"Challenges" - What do they mean?

[sxPlasticity]

I am a bit old fashioned, so - up front - I ask your forebearance on something I probably should have asked about long ago.

The topic is "challenges".

The problem is, I don't see the point.

In my thinking, a challenge is something like a dare, or a proof of concept. As a matter of fact, the person who recently warranted the challenge to me actually said he was looking for proof of concept regarding some writings. So I take what he meant at face value.

I should also say he meant a proof of concept achsllenge in a business sense.

That's fine, although my perception of a "challenge" is something more like a dare. Maybe I am also just too old for a contemporary use of the term "challenge", but, aside from basic responsibilities, I don't feel much of a need to prove myself to anyone.

I have not asked him to detail his thinking yet, but what I am trying to ask is... Challenges on the internet have been around for years, but I don't see the point of them; specifically, what I mean is, I am trying to figure out as much as I can (on my own) to rise to the occassion.

I don't think he is being difficult. I know when he's being difficult, and he seemed like he wanted to play ball. If he wanted to be difficult, he wouldn't hesitate to show it.

But what is he asking me to do with my writing?

 

[NotWise]

It seems like you probably aren't asking about our Author's Challenges. Aside from that, I don't think you've given much information.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

Agreed with NW, but to be clear, the site hosts five or six official contests each year. Above and beyond that, any author may propose a ‘challenge’, an event in which authors write tales on a given subject or theme. Same-same in some ways, but less official and no prizes are awarded.

 

[OffNSFW]

For me personally, the utility of challenges is that they're a chance to get my writing in front of more readers.

I'm not going to win--my shit is too gay and/or too gross for that--but I never thought I would win, nor do I care about winning, so that's never been the point for me.

(If we are not talking about writing challenges, disregard, but I would be very puzzled.)

 

[pink_silk_glove]

A challenge is a terrific opportunity for me to annoy a wider audience with a story that they don't like. : P

 

[alohadave]

That's fine, although my perception of a "challenge" is something more like a dare. Maybe I am also just too old for a contemporary use of the term "challenge", but, aside from basic responsibilities,

They are an excuse to write something. Maybe you are challenging yourself to write something outside your normal genre. Maybe you want to write something that seems fun.

I don't feel much of a need to prove myself to anyone.

So...don't. They are completely voluntary and most authors don't participate in any of them.

 

[Rob_Royale]

'Challenge' where it's used here on Lit, is a misnomer, I think. In other artistic communities I've been in, we would often do Community Build Projects (CBPs) where everyone worked on a project with a central theme. I was usually fun with lots of imagination and camaraderie. I see our author-organized challenges as being similar to that.

 

[sxPlasticity]

A challenge is a terrific opportunity for me to annoy a wider audience with a story that they don't like. : P

Honestly. You sound like me.

That's also what I am afraid of...

I don't mind being annoying.
It's fun.

It's just... well, I suppose -
if you want to be really annoying,
it helps to know what annoys them the most...

I still don't get it, though...

He is a business executive.
He wants me to write a sort of introductory narrative about myself.
That's fine, but I know what they will really be seeking is proof of concept.

He says I have it in me,
but it's weird - whatever he sees, I don't see it...

Somehow, I just do what I do...

It seems like you probably aren't asking about our Author's Challenges. Aside from that, I don't think you've given much information.

I'm not sure of what you mean by Author's Challenges.

Do you mean here (in this forum), or do you mean Authors Challenges are like a more general set of questions everyone else but me knows about everywhere else?

If you mean here in this forum, he gave a writing challenge, so I am not off topic (although I could have been clearer, I knew what I was talking about...?)

I appreciate your input.

Thank you all.

FWIW, I want to get a book out and a movie up.
He's willing to roll with it, too.

But working through all this stuff... ugh...

I just don't see the process yet,
So, when he coaches me and asks me to do some things -
it's hard to know what he wants me to do...

 

[TheLobster]

A challenge is a terrific opportunity for me to annoy a wider audience with a story that they don't like. : P

What if I told you there is a category that lets you do this any time you want?

 

[sxPlasticity]

'Challenge' where it's used here on Lit, is a misnomer, I think. In other artistic communities I've been in, we would often do Community Build Projects (CBPs) where everyone worked on a project with a central theme. I was usually fun with lots of imagination and camaraderie. I see our author-organized challenges as being similar to that.

I think that is what he's leaning toward...

But look at what alohadave said...

They are an excuse to write something. Maybe you are challenging yourself to write something outside your normal genre. Maybe you want to write something that seems fun.

That is actually a good description of the problem.

Getting back to Rob_Royale's point...

But I think what might be a good, helpful idea is to somehow combine it with the way it used to work...

I don't really even know what it was, but RR's description somehow sounded right...

 

[StillStunned]

Honestly. You sound like me.

That's also what I am afraid of...

He is a business executive.
He wants me to write a sort of introductory narrative about myself.
That's fine, but I know what they will really be seeking is proof of concept.

He says I have it in me,
but it's weird - whatever he sees, I don't see it...

Somehow, I just do what I do...

Is this about roleplay? Because there's some confusion here.
But whatever, if you want to write, then write. Just put words down and see what emerges. Don't write because someone tells you to. You'll likely end up resenting them and hating writing.

I'm not sure of what you mean by Author's Challenges.

Do you mean here (in this forum), or do you mean Authors Challenges are like a more general set of questions everyone else but me knows about everywhere else?

As other replies have noted, there are regular events where authors can write stories on a particular theme. They re published on the story side. Just now, for instance, we've got What I Wrote and Why, we've just completed Hammered: an Ode to Mickey Spillane, and in a few days we'll start Pandemonium.

This isn't the same as some of the things happening here on the forum. If you want something smaller, just to have a go, perhaps try one of the Writing Exercises: Hot Stuff, Show Us Your Style, Write A Kink You Don't Have or There's A Demon Under My Bed.

FWIW, I want to get a book out and a movie up.
He's willing to roll with it, too.

Good luck! It's probably what most of us dream of. If you have the opportunity, go for it!

 

[TarnishedPenny]

I'm not sure of what you mean by Author's Challenges.

Do you mean here (in this forum), or do you mean Authors Challenges are like a more general set of questions everyone else but me knows about everywhere else?

Don't get wrapped around the axle over a word. Author Challenges are mini writing contests, nothing more and nothing less. Maybe the word 'challenge' is used to avoid confusion with the official 'contests'.

 

[Rob_Royale]

They are an excuse to write something. Maybe you are challenging yourself to write something outside your normal genre. Maybe you want to write something that seems fun.

But look at what alohadave said...

That is actually a good description of the problem.

I think Dave is spot on. I wouldn't have thought to do a mafia story if not for the Crime challenge, and I definitely wouldn't have done any 750-word stories. I'd have thought it a waste of time. (It's not.)

But for me anyway, it's fun to do something as a community with a common theme, read about it in the accompanying threads, and then read what everyone else has done.

 

[MillieDynamite]

It's a challenge; the organizer says, "Write this if you dare," and writers either accept or reject the challenge. It isn't all that different than duels that were fought in the 1800s, slapping the face, "I challenge you to duel."

One response, "I accept, swords." Or, "Pistols at 25 paces."

Another response was, "I can't swordfight for shit, and I'm a terrible shot, so call me a coward, but I do not accept."