Photo Credit: Sandi Parsons

PHOTOGRAPHY | CUTE CREATURES | SANDI’S JULY 2024 PROMPT

Cute Creatures: July Prompt

July Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Cute Creatures”

Think she’s a dog? Think again!

Meet Bindi — she’s an Alpine Dingo who lives with her companion Banjo at WA Wildlife in Bibra Lake. (In case you’re wondering, yes, she is as soft and fluffy as she looks.)

Those with a good memory may spot the similarities to my Red Heeler, Chilli. Heelers, also known as Australian Cattle Dogs, have a little dingo in their linage.

The July Challenge is “Cute Creatures”

The concept is to take a photo that somehow captures the meaning of “Cute Creatures” in some way, whether abstract or concrete, figurative or literal, physical or mental. The possibilities are endless—we’re looking for submissions with different perspectives, unusual stories, and brilliant photographs.

Please read about the Definition, Purpose & Rules of the “Cute Creatures” Challenge below.

Possible Definitions of How to Use “Cute Creatures” in Your Six Word Photo Story

1. “Cute Creatures” can refer to something emotional, mental, spiritual, or physical. The world is full of creatures covered in fur, scales and feathers — and don’t forget those crawly critters!
   Your creature can be mythical. Bring on the unicorns!!
   Your “creature” doesn't need to be adorable — cute also means “ugly but interesting!”
   Do you have an emotional support stuffed creature from your childhood?
   You could be your feature creature!
2. “Cute Creatures” can refer to something material. Has your pet rock gone on holiday? Have you made a sock creature? Maybe your needles created a creature when you first tried crochet.
3. “Cute Creatures” can refer to something in nature, the universe, or the life cycle. Have you spotted a tree with a face or one that is a dead ringer for Groot? Can you capture the face of the man on the moon? Maybe a creature has revealed itself to you in the clouds.
4. “Cute Creatures” can refer to food or drink. Maybe your favorite child likes to play with their food and creates mashed potato monsters? Or the bubbles in your slushy make it look like there’s an alien trapped inside? Have you made animal shapes when cooking pancakes, eggs or roti? Vidya, I’m looking at you here!
   Or you could make a creature from natural objects (I’m looking forward to a Nature Art creature from you, Mary!)
5. “Cute Creatures” is YOU and your perspective. It’s something that represents the meaning of “Cute Creatures” in some way or form, from your individual viewpoint — that connects to your photo and story.

What’s your “Cute Creatures” story?

The Purpose of “Cute Creatures”

1. The “Cute Creatures” Challenge is an intuitive self-challenge to explore all of creaturedom—whether it’s internal, external, or both.
2. The “Cute Creatures” Challenge is an investigative challenge to observe and figure out what things in your life can capture “Cute Creatures” through photography, contemplation, and six words.
3. The “Cute Creatures” Challenge is designed for YOU and your perspective.

Can you take a photo that represents “Cute Creatures”and tell a story about it in six words?

“Cute Creatures” Challenge Rules

Guidelines, Formatting & How to Submit

Note: These apply to ALL stories in this publication. I know it may seem like a lot, but once you’ve submitted your first story to our pub, it’s easy to duplicate the formatting style!

Note: This challenge will run from July 1 until noon Pacific Standard Time on July 31, 2024.

The Photo

1. The photo must be taken by yourself (ORIGINAL & UNPUBLISHED elsewhere on Medium. Photos from personal blogs or social media are OK), and please include a photo credit.
2. Only ONE PHOTO can be featured in your story, and it must be placed ABOVE the title and subtitle. Your photo must be the first thing our editors see when we review your submission.
3. The only person that can be featured in the photo is YOURSELF. If you’re in the photo, it can be taken by someone else (please include the photo credit.) Photos of people other than yourself are NOT ALLOWED. See this article for legal reasons why.

The Title, Subtitle & Tags

1. Title: Choose your own title.
2. For your subtitle: Please use July Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Cute Creatures” (like the subtitle used in this article.) Once you have written your subtitle, remember to highlight it and click on the small “T” to format it correctly.
3. Please Tag your story using this tag: Monthly Challenge

The Six Word Photo Story

1. The photo must be connected to your story and concept of “Cute Creatures” in some way. The connection to “Cute Creatures” should be made clear either in the photo, six word story, or (optional) backstory.
2. All six word stories and optional backstories must also abide by Medium’s rules. Note: Any stories that the editors may view as disrespectful, inappropriate, or that fall into a grey area will be reviewed at the discretion of the editors and may be rejected.
3. The story must be six words only. Write your own six words. Do not use a quote written by someone else! Once you write your six word story, highlight it and click on the small “T” to format the six words. This is so your six words stand out; it’s a formatting guideline unique to this publication.
4. The 3 dots (like in this story) should appear directly below your six word story. If you don’t know how to do this, view the formatting guidelines.

The Backstory (OPTIONAL) & 2-Minute Maximum Read per story!

1. IF you include a backstory, it can be 1–2 minutes.
2. The 3 dots (like in this story) should appear directly below your backstory.
3. The entire reading time of your story must be no longer than 2 minutes! This includes the photo, six word story, any tags, links, or promotion of yourself or other stories. It will be unread and rejected if your submission comes in as a 3-minute read or more.

How to Submit Your Story

1. Submit unpublished drafts only. Previously published stories (self-published or published elsewhere) will be unread and rejected.
2. To submit your unpublished draft: a) Click on the three dots at the top right corner of the screen b) Click “Add to publication” c) select “Six Word Photo Story Challenge” d) Click on “Select and continue.” e) Click “Submit.”

NOTE: Stories not formatted correctly, don’t follow rules, or that require edits will delay publication or may not be accepted. Formatting guidelines are unique to this publication. If you’d like to be added as a writer and submit to Six Word Photo Story Challenge publication, please read and follow the submission guidelines.

It’s time to explore the meaning of “Cute Creatures!”

Grab those cameras or dig into your archives — you may be empowered and surprised to see what you come up with. Embrace the power of “Cute Creatures!”

Freestyle stories

You also have the option to write a six-word photo story featuring a photo and topic of your choosing — as long as the photo and story are connected in some way. The story doesn’t need to be related to the monthly challenge prompt. For your subtitle: Please use your own subtitle followed by the word: Freestyle, OR use Six Word Photo Story: Freestyle. Please tag your story using this tag: Freestyle.

Submissions are always open for Freestyle stories.

— Village hugs, from the editorial team, Sandi Parsons, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, and Mary Chang Story Writer — creator & editor of SWPSC. If you don’t want to miss any future Six Word Photo Story Challenges, please follow us, this publication, and subscribe to our stories by hitting the “green envelope” button next to our profiles.

About the Writer

Sandi Parsons lives and breathes stories as a reader, writer, and storyteller. She lives with her favorite husband and two problem puppies. You’ll find dogs and unicorns right at the top of her cute creatures list.