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Challenge X: X-factor

What better way to celebrate reaching the tenth challenge then by celebrating the numeral/letter/symbol X!

What a curious mark we have here. X can represent the number ten, as well as represent the presence of nothing or an unknown factor. X also indicates crosses and cancellations/in-correction and has been used to represent Christ (hence “X-mas”) or kisses. Historically, X was used by the illiterate to sign their name on contracts—and of course, to pin-point a location on treasure maps. The nerd in me wants to tell you all about its use in the video game Kingdom Hearts, but now’s not the time for that ;)

Given all this symbolism with this letter, X occurs in only 0.15% of English words, making it the 3rd least common letter in the language.

So what’s the challenge? Use the letter or the symbol X somewhere in your story. Maybe it’s a mark on a map? A signature on a form? An unknown factor or the mark of annihilation? The ultimate keyblade? Have fun kids, and write responsibly.

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Challenge XI: We are Family

…Must. Resist. Urge. To. Reference. A song. Bah, it’s not working. OH WELLZ.

Family: the fundamental foundation of our lives. Here is where we find some of the strongest bonds of humanity that ultimately shape us into who we are. This is where teaching—the kind that truly matters—begins, from our birth to our fledging. The choices and the life-lessons given to us by our family more often than not influence the kind of person we will be.

For this challenge, explore the familial bonds of your characters (or the lack thereof) and how they have impacted them—for better, or for worse. Sometimes to understand where your character is going, you’ll need to take a step back and see where they’ve come from.

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Challenge XII: False Prophet

This challenge is brought to you in part by Lord Dome Suicune’s Fire!

A lot of fantasy epics revolve around ancient prophecies that are meant to guide or find legendary heroes. I’ve recently finished a book in the Heroes of Olympus series, by Rick Riordan, where prophecies are particularly crucial (but never make any sense, of course). But sometimes you have to wonder… What if the people who believed in it had been deceived?

What if the prophecy was wrong?

Write about a false prophecy, and how it would impact the world you’ve created.


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