Dollar Challenge - Quote Me Baby (Marital Bliss Edition)

Here's the challenge I set for June:

That chap does look awfully legendary doesn't he? You can just imagine he's got a man-bun under that hood, and he does broga at sunset for Insta or something.

Anyway.

TL;DR...

The Quote for June:

You can pick your own quote.

BUT! (and there is a big, wobbly BUTT, here) it has to be from someone on Vocal.

- Me

The Prompt

Write me a piece inspired by the quote.

It could be fiction, micro fiction, or poetry. Any genre.

The only additional caveat: you had to credit and tip.

The Responses:

I have been blown away by these. I know you'll love them, too.

There were 5 entries. One got Top Story. I tipped everyone who entered this time. I love that the new pieces are generally going in a totally different direction than the inspiration.

Here they are, in order of submission:

First up, Sasha Desideri.

Sasha got Top Story for Eat Dirt, which was inspired by this line from Kera Hollow's Grandfather's Burial (Runner Up in the Out of Order Challenge):

What does dirt taste like?

- Kera Hollow, "Grandfather's Burial"

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Next, His Excellence, His Supreme Grand Majesty, Paul.

Paul's story:

Beneath My Tongue

This is a longer read, but I promise you it's worth it! It's clever and disturbing. I loved the play on e-sense/essence. This piece wouldn't have been out of place in the Filthy community. This is by far and away my favourite. Paul, please put it in a book.

Paul's inpsiration:

I keep your name beneath my tongue

and bite on it each time it tries to escape

I can hardly bear the ache,

but

I love the salted metallic taste.

- Imola Toth, "Sadness in June"

Sadness in June by Imola Toth

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Next, Novel Allen gave us this gem.

Novel was inspired by this line from Sid's piece, Despair Behind:

Despair is behind me from my past, yet I will not look behind to see it. I have to continue to look forward as life stops for no one

- Sid Aaron Hirji, "Despair Behind"

I have a favourite line from Sid's piece as well: Time passes but I leave behind lots. Doesn't that just make you pause?

Novel did the inspiration justice. Every line will give you chills. My favourite: I refuse to resurrect what tried to bury me.

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Next, Veva Jacques: entered this poem, Crossing Paths.

This was inspired by this line from Private Eye: The Organism by Kristen Keenan Fisher:

Lowly servant of the highest want, private spy of the collective eye, our paths cross suspiciously well.

- Kristen Keenan Fisher, "Private Eye"

Crossing Paths is vivid - not just the imagery, but the emotion too. I read it twice, once when it was published, and again just before writing this up. I felt different emotions each time. Seething anger, bubbling into hatred (how dare they! How dare anyone!) and then despair (ground down until death is the only way out).

My own favourite line from "Private Eye": Who did I become in the age of the mirror?

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Last but not least, The Dreamwalker’s Mission by Stephanie Hoogstad.

I love stories about dreams, especially controlling them, or peeking into the dreams of other people. This one is brilliantly executed.

Stephanie was inspired by this line from Dreamwalker Protocol by Paul. (We only call him by his first name, now, like Madonna.)

It was never easy walking through another's dreams

Paul, Dreamwalker Protocol

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In closing, then...

I loved this challenge so much, especially reading the gems you unearthed. Seeing them through your eyes has only made it more enjoyable and insightful. I also like to think I'm encouraging a few more tips to roll around. I'm definitely tempted to do a variation on this in future. In the meantime, despite that this one has technically closed, you can still submit a piece if you want.

Link to it in the comments on the Legends edition, here. As long as you've credited and tipped your inspiration, it's very welcome. I will continue to tip (only the next five).

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A Prompt For July:

You probably know the drill by now. The prompt is always based around a quote.

"'Til death do us part" could mean by his hand, but who cared?

- Tia Levings

Mission: Extremely Achievable

Your mission (should you choose to accept it) is, as usual:

Write me something spectacular inspired by the quote.

This could be fiction, micro fiction, or poetry. Any genre. Flip the genders if you want.

The Stretch

Give me something psychological. Give me tension. Give me a twist. Tiptoe into the murder mystery or police procedural arena. Flex your thriller muscles.

Them's the rules

Word count: Minimum 100 words. No upper limit, but if you write a piece that Vocal tells me is longer than a 5 minute read, I'm only promising to read that one from you and not a second one.

Prize: Same as usual, I'll tip my favourites a dollar each. This time, I am also tipping the first and last stories entered, provided they hit the brief.

Winners: If more than 50 people enter (unlikely): 1x $25 first prize, 2x $5 runner up, 3x $1 Honorable Mentions.

Content: As ever: you can include the quote, in which case it should feel like it belongs. Or your story can be inspired by it, in which case the link should be clear. You can submit to any community.

Limits: You can submit as many as you like, but I'm only promising to read the first two from each person (if they're both under 5mins), or only one (if you go full Tolstoy).

Please remember (to tie a knot in your pyjamas...):

• Link to this piece in yours, so others can find it and give it a go.

• Link to your piece in the comments here, so I don't miss it!

Closing date: 11:59PM GMT, 31st July 2026.

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Thanks for reading!

If you took part in the LEGENDS challenge, or if you are going to submit a late entry - THANK YOU!