INDIANORWAY
IN YOUR SHOES – an Indo-Norwegian Writing Competition तुम्हारी नज़र से – भारत-नॉर्वे गल्पात्मक लेखन प्रतियोगिता I DINE SKO – SKJØNNLITTERÆR SKRIVEKONKURRANSE
IN YOUR SHOES
FICTIONAL WRITING COMPETITION
Write yourself to Norway!
Write a text that takes place in Norway and win a trip to experience it your self!
Have you been thinking about how a life in another place can look like? How a day, a year, an hour in another context can appear? Now you got the chance to write yourself into another situation, empathise with the everyday life of another!
INDIANORWAY 
This is an interesting opportunity to participate.
Best Wishes for All Participants
Very interesting idea. Good luck to all the participants.
Vijay Sharma
Its really interesting idea in fact for the strong bonding between the people of two different countries.
People learn both the cultures in these types of contest.
Hats off to the creator for creating this kind of ideas
is there a word limit or any other restriction ?
The word limit is approximately 2000 words/ 10 000 signs including spaces.
No other restrictions, apart from of course making your text to be about/in Norway 🙂
All of this and more should be mentioned under “guidelines” at this very page.
word limit is 2000 words n d deadline is june 18,2012.
That´s right!
Hey!can it be set in any era?
Yes,it surely can!
Hello ,
i wanted to know if a participant can submit his content in both Hindi and English .
Yes, you may submit in both Hindi and English.
to what adress do i need to send this text?
please send to: indonorway@gmail.com
Last submissiondate: 18th of June!
can u pls elaborate on the topic..
it is with reference to which place and which era etc
The only criterion for this fictional writing competition is that you place your text in Norway, or that your text in some way or the other is about Norway and/or norwegians. How do you imagine life in an other place to be? How is it to live the everyday life of an other?
You may place your text in any era you like.
Please specify the theme. the things such as font size, nature of fiction i.e. story, critical essay, etc are seemingly ambiguous. Are we required to place the fiction in Norway? Please help and facilitate other relevant information.
Theme: you may chose the theme completely yourself. Only criterion is that the text is taking place in Norway.
You can write ANY kind of FICTIONAL text you like. Poem, short story, essay, script, play ect ect.
Font size: 12. (normal)
YES, please place the fiction in Norway.
Please read through the guidelines on this very page for this and all other relevant information!
the topic to write on is still not clear to me..plz help out..wat xactly do we hav to write abt?
You may chose the topic and theme of the text completely yourself. Only criterion is that the fiction in the text is taking place in Norway.
How do you imagine life there to be? How is it to live the everyday life of an other, a different place?
Hey. I am not clear about the topic! Life in another place refers to what exactly?
Life in an other place refers to life in Norway. How does life look like there?
How does everyday life of a Norwegian seem to you? How do you imagine?
You may shape your text the way you want to, and write any kind of fictional text. Please chose topic and theme yourself as well.
Only criterion is that the text is taking place in Norway and/or deals with Norway/Norwegians.
Can we write it like a detective novel?
yes, sure, you may do that!
Can we pretend to be one or we have just to fancy that had we been in norway then this would have happened that would have happened??? :O
You may do both:) You are free to shape the text how ever you like it!
a lovely opportunity!!!!! 🙂
Great! 🙂
Can we write more than 2000 words?
yes you can write between 2000 to 10000 words
NB ! Maximum word length is 2000 WORDS OR 10,000 SIGNS! (Approximately 5 pages!)
Please try to keep within the word limit as much as possible. However – if you exceed a little you will not be disqualified.
is there a rule that we should not write more than 2000 words?
well, in my opinion if you exceed a few words it is okay. for eg.15 to 20 words
Yes. This is not VERY strict – it is guidelines.
Yes, the maximum word limit is approximately 2000 words. (You will not be disqualified if it exceeds a little)
do we have to write anything virtual about the Norwegians….i mean is it necessary that everything i write about them should be true?
