avatarJonathon Sawyer

Summary

The "Monday Mash-Up #21" is a creative writing challenge that provides story prompts, constraints, and literary devices to inspire writers, with the aim of sparking creativity and fostering a community of storytellers on the platform.

Abstract

The "Monday Mash-Up #21" is an initiative designed to inspire writers by providing intriguing story prompts, such as visions of impending death or falling into another world through a washing machine. Participants are encouraged to incorporate various constraints into their stories, including a buzzing bee, a horse in disguise, and an ugly piece of jewelry, among others. Additionally, writers must choose a hardcore constraint and a literary device, with the option to select or randomly determine these elements. The challenge includes specific rules, such as story length, tagging practices, and the inclusion of a points tally, to facilitate community engagement and recognition. Writers are also prompted to challenge each other, with specific mentions to erotica writers, and are advised to publish their work on platforms like "The Kraken Lore."

Opinions

  • The author views chores as mundane yet acknowledges the potential for interesting interactions with strangers in daily life, highlighting the strangeness of post-COVID social dynamics.
  • The inclusion of a points system suggests a playful, gamified approach to writing, with recognition given to top performers from the previous challenge.
  • The use of a hexagon, as seen in a linked Nickelback video, and other unconventional elements in the constraints indicates a preference for quirky and imaginative storytelling.
  • The author encourages writers to push boundaries and experiment with their writing, as evidenced by the challenge to incorporate a kaleidoscope or a centaur into their stories.
  • The mention of serial storytelling, such as the "David Hawke" stories or the "Furnace Guy" series, suggests a value placed on ongoing narrative development and reader engagement.
  • The challenge to include an example of anastrophe reflects an appreciation for sophisticated literary techniques and stylistic variation in writing.

AUTHOR TOOLS | MASH-UP

Monday Mash-Up #21

Story writing prompts to spark your creativity with a challenge

Doing laundry sucks! | Image created by Author using Nightcafé AI

Chores are just the worst, aren’t they?

Sometimes, when I’m out of my apartment and doing laundry or shopping for groceries, I interact with total strangers going about their day. Shocking, I know! The post-COVID world is a strange one!

Tally of the points earned from Mashup #20:

Sonja Glucksberg slides in with 14 points!

Bradan Writes Stories calls collect and charges me 14 points!

Jay C Wells threatens the crap out of me with 14 points!

Main Theme (Worth 2 points; pick one or flip a coin!)

Prompt #1 (Heads):

Someone bumps into you on the street, and you have a vision of their impending death!

What do you do? Do you act on this oracle vision or dismiss it as fantasy? Totally NOT inspired by a Nickelback video I definitely never watched.

Prompt #2 (Tails):

While unloading the washing machine, you fall through into another world!

Through the looking glass? More like through the washing machine! What do you find on the other side? Can you even get back?

Constraints: Worth 1 point each (Choose 4 or roll 4 6-sided dice):

  • A buzzing bee
  • A horse disguised as something else
  • An ugly piece of jewelry
  • A hexagon
  • A swamp (or similar wetland)
  • An irresistibly cute puppy

Hardcore Constraint: Worth 2 points (Flip a coin or choose one):

  • A Kaleidoscope
  • A centaur (or a horse riding a man!)

Literary Device: Worth 5 points (Flip a coin or choose one):

Rules:

  1. Write a story based on one of the two main prompts.
  2. Include as many of the constraints in your story as possible.
  3. Keep your story between 100–1000 words. Feels too short? Consider a serial, like the David Hawke stories or my Furnace Guy series.
  4. Use the tag “Mashups” so we can easily find your story.
  5. Tag me Jonathon Sawyer so that I may read it and credit you for points in the next Mash-Up!
  6. Challenge your fellow writers! Let’s stick with my (crazy?) strategy of challenging erotica writers and call on Posy Churchgate - Writes & Edits Fiction and May More 💜 Tales and see what they can come up with!
  7. Publish wherever you want but consider The Kraken Lore.
  8. Add a section that tallies up your points at the end of your story. You can look here for an example. (Worth 1 BONUS point)

See you in 2 weeks, Kraken Crew!

Fiction
Fantasy
Writing Prompts
The Kraken Lore
Chores
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