Let the Battle Begin! My First Writing Battle Underway

Jason Kurtz
Apr 22
2 min read

Two black crows perched on a brown tree with scrolls and balance scales. Text: "WRITING BATTLE." Icons below. Copyright © 2025 by Writing Battle, Inc.

2025 Wonder Flash Fiction

Well, I entered my first writing contest since... let's see, elementary school probably. This contest is hosted by Writing Battle, who hosts various writing "battles" throughout the year. The Wonder Flash Fiction Battle is a work of fiction, between 500-1000 words, and the writer must incorporate the story from three prompts. This contest has four genre categories: adventure, fairy tale, fantasy, and sci-fi.

How Writing Battles Work

Illustration of a warrior in blue with cards, headband, and shield. Text on left: "A writing battle in 3 simple steps" and "01 Receive writing prompts."

The Battle Begins

The Battle begins on a scheduled date and time, when contestants receive their prompts, provided on what appear to be virtual tarot cards. Contestants can use the prompts they are dealt, or redraw a certain number of cards. In the Wonder Flash battle, contestants receive a genre card and two other cards that are either a character or an object. The genre card can be redrawn only once and the other two cards can be redrawn five times.

Three illustrated cards: a lion mask labeled "FAIRY TALE," a jester dancer in orange, and tobacco with rolled cigars. Each card is labeled.

Illustrations of two people in regal attire sitting on thrones, holding a scroll and book. Text: "02 Write a story" and "03 Give and get feedback."

Stories Grouped By Genre Then Compete 1v1

In the Wonder Flash Fiction battle, all stories are initially grouped by genre and divided into separate 'Houses'. Stories then battle head-to-head with other stories in the House. Basically, a battle is my story compared to another story, as read by the person judging it. Each entry is forgiven two losses, but is eliminated from the battle upon their third loss.

This goes on for a few more rounds, with winners announced on June 15, 2025.

Event schedule with dates and times for Debrief Opens, Results Rounds, Final Showdown Reveal, and Winners Announced. Add to Calendar button.

Cash Prizes

There is $20,000 U.S. in total prize money to be divvied out to category winners.

My Experience

If you read Anunnaki Gold, you'll see that I was preparing to write a sci-fi story. I figured two in four chances were pretty good that I'd draw the sci-fi genre. Nope. Oh dang. That's okay though, because almost any story can be turned into an adventure, and that was my task, along with a charlatan (character prompt) and tobacco (object prompt).