The anatomy of an award-winning adventure?

i knew after I wrote the novel, Toy of the Gods, that I needed to write Leslie Kicklighter’s backstory. Throughout the novel, I peppered in information about her first expedition. I knew it would happen in Alaska, and a few other details, but the rest was unknown.

So, at a Short Storyathon, I decided to write the story. At the event, I wrote the story quickly, using my own experience as a female cadet among male cadets in the Civil Air Patrol, my experiences hiking and climbing, but some of it I guessed at.

My review group gave me some great input and my editor went over it, but it wasn’t quite right yet. I watched videos of people climbing Mount Denali, and that helped a lot.

What makes a good adventure? A character with a challenge, the suspense of danger lurking, the story built on enough kernels of truth so that the reader can feel the story could really be happening.

Once I had all those nuggets in place, I submitted the story to the New Mexico Press Women 2021 Communications Contest. And it won second place! Funny enough, it came in right behind my friend’s short story. Katy Hammel won first place for her story, Walk Right.

So, if you’re looking for a short read, fun adventure, check it out.

If you’re looking to write an adventure, take this plan to heart. 1. Write the story, 2. Edit the story, 3. Get reviews from other writers – not your family or friends, 4. Edit the story, 5. Have an editor work on it, 6. Edit it again. Then it’s ready for the big time!

I’m so proud to have written an award-winning adventure!