Photography | December is Freestyle! | Mary’s December Prompt

It’s Freestyle! December Prompt

Be Free & Show Us Your Style: “December Freestyle”

Shoes off — the ocean awaits me.

Being barefoot is freedom. The moment I kick off my socks and shoes, I can jump into the ocean for a swim. I typically swim in a bikini or one-piece swimsuit and a pair of goggles throughout the seasons in the rain, shine or snow. Never wet shoes — don’t like them.

The December Prompt is simply “Freestyle”

This month, there is no specific “Monthly Challenge” other than that December is open for “Freestyle” submissions only.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. “December Freestyle” submissions will open from Thursday, December 1st, and close at NOON, Pacific Standard Time, Friday, December 16, 2022. The “December Freestyle” conclusion will be published sometime AFTER noon, December 16.
2. This publication will be closed from Saturday, December 17, 2022, until Monday, January 2, 2023. We will NOT accept submissions or new writers during this time.
3. We will reopen for submissions and welcome new writers on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. The January 2023 Monthly Challenge will be announced on this date.

Now, back to December Freestyle — be free and show us your style! Please review the details below.

“Freestyle“ Guidelines, Formatting & How to Submit

Note: These apply to ALL stories in this publication. Remember, once you’ve submitted your first story to our pub, it’s easy to duplicate the formatting style!

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 The photo must be taken by yourself (ORIGINAL & UNPUBLISHED elsewhere), and please include a photo credit.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 choose your own subtitle followed by a colon: “December Freestyle” (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: Freestyle

The Six Word Photo Story

1. The Freestyle story can feature a photo and topic of your own choosing — as long as the photo and story are connected in some way. All stories must also abide by Medium’s rules. Note: Any stories that the editors may view as disrespectful, or inappropriate, or that fall into a grey area will be reviewed at the discretion of the editors and may be declined.
2. 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.
3. The 3 dots (like in this story) should appear directly below your six word story. View the formatting guidelines if you don’t know how to do this.

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 to us, 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/add your self-published story to our publication.

“December Freestyle” is open for submissions from Thursday, December 1, and closes Friday, December 16, 2022, at NOON, PACIFIC STANDARD TIME.

If you have any questions about the rules or need further clarification about “December Freestyle,” please leave a comment on this story. For formatting step-by-step instructions, 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. 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.

— Village hugs, from the editorial team, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, Sandi Parsons, Ellie Jacobson, 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 the Editor of SWPSC

Mary Chang is a writer, creator, and editor of the Six Word Photo Story Challenge publication. She’s also a parent and fitness enthusiast who loves creating monthly challenges. Mary believes that if she can push herself to take on new challenges, it may inspire others to try too. Her self-mantra is “Try, Mary, Try!”