Summary

The undefined website presents the "Genius in a Bottle" (GiaB) writing challenge titled "Toes in the Dirt," inviting writers to explore the theme of "Being in Nature" through poetry, fiction, or non-fiction.

Abstract

The "Genius in a Bottle" publication has introduced a writing prompt, "Toes in the Dirt," as part of their ongoing challenge series, specifically prompt #14. This challenge calls for submissions that delve into the experience of connecting with nature, emphasizing the importance of this relationship and the contrast between natural environments and modern, man-made surroundings. The challenge is open for poetry of up to 30 lines and prose (fiction or non-fiction) of up to 750 words. Submissions must be original and not previously published elsewhere. Writers are encouraged to reference the prompt number and theme in their submission and use the appropriate tags, including "GiaBprompt" along with "Poetry," "Fiction," or "Non-Fiction." The deadline for this challenge is Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021, at 9:00 AM PST/PDT. The publication also requests participants to tag other Medium writers they admire or who might be interested in the challenge. Detailed rules and guidelines for the challenge are available via a provided link. The challenge is overseen by Victor Sarkin, and participants are invited to follow "Genius in a Bottle" on social media and reach out via email for any inquiries.

Opinions

The text suggests that modern life has disconnected humans from nature, leading to a spiritual longing for the natural world.
It implies that contemporary beauty treatments and practices like yoga are attempts to reconnect with the primal, grounding experience of direct contact with the earth.
The challenge's theme reflects a belief that true civility may lie in the freedom and oneness with nature that characterized earlier human existence.
The challenge encourages writers to reflect on and express the profound impact of nature on the human spirit, beyond the superficial interactions of daily life.
There is an underlying sentiment that nature's role in human life has been undervalued and that reestablishing this connection is vital for spiritual and emotional well-being.

‘Genius in a Bottle’ Prompted Writing Challenge

Toes in the Dirt

GiaB writing prompt #14

Moist soil underfoot. Breaking free from my constraints. Earth and I are one.

Our spirit is in pain. For all our talk of freedom, we. are. not. free.

We hide our selves and our inner spirit from others, finding only a few moments of privacy in which to experience relief. We speak the way our chosen circumstances dictate. We dress the way our chosen communities prefer. We conduct ourselves with measure and hide how we truly feel. When we take a moment to be in touch with our selves we often abuse the experience with excess.

We evolved free. We evolved breathing air from nature, not air recycled from conditioners. We saw only the unpredictable randomness of growth, not painted walls and electric lights. And when we walked, we neither crammed our feet into heathenish footwear for fashion or approval, nor did we walk upon artificial ground.

We were connected to the soil with each step. We assessed texture through our soles and determined our oneness through our toes. The energy of the earth rose through our feet and pervaded our entire being. We felt a part of the system because we were.

These days, the civilised pay for beauty treatments where we immerse in mud, or yoga classes where we find our stability through bare feet. And I have to wonder whether we are simply trying to get back to what even we realise was the true civility of being free from shackles of our own making. And once again getting to know the spirit within.

It is not that it failed to evolve with the rest of us. It may be that it didn’t need to evolve.

The Challenge

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

For this theme, we ask for responses that have as their central tenet, the experience of being in, and surrounded by nature. Nature is a worthy topic in itself, but it is not the topic of this prompt. It is the connection between man and the great natural environment. It is that absence of the man-made. Whether it be the view from Everest, the sticky humidity in the Amazon, or even the placing of your fingers in the soil of your yard, we are looking for that unique experience: the meeting of human and earth.

This prompt will close on Wednesday 3rd 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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