2021 Nano Prep

Oct. 16: - CONTEST ROUND: Antagonist Background Story ֎

Write a story about your antagonist that takes place outside of your novel. The object of the contest is to make your judges understand and empathize with the antagonist's motivations.

Joel hopped of out his truck in front of his buddy, Gregory's place.

Gregory pulled two black garbage cans to the curb from beside his house.

"Dude, so what's with the clothes." Joel nods toward the garbage cans.

Gregory turned back and looked at the clothing hanging from the open cans. "It was stuff she wanted me to donate." He scoffed.

"Yeah, like it is your job to do that for an ex."

"I am so glad I threw that bitch out. I won't ever have to listen to her breathe again." Gregory smiled.

"Hey, let's get some beers. And we better get that grill started before the game starts." Joel smacked Gregory on the back and they walked to the back of the house.



"My great-grandpa was a genius they say. Get this," said Gregory. He leaned forward in his chair and propped his arms on the table. "They also say he may have made a time machine."

"Get out of town." Joel waved his hand at Gregory. "That is the last beer for you."

"No, man. Listen. Listen." Gregory sat back in his chair. Ran his hands through his hair. "You have to know this guy. He was a big deal and he kept going on about this time machine thing. They canned him at the university, and he came home disgraced. But there was always talk. I think there might be something to it."

Joel jumped out of his seat and yelled when his team scored. "Yeah, baby. That was great. Did you see that?"

"Yeah, yeah. Listen, Joel, pay attention here." Gregory slapped the table to get his attention.

"Man, we are trying to watch the game. Can we talk about your family later?"

"No, you moron. This is important."

"Whoa. What did you call me?"

"Hey, listen. This could be about world domination. Riches beyond riches. And you are worried about a football game?" Gregory sat back in his chair and studied Joel. "Hey, I am just messing with you man. Watch the game. Look there goes Miller."

Joel jumped up again. "Go, go, go. Yeah. Touchdown!"

Gregory tuned out Joel and the game and focused on how he was going to handle Angela.


Oct. 16: - CONTEST ROUND: Antagonist Background Story ▼

Write a story about your antagonist that takes place outside of your novel. The object of the contest is to make your judges understand and empathize with the antagonist's motivations.

If your antagonist is a situation rather than a person, write a background story about that. The Tom Hanks movie ""Cast Away"" famously features only one character (unless you count Wilson), and his antagonist is loneliness. Could you personify loneliness? Why does loneliness exist? What motivates it? How would a lack of loneliness affect survival of the human race? How did it drive main character Nolan to survive for years alone on a deserted island? Loneliness has a job to do. Make us believe it's a valid one.

*Contest Round entries may be any rating. Follow these instructions ("IMPORTANT: How to compete in a Contest Round" ) by 1200 noon WDC time on Sunday to compete. WDC time is New York City time and can be found at the top of the IM Console. If you miss this deadline or choose not to compete, you must still log the assignment complete (without linking your work) for the grand prize, per the standard Prep guidelines.