Le Défenseur! [an unofficial challenge]

Welcome back to another unofficial challenge!

I know, I know. I do have another challenge open right now called "The Eulogy" closing on June 15th, but I can't help it! This one is too fun to wait for!

Note: You can find all of my open and closed challenges in my pillar post, here:

I haven't done an image prompt before, so let's gooo!

The Prompt

Write a story based on/inspired by the painting "Le Défenseur" by Honoré Daumier.

The painting? The one depicted above! (and now below)

This painting has been circulating around TikTok recently as a kind of meme to tell a story/get a certain point across. What do you make of this particular painting? What kind of story can you tell with it?

Why is the woman on trial? Is she innocent? Why is the advocate so desperate?

OR - maybe take the prompt not so literally. Perhaps you can create a story about the feeling of needing to defend/advocate for someone, whether that person deserves it or not. Maybe it's about feeling as though you've been put on trial. Maybe it's not about court at all.

But connect it in some way to the painting! I wanna see what kind of stories you can think of by just looking at some old art!

This prompt is really open-ended. I just want you to have fun with it! Maybe you go somewhere dark and haunted, maybe fun and silly, maybe comedic, romantic, murderous, whichever! Maybe even one of each! Let's get the creative juices flowing!

The only requirement for this challenge, prompt-wise, is that it connects in some way, shape, or form to the painting. If you are a little worried that your work might be too loosely connected, explain the connections you made in an author's note!

Other Criteria

Word Count: There is no word count limit on this! I would suggest writing over 200 words, for sure, but as far as a maximum goes, I'm not too picky! (I also will not be checking word count. If you've got 120 words and feel confident, feel free to submit it!)

Link back: If possible, embed a link at the end of your story to this page so others can enter if they feel inspired to!

Comment: Come back and comment once your entry has been published! Otherwise I won't see it!

The entries will be acknowledged with a reply and will be added to the list at the bottom of this post. Come back in a few days after you've entered and make sure I added you in!

FAQ

Can I make more than one submission? YES! But just keep in mind that only one entry per creator can feature in the Top 3!

Can I submit a story that I have already written? I used to say yes, but I'm gonna start saying no. From now on, original content only! (Sorry folks!)

Important Dates

Deadline: This challenge will close on Monday, June 30th, 2025, at 11:59pm MST.

Results: The results will be posted on Monday, July 7th, 2025, with the possibility of extending if I get more entries than anticipated. If that is the case, this post will be updated to reflect that change.

The results post will include the Top 3 entries as well as little blurbs explaining my choices. There will be links to all submissions included at the end.

Prizes? My prizes for these challenges have been community-based rather than monetary. The prize goes to the 1st place winner only, in which I will read, like, and comment on FIVE of your posts that I have not yet read, as well as subscribe if I have not already.

If you have any questions about the prompt or need clarification, please feel free to comment below! I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Happy writing, everyone!

♡ Belle ♡

The Entries

All entries will be linked here in the order in which they were submitted.

1. "Le Défenseur!" by Ian Read
2. "Sorry; not sorry" by Shirley Belk
3. "The Smile in Court" by Diane Foster
4. "She's A Witch" by Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred
5. "Instructions for the Court" by Kendall Defoe
6. "two birds, one stone" by Alexandria Stanwyck
7. "The Trial of Madame Claire Martin" by Tim Carmichael