June 2009 - Short Story Challenge

So how are you doing with the June challenge? With barely two weeks left to me in the month, I am still at the idea stage. So let's what I can do in the next couple of days. But at least the idea is there. I have more hopes for July challenge. How is your progress?

May 2009 - Short Story Challenge

Welcome to the first short story challenge. Let's all work together and make this a success, so we can have many more challenges, and hopefully have the pleasure of seeing our work published at some point.

Reminder of main points:

• This is a monthly challenge, beginning on May 1st and ending on May 31st
• Please post your progress, or if you finish the story, let us know that you have finished it. How many words, any details you like to share, and whether you have submitted it or not.
• There are no rules. You can write what you want, and submit if/when you want to a publication of your choice.
• The purpose of doing this challenge together is purely to motivate one another to write something regularly, and finish it.

Few people have asked about writing prompt/theme. Each month, I will post three prompts/themes that you can use for your story if you wish. That's purely optional, meant for people who may be bit stuck for ideas.

May 2009: Themes/Prompts

• May day - write a story where May day celerabtion plays a central part
• Write a story which has three main characters - two men and a woman
• Write a story set in a country estate

Short Story Challenge - Further Details

I am delighted to say that the interest shown has far exceeded my expectations. But with interest, there are also some questions. So I will explain my view of the challenge here:

• It will be a monthly challenge. Beginning on 1st day of every month and ending on the last. You are encouraged to start on the 1st, but if you are super-fast story writer, you can start any time.
• The purpose is to have one story completed, revised, editted and ideally submitted by the end of the month.
• Submission - you don't have to post your story here, or on any blog or online. The submission refers to actual paying publications.
• The purpose behind the monthly challenge is that if we write and submit one story per month, we increase our chances of having fiction published greatly. Regardless of what other writing you do or don't do, you know that every month you will have one thing to send to an editor.
• To participate and encourage - post comments on the beginning of the month in the challenge post (I will put one up every month), say you have started, give some details if you like. You can mention your progress, encourage others. If you finish it let us know.
• For those who would like to be encouraged on their own blog, just put a challenge post on your own blog, and leave the link in my comments section so anyone who wishes to come and encourage you, can easily find you.

P.S: Those who have recently signed up, I will add your names to the participants list shortly.

Short Story Challenge

I am thinking about starting a short story challenge - one story to write and submit per month. It would be great if anyone else is interested, then we can push and prod each other, and hopefully accomplish at least one story a month. While my goal, like most other newbie writers is to write novels, but in recent practice with short stories I definitely feel that it offers great advantage of learning to write tight. The things you learn through short stories, can make a better novel. Besides, there is the side bonus of having something to submit regularly - and therefore, increasing the chances of acceptance and being a published fiction writer. I hope it's tempting enough for some of you... so come on...it'll be fun... Challenge starting from May 1 I am adding names and links of participants in a widget to the right. You have to meet the challenge monthly to keep your blog link and name in there. Hope little advertising is a slight motivation. ;) If you want to join the challenge, tell me in a comment below so I can add your name, and don't forget to check back on 1st of May.