This is a fictional writing competition. That means that everything you write about does not need to be true, – you are very free to shape the text how you like it and with the components you feel like using. But remember to stick to the guidelines and “bake” them into the text; how do you imagine life and people in Norway? That is meant to be used as an starting point for writing.
Good luck!
Would you like it in an email?or an attached word document?
We prefer attached documents:)
Thanks.
i had asked if i can write a story which is based on Norse mythology and can i write it in a third
person point of view ,i mean that without imaging myself and imagining someone else?
pls reply soon
Yes, you may do that! It is not necessary to imagine yourself, you may take the use of third person!
hi i just wanted to know if i could write as if i had already visited Norway and telling what i saw there
please reply
thank you
Yes, absolutely!
Good luck!
can we write the essay about any other place or is it compulsory to be norway
It is absolutely necessary that the story is about Norway, for it to be considered for the competition!
is it compulsory to be related to norway
See below 🙂 It does, however, NOT have to be “correct” or fact-based in any sense. Just make your story to be about Norway and/or norwegian people and how you imagine life to be there, in one way or the other. Good luck!
If I understand it correctly, a story that makes references to Norway is also valid….is it right?
Yes. As long as parts of the story is taking place in Norway and/or that the story contains some imaginations/perceptions/descriptions of Norway and/or Norwegian people it is fine!
I have never been to Norway. Please tell that in such a scenario how can i write about or relate to something which i had never seen till now ? can it be a 100% imaginative work ? (like for example how i imagine the life to be there without any reference to the actual life/work/people conditions living in norway )
Dear Vikas,
that is exactly the point of this literary challenge: to write about what you don´t know, make the unfamiliar known through writing!
Use your imagination and creativity! (There are no criteria that talks about having to stick to reality…)
yes, it may be 100 % imaginative work.
Best of luck!
Amazing opportunity!
Glad you think so!
i want to ask that the context of writing should be Indian and set up should be in Norway context?
It can be either of the two, or even both. You are entirely free to shape it the way you want it to be. But at least some parts of the text should take place in Norway.
ks,tel me that it should be an article or a story?
Dear Chhavi,
it should be a FICTIONAL text!
That can be a story, poem, script, play, ect ect.
if i hve to mention sme places in the writing….but i have never been to Norwaythat is i know nothing abut there. then what should i do..??
pls help…
Dear Lakshmi,
how about using the internet and google places in Norway?
Or go to the library and take out some books on Norway/norwegian geography/ or Northern Europe ect?
Use your creativity ! 🙂
Best of luck!
It’s more like creative writing! Something right out of our imagination with a blend of Norwegian culture/ lifestyle.
thnk uh…!
thnk u..i will try my best 😀
do we have to specify in some or the other scene that it is happening in norway?
do we have to specify in some or the other scene that it is taking place in norway?
Dear Poorvi,
there is no rule that says that, but please try to make it clear in some way or the other that the texts is about Norway!
can it be related to magic and magicians
i mean can we put in the kind of things that do not happen in real life?
Yes,you may!
Is there any age limit?
No,there is no age limit, upper or lower.
how many contexts are we allowed to send maximum?
There are no formal restrictions as such, but please be modest! 🙂 Apart from that all are very welcome 🙂
can we write about how we forgot our way and managed to get out of there?
Absolutely!
if we’re writing any story or such thing, can we write it the way like a person’s life or something like in the diaries of annie frank?
Surely!
OMG ! looks like I will be having a lot of competitors 🙂 wish me luck all of u 😉
Good luck! 🙂
Hello indianorway! will it be okay if I mention original names of some places in Norway or will i have to change them?
Of course, that is totally fine, and sounds like a good idea!
Thank you! 🙂
I just love this opportunity. Can we take some information from internet also to make it realistic?
Good to hear!
Yes, absolutely, you may!
this is awesome!! but i have some doubts.. i am 14 can i do it? if i win a trip will i get 2 extra tickets for my mom and dad 😛 ….n can i use stuff from internet…???
You can absolutely participate when you are 14. It may not be possible to bring your family, but it will be arranged for a safe and well guided trip, if the winner is under age.
