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Monday 31 July 2023

#WEP August Challenge "#CHOCOLAT" - post August 16 - 18


Welcome to August's WEP CHALLENGE!

CHOCOLAT (Aug 16-18, 2023)

Hello! It's Sonia here, along with my co-host Denise, and we're excited for the August Challenge! This month's prompt is "Chocolat" based on the iconic movie title/poster. Before we get into the challenge, I'd just like to clear up a small point. The WEP Challenges are to flex the writing muscles and to enjoy the process. Please note,

None of our prompts require any prior awareness or deep knowledge of the film

We are a diverse community spread across the world, from Australia right round to America. The primary thing that binds us together is NOT any specialist knowledge of movies, art or books, but our love for writing. That's what we get together here to celebrate and to nurture and support. You don't have to be published or perfect (heck, who is?!) to write with us at WEP. All you need is love.  For writing.

WEP is open to all levels of writing - from newbie right through to published authors. Many published authors got their start by writing to WEP prompts. 

This year, our prompts happen to be based on movies but  I'll  say it again -

You don't have to know any background, nor watch the movie, nor write to that specific genre or plot. 

All you need to do is to bring your imagination and a writing device. Look at the title, look at the poster if you like and run with whatever element inspires you.  The suggestions are just that - suggestions. We're uber happy for you to ignore them and come up with your own interpretations.

   "Chocolat"+ YOU is all that's needed.  

We look forward to where this Challenge takes all of us!



WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

The Story:

Set in a 1950s French village, during Lent, and based on a novel of the same name (author- Joanne Harris), Chocolat is the story of a "pagan" heroine Vianne and her battle against a repressive mayor Reynaud, who encapsulates the fear of change. No prizes for guessing the winner here, friends. It's the time of Chocolat!

But hey, we can put this story right behind us and allow the imagination to run wild!

The Possibilities:

Chocolat has many possible interpretations - base your flash on the confection itself, a chocolate shop, a café, a 1950's setting, France or French cuisine, a suspected witch, a character with magical powers/recipes, a romance between two disparate or the outsider versus insiders theme, settlers versus nomads, prejudice, morality, hedonism, entrepreneurship, Lent, Easter and resurrection - or spring festivals from other parts of the world. So many ways to go and get creative!

As always, over to you.


Go HERE to our Challenges 2023 Page to read about ALL our prompts for the year!

Post - August 16 - 18 2023

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 CRITIQUE PRIZE - 10k word critique

From Christine Rains


Christine says:
I am a writer, blogger and geek mom. I write paranormal romance and urban fantasy. I love a dark and gritty story. I have four degrees which don't help at all with motherhood, but make me a great Jeopardy player. Member of S.C.I.F.I and Untethered Realms.

Christine has four novels and several short stories and novellas published.

LINKS:
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Check out all our critiquers in the sidebar. If you're wanting a critique, or a professional edit, think of our generous critiquers who give of their time, gratis.
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COMMENTING

WEP is a supportive writing environment where you are welcome to try new ideas, take risks, and put forth your latest WIP for feedback. Commenters are asked to be respectful, sensitive and to keep comments positive. 

If you have trouble commenting on blogs, please continue to leave a comment here (we're fortunate that Google hasn't messed up our commenting here) or on our C-Box. And if your blog comments are down and you have a blogger blog, consider changing your comment settings to Pop-ups, not embedded, temporarily, until google provides a fix.


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Be in it!

A mock-up temporary cover created on Canva.


YOU ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT TO THE WEP 2024 FLASH FICTION ANTHOLOGY - to be released approx. May 2024.

Submissions close on or before the end of December ‘23. So get your thinking caps on!

Nila is in charge of bringing this baby home. She has produced an Anthology Page. Check it our HERE.

All challenge winners are automatically invited to submit.

Anyone involved in WEP in the past is invited to submit.

You are invited to submit a flash fiction piece of between 500 words min - 1,000 words max to our upcoming anthology. This will be a work of prose fiction – no poetry, although a poem may be included within your predominately prose story.

All stories submitted will be written to the theme of  Gone!  Gone! Gone! Check the new Anthology Page to have your questions about the theme answered.

We aim to publish a high-quality eBook and print book. If your entry is accepted, you will be asked to perform further self-edits and the editorial team will do any final editing. WEP's raison d'etre is to improve writing, so the writing must be well edited and excellent overall. 

