Summary

Age of Empathy (AoE) has launched its first writing prompt challenge, inviting writers to explore the theme "Are You a 'Yes' or 'No' Person?" through poetry, essays, and fiction.

Abstract

The Age of Empathy (AoE) is excited to announce the start of its writing prompt series, encouraging writers to share their unique perspectives on the theme "Are You a 'Yes' or 'No' Person?" This initiative aims to foster growth, connection, and inspiration among writers by challenging them to create within specified word limits and formats. Submissions are open to all writers and include poetry, essays, and fiction, with the first prompt running from November 1st to November 14th, 2020. Participants are encouraged to use specific tags for their submissions and to reference AoE's Submissions and Style Guide for formatting requirements. Winners will be selected and promoted across AoE's social media platforms, and all entries published within AoE will receive Twitter promotion. The prompts are inspired by Best Self writing cards, emphasizing reflective writing as a means for personal and collective growth.

Opinions

AoE values the unique voices and creative minds of writers and anticipates an abundance of enlightening perspectives.
The editorial team at AoE believes that reflective writing can lead to growth and connection among writers.
The writing prompts are seen as an opportunity for writers to challenge themselves, diversify their portfolios, and step outside their comfort zones.
Tagging other writers is encouraged to broaden the community and invite more participation, though it is not mandatory for submission or contest consideration.
The mission statement for the prompts reflects AoE's commitment to inspiring, connecting, and growing together as a writing community.
AoE acknowledges the internal dialogue involved in deciding whether to say "yes" or "no" and sees this as a valuable topic for writers to explore and reflect upon in their work.

Are You a “Yes” or “No” Person?

Launch of AoE’s first writers prompt

Age of Empathy is thrilled to announce the commencement of writing prompts!

Through the potency of words, there is substantial knowledge, experience, and imagination we can offer one another to propel growth.

And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. — Sylvia Plath

Your unique voices, experiences, and creative minds are indeed brilliant. We value your expressions and we anticipate an abundance of enlightening perspectives.

We can’t wait to announce the winners of the first prompt in the next two weeks and showcase your polished pieces!

Inspire. Connect. Grow. — AoE

Prompt Guidelines:

Who can submit? Any writer can respond to the prompt.

What types of work are accepted? Poetry, essays, and fiction. Poetry is limited to a maximum of 50 lines or 250 words, whichever is highest and it can be any style of poetry. Fiction and non-fiction stories are limited to a maximum of 750 words.

What is the timeline of the prompt? New prompt challenges will launch every two weeks, on the first and fifteenth of every month.

Prompt #1: November 1st, 2020 to November 14th, 2020

Are there any tags I should use in my submission? One of your tags should always include “AoE Prompt.” Other tags to include are Poetry, Fiction, and Self for any essays submitted, depending on which type of story you choose to write. This is important so that your story filters into the correct tabs on AoE’s homepage.

Do I have to specify the prompt in my subtitle? Yes, please ensure your subtitle refers to the prompt with both prompt number and theme included. For example: AoE Prompt #1 — Are You a “Yes” or “No” Person? Please reference AOE’s Submissions and Style Guide for other formatting requirements.

Do I have to tag other writers? We would love it if you tag other writers who inspire you and may like to take part in the challenge. We want to read their work and invite them with open-arms. There are no limits to who you tag including the amount of writers you can tag — inside and outside of AoE. Everyone is welcome!

However, it is not a requirement for submission or to be considered for the contest. If you are comfortable with tagging other writers, please tag away.

What’s in it for us? Great Question! It’s an opportunity to explore outside of your previously published work, diversify your writing portfolio, and challenge yourself outside of your comfort zone, of course!

However, for a well-rounded challenge, there must be an added incentive for everyone involved and for the cream of the crop!

AoE will promote all stories on Twitter as long as it is published within AoE.

AoE will select a total of three winners, from all entries, one in each category of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction stories. Winners will be hand-selected by the AoE editorial team with care. All winning stories will be highlighted as AoE Prompt Winners and promoted on AoE Twitter and AoE Facebook at minimum.

AoE will also update the ongoing Prompt Winner story with the winners’ names and stories!

Is there anything else we should know? There is one last formality. For pieces published outside of AoE, or self-published, we are unable to offer prizes. However, please request to be added as a writer along with your submission and your story will be fully considered for prompt prizes. If you tag someone outside of AoE, please courteously let them know this detail.

What is our mission statement for these prompts? Our motto at Age Of Empathy is Inspire, Connect, and Grow. Keeping that in mind, we have decided to base our prompts off of the Best Self writing cards. We believe by inspiring these challenges, reflective writing can open a door for writers to connect with one another and grow.

Will you say “Yes” in joining us for this kick-off?

Can’t Say —

AOE Prompt #1 — Are You a “Yes” or “No” Person?

It’s not the best know it’s too much can’t let down But let me down? Oh, say yes! What’s one. More. Yes? just have to say it it won’t be that bad can’t say it — can’t say, can’t say — no but say it, to me.

Saying “yes” or “no” to something is thought about on a daily basis through our internal dialogue. Should I have that extra helping of pumpkin pie? Do I give my kids an extra cookie after dessert? Should I do that live interview I am nervous about? Should I marry this amazing man I’ve been with for the past ten years?

Taking the time to reflect on either yes or no can be very valuable for our growth. Let’s grow together!

Prompt:

There are two options (you are more than welcome to do both) based around our first theme: Are You a “Yes” or “No” Person?

1. Where are you currently saying Yes in your life when you really should say No?

2. Where are you currently saying No in your life when you really should say Yes?

We are so excited to see what you create!

With sincerest gratitude, Melissa, Aimée, and Shanna