Yes, you may use information from the internet, but it is recommended not to use copy-paste, only for research and source of information and inspiration.
Creativity and use of imagination is highlighted!
does the competition has any age GROUP? i mean to say that are kids and adults are judged in different groups?
The competition is open to everyone, and there are no different categories for adults and children.
BUT:
As we are looking for texts that are varied and that comes from all different kinds of backgrounds, the standards of judging will be a little different than normal writing competitions. That means that texts coming from less trained and/or younger writers may be as much appreciated and valued as texts from more experienced writers. For example are freshness, innovativeness, fantasy, creativity and imaginativeness used in the writing valued!
It will of course be taken into consideration of what age the writer belong to when reading the texts.
Sir, I heard of Norway as the original place of Nobel Prize for many researches, etc. Now I feel encouraged to indulge into fantastic arena of fictional writing without ever having been to or having heard of some special things in my life which is over 64 years. All I remember is that an Indian ambassador to Norway was Harinder Singh during the mid eighties of nineteen century. I shall crack the challenge with your guidelines and hope to see Oslo in my journey towards search, etc. regards.
That is good to hear! Looking forward to read your fictional text about Norway!
Best regards
is it necessary that the number of words has to be around 2000?can they be less around 1200?????????
The MAXIMUM word length is 2,000. You can participate with a haiku poem of three sentences if that suits you´r style better!
more than one entry allowed?
Yes
can it include some elements of fantasy as well ?
Yes, fantasy may be included!
can i creap in to the land of midnight sun like a ghost or a fairy
Yes, you may creep as much as you like and as who you desire!
Do you expect a writer to write in first person or a third person..?
You may do both, what ever you feel like 🙂
this is just beautiful. i love 2 write but a lilttle afraid .there must be so many better writers all around. but surely will give my best try.thanx
Do not worry!
We are looking for all different kind of texts, variation is appreciated! Just use your creativity and imagination and feel the joy of writing yourself away to a far away land!
Its just wonderful, this gives an opportunity to know about Norway.
Happy to hear so!
Brilliant Idea!
Hi Indianorway, can we send in more that one entry…? Say one in English and One in Hindi, or may be say, a poem and a fictional account as well? Please guide. Thanks.
Hallo there!
Yes, you may do both! 🙂
hello, well its an great idea. well i have a question I’m bit late to know about this and my piece is still under work so will the entries given on 17th june will also be considered???
Hello Monica,
the last date of submission is 18th of June 2012, midnight, so you will be well in time for this!
please tell me what details are to be given along with our entry (name, age, and ..??)
No other details are required!
Hi there, Sorry for bothering you again, please just clarify if we can send in more than one entry, irrespective of the language. Thanks for the help. 🙂
yeah we can..!!
Yes, you can!! 🙂
Yes, you may!
kindly tell me if 2100 words will be fine ?
Yes, that will work!
do you require any other information along with the story e.g. neme date ect?
Name and contact info is required please!
Or 2200 words?
Will work out!
Can I Get Details About That Can I Send More than One Submission ? I Already Sended a Poem. Can I Send More ?
Yes, you may send more entries.
I Already Sended One Work of Mine. But I Have’nt Recieved any Confirmation. Can I Know If my work Has been Recieved ?
can we send our entries on the deadline day-on june 18th or should it be before that
You can submit your entries up until the 18th of June 2012, midnight!
Is the word limit also include the spaces?
Yes, it does.
I am confused. Will it be right if I use a fantasy on India known to me 4 years before this competition and write it here by just mentioning norway and norwegians word in some sentences and my fantasy?
We encourage original, newly written pieces for this competition, but you are of course free to do whatever you like. The whole point is to use your imagination about how you think NORWAY and norwegian people and norwegian life and way of living look like. Make this into a fictional texts! Hope this clarifies! Best of luck!
