Frustrated with sparking fresh energy in your fiction writing community? Community Challenges are a playful way to inspire participation, encourage creativity, and build lasting connections among members. Get ready to motivate your writers with easy-to-use, engaging challenge templates tailored for fiction lovers.
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Community Challenges tap into members' desire for fun, recognition, and connection. By offering specific tasks and achievable goals, they lower the barrier to participation, making it easier for even shy members to jump in. Challenges also foster friendly competition and camaraderie, motivating members to support and cheer each other on.
When members complete challenges and share their results, they receive validation from their peers, which builds confidence and a sense of belonging. These interactive experiences also help community managers spotlight diverse talents and nurture a more vibrant, active group. Over time, regular challenges create traditions and shared memories, strengthening member loyalty.
Flash Fiction Friday - Write a complete story in 150 words or less. Share yours below!
💡 Example: "Flash Fiction Friday - Write a complete story in 150 words or less. Share yours below!"
Challenge: Describe a storm without using the words rain, thunder, or lightning. Can you do it?
💡 Example: "Challenge: Describe a storm without using the words rain, thunder, or lightning. Can you do it?"
Create a character based on a random object near you. Post their name and one trait.
💡 Example: "Create a character based on a random object near you. Post their name and one trait."
One Sentence Story: Write a story in just one sentence using 'midnight' somewhere.
💡 Example: "One Sentence Story: Write a story in just one sentence using 'midnight' somewhere."
Rewrite a fairy tale from the villain's point of view. Who will you pick?
💡 Example: "Rewrite a fairy tale from the villain's point of view. Who will you pick?"
Weekend Challenge: Write a scene where two characters argue over lost keys.
💡 Example: "Weekend Challenge: Write a scene where two characters argue over lost keys."
Blind Prompt: Write a story using the words 'mirror', 'promise', and 'blue'.
💡 Example: "Blind Prompt: Write a story using the words 'mirror', 'promise', and 'blue'."
Speed Write: Set a timer for 10 minutes and write nonstop about a mysterious door.
💡 Example: "Speed Write: Set a timer for 10 minutes and write nonstop about a mysterious door."
Dialogue Only: Write a short scene using only dialogue. No descriptions allowed!
💡 Example: "Dialogue Only: Write a short scene using only dialogue. No descriptions allowed!"
Share the first line of your current work in progress. Who wants feedback?
💡 Example: "Share the first line of your current work in progress. Who wants feedback?"
Haiku Challenge: Write a haiku about your main character's biggest fear.
💡 Example: "Haiku Challenge: Write a haiku about your main character's biggest fear."
Reverse a trope: Pick a common fiction trope and flip it. Share your twist.
💡 Example: "Reverse a trope: Pick a common fiction trope and flip it. Share your twist."
Quick Poll: Would you rather write in first person or third person? Why?
💡 Example: "Quick Poll: Would you rather write in first person or third person? Why?"
Write a story starting with the line 'The clock struck thirteen.'
💡 Example: "Write a story starting with the line 'The clock struck thirteen.'"
Micro Challenge: Use only dialogue to reveal a secret between two friends.
💡 Example: "Micro Challenge: Use only dialogue to reveal a secret between two friends."
Describe your setting using only the five senses. Share a line below.
💡 Example: "Describe your setting using only the five senses. Share a line below."
Write a 100-word story with the theme 'escape.' Who is up for it?
💡 Example: "Write a 100-word story with the theme 'escape.' Who is up for it?"
Invent a magical object. Describe its power in two sentences.
💡 Example: "Invent a magical object. Describe its power in two sentences."
Share your favorite writing snack and why it helps you focus.
💡 Example: "Share your favorite writing snack and why it helps you focus."
Name a book with a twist ending you wish you wrote. Tell us what drew you in.
💡 Example: "Name a book with a twist ending you wish you wrote. Tell us what drew you in."
Write a scene where a character receives unexpected good news.
💡 Example: "Write a scene where a character receives unexpected good news."
Describe a villain without using the word evil. Share your description below.
💡 Example: "Describe a villain without using the word evil. Share your description below."
Challenge: Turn a cliché into something original in one paragraph.
💡 Example: "Challenge: Turn a cliché into something original in one paragraph."
