The Conviction [an unofficial challenge]
June 2024 Writing Prompt/Challenge
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Helloooo Vocal Creators! Here for the June 2024 Unofficial Challenge!
First of all, thank you to everyone who has participated in my first unofficial challenge, "Inside the Animal's Mind"! It has been an absolute blast reading all of your entries, and I never could've anticipated the response I got! With over 20 entries, I'm a busy reader, and it's really made me so excited to continue with the challenges. So, thank you all!
If you are new here – I post unofficial challenges twice a month: once on the 1st, and once on the 15th (though sometimes I jump the gun)! The challenges stay open for a month, and then I take a week to make up the results. You can view my open and closed challenges on my pillar post here!
(So, yes, this one was posted a day early, but what can I say! I'm a little eager!)
Having said that, let's dive into challenge #3!
The Prompt
Write a story that includes, at some point, the sentence, "I did what I had to do."
Some tips for inspiration:
- The sentence does not have to be dialogue. If it is, it doesn't have to be the only sentence in that dialogue.
- It does not need to be said (or thought, or written, etc.) by the main character. It can be any character in the story that says it.
- It can be said/thought by a nonhuman character.
- It can be the first sentence, the last sentence, or anywhere in between.
- You can change the punctuation! It doesn't have to end in a period. It can end in an exclamation mark, or even a question mark, if fitting.
- It can be a story of any genre! Mystery, fantasy, romance, horror, comedy, anything!
- Also, contrary to the title, the character does not need to be convicted or accused of anything. The thing the character "had to do" does not have to be a crime, or anything harmful.
- (These are just to brainstorm! I try to give you as much creative freedom as possible, so whatever your idea is, just go for it!)
The Criteria
Word Count: I would suggest a word count of around 350-650 words, but I am not picky! If you have more to say, I will absolutely read it! I'm more concerned about the minimum count, as a story under 300 words might not have as much umph and might not do as well in the contest.
Link back: (Not a requirement, but a nice touch for me.) At the end of your story, embed a link to this page so that the challenge prompt comes up!
Comment: Come back and comment the link to your entry once it has been published! Without the comment, I will likely miss your entry, and then that's no fun!
NEW: I will be adding all of the entries to the bottom of this post. Please come back to this page a day or two after you comment your submission (or the day after the deadline) to make sure your entry is there! Otherwise, I might have forgotten it!
A note on editing: I won't be reading the stories until after the deadline closes, so you can feel free to edit your story up until the deadline, but PLEASE DO NOT EDIT after the deadline!
FAQ
Can I make more than one submission? Yes! You can. If you have more than one idea, absolutely feel free to submit more than once! Just know that only one entry per creator can be featured in the Top 3.
Can I submit a story I have already written? If you have a story that fits the prompt and meets the criteria, I have no problem with that!
Important Dates
Deadline: This challenge will close on Sunday June 30th at 11:59pm MST.
- I will be sending out reminders one week before the closure date on June 23rd to anyone who has commented interest but has not made an entry yet!
Results: The results for this challenge will be posted on Sunday July 7th, a week after the closure date!
- This post will include the Top 3 entries, in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, as well as little blurbs rationalizing my choices! There will be links to all submissions included.
- Prizes? I unfortunately am not able to give tips at the moment, SO instead I will read, like, and comment on five of the winner's works that I have not read yet, as well as subscribe if I have not already. This is just for 1st place! This is meant to help build community and boost your page.
I think that's it! Have fun, and don't forget to comment if you're interested! I'm very excited to see what you come up with!
Oh! And please COME BACK to this page on JULY 1ST (the day after the deadline) to make sure your entry(s) is listed below! If it isn't, I might've missed it!
A reminder as well – I have another challenge (#2) that is still open and ongoing called "Text Thoughts" which will close on June 15th! Go check it out if you haven't already!
Thank you everyone! If you have any questions, please comment! I can't wait to see your submissions!
Happy writing!
♡♡♡ Belle ♡♡♡
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The Entries
- Mike Singleton - Mikeydred "I Was In The House When The House Burned Down"
- Christy Munson "Two Rubies"
- Shirley Belk "Unchain Us, Please"
- Jaye Pool "Mrs. Stanton"
- Katarzyna Popiel "The Right Thing"
- M. A. Mehan "Chapter ?: Bread and Bad Times"
- Kendall Defoe "Trinket"
- Asanga Coorey "The Last Message"
- Andrea Corwin "Still Using"
- Andrea Corwin "Pick On Your Own Size"
- Alexandria Stanwyck "Timothy"
- Liam Storm "Time to Pay"
- Mackenzie Davis "Freak"
- Rachel Deeming "Serena"
About the Creator
Belle
I host unofficial challenges and enjoy writing microfiction and poetry.
ALL EYES ON RAFAH. 35k+ murdered in Palestine. 80k+ injured. 25k orphaned. ~10k missing/under rubble.
Top Stories:
2023 - SEPT
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Comments (22)
Belle, here's mine. I did write it before the deadline and publish it but neglected to put it here to share.Hope it still qualifies. https://vocal.media/fiction/serena
Sorry for the last minute submission. Really didn't wanna miss it! A fun challenge! I almost forgot to include the line, lol. Cheers, Belle! https://vocal.media/fiction/freak-7aer0q2g
Hi, I've seen this one very late, and I admit my story which I had written a while ago is very far out of your recommended parameters, so I would very much understand if it isn't considered, but I would love for it to be read! Thank you https://vocal.media/fiction/time-to-pay
This is such a great challenge idea! Here is my entry: https://vocal.media/fiction/timothy-mbc0d1s
I decided to do another, here it is: https://vocal.media/fiction/pick-on-your-own-size
I have a new piece for The Conviction: https://vocal.media/fiction/still-using
Wonderful innovation. Here's my entry https://vocal.media/fiction/the-last-message-g0fj0mgv
An oldie and a goodie? https://vocal.media/futurism/trinket-gbbyt0xzf
Glad I found the prompt before the deadline this time! Thanks for hosting another challenge! Here's my entry: https://vocal.media/chapters/chapter-bread-and-bad-times
Just finding these, I will see what comes up. Happy reading.
I like this prompt! Here is my contribution: https://vocal.media/fiction/the-right-thing-b26b0efw
I'm glad I found you Belle - thank you for this challenge. Here's my entry: https://vocal.media/fiction/mrs-stanton
Thank you for creating this challenge, Belle. Here is my entry: https://vocal.media/poets/unchain-us-please
I hope to give it a try Belle! Thanks for motivating us all!
Hi Belle. Here's my first entry! Loved this challenge and know I'll be contributing other entries. https://vocal.media/fiction/two-rubies
Yes, that is such a juicy line!! Going to see if I got anything in my backlog of ideas and scraps that could inspire something!! Keep up the awesome work! This is a great way to get the community connected and involved!
Here is mine https://vocal.media/fiction/i-was-in-the-house-when-the-house-burned-down
I'm interested. If I can craft something that fits the wonderfully wide open parameters, I'll be back to post an entry or two, or three... We'll see!
Ooh sounds fun!!
Ooh, Belle! Another interesting challenge! I will see what I can come up with! :) Well done on putting these together and running them! :)
I will add this to the VVSS June Challenge thread when I put it live tomorrow
Oooo, I really like this! I did what I had to do. Hopefully Mr Brain comes up with something