Like the post title says, I've been having some more fun with Craigslist. In addition to the TV/film/video/radio section, I also check a couple other sections each day to see if I can make some extra money writing or proofreading, since I'm actually better at both of those at the moment than film editing (though editing is much, much, much more fun when it goes well).
Anyway, I happened to come across this ad in one of the writing sections. The gist of it is this:
I'm having a creative writing contest for my bicycle, which I'll be giving away to the winner of my choosing June 7th....
I thought about selling it here, but the more I thought about it the harder it became to name a price. This bike is my very favorite possession. I find it painful to imagine thinking, "Well, all those good times and feelings I had were worth $300."
The conclusion I came to is that I will get much greater satisfaction giving it away to a deserving winner. I want a starving artist to benefit from their skill. Please do not enter if you already have a functioning bike. I would, however, appreciate if you suggested the contest to someone you know who could use the bike.
So here are the rules.
I want a short written entry of 500 words or less demonstrating your skills as a writer.
Submissions must include either an email address or a phone number which you will respond to. Including both is better.
It can be any type, style, format, etc.
It does not need to be originally written for this contest.
If poetry, multiple pieces are allowed.
I am the final judge on the winner.
Sure, it's a noble idea, but I have a feeling that if someone other than a "starving artist" really wanted that bike, and they managed to track this guy down, they could find a way to convince him that writing ability is less important than money.
I mean, the rules are so broad that even a haiku could win. For example, one written on the back of a check:
Here's five hundred bucks
Now please give your bike to me
Thank you very much
Feel free to contribute your own rule-bending ideas in the comments.
Also, as you can tell by the UPMC building and the Heinz logo in the background, the picture in that posting was taken in Pittsburgh. Interesting.