Have you ever dreamed of living in the Maine countryside? Of running a bed and breakfast? And of accomplishing this for simply writing a wingding of a short essay and a contest fee of $125? Have I got an opportunity for you!

The Center Lovell Inn and Restaurant is currently being offered as the prize in an essay writing contest, sponsored by Janice Sage, the owner and current innkeeper. Why in the world would she offer such a thing? Because that's how she got the inn back in 1993, just by entering a contest. According to the Portland Press Herald,

“She hopes to receive 7,500 responses, or about $900,000, about what local real estate agents suggested as a listing price for the 210-year-old inn and two outbuildings overlooking Kezar Lake in Lovell. It is also an amount that would allow Sage to transition smoothly into retirement, her ultimate goal. She also hopes the novel approach will ensure that the inn will land in worthy hands.”

This little contest perked up my writerly antenna. Not that I want to write an entry and win a country inn (though I wouldn't mind reading the entries). No, I'm thinking what a fantastic idea for story. Heroine wins a bed and breakfast. It's run-down, in a small town, where local folklore has some kind of creepy mystery associated with the place. Of course it won't really turn out to be something scary. No aliens involved. Or zombies. But the strapping hunk of hero will save the day, the heroine, and the inn all in one fell swoop. Win, win, win!

And here's hoping you win if you decide to enter the contest. All the rules you need to follow are HERE.