challenge

On our way from August to September, we passed Frankenstein's birthday. This (thank you Mary Shelley) gave me inspiration for this month's challenge: Your theme for the September's One Perfect Sentence is Creating a Monster. You do not need to use these words (though you may if you wish), but...

On our way from August to September, we passed Frankenstein's birthday. This (thank you, Mary Shelley) gave me inspiration for this month's challenge: Your theme for the September's One Perfect Sentence is Creating a Monster. You do not need to use these words (though you may if you wish), but...

Anyone up for a craft challenge from @Pamela Jo? "How can we introduce new characters without interrupting the narrative flow?" Indeed a tough task. So, what strategies does everyone use? Do you think it’s easier in first person or third person? Do you focus on appearance or behaviour? And...

The Craft Challenge last weekend produced some brilliant and evocative settings. Anyone fancy another go? How about an opening that follows a particular structure? Okay, bear with me a moment.. This week, some of my students (an adorable pair of twins and a girl who creates her own worlds)...

"August is the border between Summer and Autumn" - Tove Jansson. This quote has inspired this month's challenge: Include the word "border" (noun or verb. Plurals allowed) in your One Perfect Sentence. The rules are simple: Each entry must be ONE sentence only, as defined by the basic rules...

"August is the border between Summer and Autumn" - Tove Jansson. This quote has inspired this month's challenge: Include the word "border" (noun or verb. Plurals allowed) in your One Perfect Sentence. The rules are simple: Each entry must be ONE sentence only, as defined by the basic rules...

Okay, so I have a problem with describing places when writing fiction. My settings are sometimes so vague that readers have no sense of where the characters are. Yesterday I noticed an interesting exercise in the workbook of my more advanced ESL teens, and I thought I’d give it a try. Choose a...

Inspired by something I read while on holiday (I'll divulge at the results), the Jaunty July Challenge requires you to start your sentence with: We didn't inherit . . . The rules are simple: Each entry must be ONE sentence only, as defined by the basic rules of English grammar. We will...

Inspired by something I read while on holiday (I'll divulge at the results), the Jaunty July Challenge requires you to start your sentence with: We didn't inherit . . . The rules are simple: Each entry must be ONE sentence only, as defined by the basic rules of English grammar. We will...

To honour 160 years since the birth of W.B. Yeats, the theme of this month's One Perfect Sentence is "No enemy but time". You must adhere to the theme but do not need to use Yeats' words (though you may if you so wish). The rules are simple: Each entry must be ONE sentence only, as defined...

To honour 160 years since the birth of W.B. Yeats, the theme of this month's One Perfect Sentence is "No enemy but time". You must adhere to the theme but do not need to use Yeats' words (though you may if you so wish). The rules are simple: Each entry must be ONE sentence only, as defined...

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, the May blossom's out, trees are sprouting leaves and lambs are frolicking in the fields, which gives me inspiration for our magnificent May challenge: Your One Perfect Sentence must include "Spring" or "spring", whichever suits your creative interpretation...

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, the May blossom's out, trees are sprouting leaves and lambs are frolicking in the fields, which gives me inspiration for our magnificent May challenge: Your One Perfect Sentence must include "Spring" or "spring", whichever suits your creative interpretation...

Inspired by a conversation with a friend of mine, your April challenge is to complete the following to create One Perfect Sentence: The split second before I hit . . . The rules are simple: Each entry must be ONE sentence only, as defined by the basic rules of English grammar. We will...

Inspired by a conversation with a friend of mine, your April challenge is to complete the following to create One Perfect Sentence: The split second before I hit . . . The rules are simple: Each entry must be ONE sentence only, as defined by the basic rules of English grammar. We will notice...

March Challenge: Write One Perfect Sentence on the theme of "Marching". Thank you for your entries! Now it is time to vote! How to vote: Click on the ^ arrow to the right of the entry you wish to vote for. (Don't click twice or you delete your vote). You can vote for as many entries as you...

Ok, it's me! Hannah! Your new mod for the One Perfect Sentence! As it's March, our theme is Marching. Why/When/Where/Who: Your choice in One Perfect Sentence. The rules are simple: Each entry must be ONE sentence only, as defined by the basic rules of English grammar. We will notice if you...

Ok, it's me! Hannah! Your new mod for the One Perfect Sentence! As it's March, our theme is Marching. Why/When/Where/Who: Your choice in One Perfect Sentence. The rules are simple: Each entry must be ONE sentence only, as defined by the basic rules of English grammar. We will notice if you...

“Write one sentence that is the midpoint turn of a novel. Any genre.” - Thank you, @Rich. for suggesting this month’s One Perfect Sentence prompt. I’m very excited to see what everyone comes up with… it’s not the usual opening / closing sentence idea – it will stretch you in an interesting...

I started my new year newsletter with the definitive opening clause from authors’ rights activist Charles Dickens: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” Which I’m sure you’ll recognize from “A Tale of Two Cities”, one of the best-selling novels of all time, and the inspiration...