them.
What we're looking for
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An original story with Sikh characters that is inspirational, teaches something, and speaks in an entertaining and engaging way to modern children.
- Stories that can be made into a series (i.e., multiple unique stories using the main characters in different plots and settings.) We want characters kids can 'connect with' and get familiar with through lots of different "Adventures."
- Stories with Sikh Boy & Girl characters that appeal to both genders and tackle topics that relate to both. It could also have other main characters, parents, teachers, adults, animals/imaginary characters/sidekicks, etc.
- We are primarily looking for original work. This means that if history is used, it should be used in a new and original way. Historical stories are more limited, and for that reason we want new ideas and situations that apply to young people today. Historical fiction can serve this purpose provided it is original and "modern." Modern fiction and future fiction will also be exciting. I'm sure you have some good ideas that are itching to come out.
If this sounds interesting to you, then get started right away since we need your scripts really soon! Once you've started your creative process, you may want to read the suggestions below to help create more inspiring stories for kids on SikhNet.
Ideas
Here are two ideas of what theme you could make your script on in case you need any stimulation: Identity and modern day miracles.
~Identity. What are some real-life scenarios that would make one question their Sikh identity? What would be the solution or offer inspiration? What if someone is strong with their outward identity but is inwardly corrupt? What about the opposite where someone is righteous and faithful yet doesn't have any outward appearance as a Sikh of the Guru? Why is identity important for Sikhs? How is it important for you?
~Modern Miracles. Have you ever heard of Guru Sahib working magic in someone's life? Even if it seems like a small anecdote sharing these stories is inspiring for everyone. If there is a real-life story in your script please add an additional note explaining the real circumstance. Guru is present in all our lives, there must be many, many times his blessings have been shown. They just may not have been captured and shared.
(PLEASE know that any such stories will be kept anonymous by us unless otherwise specified).
Length
We like to have stories 5 to 10 minutes long. Attached you will find an example of a story that ended up being 5:13 long "God In Every Moment" Audio / Script; another that ended up being 8:25 long "Listening to the Heavens" Audio / Script as well as one that turned out to be 12:43 long "Attitude of Gratitude" Audio / Script. This is just to give an idea of the required length when it's on paper. Keep in mind this is a guideline. Some stories may deserve more time, just so long as it is attention grabbing throughout.
Pro Tip:
Outline your story before you flesh out all the lines. Make sure you are hitting all the necessary plot points of the story. This is good to do before writing anything. But you can also do it after you've made the script. It will help you to decide if there is anything missing or if there are parts that aren't needed. Script writing is an iterative process, don't be afraid to write and rewrite your script.
Format
Your story needs to be in the format of a script. A movie script looks different than a novel or short story. This means indicating when a character is speaking and when the narrator (if there is one) is speaking. Please use bold font to indicate character or narrator speech. Please use parenthesis like a director would tell actors like if someone is (shouting) TO MAKE EMPHASIS or (whispering) to make an important point. Also use parenthesis to indication sound effects like (crowd clapping), (horse trotting), (water spilling on ground) or (light rain pattering on window). The script is generally used word-for-word when recording, so write it in the same way that it would be spoken out loud by the character. See the three linked (script) examples above.
Mood
Don't forget humor. Sometimes bringing up real life examples can be intense. Also, conveying a meaningful message can often be serious. Intense and serious are welcome but humor is always nice as it helps lighten the mood, entertain and let the message be absorbed.
Language
The script competition is for both Punjabi and English. You can submit the script in the language you are most comfortable with.
Narration
Show don't tell. Keep in mind that the script may be turned into an animation. Always lean towards demonstrating what you are trying to convey rather than describing it. For example, instead of saying, "He was intelligent" you may want to instead introduce him with another character saying, "He always get's straight A's" or specify with a visual description (He appears like a bookworm with glasses, a pocket protector and carrying a notebook in his armpit).
Audio Effects
When writing a script keep in mind that it will sound different when acted out loud than it will in your head. Try actually speaking out loud the dialogue you have written. Make your script as alive as possible and specify sound effects whenever appropriate.
Message
The message of the story should be implicit in the plot itself. It should not need side explanations for a child to understand what the moral of the story is. For example, the boy who cried wolf has an implicit plot because of the consequence the boy faced by not telling the truth. The story wouldn't have an implicit moral if he had lied and someone just told him, "You shouldn't do that". Keep in mind that although any positive message is good for kids, however these should have with a distinctly Sikh flavor. Perhaps you could add a line of Gurbani to your story.
Questions to ask yourself
Here are some things you might want to ask yourself when brainstorming:
- What are struggles that kids these days are being faced with?
- What are issues that kids need guidance with today?
- What inspires kids today as opposed to what might have inspired kids in the past?
- Are there any friends with whom I can brainstorm ideas and together come up with a good storyline & characters?
- What stories have impacted you the most, whether they are from history or not?
Final production. If your script is selected to be produced as a SikhNet Audio or Animation please be open to input from us. We want to make sure each story is as excellent as possible.
Above all, we want to hear your original voice speaking! Let the creative juices flow and who knows what will come out!
Can You Help Us Spread the Word?
Rules
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The deadline is August 29th, 2024. Submissions received after that date will not be included in the competition.
- The project must be the creative work of the contestant. In order to ensure a fair competition writing should be done by contestant and not by another professional, a parent or someone over 18 years of age. You can get advice from adults, but you must do the work.
- Winners will be announced in September or October 2024 and featured on SikhNet.com
- If submission made by individual under the age of 18 years, a parent or legal guardian must give written permission for you to submit your story script and photograph for use in the competition.
- Amazon gift cards will not be available for international winners who will instead also receive cash
- By submitting your Story, you are granting SikhNet non-exclusive rights to use your script for non-profit related purposes.
- During registration, a photo of the contestant is required. The required size is min. 800×600, no maximum size. Acceptable formats: jpg, jpeg, bmp, gif, png, tif. This photo should be a clear view of the entire face, and preferably have space around the head and shoulders. This photo should not be a full body shot.
- Entrants must comply with all rules to be eligible for the prizes.
- Your submission may be disqualified from awards if it is directly or indirectly promoting an existing organization.
- Your story should be related to some aspect of being a Sikh and Sikh lifestyle.
- Both Punjabi and English scripts are welcome, however it will need to be in a text document, not a photo of a handwritten paper.
