A New Writing Challenge

Some of you I know, used to participate in a writing challenge known as "Picture Fiction Challenge", presented by R.E.H. of Ramblings of a Madman. Whether you did, or were just a reader of his site, then you know he has been MIA for a couple of months now. His last post said, "I'm OK, see you in a day, a week or a month..." Now, two+ months later, still no word. Hopefully he is fine and has just decided to take an extended break from posting. That's one of the unfortunate parts of blogging. When someone decides to suddenly stop writing, we're left wondering what happened. It's not like we can just pick-up a phone and call or drop by the house for a visit.

Well, aside from missing the guy and his writing, I also miss the monthly writing challenge he hosted. So, I've decided to sort of resurrect it here. It'll follow roughly the same format as before, but with a few modifications so that I (and hopefully you) don't think it's a complete rip off from what he created.

The first thing to do is come up with a name for it. This is the part of the post known as audience participation. I jotted down five possible titles and would like your opinion. With a little luck, I'll have a poll up on my sidebar that you can cast your vote on. Along with the names I came up with I'll have "other" as an a option too. Feel free click on that button if none of the ones listed sound appealing and to offer up any suggestions in the comment section. After the votes have been cast and tallied, I'll go with the majority. If you're from the States, just consider this practice for November.

In case the poll thingy doesn't happen, or you're too damn lazy to look for it, here are the names I came up with:

The Writers Block
Composed Image
Snapshot Stories
Word Collage
Portrait of Words

I'll also come up with a flashy little icon that we can use on our story posts. If you're feeling creative and want to submit an idea, by all means go for it. Just don't cry in your beer if it doesn't get selected.

Now, onto the particulars of the challenge.

I will select a photograph (most likely from Flickr) in each of five different categories for you to use. Your challenge is to look at the pictures and interpret them as you see fit. Use them as inspiration to create your own story.



Here are the categories:

Main Character(s): Your story can be told through or about this person(s), either way, their involvement in the story should be a focal point. Have as many or as few characters as you wish, but the one(s) in this picture should be central to the overall story.

Backdrop: This will create the setting for your story. It can take place at the location depicted, be a destination to it, or be a journey from it.

Purpose: This is the objective of the main character and is what motivates this person(s) to action.

Object: This item(s) should add significant value to the story

Wild Card: Writers choice here. Choose one of the three pictures listed to use in your story.

By creating the wild card category, I'm hoping it will create an interesting twist to the stories. We will each be working from the same pics in the first four, but this one will be subjective to each author.



General Guidelines:

Use each of the picture representations in your story. (one from the wild card)

Your story can be of any length, long or short, it's up to you.

Works of fiction or ones based on fact are equally welcomed.

Most importantly, have fun with this. It should be viewed simply as a writing exercise designed to stimulate creativity, not as a means of creating stress in you. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just beginning, everyone is invited to join in.


Posting:

The stories should be posted between Monday and Wednesday the closest to the 15th of each month. (I'll specify each month) This three day "posting window" will give everyone a chance to submit their story without feeling like they missed the one day it is due.

I will post the pictures for the following month's challenge on the Friday after we submit our stories. This will give us approximately four weeks to create our next story.

Read the other participants stories only after you've posted your own, and leave them comments.

Sign in on Mr Linky so others can read your story. (That means I have to figure out how to use this feature)

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There you have it. At least that's how I see it coming together. I'd really appreciate any feedback your willing to give on making this a fun and interesting challenge to participate in.

I'll give this until Sunday morning to let you all have an opportunity to offer up suggestions, and then on Monday the 25th, I'll post the final version along with the first set of pictures. Ya I know, already breaking the rule of posting on Friday for the following month. Just didn't want another month to go by before we kick this off.