Dollar Challenge - Quote Me Baby (Spring Edition)

It's been a hot minute since I've done one of these, hasn't it?

The last one was in November. How the months ZIP by!

Here it is:

It was inspired by Queen Elizabeth I, and I really didn't do her justice. I took a break from the platform almost straight after posting the challenge, which was some poorly thought out bollocks on my part.

The quote was:

I have reasons against marriage which I wouldn't divulge to a twin soul

- Queen Elizabeth I

The prompt: Write a piece of short historical fiction inspired by the quote.

I love this quote, and I chose it as a story prompt because:

Firstly, having a secret that deeply held is a delicious concept for a story. Secondly, I like the symmetry of it. On one hand, it is against marriage, which is interesting in itself, and on the other it mentions a twin soul.

The Responses

It might be because I buggered off shortly after posting, or it might be because the prompt didn't resonate, but this one only got two responses:

Diane and Mike both smashed it though, and I would love for you to have a shufti at both pieces if you haven't already!

A small tip should land in both wallets shortly.

Update: any more submissions received for this one will land here!

I hope you like this one as much as I did:

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A Prompt For Spring

I used to do these monthly, but I've dropped the ball so many times on that front, I'm giving it more wiggle room this time.

The prompt is always based around a quote, and the quotes can be from anywhere. Most of the time I have picked stuff from popular culture - books, films, songs, etc.

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L.C. Schäfer's Dollar Challenge - Quote Me Baby (Spring)

The Quote

Here comes the sun

The Beatles

Mission: Mildly Bothersome

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

Write me a piece inspired by the quote.

This could be fiction, micro fiction, or poetry. Any genre. Even my least favourites (erotica, romance, and fanfic) are allowed.

Stretch!

Instead of hope and renewal which are typical themes for springtime, I'd love it if these words in your story were a bit more sinister. Maybe your story is set in the future, and there is some impending solar event. Maybe it's a dystopia and S.U.N. stands for some arm of a tyrannical government. Maybe it's "here comes the son". Go mad. Turn stuff upside down and see what comes out. Have you ever seen Taskmaster, or QI? The most imaginative interpretation of the prompt will earn a tip from me as much as the actual content.

Them's the rules

Word count: No 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. I probably will tip it, though, for sheer effort. There seem to be far fewer lengthy stories on Vocal these days, and the ones that do get posted get overlooked in favour of the shorter reads.

Prize: Same as usual, I'll tip my favourites a dollar each. If there are fewer than five entries, I'll just give everyone a tip. (Can I be bothered to find the Oprah gif?)

Winners: If more than 10 people enter, I'll pick 3. More than 20, I'll pick 5. For the stretch, enough people try it (say, 5), I'll also do a $10 first prize, and $5 second.

Content: Same 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.

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 War and Peace on me).

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

Really important: Please do link your story below! I'd be gutted to miss anyone.

Before you go...

If you would like to write something for the Royal one, I will still read it. Just link it in the comments over there. Unless a lot of people do it (which I am not expecting), I'll tip as well and update this piece with your entry.

Lastly, if you can think of a quote you think would make a good prompt, let me know! Talk to me in the comments. I'm open to suggestions, and will tip you if I use yours.

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Thank you for reading!

If you took part in the Royal challenge, THANK YOU!

If you give this one a bash, THANK YOU!!