Competition

May 2018 SWG challenge banner reads Competition in a font that resembles theatrical lights

The history of Arda is fraught with contests and competition. Sometimes, competition can literally shape the fate of the universe, as when Melkor’s music contends with the themes introduced by Ilúvatar. Sometimes, something as petty as sibling rivalry can have far-reaching consequences, as Fëanor’s strife with his half-brothers shows. Sometimes, competition can turn into a matter of life and death, as in the case of Maeglin. Sometimes, competition can be as dramatic as Finrod’s musical duel with Sauron and as deadly as Saeros’s needling of Túrin. Sometimes, people end up in ousting a competitor that they did not even know about, as when Beren beats Daeron to Lúthien’s love. Consciously or unconsciously, all characters vie for something--be it love or power, attention or freedom, treasure or acceptance, artistic expression or survival.

But of course, competing against others can also be an entertaining pastime. According to some sources, Galadriel was a champion swimmer and athlete in her youth in Valinor, so it appears that Elves know competitive sports. There may have been musical or artistic contests among the peoples of Arda in times of peace and prosperity, or tournaments and other competitive demonstrations of military prowess in times of war.

This month’s challenge invites you to take a look at competitions - serious or silly, spectacular or anti-climactic. And because May is the month when the members of the European Broadcasting Union meet to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest, this challenge’s prompts will be past entries from the ESC. You can use any part of the prompt that inspires you - the mood, part of the lyrics, elements of the performance or whatever else tickles your muses. Below, you will find prompts that were not assigned when we initially ran this challenge in May 2018. You can select a prompt from the list, or you can contact the moderators to have us choose a prompt for you.

This challenge opened in .

Prompts

Choose your prompt from the collection below.

View Prompts
  • Conchita Wurst, "Rise like a Phoenix" (video | lyrics)
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  • Tolmachevy Sisters, "Shine" (video | lyrics)
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  • Mika Newton, "Angel" (video | lyrics)
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  • The Common Linnets, "Calm After The Storm" (video | lyrics)
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  • MaNga, "We Could Be The Same" (video | lyrics) (flashing images)
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  • Rasmussen, "Higher Ground" (video | lyrics)
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  • Michael Schulte, "You Let Me Walk Alone" (video | lyrics)
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  • Amir, "J’ai cherché" (video | lyrics) [French]
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  • Teräsbetoni, "Missä Miehet Ratsastaa" (video | lyrics) [Finnish]
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  • Naviband, "Historyja majho žyccia" (video | lyrics) [Belarusian]
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  • Jamala, "1944" (video | lyrics) [English, Crimean Tatar]
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  • El sueño de Morfeo, "Contigo hasta el final" (video | lyrics) [Spanish]
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  • Francesco Gabbani, "Occidentali’s Karma" (video | lyrics) [Italian]
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  • Vânia Fernandes, "Senhora Do Mar (Negros Águas)" (video | lyrics) [Portuguese]
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  • Kaliopi, "Crno I Belo" (video | lyrics) [Macedonian]
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  • Amaury Vassili, "Sognu" (video | lyrics) [Corsican]
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  • Giorgos Alkaios & Friends, "Opa!" (video | lyrics) [Greek]
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  • Eugent Bushpepa, "Mall" (video | lyrics) [Albanian]
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  • Yianna Terzi, "Oniro Mou" (video | lyrics) [Greek]
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  • AWS, "Viszlát Nyár" (video | lyrics) [Hungarian]
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  • Elina Nechayeva, "La Forza" (video | lyrics) [Italian]
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  • Treble, "Amambanda" (video | lyrics) [Imaginary Language]
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  • Céline Dion, "Ne partez pas sans moi" (video | lyrics) [French]
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  • ABBA, "Waterloo" (video | lyrics)

    • Fanworks Tagged with Competition

    This is a Writing fanwork

    The Peril (and Potential) of Unleashing Lightning in a Fishbowl by Dawn Felagund

    Caranthir is a socially awkward public servant and Amarië is a politically radical performance artist when a prestigious battle of the bards entices them to come together in an unexpected friendship that produces an even less-expected new musical genre. Part of the Republic of Tirion series but you don't have to be familiar with the other stories to understand this one. Also featuring the printing press, underground nightclubs, an electric guitar, and Caranthir's bitchy resting face.

