https://steemitimages.com/DQmYDQpm3f28H7ebNuysStPuNV5jbgQYGozWTAk8gkYpfGg/Contest_2.jpg

Prizes:

1st place - 20 SBD + SBD payout from this post
2nd place - 20 SBD
Two runner-ups 5 SBD each

https://steemitimages.com/DQmQ8E5ejmGLQd4mW9fPiM6kdxKuq25s61L81TCq1gWphL3/Sections.jpg

Rules:

Upvote and Resteem this post. This is primarily for your benefit as I would like the winner to walk away with a smile on their face and a pocketful of shiny SBDs.
Timeframe for posting the story on Steemit - 11/02/2018-14/02/2018 (included).
Post a link to your story in the comments of this post.
There is no word count limit, but the story must fit in a single Steemit post. You are surely free to continue if you feel inspired to do so in several posts, but only one post is eligible for the contest.
One submission per user.
If you decide to employ X rated content in your story it MUST be properly marked as NSFW.

https://steemitimages.com/DQmQ8E5ejmGLQd4mW9fPiM6kdxKuq25s61L81TCq1gWphL3/Sections.jpg Please note that the Writers' Block does not workshop NSFW material. My sincerest apologies to TWB for not clearing this up right away and any misunderstandings caused. https://steemitimages.com/DQmQ8E5ejmGLQd4mW9fPiM6kdxKuq25s61L81TCq1gWphL3/Sections.jpg

Suggestions:

Even if my focus in choosing the winner is going to be my subjective understanding of an epic love story and not so much literary perfected one, I'd still strongly suggest workshopping your story at the Writes' Block. I mean, if we could get the statistics of the percentage of writing contest winner pieces that have been workshopped at the block, you wouldn't even need to second-guess that decision. It really is a no-brainer. Trust me on that one.
What I am going to look for is psychological depths and believability. Each human being is a psychological and emotional mess. Things can't realistically always be all peachy if a couple is compatible at all it must be because their messed up sides play quite exquisitely with each other. As I said in the heads-up post--don't tell it, don't even show it, make me feel it.
Show how the different needs of the genders play a role in the development of the story. If you as a writer are completely oblivious to the way the opposite gender thinks, feels and what their motivations are, I am really doubt it will translate well into a solid and believable love story.

https://steemitimages.com/DQmQ8E5ejmGLQd4mW9fPiM6kdxKuq25s61L81TCq1gWphL3/Sections.jpg

Conclusion:

Don't worry if you feel like you're just going to miss the mark because you don't know me and don't know what I'm reaching for. That's where the second place comes into the picture. It is reserved for all-around solid write, that just so happened to miss my subjective soft-spot. So, I don't know what floats Josie's goat, is not an argument not to take part. Just write your best.
Why the limit for posting start date, you may wonder. Well, let's just bombard Steemit with some epic love-stories in an intense and focused manner on the week of the Valentines, instead of drawing it out for nearly a month. Why not?
If you're anything like me, you'll probably need some reminders along the way, since there's still plenty of time. Don't you worry, I've got you covered. I'll post reminders on Sundays (28th, 4th and then open the submission on the 11th).

https://steemitimages.com/DQmQ8E5ejmGLQd4mW9fPiM6kdxKuq25s61L81TCq1gWphL3/Sections.jpg

Best of Luck!

https://steemitimages.com/DQmd3kkATv1zT2xEY7D2qFSWrqegMFCjNvBZiMzL63gR6Nw/Hugs%26Coffee_narrow.jpg

(image source)