Bare Foot Breathing

Summary

Mary Chang Story Writer invites readers to participate in the January "Self" Six Word Photo Story Challenge, using a personal headstand photo as a thematic inspiration, and provides guidelines and formatting rules for submissions.

Abstract

The website content introduces the Six Word Photo Story Challenge, a creative endeavor spearheaded by Mary Chang Story Writer. This challenge, with its January theme of "Self," encourages participants to tell a story in just six words, accompanied by a photo they have taken. The challenge is hosted within the Six Word Photo Story Challenge publication on Medium, where Mary Chang serves as the editor. The publication features a distinctive headstand photo, which Mary Chang chose to make the challenge memorable among Medium's numerous publications. However, she recently discovered that this thumbnail is not visible to all readers as she had thought. Despite this, the headstand photo remains a symbol of balance, focus, and gratitude in nature for Mary, and she hopes it will continue to inspire connections to the publication. The January challenge is open for submissions until January 31, 2021, and participants are urged to adhere to specific formatting guidelines to ensure their stories are considered for publication.

Opinions

Mary Chang Story Writer believes that the headstand photo will help readers associate the image with the publication, making it memorable.
She acknowledges a recent update that the thumbnail image is not visible to all readers, which contrasts with her initial intention.
The act of performing a headstand is personally significant to Mary, representing a moment of self-reflection and connection with nature.
Mary encourages participants to engage with the challenge as if no one is watching, suggesting a carefree and authentic approach to creativity.
The importance of following formatting guidelines is emphasized to avoid delays or rejections in the submission process.

A moment to breathe, reflect, wonder.

If this photo looks familiar — it is. It’s the tiny thumbnail photo in the upper right-hand corner of your screen if you’re viewing the Six Word Photo Story Challenge publication page. It’s also the photo that’s featured in the submission guidelines.

When I started this publication, I decided to use this headstand shot because I figured the photo would trigger readers to subconsciously connect the headstand to the publication and make it easy to remember — amongst the hundreds of publications on Medium.

Did it work?

*Update: Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles just told me readers don’t actually see the headstand photo as a thumbnail, just the publication. As the editor, I see the headstand in the corner, but I didn’t realize that only I see it (and I guess this is my profile shot attached to my own publication). Hope readers still connect this publication to headstand shots!

When I’m upside down, it forces me to take time to balance and focus. It slows down my breathing, clears my head and I find gratitude in nature.

Take a moment for yourself — like nobody’s watching.

Can you tell a story in six words inspired by a photo taken by yourself?

If you’d like to submit to the Six Word Photo Story Challenge and participate in January’s “Self” Challenge, see full details and rules below.

The January “Self” challenge is open for submissions from Tues, January 4, and closes Mon, January 31, 2021, at NOON, PACIFIC STANDARD TIME.

NOTE: Stories not formatted correctly or that require edits will delay publication or may not be accepted. Formatting guidelines are unique to this publication — please read them thoroughly.

About the Writer

Mary Chang is the editor of the Six Word Photo Story Challenge publication — inspired by her original 6-Word Photo Story Summer Challenge writing prompt (2021) on Medium. She’s also a writer, parent, and fitness enthusiast who takes a good photo sometimes — and loves creating monthly challenges.

Fueled by cartwheels, laughter, and encouraging people to shine. Read her blog at www.marychangstorywriter.com

Photography, Headstand, Writing Prompt

Bare Foot Breathing

January Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Self”

A moment to breathe, reflect, wonder.

Show Yourself: January Prompt

January Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Self”

About the Writer