Write a fictional short story related to the death of Elisa Lam

Contest Brief

Write a short story with the following requirements:
- must follow the guidelines of a short story wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_story
- length between 2000 and 3000 words. Must be narratable out loud from start to end without boring/tiring the listeners
- previous contests had some entries that resembled articles, study work or documentation.
This contest is specifically for fictional short stories. Please read this description carefully
- must be related to the death of Elisa Lam wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Elisa_Lam
- you can find useful info about the case on the following links, but please conduct your own research as well
youtu.be/3TjVBpyTeZM
allthatsinteresting.com/elisa-lam-death
- the Cecil Hotel is a protagonist by itself in this story wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_deaths_and_violence_at_the_Cecil_Hotel
- there is a video of a group exploring the Hotel, which may provide useful footage for generating ideas youtu.be/Btm4g0s2goY
- there are some movies/series related/inspired in the hotel and/or Elisa's case, and could be useful for brainstorming. Some of them:
wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_Scene:_The_Vanishing_at_the_Cecil_Hotel
wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Horror_Story:_Hotel
wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Water_(2002_film)
- must incorporate elements of mystery, suspense, folktale, legend and mythology genres
- it must sounds possible, even if it contains fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, etc. Like a myth or legend
- H. P. Lovecraft's short stories can serve as a good reference of the type of story to write.
You may also consider drawing inspiration from creepypasta stories.
- review our past contests to get a sense of the winning stories and our expectations. Link at the end and in first comment
- target audience is English-speaking individuals aged 17 and older
- no sexual content
- no abusive, obscene nor bad language
- no abbreviations
- no too specific country's words
- content related to love or romance should be minimal or zero

WARNING: entries with spam, copied from anywhere, or not an original new story will be rejected and reported.

NOTICE: we will own the copyright of the winner story. The author's name will be included anywhere we use it.

After the contest deadline, the winner will be selected by originality and quality.

You have a month, be creative!

Previous stories
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JNRBivt-5BeFAx8MVlcvu3-n1GgGxUG1KfGiZ0WfoPk

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Employer Feedback

“This freelancer did a good story for our contest and worked effectively with the changes we asked. Good work, hope to see you again in our next contest.”

Profile image RhapsodeMonolith, Argentina.

Top entries from this contest

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Public Clarification Board

  • RhapsodeMonolith
    Contest Holder
    • 3 months ago

    New contest posted some days ago!
    https://www.freelancer.com/contest/Write-a-fictional-short-story-set-in-or-related-to-the-Salem-Witch-Trials-2364673?frm=RhapsodeMonolith&sb=t

    • 3 months ago
  • Nexus9
    Nexus9
    • 8 months ago

    Congratulations Innocent E. Enjoy the process

    • 8 months ago
  • RhapsodeMonolith
    Contest Holder
    • 8 months ago

    Sorry for the delay.

    And the winner is...
    Entry #63
    THE HAUNTING OF ELISA LAM
    Innocent E.

    Thank you to all participants that competed honestly and sent original stories.

    For all freelancers that posted an original story and doesn't received a feedback, don't get down! Try again next time.
    I would like to give feedback to all honest writters, but it's generally not possible. It require too much time. Sorry.

    Be aware of our next contest!
    I will post the link of the new contest here when published.

    Regards.

    • 8 months ago
  • iramnazir9999
    iramnazir9999
    • 8 months ago

    And I think even if you don't like you can give one star for effort . It's easy to press rejection but somebody spend time on this piece of writing.. you have to realize it .. Thanks

    • 8 months ago
  • iramnazir9999
    iramnazir9999
    • 8 months ago

    I think you even not read and just rejected..

    • 8 months ago
  • tamzey
    tamzey
    • 9 months ago

    kindly check #134
    I did A LOT of research, perhaps even too much...

    • 9 months ago
    1. tamzey
      tamzey
      • 9 months ago

      sorry, #137 , corrected some mistakes...

      • 9 months ago
  • tamzey
    tamzey
    • 9 months ago

    hi! would it be okay it the length was between 1,000 and 2,000 words for example?

    • 9 months ago
  • basitoffical007
    basitoffical007
    • 9 months ago

    Check please
    #60

    • 9 months ago
  • iramnazir9999
    iramnazir9999
    • 9 months ago

    Hi . Check #50.. hope so you will like .

    • 9 months ago
  • KAYANIIOH
    KAYANIIOH
    • 9 months ago

    Hope you are doing well. I had posted my entry#61 for your contest. I had spent so many hours in researching and editing for this project. That would be great if you take some seconds and just check it once. I have tried to give it a professional look by using my editing skills, you will see that after checking it. Then if you want any change, do let me know. Thanks in anticipation.

