My Thoughts on Some Recent Challenges

I've been in a bit of a slump lately. I was ill for a while (that's how come I broke my beautiful streak!) and it took a bit to put me back together again. I've also been working on my second book, which has taken up a lot of time, and it's been non-stop at my day job until quite recently.

While all that was going on, there were some absolutely spiffy challenges that I missed out on.

Absurdist Awakening

Craft a surreal absurdist tale in which a routine event escalates into an outrageously comical adventure.

Are you kidding me? I'd have loved that. I'm not saying I would have excelled in it or anything, but it speaks to me. I probably would have made more than one entry. I'd have enjoyed it. It would have got my creative juices flowing, and flexed muscles that, I'll be honest, jolly well need it.

Self-Editing Epiphany

Share a challenging excerpt with a candid self-edit that exposes your creative risks.

I saw this one, and shied away from it. No way am I that brave! Show you my early draft? On purpose?

Once again, are you kidding me?

I would punch someone who looked at an early draft. My hat is well and truly off to anyone who took part in this one. I'd rather sh*t in my hands and clap.

The Life-Extending Conundrum

Imagine an invention that extends life and redefines humanity, unveiling unforeseen consequences.

I thought Glass Dolls was a great fit for this challenge, but the rules specified unpublished, so it was a no-go.

This is one I would have been pleased to participate in, if I'd just managed to get my shit together. I love a good dystopia. I love taking something that seems like a good thing, and turning it inside out. That is the kind of story I love to write.

500 Word Shockwave

Write exactly 500 words of flash fiction culminating in a shocking twist that upends everything.

I feel like someone at Vocal had me in mind specifically when they thought this one up. Flash fiction and a twist? WE WANTS IT, PRECIOUS.

Whoever you were, dear soulmate-behind-the-scenes, I'm sorry for letting you down.

The Metamorphosis of the Mind

Share a transformative moment from your mental or emotional journey.

My mind metamorphosed on reading the prompt. It went entirely blank. I mulled on it for ages, and still: zip. Nada. Not a bean. I decided to let this one go.

Harmonic Verses

Create original song lyrics that use musical structure to tell a story.

Oh this one was not for me! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your entries, and I love that Vocal requested you to write a song. I can barely string a poem together, never mind a fully fledged song with a chorus and a bridge and all that. Every single entry I saw was terrific. I hope Vocal do another challenge like this, even though I will be a contented spectator in that one as well.

Tomorrow’s Utopia

Imagine a utopian future shaped by radical innovation and explore its unexpected flaws.

At last! One I entered! Barely.

I squealed in late to this one, tyres spinning. Like Harry de Leyer turning up to the auction to find almost all the good nags sold. To me this challenge represented a reprieve. It was similar enough to the Life-Extending Conundrum one, with all the same elements that I love sinking my teeth into.

This was a lot like the Treefecta I wrote in response to The Whispering Woods challenge. The "Tomorrow's Utopia" prompt sparked something in my brain, and a whole world sprouted, pretty darn quick.

Unfortunately, not quick enough.

I figured I could write several stories set in this world, and they would all be suitable. More fool me, I jumped on the train way too late. I only managed three entries.

Here they are:

Echoes in the Park

Fragments in the Fog

Souls in the System

There wasn't time for me to explore and expand this world. To show you all its nooks and crannies and heartbreaking flaws. The last entry, Souls, I only just managed to squeak in before the deadline. It wasn't as polished as it should have been. If you suffered through it to the end, I apologise for the tense-hopping. I really should have kept it back but... I'd missed so many challenges already, hadn't I?

[Edit: How could I forget one? Utopia (Fine Dining) was my first entry. Maybe I forgot about it because it's not a very good one. As a story, it's OK, I think. But in hindsight, it doesn't really fit the brief.]

Thank you, as ever, for reading. If I haven't seen your entry to one of these challenges, please leave me the link in the comments.

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