Summary

Flint & Steel is hosting a writing prompt challenge contest, inviting writers to create and respond to their own prompts, with a chance to win a cash prize.

Abstract

The Flint & Steel publication is initiating a creative writing challenge for the new year, encouraging writers to craft their own writing prompts and then respond to them in a single article. This challenge is designed to inspire creativity and provide a fun, engaging activity for writers. Participants must follow specific guidelines to be eligible for the contest, including following Flint & Steel, being a writer for the publication, and adhering to word count and tagging requirements. The contest is judged by editor Ellie Jacobson, and the winning writer will receive a $50 cash prize. Entries must be submitted by February 2, 2022, and the winner will be announced on February 8, 2022.

Opinions

The initiative is seen as a way to foster community and mutual support among writers.
The challenge is open to both nonfiction and fiction prompts, offering flexibility and inclusivity for writers of different genres.
The contest rules emphasize the importance of editing after freewriting, suggesting a commitment to quality and thoughtful writing.
By requiring participants to be followers and writers for Flint & Steel, the contest aims to build a dedicated writing community within the publication.
The editor's role is to facilitate the contest without influencing the submissions, ensuring a fair and unbiased judging process.
The cash prize is presented as an incentive to motivate writers to produce their best work and participate in the challenge.
The contest encourages writers to reflect on personal experiences (e.g., cherished reads) and explore their characters' depth (e.g., a character's deepest shame), indicating a desire for authentic and introspective writing.

Writing inspiration

Writing Prompt Challenge Contest from Flint & Steel

Let’s help each other spark creativity

With a new year comes new goals and possibilities. Let’s help each other get our pencils and fingers moving with a writing challenge.

I mentioned in the last newsletter, I would be adding more to the publication. Each quarter, I will host a new writing challenge to spark your creativity and most importantly, have some fun.

Okay let’s get to the deets!

📣The challenge prompt is to write a prompt and respond to that prompt.

Essentially, you are responding to your own writing prompt in the same article.

This prompt can be geared towards a nonfiction or a fiction post.

For example, a nonfiction prompt could be, “What are your cherished reads of 2021?”

A fiction prompt could be, “What is the thing your main character is the most ashamed of in their life?”

Submit your best work that will inspire others with your prompt. Take time to freewrite and then edit.

✨Contest Eligibility Rules

✔ You must be following Flint & Steel.

✔ You must be a writer for Flint & Steel. (click on the link for the writer page or leave a comment on this post to be added as a writer. Please allow 24 hours to be added).

✔ Submissions must be published at Flint & Steel.

✔ Winner must be a Medium subscriber (anyone can participate).

✔ You may submit more than one entry. Please limit one entry per day.

✔ (edited 01/06/22) Use the tags “writing prompt challenge” AND “Flint and Steel.”

✔ Word count must be 1000 or less (use ctrl-A to view word count in Medium).

✔ (edited 01/06/22) Editor Ellie Jacobson is the contest judge. As editor, I will not edit submissions. They will be published as is when submitted. The only corrections I will make are to the 2 tags noted above, if not included.

✔ Article must be published by February 2, 2022, 8 pm CST.

✔ One winner will be chosen for the cash prize. The winner will be announced on February 8, 2022 (edited from the 12th to the 8th).

Cash prize, you say?

Woohoo! The winning writer will receive $50.00 (Paypal, Venmo, Ko-Fi or BuyMeACoffee).

Questions?

Please leave any questions in the comments and if you would like to be added as a writer to Flint & Steel.

Go!

Now go and set a timer for 15 minutes and write with no editing. First get those ideas out on paper (or on a screen) and see where it takes you! Then edit at a separate time!

F&S Writers

Sahil Patel, Shirley Jones Luke, Samantha Jensen, MA, MAEd, Trista Signe Ainsworth, MIGHTY MISCELLANY, L Burton, Heathere CW, Kaori Mitsui, Penelope Mayfield, Pierce McIntyre, Pene Hodge, Yean Foong (M.Ed.), Elin Melaas, Sarah Minnis, Mindy Morgan Avitia, JM Heatherly, Nikki, Andria Kennedy, pockett dessert, Dennett, Diana Lotti, Ronald C. Flores-Gunkle, Mulan, Amanda Laughtland, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, Penny Grubb, Sorina Raluca Babau, Prashansa Chandekar, Will Hull, Ravyne Hawke, Jane Grows Garden Rooms (Jane Frost), Mimi Bordeaux, Adrienne Beaumont, Karen Schwartz, Divina Grey, Sangeetha Shankar, Ellen Andaya, Barb Dalton, Sam Branstner, Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她), Beverly Annette Little, Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她), Beverly Annette Little, Aabye-Gayle F., AliciaMarie Belchak | Master Life, Build Dreams, Tamil, Amy Rosie

✍ Written by Ellie Jacobson, ©2022 all rights reserved.

✨ I’m a freelance writer and editor from Minnesota, writing my first novel, a psychological suspense novel. Are you a writer? Check out Sparks, my newsletter filled with writing prompts to spark your creativity.

🍮 Support me with a cup of coffee. I thank you.

📣 Join Medium and have unlimited access to my writing and thousands of other writers on Medium.