This Challenge is ever-evolving, and recent discussions have been leaning toward a somewhat different format. Therefore, please note the following changes:

A new Challenge will be issued each month. BUT, deadlines will be extended to TWO months. Otherwise, all remains the same.

For this month's Challenge we travel to Chile for the tale of the Poor Fisherman and the Mermaid. The text takes some deciphering due to a number of typos, but contains some fascinating elements from which to construct a story.

Have fun!

*****

Welcome!

Several months ago, a thread in Open Discussions sparked an idea: a monthly writing challenge. And I, as if my mind had been taken over by evil aliens/demons/warlocks/government agents (pick your favorite according to personal taste), took it upon myself to administer over it.

Since then we have enjoyed the added exuberance of dozens of newbies who may be unfamiliar with the Rewrite Challenge. This post is an invitation to participate—both as WRITERS and READERS!

The rules go something like this:

1. READERS: All are invited to request Challenge submissions for their personal reading enjoyment. Comments and critiques of the stories are welcome but NOT REQUIRED!
*MAKE your request by emailing the writer directly.
*DO NOT post your request to read on this thread.
*DO NOT post comments of any kind on this thread.
*QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS may be posted in Open Discussion on the thread entitled "5th Rewrite Discussion Zone".

2. WRITERS: Re-Write the story of The Poor Fisherman and the Mermaid. The following is a link to read and/or download a copy of the original story.

http://www.humanity.org/voices/folklore/mermaids/poor_fisherman/

The challenge is to rewrite this story in one, or a combination of, the following four ways:
*Twist the story to suit your own creative bent.
*Write the story in the style of another well-known author.
*Combine the tale with another tale of your choosing.
*Write a "What if…?" version—a prequel, sequel, or other, of the original tale.

3. Submit the first 13 lines of your final draft (at least 'final' as of the deadline) to this thread.
*PLEASE post pre-deadline requests for 'Process' critiques (critiques intended to help you prepare for the deadline) on your own thread in Fragments and Feedback.
*DO NOT post comments or questions on this thread.
*QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS may be posted in Open Discussions, on the thread entitled "(WHATEVER THE CURRENT NUMBER) Rewrite Discussion Zone", or by contacting Dakota directly by email.
*THE CHALLENGE is ever-evolving. Let me know how we can do it better.

4. Word limit: 5000 words

5. Deadline: Midnight EST, May 31, 2005.

6. Please, for SPAM's sake, include the word "Hatrack" in the subject line of all correspondences.