Challenge - Monday 5th May 2014

Lyssa here - First up, Michael Grieg asked us to credit the pictures that we have used.  This raised a really important principle.  Copyright is really important. I apologise that we haven't done so before, and have gone back and added in the credits.

When Thomas Marlowe and I first started talking about a challenge we knew we wanted a picture prompt as well as a quotation.  Hand on heart, every picture we have put up has been from free picture sites.  We are not professional photographers.  I have seen some of your blogs and I am completely in awe and very aware of my shortcomings.  We will credit and hope that any exposure will help those who take such amazing photos and are kind enough to share.  We are also keeping an eye out and our camera phones handy, and you may see our work come up as well.

Please, please get in touch with any questions or comments.  It is great that Michael got in touch because it makes sure we do the right thing.  We love hearing from people.

Speaking of people, 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 is the picture prompt. If you use it on your own blog please credit.

Picture by ciscopa on rgbstock.com

And here is the quote:

Optimism is like a spiritual magnet 

- Anna Massey

You have until next Sunday at noon GMT so go for it.  Have fun, write some stuff and then use the link underneath to let people see it.  

Thank you so much to all have linked already, who have mentioned us on Twitter or Facebook, and who have been so amazingly supportive. I hope you find the picture and quote just as inspiring and that you are happy to share with us again. It has been amazing reading all your work, I have been left speechless by some.

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 suggestion or hint.  Please comment on the other writers as much as you feel able.  The rule with that is the quote from WB Yeats, 'I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.'  These posts are someone's dreams.