    • 9 months ago
  • abrarbari7865
    abrarbari7865
    • 9 months ago

    #78

    • 9 months ago
  • Hibaali1574
    Hibaali1574
    • 9 months ago

    HEY CHECK MY ENTRY AT 75 AND IF YOU DONT LIKE THE EDIT THEN I WILL RE EDIT IT

    • 9 months ago
  • MuneeburKing
    MuneeburKing
    • 10 months ago

    #45 Check please

    • 10 months ago
  • Smriti129
    Smriti129
    • 10 months ago

    Hey, when you will announce the winner ?

    • 10 months ago
  • Smriti129
    Smriti129
    • 10 months ago

    Hey, Can I do it for free in exchange of a good
    feedback?

    • 10 months ago
    1. RhapsodeMonolith
      Contest Holder
      • 10 months ago

      I can't promise you a full feedback. It will depend on the amount of stories at the end of the contest.

      • 10 months ago
    2. Smriti129
      Smriti129
      • 10 months ago

      Ok sure but do check my entry #44 and you can get it for free in exchange of a good feedback .

      • 10 months ago
  • unnati6555
    unnati6555
    • 10 months ago

    As you told it should be fiction so can we just change the story of her and the character (except the main character)?

    • 10 months ago
    1. RhapsodeMonolith
      Contest Holder
      • 10 months ago

      You can try. However, keep on mind that the story should be a possible "explanation" of her death.

      • 10 months ago
  • MuneeburKing
    MuneeburKing
    • 10 months ago

    #43

    • 10 months ago
  • Sannaan25
    Sannaan25
    • 10 months ago

    I have written a pretty big one, according to what you wanted. I think you will like it a lot.

    • 10 months ago
  • noecalderon
    noecalderon
    • 10 months ago

    hola, puede ser en español o exclusivamente es en ingles?

    • 10 months ago
    1. RhapsodeMonolith
      Contest Holder
      • 10 months ago

      No. Read contest' details.

      • 10 months ago
  • benhatwriting
    benhatwriting
    • 10 months ago

    Hello there, I was just wondering about names, is it a must to keep the antagonist and protagonsite names? And, can I make the sotyr fictional horror story?

    • 10 months ago
    1. RhapsodeMonolith
      Contest Holder
      • 10 months ago

      The story must be around the Elisa Lam case, but you could use any other person as protagonist. So, use whatever names you feel will suit in your story.
      Fictional horror story is ok.

      • 10 months ago
  • meileresw7
    meileresw7
    • 10 months ago

    Como eu posto?

    • 10 months ago
    1. RhapsodeMonolith
      Contest Holder
      • 10 months ago

      Contact freelancer.com help

      • 10 months ago
  • krithikashiv0703
    krithikashiv0703
    • 10 months ago

    Hello sir/madam,

    I wanted to propose one thing to you. I am also a video editor. I saw your video and I thought if you are videos have some footages it will be more engaging. I am a professional video editor. If you are interested let me know. We will have a chat and discuss further steps.

    Regards,
    Krithika Shivkumar

    • 10 months ago
    1. RhapsodeMonolith
      Contest Holder
      • 10 months ago

      No thanks.

      • 10 months ago
  • shikdermahim900
    shikdermahim900
    • 10 months ago

    I am requested to look at my writing and hope to select me after looking at it well

    • 10 months ago
  • expertwriter19
    expertwriter19
    • 10 months ago

    Please check #35 no. entry

    • 10 months ago
  • incomenomaad
    incomenomaad
    • 10 months ago

    Please check my entry #21
    My background in persuasive copywriting and captivating storytelling, coupled with my knowledge of mystery and suspense, allows me to create compelling content that meets the contest guidelines. I have thoroughly researched the case, including the Cecil Hotel, and weaved a fictional narrative that captivates the target audience.

    • 10 months ago
  • RhapsodeMonolith
    Contest Holder
    • 10 months ago

    Please, read and follow the guidelines. Not following them or posting spam could end on rejection and/or to be reported to Freelancer.com admins.
    I have no problems with the use of an AI as a tool. If you are going to post entries, take care of not just copy and paste the AI auto-generated text. I work on AI and I'll notice that. I'll directly reject that entries, and report them.
    Please remind that winner will be selected AFTER the contest deadline. Even when some entries could be reviewed or declined before.
    Depending on the amount of entries, the decision of the winner could be delayed up to one month after the contest deadline.
    Please review our past contests to get a sense of the winning stories and our expectations
    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JNRBivt-5BeFAx8MVlcvu3-n1GgGxUG1KfGiZ0WfoPk/edit?usp=sharing

    • 10 months ago
    1. krithikashiv0703
      krithikashiv0703
      • 10 months ago

      Started my story. Hope you like it

      • 10 months ago

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