By Katie Isham.
The second instalment of the Words in Common creative writing challenge returns – will your pen rise to in?
The heatwave seems to be over and across the land teachers and students have been busy sharpening their pencils ready for the return to school. School has started back – how is that even possible?
But fear not, September heralds the start of the new school year and thus offers opportunities for new beginnings. It also brings the opportunity for the latest Words In Common Writing Challenge.
How does this work I hear you cry…
We challenge you to put your storytelling skills into practice. You’ll have two weeks (until September 20) to use your creativity to craft a piece of writing (story / poem) in 500 words or fewer that includes the given challenge criteria.
Maybe you have a notebook that has crisp, blank pages begging to be written on.
Maybe you yearn for the excitement of a new term.
Maybe you are avoiding the back-to-school sinking feeling.
Maybe you need the deadline stimulus to get those creative juices flowing.
Look no further, here is the challenge that can solve all these quandaries and more…
Back to School Challenge
- Your story must take place in an educational setting (school, college, university, pre-school).
You can be creative: it could be anywhere in these places – classroom, corridor, playground, canteen, library, gym. It doesn’t have to stay in one place. Your characters can move around but as long as it features some place in an educational setting, you fit the criteria.
- Your story must start with a question.
Education is all about questions so let’s start with one. The question could be dialogue or narrative. It might be answered or it might not be. It might be asked to someone or just a pondering query. It just has to be a question. Got it?
- You must include the following words / phrases (in narrative or dialogue).
LEARN, NEW, POWER
They can be longer forms but must include the original words e.g. learning, newly, empower etc.
So, straighten your tie, fill the ink well and start your story before the bell rings…
Send us your finished pieces to editor@in-common.co.uk and we will publish a selection of the entries.
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