Wouldn't it Be Nice
to bring something different to the table?
Long ago, the Hebrews became tired of eating manna. Not that Heaven-made bread wasn't delicious, but human palates crave variety. I, for one, would be delighted to see a challenge that isn't fiction or poetry. Otherwise, community categories become unseen/under-appreciated/ and frankly, put out to pasture.
Art: there would be so many ways to challenge writers to give interpretation. And who knows, readers might learn something through research or reading the works of others who had done the diligence. It could even be fun, lively, or dramatic. Art is often historical and political, intimate or mysterious. Come on, let's have fun with it!
Beat: just like art, but with a different rhythm. Resonation by artist, group, album, genre, timeline, what are writers passionate about? What could be blaring while heading down the highway? What memories are invoked?
Book Club: imagine this...inserts of famous books for comparison or contrast, or which character readers would most want to have dinner with/go on an adventure with/or even murder because of being so hateful/who they would want to slap for being silly/or who they would want as a friend?
Families: fact or fiction, use nature versus nurture so that an audience might be swayed or persuaded to take a stance because your story is so well-done.
FYI: this category should read like a magazine article and elicit joy in learning new facts, stirring our hearts to become engaged in life to a greater degree and change our minds on status quo.
Geeks: a movie/tv show that could be parallel to the writer's life or at least, which contributed to gaining a different mind-set because of/ a lesson hugely impacting the human heart, bringing healing.
History: a challenge presented against the backdrop of a certain day from history where the writer is has been cast into the midst. Who are they? What is their struggle? Will they overcome the obstacles they find themselves in?
I could go on, but you get the idea, don't you? Vocal, please get a bit more "savory" and spice up the menu on the challenge boards...
About the Creator
Shirley Belk
Mother, Nana, Sister, Cousin, & Aunt who recently retired. RN (Nursing Instructor) who loves to write stories to heal herself and reflect on all the silver linings she has been blessed with :)
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More stories from Shirley Belk and writers in Writers and other communities.
Breakdown
Maybe I've had too much time on my hands of late, paired with an overwhelming mental health need to stay distracted. (It's a grief thing, but that is another story.) But that kind of leads me into why I fell into the writing of this story, so...I haven't been the best at keeping up with my readers of late.
By Shirley Belk4 months ago in Writers
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Comments (7)
I love all of these ideas! I wasn't a fan of the latest challenges, mainly because some of them I didn't really understand or have the slightest idea where to start.
I accidentally read manna as mama and was horrified that they eat their moms, lol. Let's see if Vocal gives challenges in these communities
I totally get what you mean about the challenge boards feeling a little… samey. I laughed at the “Hebrews became tired of eating manna” line because it’s such a perfect way to say, yeah, we want something different, but it also made me think about how often I scroll past challenges that feel like deja vu. I love the idea of a Book Club challenge where you have to pick who you’d want to have dinner with—or even slap—because that would actually make me stop and think, and probably argue with myself a little. Do you think Vocal would actually take a risk and run something like that, or are we stuck with the usual poetry and fiction prompts for now?
Yes that would be very nice. Well said Shirley
Hey there! I was just thinking about you! ☺️Excellent suggestions Shirley!
Although I am mainly here for fiction and poetry, ithink it makes sense as those communities exist and I've enjoyed when they've had a wider range of challenges. There are more due at end of month so maybe there will be some then.
It would be nice to see. Maybe we will with the new changes they are making, who knows