Write Like Rumi? Here’s Why This Writing Contest for Students Isn’t What You Expect

What does a 13th-century mystic poet have to do with your next horror story?

More than you think.

Rumi, one of the most beloved poets of all time, didn’t write horror fiction—but his writing peered into the spiritual unknown, wrestled with ego, transformation, and death, and stirred emotions that still haunt us centuries later.

If you’re a student looking for a writing contest for students that pushes you into new territory, the Legacy Rumi Contest offers an unforgettable creative challenge.

This isn’t about copying old verses—it’s about channeling his voice, tone, and spirit in your own original story.

What Makes Rumi’s Style So Powerful?

Rumi's writing dances between paradox and clarity, often collapsing the line between joy and sorrow, self and other, form and spirit. His work often used:

• Spiritual metaphor: “Don’t grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form.”

• Direct address to the reader or self: “You were born with wings. Why prefer to crawl through life?”

• Unpredictable emotional turns: From humor to heartbreak in a single line.

• Brevity with depth: His poems are often short—but dense with meaning, like this:

  “The wound is the place where the Light enters you.”

Even in stories that aren't overtly spiritual, these techniques can create haunting, emotionally rich narratives. In fact, many horror fiction writers today use the same tools—mystery, emotional disorientation, transformation—to craft powerful stories that stick.

Tips for Writing a Rumi-Inspired Entry

Whether you're crafting fantasy, horror, or literary fiction, here are some tips to help you write an unforgettable submission:

1. Embrace ambiguity.Rumi rarely gave answers—he asked better questions. Let your story live in the mystery rather than explaining everything.

2. Go emotional, not logical.Rumi’s work reaches straight for the heart. Try writing a scene where the emotional truth matters more than the facts.

3. Use metaphor like a weapon.Think beyond literal horror. Instead of a monster under the bed, maybe it’s a voice that whispers your worst fear. Think symbolically.

4. Let beauty coexist with fear.Even a horror fiction story can contain elegance. The contrast only deepens the impact.

5. Keep it short and sacred.The Legacy Rumi Contest challenges you to write between 700–1,000 words. Make every word meaningful.

Join a Global Community of Writers

The Legacy Rumi Contest is open to students aged 13+ around the world. Winners receive international recognition, digital awards, and a chance to be published in our Legacy Anthology.

So if you’re a student with a voice aching to be heard—step into the silence between the lines and write something unforgettable.

Enter the Legacy Rumi Contest today.