    Fanwork Information and Table of Contents

    This is a Writing fanwork

    No Sign of Weakness by oshun

    Sparring Finwean cousins.

    May-June Challenge Entry - Competition/Prompt: Lucie Jones: Never Give Up On You lyrics – 2017 Eurovision Song Contest

    Fanwork Information and Table of Contents

    This is a Writing fanwork

    A Farcical Attempt by LadyBrooke

    Having recently arrived in Valinor, the three greatest minstrels of Middle-earth are told they will participate in a contest against singers from Valinor.

    Daeron thinks Maglor is taking this competition far too seriously.

    Fanwork Information and Table of Contents

    This is a Writing fanwork

    Both Alike In Dignity by Grundy

    Great minds think alike in Second Age Eregion.

    Fanwork Information and Table of Contents

    This is a Writing fanwork

    Going Through These Stages by Lyra

    Elrond receives fateful news from Númenor, and has to come to terms with them.

    Written for the "Competition" Challenge, for the prompt Lights and Shadows by O'G3NE. Rather less encouraging than the song, I'm afraid.

    Fanwork Information and Table of Contents

    This is a Writing fanwork

    His Own Words by Tyelca

    The private thoughts of Gríma, counselor to King Théoden of Rohan. The story of how a young man of great potential turned into a traitor to his country, told in his own words.

    Fanwork Information and Table of Contents

    This is a Writing fanwork

    Hour of the Wolf by ElberethTheStarkindler

    Finrod musters up the courage to die.

    Fanwork Information and Table of Contents

    This is a Writing fanwork

    Heroes iii) Play. by hennethgalad

    (3 of 3). (part of Laurelöt). 

     

    Glorfindel is invited to the House of Curumo (Saruman) where he meets Ingwë. 

    Fanwork Information and Table of Contents

    This is a Writing fanwork

    Heroes ii) Tailors of Tirion. by hennethgalad

    2 of 3 (part of Laurelöt)

     

    On his first day in Tirion, Glorfindel chooses at the tailors. 

    Fanwork Information and Table of Contents

    This is a Writing fanwork

    Heroes i). Inside. by hennethgalad

    1of 3. (and part of Laurelöt)

     

    The first day in Tirion for Glorfindel. He learns a great deal. 

    Fanwork Information and Table of Contents

    This is a Writing fanwork

    Only Teardrops by Raiyana

    The Host of the Valar is almost ready to leave Aman... including someone unexpected.

    Fanwork Information and Table of Contents

    This is a Writing fanwork

    Silver Fragments Falling by StarSpray

    When Finrod had previously considered his death, he had thought it would come in battle, at the end of a sword or a mace or an arrow.

    Fanwork Information and Table of Contents

    This is a Writing fanwork

    (Vote) Up Not Down by Himring

    Life is too short for some kind of contests.

    Maybe it's possible to love one thing without knocking the alternative.

    (Especially if both of them happen to be fictional, in any case.)

     

    Free verse (pretty much extra free)

    Fanwork Information and Table of Contents

    This is a Writing fanwork

    The Words You Left Me by eris_of_imladris

    Ten words that influenced Fëanor and Fingolfin’s relationship and drove them down their paths to doom. Inspired by the concept and lyrics of Milim from Eurovision 2010 as part of SWG’s “Competition” prompt.

    Fanwork Information and Table of Contents

    This is a Writing fanwork

    Trinkets by Independence1776

    A collection of unrelated drabbles and ficlets too short to post on their own. Each story has a separate rating and all are under a thousand words.

    Newest story: Chapter 48: Aulë, Finarfin, and Maglor's ignored return to Aman. Crackfic. Rated General. Ficlet.

    Fanwork Information and Table of Contents