All the replies from indianorway are fabulous. Extremely patient & guide. I am going to write and submit my story by tonight and after seeing all your posts and replies don’t need to ask any question. Thanks 🙂
Wonderful, thanks! 🙂
in Microsoft word my story has 5 pages is it okay
Sure, that will be fine!
It will be great if u can tell that by what date the results will be declared ?
We don´t know the exact date yet, but in September 2012.
dead line?time?
18th OF JUNE 2012, midnight
submitted my story. a great initiative 🙂
Great, thank you!
Is copy paste of previous original work allowed with some modifications?
We appreciate original work, thanks
When I type in the ms word, the space does not show any symbol of word below. Then can we assume 2000 words not counting spaces but words?
You may try that.
Kindly confirm one thing. I sent my text some half an hour back. Within seconds of sending, i realized that the very last line of my text is not visible on the print-out paper. To rectify that, I sent another REVISED E-mail after rectifying the said mistake. It would be very nice of you if you can tell me whether the REVISED text has reached you or not ?
Due to some unavoidable circumstances I couldn’t complete my story yesterday 😦
Will my story be still qualified If I send it before midnight today? Many thanks.
Sure, the deadline is not before midnight the 18th of June 🙂
Has the deadline been extended by any chance??
No, the deadline is not extended.
When and how will the results be declared?
They´ll come by mail, in September 2012. Date not set yet.
Hi Indianorway ! Was not well for the last couple of days 😦 still trying to finish my write up. Unfortunate. but keen to send it. Is the deadline time 12.00 midnight Indian time or Norway time please reply fast.please please please.
Hi Indianorway ! Was not well for the last couple of days still trying to finish my write up. Unfortunate. but keen to send it. Is the deadline time 12.00 midnight Indian time or Norway time please reply fast.please please please.
Sorry for late reply. Your texts have been received, thank you.
Hi,
This is request you to please extend the deadline by a couple of days, or if that is not possible, then at least by one day please. Humble request. I am sure many of us here, want this extension. Please and thanks.
Hi, I am glad that I was able to submit my story just before the deadline and even got an auto confirmation for the same. Even though I quite content with my story I have just found that there have been a few typos and a few spelling mistake which are purely typing errors. Will these matter in the selection very much? If my theme in general is liked and my story catches the eyes of the jury, will these typos and spelling errors matter the most or I could still be selecting. I will highly appreciate if you specifically answer what I have asked as it is making me tensed. Best regards,
Rewa.
They won´t matter, it´s the content and the quality of the text that matters, don´t worry!
Thanks a lot for your reply 🙂
Really glad that you are considering entries up till today, that is one day late…had an emergency at home and just could not send it by midnight yesterday. Was thinking of pleading a couple of days’ grace myself. Thanks.
All you coordinators of this project/ officials out there on In Your Shoes contest, thanx for all the paitience and kind reply you have been making from time to time. I think all of us who have sent our write ups have gone through an interesting phase of creativity. You people have surely brought out the writers in us. Thanx for the opportunity. Even if most of us/ any of us /myself;) dont win this contest, do let us know if possible how our write ups were. Thanx.;)
Thank you Indira, glad to hear!
Hi there…I had two queries. I had sent my entry just around midnight/deadline. I haven’t got a comfirmation of my entry yet. Can you please help me in this regard?
Secondly, I think I have a similar problem like one mentioned by one the contributors – I believe I didn’t edit my story well enough and sent it in a hurry. My question is can I resend my story?
Please reply…thank you.
See your mail-box. Thanks!
It was quite a novel experience to work onNorway”IN YOYR SHOES”. A week’s time was just like preparation for examination. Reminded me university days when I used to hook on to books for examination. Now hooked on to Internet, I was just able to compose a poem and send it on 18th June with full satisfaction that I maintained the deadline. I love Norway and I put my heart into the poem as much I love India where I did a govt. job and retired with distinction. Thanks Indo-Norwegian collaboration which afforded a nice opportunity to see whether mind still works in right direction. thanks and regards. bye.
Gurmit Singh Saini
Hi there,I wanna know what is the deadline as regards result declaration about the chosen/selected stories as winners.What is the probable date For the beginning of Norwegian safari for the winners.
