Engage Writing Challenge: January 2024
Gaze into the horizon of past and New Year resolutions
Now that the first week of 2024 is behind us, it’s time to get serious about the new year, so we’re doing so in the best way possible—with an exciting new writing challenge.
This morning, I opened my bedroom window, and the rosy dawn greeted me with a burst of welcoming sunshine. The air hums with endless possibilities. Can you sense it?
So enough with the careless act of merely flipping pages on a calendar, Engage invites you to ponder all past and new resolutions.
We want to know more about you and your story. Your readers want to holistically get to know you. They want to know where you’ve come from and where you’re headed.
So, we’re not talking about those vain resolutions made only for when the clock strikes midnight. Not the kind you toss aside by February, but the life-changing decisions stirring things up for you.
I’ve come to realize how every new resolution can’t be scrapped from our past. Setting new goals often involves reflecting on past actions.
Let’s not hastily burn those bridges.
What has brought us here are all the small steps taken and the footprints left behind.
The readers want to plunge into your chasms, your unique voice, and your genuine experiences.
Your memories and dreams are gold. Make them count.
“No one else sees the world the way you do, so no one else can tell the stories that you have to tell.” — Charles de Lint
Past resolutions
This January, our prompt aims to entice you to flip through the pages of your autobiography.
Why not take a stroll down memory lane, reminiscing about those defining moments that shaped your walk around the labyrinth?
We’ve all been influenced by past resolutions, some leaving scars while others propel us forward. It’s those messy, human aspects that define us, and we’d love to hear from you.
Feel free to share a story about a past resolution that turned out to be something greater than a mere item on a checklist.
Was it a moment when you conquered challenges with grace?
Perhaps it was a lesson learned from an unexpected curveball life threw at you.
Maybe it was a twist that nudged you onto a different path.
Whatever it may be, why not spill the beans in a way that feels relatable, actionable, and engaging?
It’s up to you to set up the ambiance. No creative blocks here.
Imagine yourself swapping stories with friends over coffee—conversational and filled with those “I totally get that” moments.
Allow your readers to nod, as they feel connected with your experiences as if they’re part of a conversation.
All in all, who doesn’t appreciate an engaging story?
New resolutions
What are your plans for growth? What dreams do you have to accomplish? What career moves keep you awake at night? Share them as if you were confiding in a friend.
“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.” — Paulo Coelho
Invite us into the story as you dive into the motivations behind each resolution. The reasons why they matter to you. How are you outlining strategies for this journey that lies ahead?
Embrace the buzz of positivity from the New Year’s fireworks as your fingers fly over the keyboard like swallows in early springtime.
Let your words roam free as you jot down your thoughts.
Write without fear.
You’ll have plenty of time to edit later on.
We want to hear how your dreams are soaring higher than before.
Think beyond your personal sphere; consider how these changes could impact society, cultural shifts, or even those significant milestones that can add an extra spark to your resolutions.
Allow your readers to catch that sense of anticipation. Write with your readers, not to your readers.
The secret to editing your work is simple: You need to become its reader instead of its writer.” — Zadie Smith
Submission guidelines
Deadline: Submissions will be accepted until January 31st, giving you ample time to embrace the spirit of the new year and craft your masterpiece.
Length: Aim for around 1,500 words. We’re not just looking for quantity but substance and a touch of your personal style, so let your creativity flow.
How to Submit: Head over to the editor, draft your story, and click on “Submit Your Story.” Choose “Engage” and send your piece over to us. If you’re not a writer yet, no worries; just check out our submission guidelines here. You’re welcome to join the family.
Don’t forget to tag your story:
Engage Challenge
Why Participate?
We want you to be an active, adamant link in our writing chain. This is the ethos of our community.
Top Picks: Our editorial team will select standout stories for special features and promotions across our digital platforms.
Featured on Engage: The crème de la crème will be showcased on the Engage platform for all to enjoy.
Community Connection: Engage with fellow writers and readers in the comments section. Share your experiences, offer encouragement, and welcome the positive energy vibe arising from collective support.
Recapping our December challenge stories.
Last December, we hosted our monthly writing challenge under the prompt: True Friendship is the Boundless Gift of Ourselves to Others.
This is the chandelier of challenge stories illuminating our path through the holiday season:
Surviving Single and the Holidays
How to navigate the season with resilience…
By Rosa Diaz-Casal
Family And Friends Add Joy To The Day
How awesome is attending a family baby shower?
By Pamela Oglesby
Is Santa Claus Real?
A teacher told a child that Santa Claus doesn’t exist.
By Annelise Lords
Remembering Friends During The Christmas Holidays
By Floyd Mori
Remembering My Friend, Wat Misaka, Who Left A Legacy
He was the first non-white player in the NBA
By Floyd Mori
A Good Old German Christmas
As modified through the ages
By Joel R. Dennstedt
When Friends Become Family at Christmas and A Week In Prague
Sometimes, the most unexpected are our greatest surprises
By Joy DeSomber
Whatever Happened to the Genuine Spirit of Christmas?
We need to love each other more than ever before
By Caroline de Braganza
The Growth of Bonds Within Your Heart
A story of a lovely friendship
By Dr. Preeti Singh
Christmas Traditions
In the City of Brotherly Love
By Edith Gallagher Boyd
The Build Up to Christmas
The fun, the anticipation
By Colleen Millsteed
The Magic of Elfing and Framily
Establishing holiday traditions, concocting joy from thin air, and redefining family.
By Melissa Corrigan
The Christmas Eve I Discovered the Secret of Santa
Took years of trial and error, loads of caffeine, and some wild, wacky ideas
By Mike Butler
Craft New Traditions and Excitement for Kids Beyond the Santa Years
No Elf on the Shelf required
By Nicole Akers
The Unexpected Gift of Friendship
Treasure in the midst of hardship
By Jenna Tidd
Closing note
I hope all these great stories from Christmas past have inspired you to join our new challenge.
Grab your favorite writing spot, let your thoughts flow, and start writing your “Engaging Resolutions” story.
Write on, engage with your readers, and cheers to the new year ahead. Do remember:
When all else fails, write what your heart tells you. — Mark Twain
