Summary

The author presents a writing challenge by sharing five unfinished drafts from their Medium account, inviting readers to vote on which one should be completed and published.

Abstract

The web content is a personal essay by an author who is grappling with a collection of unfinished writing pieces, referred to as "draft folders." These drafts are likened to inert viruses, waiting to be brought to life and shared with the world. The author humorously describes their predicament, noting that some drafts may be worth reviving while others are destined for oblivion. They propose a democratic solution to this creative logjam by presenting five potential stories to their audience, ranging from reflections on writing while intoxicated to personal hygiene habits and societal critiques. The author encourages engagement by asking readers to comment on which draft they would like to see developed into a full article, promising to flesh out the most popular choice. This interactive approach not only involves the readers in the creative process but also serves as a challenge to overcome writer's block and produce content that resonates with the audience.

Opinions

The author views their unfinished drafts with a mix of humor and self-deprecation, suggesting some are worthless.
There is a sense of frustration with the creative process, as evidenced by the comparison of draft folders to places where ideas die.
The author playfully suggests that their keyboard has been out of reach during moments of intoxication, affecting their writing output.
A touch of cynicism is present in the author's view of the publishing industry, as seen in the potential story about alcohol marketing slogans.
The author seems to value reader input, using it as a means to motivate their writing and overcome the hurdle of selecting which draft to complete.
There is an underlying theme of self-reflection and personal growth, particularly in the draft about the author's descent into depravity as illustrated by their responses on Medium.
The author indirectly criticizes the shampoo industry and societal norms in the draft about not cutting or washing hair for seven years.
By challenging other writers to participate in this exercise, the author promotes a sense of community and shared struggle within the writing profession.

Writing challenge prompt

Draft Day: Write, Sleep, Polish, Repeat

If You Call up a Turd Can It Fight Like A Diamond?

Me in my home office. Draftin’. Photo by Robert Linder on Unsplash

Draft folders.

The place where half-finished ideas die slow, lingering deaths.

Inert viruses, waiting to be unleashed on a world that couldn’t be fucked to host them.

I have a bunch sitting in my Medium drafts folder right now. Some may be worth exhuming. The rest need a one-way ticket to a black hole.

Here are five of them. If you would like, comment which one of the five you would like to see fleshed out and published, and I promise to give it some fleshing.

1#

Title: 100 things I wrote while off my face and on my keyboard

Subtitle: The sequel no-one ever wanted

What’s it about: Title pretty much explains it. Word count suggests I haven’t been far enough off my face recently. Or when I have, my keyboard hasn’t been within reach. You could change that with the click of a button…

Last edited 2 months ago

1 min read (18 words) so far

2#

Title: I Didn’t Cut or Wash My Hair for Seven Years

Subtitle: A life of tangled knots

What it’s about: My personal vendetta against the shampoo industry and helpful tips for how to remain single. Something happened 5 months ago to cause this piece to run out of steam.

Is my hot water system broken again?

Last edited 5 months ago

5 min read (1080 words) so far

3#

Title: My Descent Into Depravity: Illustrated by My First 1000 Published Responses

Subtitle: Were you responded to and do you deserve an apology?

What it’s about: Medium has changed me. Has it been for the better? (The title suggests otherwise)

Last edited 3 months ago

3 min read (581 words) so far

4#

Title: Friend or Frenemy: How to Spot the Difference

Subtitle: Never fear, Friendar is here

What it’s about: Are your friends really your friends? Or are they actively sabotaging your very existence? Tony, please tell.

Last edited about 1 month ago

1 min read (13 words) so far

5#

Title: Liquor Companies new marketing slogans after ‘Hold Your Liquor’ banned for lack of consent

What it’s about: This may be the deepest story of the lot. A thoughtful exploration of alcoholism, consent and the insidious reach of corporatized psychology.

Or maybe it’s just about finding a subtitle?

It may also be inextricably tied to #1.

Last edited about 2 months ago

1 min read (14 words) so far

Just like America’s grand political system — which elects some of the greatest visionary’s and tax frauds ever known — voting is not compulsory.

It is highly encouraged though, lest you want to end up with another round of this guy.

Thanks to Dani Montage for tagging me in this prompt. You can read her response here:

Hitting My Writer’s Block with a Left Hook 🥊

Help me get my next drafts into print!

medium.com

And the victorious story here:

Feeling Poor (Draft #4)

Wearing a second-hand outfit to the Scottsdale Fashion Square

medium.com

Big thanks to the original creator of this challenge, Denise Kendig:

Challenge: Knock ’em Out

Knock us all out, while you’re at it

medium.com

The rules of the challenge according to Denise:

Go to your “Drafts” file, here on Medium.com. Find your oldest five “drafts” articles.
Cut and paste them, directly from your list, and show them in your response to this challenge.
Ask your readers to tell you which ONE of these five stories they would most like to see you finish! Promise and commit to completing that story. Title it: Success — (insert the name of your now completed draft story) so that we can find it easily!
Challenge at least three other writers to complete these steps as well.

I hereby challenge Carlo Zeno, Ann James and Annie Trevaskis. And everyone else who I shamelessly (OK, lazily) refuse to tag bomb.