Regards.
Suchir.
Thank you Indo-Norway page admins for all your kind and patient replies and all the guidance. Your ‘virtual’ warmth is worth an applause. Thanks so much.
Dear Suchar
The management declared that sometime in Sept., the result shall be declared after the decsion of jury. So pl wait till then. Be patient. In case the free safari is not provided by Indo-Norwegin, let us buy a horse to go there. bye
Hi admin, sorry to be bothering you time and again. But this is to confirm if you have received my entry. I sent it on the the 19th after it was posted that a day’s delay would still be accepted, but got no acknowledgement mail from your side. Can you please confirm, so that I dont harbour any lofty notions of being in the competition. I have sent two entries in all.
Both received and accepted, thanks!
some one has hacked my e-mail id…what now??????????
CAN I SEND TO MS.MIRA ANOTHER E-MAIL I.D???????????
i cannot comment on the matter because I donot know Ms. Mira, Mr. Manan. Sorry
CAN I SEND IT TO.INDONORWAY@GMAIL.COM???
Worthy Organizers of the competition.
I sent one entry on “IN YOUR SHOES” which was acknowledged from your side. I am eagerly awaiting the results. In the mean time, I have to go to Canada to see my daughter, son-in-law and their children, one being just two months old. My wife also intends going alongwith. Can I expect the results by 7th of September so as to enable me to plan my itinery keeping in view the results. Hoping an early reply.
With best regards.
Ever Sincere to you
Gurmit Singh
870/X, Mohali, Pb
India
PIN-160062.
When will the results be announced? Waiting eagerly!
i wish the results to be announced soon …. pls indianorway the wait is becoming longer now ….
It’s almost the end of first week of September? Do we have an idea when the results will be announced. A reply from India-Norway will be highly appreciated. Thanks.
Dear Mewa Singh,
SS Akal. I already organizers on 14th of August, 2012 to intimate the date about which the results are coming, but no reply came. Now when the Sept., has come and it is 6 days old, let us wait for another 24days. Only the luckiest of the competitors has chance to avail of the flying pleasure and enjoying the natural plethora of bounties, the select rest shall have their names appeared in the journal. The relevant qnestion now is when the Journal shall carry our chosen writings. hahahahhha. bye best of luck. Hats off to the organizers who whetted the appetite for visit to Norway, a place, a country, an environment where the doors remain open without the need to lock, what a heavely place I imagine visiting. Nice dream.
gurmit singh saini.
Mr.Gurmit, seeing all your posts, it seems you are famous for speaking out of turn and not spelling names correctly. Well, you’re a retired government servant and I guess you should have more patience then everyone else.
I guess a Reply from India-Norway would put all speculations to rest. If not the results, at least post a reply??? I was pleased with the responses India-norway was giving initially and I don’t know why you people have got silent?
hello everyone.. i guess everybody is so eager to see the results coming in their mail boxes.. but i guess a very few took the initiative of calling Miss Mira at the phone number given in the “Contact” tab on this website..
Anyways.. I talked to her.. She told me that the results would be declared by the end of september or latest by first week of october.. I hope this bit of information satisfies the eagerness of all the participants (including me of course ! )
All the very best to all the participants …
at least some good confirmation! Bt funny how noone took the initiative of calling.. That would have avoided so much of confusion! Thanks Vikas Aggarwal.
Thanks a lot for this info. Well, I guess, they are not serving the purpose of this blog then if they expect everyone to call them. And, I had even sent an email to Miss Mira, but had no luck to get a reply. They should post a reply and keep everyone informed rather than inviting everyone to flood their telephone line.
Hello friends, has anyone heard if the results are out?
Not yet. Awaiting anxiously.
results have not been declared yet….and there is no answer for any of the queries put forward by us
the first week of october is gone..
Madam Mira ! Eager to know the results please ! 🙂
Hello friends, the results are out. Got an email regarding the same yesterday.
The mail listed down the names of the winners.