avatarVidya Sury, Collecting Smiles

Summary

Vidya Sury announces the "Happiness" themed November challenge for the Six Word Photo Story publication, inviting photographers to capture the essence of happiness in a single photo and a six-word story.

Abstract

The Six Word Photo Story Challenge for November, themed "Happiness," is an initiative by Vidya Sury that encourages photographers to convey the concept of happiness through a photograph and a concise six-word story. Participants are asked to explore various interpretations of happiness, whether it be emotional, material, natural, or related to food and drink, and to submit original and unpublished work. The challenge emphasizes personal perspective and storytelling, with guidelines on formatting, submission, and a strict two-minute maximum read time for each story. The publication welcomes submissions from November 1 until NOON, Pacific Standard Time, November 30, 2023, and provides resources for formatting and submission rules to ensure a smooth process for contributors.

Opinions

  • Vidya Sury believes that happiness can be found in many forms, from simple pleasures like a glass of water to more complex achievements like buying a dream home.
  • The author suggests that the pursuit of happiness is a thrilling journey and emphasizes the importance of personal perspective in defining what happiness means to each individual.
  • The challenge is designed to be intuitive and investigative, prompting contributors to reflect on and articulate the sources of joy in their lives.
  • There is an emphasis on the joy that comes from travel, spending time with loved ones, and achieving personal goals, as highlighted by Vidya's own experiences with friends and her son.
  • The publication maintains strict rules regarding photo originality, self-promotion, and story length to maintain the integrity of the challenge and ensure fairness among participants.
  • The editorial team, including Vidya Sury, Sandi Parsons, and Mary Chang Story Writer, express a supportive and encouraging attitude towards contributors, inviting them to join the community and share their interpretations of happiness.
Somewhere near Mount Hood, Oregon with Rosie ❤ Vidya Sury ©

PHOTOGRAPHY | HAPPINESS | VIDYA’S NOVEMBER PROMPT

Happiness: November Prompt

November Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Happiness”

Friends, pawprints on heart, equals happiness

Ever since my friend Galen and I connected back in 2010, my heartfelt wish was: if I ever made it to the US, I would definitely visit her. Of course, a trip to the US was, at the time, a distant dream and a tall one.

Fast forward to 2020, my son was all set to go to the US as a grad student and the dream looked pretty feasible — if and when the visa interviews opened up. That took two years and I finally got my visa. I immediately emailed Galen to tell her. She instantly responded with, “Your room is ready!”

Plans were made. Tickets booked. October 5 found me flying into her arms. It was a dream come true! We spent three of the happiest days in my life together, delighted that we seemed so alike even though we had never met in person before.

My biggest bonus was meeting her pet Rosie, with whom I formed an instant bond. Truly, happiness is a loving pet! The photo above is at my friend’s cabin in the woods.

One evening, when I was sad, worried over something, I felt a slight pressure on my back and turned to find Rosie settled on my bed, leaning against me, as if supporting me, reassuring me that everything would be okay. I cannot tell you how soothing it was and how I instantly felt better.

Thinking of my friend and Rosie — one of my happy places.

The November Challenge is “Happiness” brought to you by me — Vidya Sury

I did not have to think long about this month’s theme. I had a happy time in September and October, traveling, spending time with my son, and meeting close friends. Travel makes me happy! Also, November is my son’s birthday month and the happiness he has brought into my life is unlimited.

The concept is to take a photo that somehow captures the meaning of “Happiness” in some way, whether it’s abstract or concrete, figurative or literal, physical or mental. The possibilities are endless — we’re looking for submissions with different perspectives, unusual stories, and brilliant photographs.

Please read about the Definition, Purpose & Rules of the “Happiness” Challenge below.

Possible Definitions of How to Use “Happiness” in Your Six Word Photo Story

Happiness. What a simple concept, yet some of us spend all our lives chasing it. The journey is thrilling though, isn’t it? Happiness can come to us in so many forms. It can be a glass of water when we’re thirsty, or buying the house of our dreams. A cherished gift from a loved one. Something we saw or felt.

There are countless ways to find Happiness in our lives. Happiness brings joy, lights up your brain, or satisfies you in some way.

  1. “Happiness” can refer to something emotional, mental, spiritual, or physical. What makes you happy as a person? Maybe it’s …
  • singing along with the radio when a good song comes on
  • splashing in the ocean (thinking of you Mary Chang Story Writer)
  • writing your heart out
  • that delicious morning cup of coffee. (Me!)
  • learning something new
  • getting something you coveted
  • accomplishing a task
  • doing something for the first time
  • working in your garden
  • lazing in your cozy chair
  • checking off a bucket list item, visiting a place for the first time
  • your kids, your family, your friends
  • laughing with your best friend or pet
  • being alone with your thoughts
  • your happy place

2. “Happiness” can refer to something material. Maybe it’s a diamond ring, fancy bling, a house, a sports car, bicycle, favorite pair of shoes, glittery eyeshadow, or a disco light.

3. “Happiness” can refer to something in nature, the universe, or the life cycle. Maybe it’s the sunlight, stars, icicles, rainbows, snow, ocean, or the metamorphosis of a butterfly, human being, or yourself.

4. “Happiness” can refer to food or drink. Maybe it’s your favorite home-cooked meal your mother makes that triggers nostalgia whenever you taste it or the first sip of an icy cocktail on a Friday night, or simply that first chomp of a shiny red apple that gives you satisfaction and brightens your morning.

