Hello, lovely Vocalites!
As has become my MO, I’ve come here today to remind all who have entered this challenge that we have just about 21 days until the deadline. I’m very excited to read everyone’s story or poem (or both!). To those who have already submitted, THANK YOU! I’ll be reading those ones in the coming days! There is no submission limit, remember, so if you’ve a mind to write another, I’d be delighted to read it. 😝
As more and more creators begin their own unofficial challenges, I’m growing increasingly thrilled to both enter and create more! And speaking of, I’ve just remembered that I promised a second ekphrastic challenge after this one, one called the Tag! Photo Challenge. Now, I haven’t written the rules yet, but I do have an idea of what I want this to be. Basically, I’m going to close the submissions to the Tag! Photo Challenge on the day that I announce the winners of the Ekphrastic Challenge. I’ll write a separate post sometime this week explaining the rules. To give a little taster, I’m imagining something like a game of “writer tag” where one person starts the chain, writing a story based on one of the photos from the folder, and then “tags” another writer with a different photo, and on and on. (Yes, it is inspired by the Summer Extravaganza that Oneg and James started last year; thanks guys!)
There will be more soon, but back to the Ekphrastic Challenge. Please refer to this article for the criteria, rubric, and other rules, as well as the prize information and where to download your assigned photo. Also, I mentioned in the rules that if you’d like to insert a song into your story or poem, it’s an optional addition that will lead to another community playlist being created and shared (if I get enough). It won’t affect the scores or anything, but I think it would be very fun to experiment with adding an easter egg and then seeing it turn into a side project (and possibly even a new writing challenge)!
Before I sign off, I just want to emphasize that I’m very open to any critique on my challenges, so if you see any faults or ways to optimize, please do let me know in the comments (or on Discord if that’s more comfy for you). As I've mentioned in the past, I would like to keep running this challenge as long as there is interest, so feedback on how it's structured is actually very welcome.
Deadline for the Ekphrastic Challenge is July 21st, 2024 at 11:59 MST.
Good luck and happy writing, everyone!
About the Creator
Mackenzie Davis
“When you are describing a shape, or sound, or tint, don’t state the matter plainly, but put it in a hint. And learn to look at all things with a sort of mental squint.” Lewis Carroll
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Copyright Mackenzie Davis.
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Official (Unofficial) Rules for the Ekphrastic Challenge Part 2!
Your photos are so BEAUTIFUL! We got 14 gems and I’m very excited to announce the assignments for the writing part of this challenge. Oh, and before I forget to mention it, I WILL be doing this again in the future, so if anybody missed it, no worries. I’ll be back in the fall!
By Mackenzie Davis2 years ago in Writers
Standing While Falling
Quotation from Friedrich Nietzsche "He who wrestles long with monsters should beware lest he himself become a monster. And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you. Man is not destroyed by suffering, but by the meaning he makes of it."
By LUCCIAN LAYTH7 days ago in Critique
Comments (10)
Nice work
Ack! I’m not going to make it! May I get an extension? Even if it disqualifies me. That’s okay. I don’t want to let Judey down. Her photo is great. I was just too distracted and blocked this time 🙏
Cool! Getting close to that time. My story is done. I'm going to read it a few more times, then release it into the wild. lol. I've read a few others already and am pretty amazed!
Writing my entry inspired by Paul’s photo was great fun and I’ve enjoyed reading the other entries! Looking forward to more!
I'm really looking forward to hearing your thoughts on my entry, Mackenzie :) This is one of my most favourite challenges I've entered! The struggle of finding a story that fits comfortably within a photo that I didn't choose? How exciting is that!? Also really interested in seeing what this "Tag!" contest will be like!
The entries I've read so far are so awesomeeee!
I am still fermenting ideas for Suze's picture. But, closing in on an idea that I like. Thanks for the reminder, pal!
Working my way through a story, about 1/2 way, what happens in the end? I'm not sure yet.
Thank you for the reminder. I admit that I am a bit stuck for ideas at the moment. Hopefully I can get the wheels turning soon!
I’m also excited to read everyone’s stories, this is a great challenge!