Don't forget to go to the new Anthology Page to read the full details!


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SOMETHING NEW! 
SHAMELESSLY PROMOTE YOUR NEW RELEASE!




 And... hello again! On behalf of the team, Denise & Sonia here.

At the WEP, we have an exciting, new section where you can keep an eye on all the new and upcoming book releases by members. New titles are luring and we have an eclectic list to help you find your next best read. 

So, friends, if you have a new release (maybe a few months ago) hitting the shelves, check out the GUIDELINES FOR NEW RELEASE POSTS above in Pages, follow carefully - we need you to speak big in few words with minimal editing from the team. Send it to:


den.covey@gmail.com CC soniawrites2018@gmail.com

We work on posts in advance, so the next opportunity for you is:

~~October 1~~

We'll need your copy in plenty of time to incorporate it into the post.



First, our friendly judge who always manages to judge WEP for us no matter how busy he is:

NICK WILFORD

THE BECALMER





Preorder your copy today! https://books2read.com/u/4j5V85

Amazon

In this YA sci-fi adventure, Harica is gifted with the ability to defuse conflicts using her mind. When she is recruited to assist in resolving a war via an arranged marriage, she discovers that the reluctant bride-to-be has similar powers. Princess Jasmila doesn't use her powers for good and when Harica arrives to help with the marriage arrangements, she fights back and sends Harica into a coma.


It is through this comatose state that Harica discovers a mysterious liminal space populated by others who share her gift. In this new realm, she learns to do things she never believed possible, but soon things spiral out of control.

In the face of a terrifying and seemingly unstoppable adversary, Harica wrestles with the decision to come to terms with the dark side of her gift. Will she take ownership of it or turn her back on it forever?

 

Nick Wilford is originally from Brighton, England and now lives in a quiet town in Scotland with his wife, three daughters and six dogs. He enjoys writing speculative fiction, exploring the things that cannot be seen and “making the impossible reality.” By day, he works as a freelance editor and also has the pleasurable (and often highly challenging, given the talent on display) job of judging the entries to WEP. Amazon Author Page



And the second author is our very loyal WEP contributor, 

JLENNI DORNER

PROOF OF EXISTENCE 

 



 World-ending secrets and threats…


In Proof of Existence, the thrilling sequel to Fractions of Existence, Gwendolyn is held captive by the Eyes in the Shadows, a dangerous religious sect hell-bent on freeing humanity from the shackles of life. The Existence must reveal themselves to rescue her. She confronts her true identity, self-doubts, and her forbidden attraction to Xavier.

When Existence member Heath goes off the grid, his life becomes a bargaining chip. With the Eyes in the Shadows poised to end human life forever, the Existence must reunite and harness their full power to stand against the looming threat. 

Proof of Existence is a mythological urban fantasy where the choices of a few could determine the destiny of all.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


J Lenni Dorner (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) 
Speculative Fiction & Writer's Reference Author, OperationAwesome6 Debut Author Interviewer, and Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge
Happily married and living in Pennsylvania (USA) on the original lands of the Lenni-Lenape people.
Sharing wisdom and knowledge passed on through stories is the goal of his soul.



Go ahead and grab your copies of these two fabulous books. And if you have a new release, get in touch with us now!
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* Did you catch our third 'How-to' post? 

 

'How-to-write-flash-fiction'

 

All published How-to posts are linked in the sidebar!



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We'd love if you'd Tweet or post to FB or any social media site where you network! If you avoid social media, we totally get you.


WEP movie #writingprompt August 2023s "Chocolat" @DeniseCCovey @YolandaRenee @SoniaDogra16 @jemifraser https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2023/07/wep-august-challenge-chocolat-post.html Sign up & post-August 16th thru18th! #amwriting #flashfiction #WEPFF #poetry #nonfiction

Get your thinking caps on for August 2023s movie prompt "Chocolat" @DeniseCCovey @YolandaRenee @SoniaDogra16 @jemifraser https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2023/07/wep-august-challenge-chocolat-post.html Sign up & post your entry August 16th thru 18th! #WEPFF #amwriting #flashfiction #poetry #nonfiction

Join WEP @DeniseCCovey @YolandaRenee @SoniaDogra16 @jemifraser, for the fourth movie Challenge of 2023, "Chocolat". Sign up and post your entry AUGUST 16th thru 18th https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2023/07/wep-august-challenge-chocolat-post.html #WEPFF #amwriting #flashfiction #poetry #nonfiction.