What is your favorite writing advice? Share and tag a fellow writer.
💡 Example: "What is your favorite writing advice? Share and tag a fellow writer."
Write a story that takes place entirely on a train.
💡 Example: "Write a story that takes place entirely on a train."
Describe your protagonist in three adjectives. Challenge: Avoid using 'brave' or 'smart.'
💡 Example: "Describe your protagonist in three adjectives. Challenge: Avoid using 'brave' or 'smart.'"
Write a scene inspired by your favorite song lyric. Share the lyric too!
💡 Example: "Write a scene inspired by your favorite song lyric. Share the lyric too!"
Time Capsule: Write a letter from your main character to their future self.
💡 Example: "Time Capsule: Write a letter from your main character to their future self."
Challenge: Write a story with exactly 26 words, each starting with a different letter.
💡 Example: "Challenge: Write a story with exactly 26 words, each starting with a different letter."
Plot Twist! Write a short scene where the hero fails their quest.
💡 Example: "Plot Twist! Write a short scene where the hero fails their quest."
Describe a setting using only sounds and smells.
💡 Example: "Describe a setting using only sounds and smells."
Write a story that takes place in a single hour.
💡 Example: "Write a story that takes place in a single hour."
Challenge: Only use words of one syllable in your next paragraph.
💡 Example: "Challenge: Only use words of one syllable in your next paragraph."
Name a fictional world you wish you could visit. Why does it inspire you?
💡 Example: "Name a fictional world you wish you could visit. Why does it inspire you?"
Write a story using only questions. Can you keep readers hooked?
💡 Example: "Write a story using only questions. Can you keep readers hooked?"
Share a favorite writing ritual or superstition. Does it help your process?
💡 Example: "Share a favorite writing ritual or superstition. Does it help your process?"
Write a scene where the weather mirrors a character's mood.
💡 Example: "Write a scene where the weather mirrors a character's mood."
Pick one color. Write a scene where it is the focus.
💡 Example: "Pick one color. Write a scene where it is the focus."
Share your biggest writing win this month. Let's celebrate!
💡 Example: "Share your biggest writing win this month. Let's celebrate!"
Describe an ordinary object as if it were magical.
💡 Example: "Describe an ordinary object as if it were magical."
Write a story where the ending is actually the beginning.
💡 Example: "Write a story where the ending is actually the beginning."
Pick a template that fits your community's vibe and upcoming schedule. Announce the challenge with clear instructions and an inviting tone. Set a realistic deadline and offer a small reward or recognition for participation. Encourage members to share their process or finished pieces in a dedicated thread or channel. Celebrate everyone's efforts, and follow up with highlights or shoutouts to keep the momentum going.
For all platforms, use pinned posts or announcements to keep challenges visible. Leverage platform features like polls, threads, or hashtags to track entries and encourage conversation. On chat platforms, consider using dedicated channels for challenge discussions. Always follow up with public recognition to complete the engagement loop.
Structure your challenges around scenes or prompts that must be written in a specific point of view, such as 'Write a scene from the antagonist's first-person perspective.' This not only sharpens members’ craft but also sparks discussion about the strengths and limitations of each POV in fiction writing.
Develop multi-part challenges where participants commit to posting a new chapter or episode each week. Use themes like 'weekly cliffhangers' or 'character arcs' to encourage continuity, and provide feedback threads to foster critique and anticipation for the next installment.
Host challenges that require blending two or more genres—such as 'sci-fi romance' or 'historical fantasy.' Offer example prompts and encourage members to discuss the unique worldbuilding and narrative hurdles they encounter when merging genres.
Set clear community guidelines for constructive feedback, such as using the ‘compliment sandwich’ method. Frame challenges to explicitly invite both praise and suggestions, and consider setting up anonymous feedback forms for those who may feel shy sharing public critiques.
Members are often drawn to challenges like 'Write a monologue from your protagonist’s nemesis' or 'Describe your character’s biggest fear in under 300 words.' These prompts push writers to explore deeper psychology and spark rich discussions about motivation and backstory.
Craft challenges that are adaptable to any setting, such as 'Invent a unique holiday in your story’s world' or 'Describe a meal from your universe.' Encourage members to share how their worldbuilding choices influence plot and character, regardless of whether their work is original or derivative.
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