A Writing Challenge: Are You Up For It?

Sheez! A casual mention in the Mailbag about writing challenges and suddenly I’m inundated with suggestions that I issue a challenge. Fine! Whatever! I’ll do it just to get you pesky friends off my back.

I’m teasing of course.

My friend Ann mentioned challenges and how she does some of her best work when inspired by a challenge, and the more I thought about it, I realized the same is true for me…and then the flood gates opened and that’s all I heard about for a week, sooooooooo…..

Here we are!

It’s challenge time!

In the past, when I’ve issued a challenge, I’ve answered my own challenge with a short story of my own. I’m not going to do that this time, so sue me. I’m simply going to lay the groundwork….state the ground rules….share a couple photos with you….and then turn you loose.

Are you ready?

1) The title of the short story must have the word “mountain” in it, and the subject matter of the short story must be, in some way, related to the mountain in the photo.

2) There are three other photos included in this short article. Your story must, in some way, include and mention those three photos.

3) Short story….flash fiction….I don’t care. There is no word limit in this challenge, but you are limited to only one Hub article….no two and three part stories, please. Say what you can in one episode and then you are done.

4) Post your entry on HubPages by September 10th.

5) You choose the genre.

WHY A CHALLENGE?

Well, why not! Let’s see what you’ve got. Let’s get the creative juices flowing. This is a safe place for all writer wannabees. This is just a chance for writers to enjoy other writers, meet some new people, form some new friendships….that sort of thing.

And this is a chance to free ourselves, at least partially, from the ridiculous pursuit of the perfect SEO article which HubPages usually forces down our throats.

Cast off the chains and for one day, sit down and write the way you want to write, rather than the way the Google gods demand you write.

How about my admiration? Is that enough? LOL No?

Well, I can toss in one of my novels. Anyone else want to add one of their books to the prize list? I know there are quite a few self-published authors out there. Who would like to donate a book to the prize list? Let me know in the comments below if you are interested in doing so.

WHO JUDGES?

That’s would be me, a purely subjective judging system, and you’ll just have to live with it.

SO THAT’S IT!

Get started. I look forward to seeing if you’ve got game.

And one other thing: if you can find the time, at the bottom of your stories, link to some other challenge stories. That way we can all share and enjoy.

When you are done with your entry, publish it on HP, of course, but also email me at holland1145@yahoo.com and let me know you published. I don't want to accidentally miss an entry.

I miss the HubPages of five years ago, and I don’t think I’m the only one who feels that way. When I first came to HubPages, if someone “followed” you, it actually meant they followed you. They read your articles and they commented, and from that friendships were formed and a community grew strong.

Unfortunately, I don’t see nearly enough of that today. Today I am “followed” by people who could care less about actually following another writer. They are here to….well, I don’t know why they are here….and the staff of HubPages is just here to make sure their little SEO bank account stays in the black. It’s become a very depersonalized site and I find that sad.

So I’m hoping quite a few pick up this challenge, and I’m also hoping quite a few take this opportunity to meet new people and form new relationships.

Thank you!

2016 William D. Holland (aka billybuc) #greatestunknownauthor

“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”