Check out the new #WEP #Anthology Page We are open for #submissions to all #WEP or #RFW members, past and present. @DeniseCCovey @YolandaRenee, @SoniaDogra16 @jemifraser 

https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/p/submit-to-weps-first-anthology-release.html

 

 To Post Our Link Please Use the Code Below:

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Wishing you a fabulous August
Bring on the entries!

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Our next movie prompt is for October. How about this? 
It will be hosted by our very own much beloved horror queen, Yolanda Renee. Go HERE for ideas ...





Post - October 18 to 20, 2023

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Denise & Sonia for the team:



27 comments:

  1. We at WEP have high hopes for the Chocolat prompt. The team loves it, how could you not? Please get those thinking caps on and write for us! And we'd be delighted to know if you intend to submit to our very first anthology.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nilanjana Bose commented on "SUBMIT TO WEP's FIRST ANTHOLOGY - RELEASE IN 2024"
    Aug 2, 2023
    Thank you! We have our first submissions! So excited to be part of this!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sonia, Denise! Kudos, this is such a beautiful and informative post. And how awesome - entries for the anthology, Congratulations, Nila.
    Just a hint, consuming chocolate while writing for this challenge - soooo.... inspiring!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We're all relishing the thought!

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    2. Thank you, Yolanda! We look forward to reading some awesome entries.
      -Sonia

      Delete
  4. You sure know how to entice a woman. Thanks for dropping by so that I can munch on this. I saw the movie, Chocolat, and it was, in one word, hot!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes it was delish! I'm hoping we get some sweet, maybe hot stories for this challenge! Nice to hear from you again. Was deja vu when I saw your name somewhere!

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  5. I'm intrigued...and I really should be writing more...

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    Replies
    1. You're most welcome to write here, Elizabeth. What a sweet topic!

      Delete
  6. I've posted my links as I won't get to my laptop in the next 2 days.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sorry I'm late to the party - just realized it was Wednesday! :)

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    Replies
    1. Happy to see you, Jemi. Excited to read your piece.

      Delete
  8. Hello. I posted my contribution late, but I'm having trouble adding my link.

    Also, I'm looking forward to attempting an entry into the anthology. I miss steady writing and this looks intriguing. I'll read all the other participants to this prompt by the end of the weekend.

    Thanks for the writing opportunity,.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello! Welcome to the WEP and thank you for participating. I've added your link here and we look forward to reading you here, as well as for the anthology.

      Delete
  9. I wasn't able to comment on Roland Clarke's post. I love how his story incorporates the horrors of war with the joys of everyday life, depicting a brave populace making the best of a difficult situation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love what Roland is doing with the prompts. As you rightly said, his story incorporates the horrors of war with simple everyday joys.

      Delete
  10. WordPress blogs don't like me tonight. This was my response to Shilpe Gupta's post:
    I like the have and have not contrasts. The story said a lot in a few words. However, at least in first-world countries, many larger people are food-insecure while svelte well-to-do individuals able to afford gym memberships and personal trainers are more likely to be the ones savoring a decadent dessert. As someone who has suffered a lot of bias because of my size, I am not comfortable with the depiction of fat people as gluttons.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I thought I'd broken the curse, but then I was unable to comment on Pat Garcia's post. She gave us a powerful story and history lesson all in one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So sorry about Wordpress acting weird. Thank you for sharing your valuable comments here.

      Delete
  12. Huge thanks to all the contributors. I think I have read and commented on every post - and thoroughly enjoyed myself. If I have missed anyone, please let me know.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I was cruising smooth with the commenting, but I hit a pothole when I came to Bernadette Braganza's blog. Here are my thoughts about her story.
    I always like those little chocolate coins that get put in Christmas stockings. These days I'd be content with those. And some money. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Another one of those potholes when commenting on Sonia Droga's blog.
    I think anyone who has ever helped care for an aging, infirm parent knows the feeling of that twist at the end of the poem. My own father went from being a professor of literature and humanities to a terrified soul with the cognitive abilities of a three-year-old thanks to his vascular dementia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for reading. Sorry about your dad. As children, it's always a tough battle.

      Delete

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