About The Challenges


Every Monday a picture and a quote will be posted. These are the prompts, an invitation for you to take any spark they give you and write a piece in  500 words or less. Word count isn't closely watched unless it looks a lot over, and it's great to see fact, fiction, poetry or prose. The prompts are there to inspire you, so there is no rule that you have to refer explicitly to either of them, just see what sparks they throw off and enjoy.

Submissions close on the following Sunday at noon GMT.

Every Friday there is another picture and quote. The rules are exactly the same but the word count is now 100 words or less and we do count these. It is a chance to work a little more in miniature. Submissions for that also close on the following Sunday at noon GMT.

There are a lot of ideas for other challenges that can get sprinkled into the regular slots.

Tom is the poetry expert, so we may have a poetry only challenge. I love classical music so there may be a challenge for a piece inspired by classical music. We are both picky about grammar and the underpinnings of writing so we may set challenges that ask you to include extended metaphors or onomatopoeia. Suggestions are really welcome.

The Rules of Light and Shade Challenge - we shouldn't have to say this, and I know most people who post here will not need this saying, but we do not tolerate unkindness. Any racism, homophobia, religious intolerance and all the associated nasties are unacceptable.  This is a place to write and celebrate writing. In the poem 'Aedh Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven' WB Yeats says I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams. That is not a bad thing to hold on to when commenting on the writers posting here.

The Most Important Rule - have fun and enjoy the writing.

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Challenge - 28th April 2014

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Are you ready to start the week?  Below you will find two prompts, one a picture and one a quote.  Have a look and see what story they inspire you to tell and then go for it - in 500 words or less!  You can use one or both and you don't need to refer to them directly in your writing, just follow that spark of inspiration whether it is fact, fiction or poetry.   Here's the picture prompt: Picture by chidseyc on rgbstock.com and here's the quote: A dream has power to poison sleep   - Mutability, Percy Bysshe Shelley You have until next Sunday at noon GMT so go for it.  Have fun, write some stuff and then use the link tool underneath to let people see it - if you can put a link on your blog pointing back here, so much the better.   It is really encouraging to have comments on your work and it can give people a real lift.  Sometimes it is nice to just let someone know that their writing hit the spot.  Sometimes you can give a little help with a
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Challenge - Monday 12th May 2014

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Welcome to Monday and the Monday Challenge It's been an amazing second week of the Light and Shade Challenge. Tom and I have been sharing notes and we have enjoyed reading the contributions so much. I have literally laughed out loud and been close to tears. I am in awe. If you have any feedback, suggestions or ideas please let us know. Do you think the two challenges in the week are a good idea or too much? How do you like the word count - too high, too low or just right? We started the Light and Shade Challenge because we were missing Trifecta, not because we thought we knew all the answers, so we are really grateful to get any feedback. Anyway, are you ready to start the week?  Below you will find two prompts, one a picture and one a quote.  Have a look and see what story they inspire you to tell and then go for it - in 500 words or less!  You can use one or both and you don't need to refer to them in your writing, just follow that spark of inspiration whet
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Last Challenge Wednesday 27 June 2017

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This is the last challenge, at least for a while, as things here are too hectic to do justice to the wonderful work people have created after looking at this blog.  However, if you like your writing challenges, I recommend you look over to 'Our Write Side' and they have some awesome challenges.  I'm sure you'll find something that sparks there.   Tom and I only ever wanted to fill a gap that we missed when Trifecta gracefully bowed out, and we have had a lot of fun setting the challenges (and trying to see what we could manage ourselves).  Tonight I'm setting a challenge that I hope is fun, inspiring and challenging - just like every week.   Here is the picture.  Please credit it if you use it in your blog. Image, as ever, from WikiCommons, take by Nijusby and kindly placed in the public domain Instead of a quotation, I give you a Welsh word Hiraeth It is a mix of longing, yearning, nostalgia, wistfulness, or an earnest desire for the Wales of th
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