5. “Happiness” is YOU and your perspective. It’s something that represents the meaning of “Happiness” in some way or form, from your individual viewpoint — that connects to your photo and story.

What’s your “Happiness” story?

The Purpose of “Happiness”

  1. The “Happiness” Challenge is an intuitive self-challenge to explore what makes you happy — maybe it’s internal or external or both.
  2. The “Happiness” Challenge is an investigative challenge to observe and figure out what things in your life can capture the “meaning of Happiness” through photography, contemplation, and six words.
  3. The “Happiness” Challenge is designed for YOU and your perspective.

Can you take a photo that represents “Happiness” and tell a story about it in six words?

“Happiness” Challenge Rules

Guidelines, Formatting & How to Submit

Note: These apply to ALL stories in this publication. I know it may seem like a lot, but once you’ve submitted your first story to our pub, it’s easy to duplicate the formatting style!

Note: This challenge will run from November 1, until NOON, Pacific Standard Time, November 30, 2023.

The Photo

  1. The photo must be taken by yourself (ORIGINAL & UNPUBLISHED elsewhere), and please include a photo credit.
  2. Only ONE PHOTO can be featured in your story, and it must be placed ABOVE the title and subtitle. Your photo must be the first thing our editors see when we review your submission.
  3. The only person that can be featured in the photo is YOURSELF. If you’re in the photo, it can be taken by someone else (please include the photo credit.) Photos of people other than yourself are NOT ALLOWED. See this article for legal reasons why.

The Title, Subtitle & Tags

  1. Title: Choose your own title.
  2. For your subtitle: Please use “November Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Happiness” (like the subtitle used in this article.) Once you have written your subtitle, remember to highlight it and click on the small “T” to format it correctly.
  3. Please Tag your story using this tag: Monthly Challenge

The Six Word Photo Story

  1. The photo must be connected to your story and concept of “Happiness” in some way. The connection to “Happiness” should be made clear either in the photo, six word story, or (optional) backstory.
  2. All six word stories and optional backstories must also abide by Medium’s rules. Note: Any stories that the editors may view as disrespectful, inappropriate, or that fall into a grey area will be reviewed at the discretion of the editors and may be rejected.
  3. The story must be six words only. Once you write your six word story, highlight it and click on the small “T” to format the six words. This is so your six words stand out; it’s a formatting guideline unique to this publication.
  4. The 3 dots (like in this story) should appear directly below your six word story. If you don’t know how to do this, view the formatting guidelines.

The Backstory (OPTIONAL) & 2-Minute Maximum Read per story!

  1. IF you include a backstory, it can be 1–2 minutes.
  2. The 3 dots (like in this story) should appear directly below your backstory.
  3. The entire reading time of your story must be no longer than 2 minutes! This includes the photo, six word story, any tags, links, or promotion of yourself or other stories. It will be unread and rejected if your submission comes in as a 3-minute read or more.

How to Submit Your Story

  1. Submit unpublished drafts only. Previously published stories (self-published or published elsewhere) will be unread and rejected.
  2. To submit your unpublished draft: a) Click on the three dots at the top right corner of the screen b) Click “Add to publication” c) select “Six Word Photo Story Challenge” d) Click on “Select and continue.” e) Click “Submit.”
  3. WHAT NOT TO DO! When submitting your unpublished draft, DO NOT CLICK “Publish” first. If you click “Publish” first — your story will be automatically self-published to your own profile page, and we will NOT accept it if you then attempt to submit your self-published story to our publication.

“Happiness” is open for submissions from November 1 until NOON, November 30, 2023, PACIFIC STANDARD TIME.

If you have any questions about the rules or need further clarification about the Monthly Challenge, please leave a comment on this story. For formatting step-by-step instructions (these are unique to this publication), see Formatting Your Six Word Photo Story.

NOTE: Stories not formatted correctly, don’t follow rules, or that require edits will delay publication or may not be accepted. Formatting guidelines are unique to this publication. If you’d like to be added as a writer and submit to Six Word Photo Story Challenge publication, please read and follow the submission guidelines.

It’s time to explore the meaning of “HAPPINESS”

Grab those cameras or dig into your archives — you may be empowered and surprised to see what you come up with. Embrace the power of “Happiness”

Freestyle stories

You also have the option to write a six-word photo story featuring a photo and topic of your choosing — as long as the photo and story are connected in some way. The story doesn’t need to be related to the monthly challenge prompt. For your subtitle: Please use your own subtitle followed by the word: Freestyle, OR use Six Word Photo Story: Freestyle. Please tag your story using this tag: Freestyle.

Submissions are always open for Freestyle stories.

— Village hugs, from the editorial team, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, Sandi Parsons, and Mary Chang Story Writer — creator & editor of SWPSC. If you don’t want to miss any future Six Word Photo Story Challenges, please follow us, this publication, and subscribe to our stories by hitting the “green envelope” button next to our profiles.

About Vidya Sury

After a couple of decades in the corporate world in sales, marketing, and training, I am living my dream as a Writer | Editor | Blogger. I enjoy writing so much that besides writing on Medium, I juggle six blogs of my own. More about me here.

On really busy days, my free time is restricted to playing with my dust bunnies and showing my diabetes who’s boss. Oh, I love coffee, books, cooking, music, photography, travel, people, and collecting smiles. I believe there is a special place in hell for women who do not help other women. And that people will always rule over technology!

Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles ❤ Did you smile today?

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