Belle's Unofficial Challenges 2.0

Hello Vocal Creators! Here you can find all of my (open and closed) unofficial writing challenges!

But Belle, why would you write a new pillar post when you already made one?

Yeah, yeah, so the first one didn't go so well! It's been up since May, and unfortunately, I have not been able to update it at all this month! I keep getting a nested error message, and even though that message has gone away with all of my other work, it won't go away with this one... So! Here is "Belle's Unofficial Challenges 2.0" because the first one was a bust!

About the Challenges

Here's the big ol' rundown!

• I started these challenges in May 2024.
• I always post a new challenge on (or around) the 1st of each month (in which it closes on the last day of the month), and will sometimes post on (or around) the 15th of each month (in which it closes on the 15th of the next month).
• Unfortunately, I am not yet in a position to give monetary prizes (aka. tips), but for right now, I am utilizing a community inspired prize, in which if you get first place, I subscribe to you, as well as read, comment, and like 5 of your works that I have not read yet. This is to hopefully help boost your page and get some more reads!
• I also do the judging for these challenges. The challenge stays open for a month to collect entries, and then I take about a week to decide on the winner and release the results post (which will include the Top 3, but only 1st place gets a prize).

This information (and more) can be found in every challenge post!

OPEN CHALLENGES

LE DÉFENSEUR! (June 2025)

Prompt: Write a story based on/inspired by the painting "Le Défenseur" by Honoré Daumier.

• Deadline: June 30th, 2025
• Results: July 7th, 2025

CLOSED CHALLENGES

INSIDE THE ANIMAL'S MIND (May 2024)

Prompt: Write a story on the inside of an animal's mind/told from the perspective of an animal.

• Winner: "This Kindred Tornado" by Mackenzie Davis
• You can view the results here!

TEXT THOUGHTS (May/June 2024)

Prompt: Write a story that is entirely made of a text message conversation(s).

• Winner: "The Shadow & the Eagle" by Amanda Starks
• You can view the results here!

THE CONVICTION (June 2024)

Prompt: Write a story that includes, at some point, the sentence, "I did what I had to do."

• Winner: "Chapter?: Bread and Bad Times" by M. A. Mehan
• You can view the results here!

RIDDLE ME THIS (June/July 2024)

Prompt: Write a story that either begins or ends in a riddle.

• Winner: "The Riddle of the Silent Watcher" by Matthew Spinelli
• You can view the results here!

SETTING THAT EATS (July/August 2024)

Prompt: Write a story based on a setting which feeds on living beings.

• Winner: "Blackrot: a Twisted Fairytale" by Ian Read
• You can view the results here!

US AND PIGS (September 2024)

Prompt: Write a story based on and/or inspired by the lyrics of Sofia Isella's "Us and Pigs."

• Winner: "Soulmate" by Jaye Pool
• You can view the results here!

DEAR FICTIONAL HERO (October 2024)

Prompt: Write a story in the form of a letter to any fictional character of your choice!

• Winner: "A Letter to Hercule Poirot" by Lost in Writing
• You can view the results here!

LIL PUMPKIN NIGHTMARES (October/November 2024)

Prompt: Write a micro-fiction horror story that takes place on Halloween night, featuring a jack-o-lantern!

• Winner: "Halloween Magic" by Altum Veritas
• You can view the results here!

RE(LIE)ABILITY (January/February 2025)

Prompt: Write a story from the perspective of an unreliable narrator.

• Winner: "Rekrah's Requiem" by Paul Stewart
• You can find the results here!

BACK TO OUR YOUTH (March/April 2025)

Prompt: Write a story in which you wake up in the body of your younger self OR you meet your younger self for coffee.

• Winner: "Time Owes No Favours" by Paul Stewart
• You can view the results here!

THE EULOGY (May/June 2025)

Prompt: Write a story that is entirely made of a single character's dialogue (i.e., write a monologue) with a crazy twist!

• Results Coming Soon!

A Note From Belle

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for entering my challenges, especially those that do so consistently. You guys are seriously awesome. I did not expect the overwhelming response I received in May, and I have really cherished these challenges and thoroughly enjoyed hosting them. Without you this project would not be what it is now, so really you guys, thank you.

With so much love!

♡♡♡ Belle ♡♡♡