Flint & Steel writing challenge: Autumn 2022

Challenging You To Write Full Circle

One winner will receive $50

Are you ready for a new writing challenge?!

As the lazy days of summer are coming to an end, I’m excited to announce a new writing challenge from Flint & Steel.

“When life brings you full circle, pay attention. There’s a lesson there.” ― Mandy Hale, The Single Woman: Life, Love, and a Dash of Sass

And to expand on Hale’s quote, there’s a story there.

And I want to read it.

The writing challenge prompt is Full Circle. As always, you are free as a creative to interpret that prompt as you wish. I will throw out ideas, of course, but ultimately there is no right or wrong.

Why Full Circle?

It’s been a year since I started Flint & Steel. As I was thinking about the next writing challenge, the spark of a “full circle” moment landed in my head, which got me thinking about those stories that come full circle, which lead me to think about the flash fiction stories I edit over at Flash Fiction Magazine.

Writing full circle is one of my favorite techniques in both flash fiction and nonfiction. I love stories that circle back, bringing the reader on a ride. Sometimes a bumpy, crazy ride. Sometimes a peaceful, soothing experience.

Sparks

First, if you have an idea of what you want to write with the prompt, right now as you’re reading this, then stop reading and start writing. I’ve had prompts do that to me; I read it and boom I have an idea. Go with that. Remember, there is no right or wrong to a writing prompt (just make sure to read the submission guidelines in terms of formatting and word count).

The latest Freewriting Friday post may spark some ideas for you.

Full circle: through a series of developments that lead back to the original source, position, or situation or to a complete reversal of the original position — usually used in the phrase “come full circle.”

Styles: It can be a poem, a fiction short story, a humor, or travel story. Photo essay. Our calendars remind us every day of full circles.

✨A reflection on an important anniversary. Wedding. Divorce. Sobriety. Death. School reunions. Work. Writing.

✨ Before and after. Illness. Trauma. Heartbreak. Independence. Dependence. School. Dating. Moving. The child becoming a parent. Becoming the parent’s caretaker.

✨ Big moments. Small moments. Funny or serious. Teach a lesson through your experience. Share an experience to show others they are not alone and that life is always in flux, always changing.

✨ Take us on a rollercoaster ride of a full circle journey. The thrill. The bumps. And the smooth sailing.

✨ Be literal. Use a circular object as a prompt, as your spark.

✨ Write an opinion piece on something you have had a changing perspective on.

✨ Full circle synonyms: pass, circuit, go-round, orbit, revolution, round trip and cycle.

How the winner is selected and the prize

First, make sure you have followed the submission guidelines. I will only edit the tags and the subtitle/kicker and add a link to the contest for your submissions if you have not followed the guidelines.

As the editor, I’m looking for a well-written submission that embodies the prompt “full circle.” I want you to show me the journey, whatever that journey may look like.

On September 29, 2022, I will announce an editor’s shortlist of my favorite submissions.

On October 6, 2022, I will announce the winner of the Full Circle Writing Challenge.

The winner will win $50!

(via Paypal, Venmo, Ko-Fi or BuyMeACoffee).

Submission Guidelines

✔ Submission deadline is September 26, 2022 at 7pm, CST. Multiple submissions are welcome (one per day at the maximum).

✔ You must be following Flint & Steel.

✔ You must be a writer for Flint & Steel. (click on the link for the writer page or leave a comment on this post to be added as a writer. Please allow 24 hours to be added).

✔ Submissions must be published at Flint & Steel. I will not edit submissions (except to add the appropriate tags, noted below). Submit your best work, making sure to check for grammar and punctuation mistakes.

✔ Each article must be a minimum of a two-minute read, no longer than a six-minute read.

✔ The headline title is up to you, but please add “Flint & Steel Full Circle Writing Challenge” as the subtitle or as the kicker.

✔ At the bottom of your submission, note this contest with a link back to this post.

✔ Use the tags “full circle” AND “Flint and Steel.”

OPTIONAL: Spread the word and support fellow challenge writers. Tag fellow writers who may enjoy this challenge. In your article, add a link to another writer’s challenge submission that you enjoyed.

Questions?

Please leave any questions in the comments and if you would like to be added as a writer to Flint & Steel.

Support Future Writing Challenges

This is our third writing challenge at Flint & Steel. Thank you to everyone who has donated in the past through Ko-Fi as I use those donations for these writing challenges. My plan is to host at least four writing contests each year.

Flint & Steel writers 💖

Sahil Patel, Shirley Jones Luke, Samantha Jensen, MA, MAEd, Trista Signe Ainsworth, MIGHTY MISCELLANY, L Burton, Heathere CW, Kaori Mitsui, Penelope Mayfield, Pierce McIntyre, Pene Hodge, Yean Foong (M.Ed.), Elin Melaas, Sarah Minnis, Mindy Morgan Avitia, JM Heatherly, Nikki, Andria Kennedy, pockett dessert, Dennett, Diana Lotti, Ronald C. Flores-Gunkle, Mulan, Amanda Laughtland, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, Penny Grubb, Sorina Raluca Babau, Prashansa Chandekar, Will Hull, Ravyne Hawke, Jane Grows Garden Rooms (Jane Frost), Mimi Bordeaux, Adrienne Beaumont, Karen Schwartz, Divina Grey, Sangeetha Shankar, Ellen Andaya, Barb Dalton, Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她), Beverly Annette Little, Aabye-Gayle F., AliciaMarie Belchak | Master Life, Build Dreams, Danielle Hestand, Rick Allen, Jennifer Pierce, Tamil, Amy Rosie, Jennifer McDougall, Susan Poole, Adrienne Parkhurst, Chelsea Marie — Charlie Cole — Katie Michaelson — Sandra B — Buse ermen — E. Katherine Kottaras — Bingz Huang — Winston — Stephanie Stephenson — Marilyn Flower — Kris Bedenian — Kathy K — Nick Stockton — VerityAlways — Makena Darya — Umme Salma — Călina Mureșan — Anne Bonfert — Jennifer Dunne, K-kun Writes!, M Cher, CARMEN F MICSA, Annette Liron, Sam Finlayson, Ian Hanson, LM, Elizabeth Kasujja, Sandi Parsons, Veronica Haunani Fitzhugh, BichoDoMato, Jules Starley, Jordan Richardson, Angie Mangino, Obinna Uruakpa, Shanice Lawton, Barbara Radisavljevic, Gaurav Jain, Terry Barr, Christine Graves, Randy Runtsch, Susan Alison, Indra Raj Pathak, Ash Moonlight, Jesse M Hawthorne, Denise Darby, Laura Jevtich, Eira Braun-Labossiere 🌻, Donna J. Allen, Sarah-Jane W., Ginger Bangs, Rebecca Frailich, James Jordan, David L. Davis, Nicholas Tarleton, Courtney Capone, Agnes, Kunal Mehra, Gauri Sirur, Nancy Blackman, Dr. Preeti Singh, Rosy Gee, Lisa M. Gott, Jillian Amatt — Artistic Voyages, Mridul Vijay, Patrick OConnell

About the Writer

Ellie is a freelance writer and editor from Minnesota. She is writing her first novel, a psychological suspense novel, while finishing her MFA at SNHU.

Need writing inspiration? Check out Sparks, Ellie’s newsletter filled with Medium writing prompts to spark your creativity.

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✍ Written by Ellie Jacobson, ©2022 all rights reserved.