‘Genius in a Bottle’ Prompted Writing Challenge

Piercing Darkness

GiaB writing prompt #15

Alone in the dark. A scratch and then a flare. Light embraces me now.

Our very lives are born of light. It is as required for our existence as oxygen and water. We developed the special sense of sight upon the availability of light. Everything we see is carried upon light. Light, it would seem, shapes our very existence.

It’s a wondrous phenomena that has seduced scientists and artists alike with equal measure.

It is both a functional feature when trying to create more visibility in a dark space, as well as a decorative feature adding warmth and beauty to a room.

This topic was inspired by the meals I enjoyed at Gee’s Restaurant in Oxford, UK. Gee’s is an iconic glasshouse Victorian conservatory built in 1897 for the Gee family and was originally used for the sale of plants and flowers. In 1982, it was re-purposed as a restaurant.

As a student there, I would sit alone, staring through the glass walls and ceiling, at the depth of the night sky blue. Illumination at Gee’s is achieved through soft, warm yellow, fairy lights that play in the darkness like fireflies. The tealight candles on the tables complete the perfect glow, the perfect mood, and the perfect meal.

Being in that light is still one of my favourite experiences, even today.

The Challenge

We invite writers to produce a piece of poetry, fiction or non-fiction on the theme of Illumination.

For this prompt we are looking at joining the artists who came before us and using light as our muse and inspiration. Any form of light is welcome, whether it be natural light or light from artificial sources. As the prompt topic is Illumination, focus on the interplay between light and the darkness will be preferred as opposed to the lamps and globes that give light.

This prompt will close on Wednesday 17th March, 2021 at 9:00AM PST/PDT. At which time, the next prompt will be released.

The Guidelines

We cannot publish pieces or reward writers who self publish or publish at another publication, so those pieces have to remain external to the challenge. Only pieces submitted to Genius in a Bottle will be considered for the challenge. If inviting other writers from outside the publication, please ensure they are aware of this.

Poetry is to be limited to 30 lines but can be in any style. Fiction and non-fiction submissions are to be capped at 750 words.

Please refer to the prompt in the subtitle. Feel free to copy this as a template: GiaB prompt # [insert prompt number and theme here].

When submitting, please ensure that one of the 5 tags is GiaBprompt. Please ensure a second tag is Poetry, fiction, or non-fiction, as appropriate.

We would like to become exposed to writers and pieces that you have enjoyed in all of Medium. Please tag up to ten writers whose pieces you have enjoyed recently, or who you feel may enjoy participating in this challenge.

For further information pertaining to the challenge, please refer to the rules and guidelines.

And away we go. We look forward to enjoying the paradise of the written word with you all.

Victor Sarkin

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