Creative Nonfiction in The Ink Well Prompt #49
Welcome to The Ink Well's weekly creative nonfiction contest!
In this post, we'll announce the winners from last week's contest and provide the prompt for the coming week.
Before You Write Your Creative Nonfiction Post...
We ask that you read our Creative Nonfiction Tips post to learn about the creative nonfiction genre and review our guidelines.
Important notes:
- Creative nonfiction stories are based on your real-life experiences.
- We are looking for real short stories! Not advice columns, reports on crime or corruption in your city, observations on nature, recipes, religion, politics, or any other nonfiction content. Just real-life short stories.
- Ideal story length is between 750 and 1500 words, but your story must be at least 350 words, at a minimum to be curated.
- Please focus on quality content. Read and edit for errors! Use a grammar checker before you post your story.
- We expect everyone who posts in The Ink Well to read and comment on at least two other stories for each one published.
- Do not post stories featuring physical abuse, graphic violence, erotica or NSFW content.
Last Week's Creative Nonfiction Winners
Thank you to all who participated in last week's prompt Start
Last week's participants
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Honorable Mentions of the Week
 | A night's accommodation to start my life I wanted to run away to get a bike before I remembered that I had luggage with me. I looked around, and my inner man directed me to meet a woman who sells oranges at the junction. "Mama, please, can I drop my luggage here? I'll return to pick them up before you close." The meekness in my voice attracted the pity of the woman. |
 | Interview Jitters It had been some years since I'd applied for a job and attended an interview. After graduation from the university, I got a job upon my first interview unlike some people I know who attended many before securing a suitable job. It was more of a chat than an interview. My employers then were friends of a friend of my family. I felt right at home. I worked with them for some years. |
 | Interview Jitters I am very competitive and I knew I wouldn't push myself if I went to a smaller tutorial. I'd just put in a small effort and get the highest grade there but in a large tutorial, I'd have to fight. I'd have to put in time, sweat and maybe a little tears to be the best. |
 | MY NEW BEGINNING TALE I then concentrated on creating a network of allies. To meet like-minded people, I forced myself to go to community activities outside of my comfort zone. Even though it wasn't always simple, I persisted in trying to make new acquaintances. I gradually but certainly came to realize that I was surrounded by a kind and loving group of people who accepted me and became my chosen family in the city. |
Third Place: Wins 2 Hive
Our third place winner is
At Bay
When it comes to creating boundaries between colleagues at work, between neighbours, and between certain friends, I draw a very thick line—or I try to draw it as often as I can. I decided at a young age never to become romantically involved with my colleagues, friends, or neighbors. It is one of the promises I made to myself, but the heart and the universe have a way of making you choose to do things that you believed you would never do.
Second Place: Wins 3 Hive
Starting All Over..
Source: Own images
So the journey began again; I had to start all over, from sourcing the fabric to cutting the complicated style and sewing the dress once again. It was a very annoying ordeal, but I had no other option because she was a first-time client, and you know what they say about customers always being right?
First Place: Wins 5 Hive
Our first place winner is
Starting together
However, my giddy passion for letters became a whirlwind that began to rock my world. Since we had no books at home, I read the newspaper. While grandma was cooking, knitting or sewing, I would try to read her the news that came out in the paper. It was thus that one day I discovered, by chance, that my grandmother did not know how to read or write and that, unlike me, she had never gone to school.
This Week's Prompt #49:
Influence
There are many ways that you could use the word or concept "influence":
- You may have unknowingly persuaded someone to do something that, looking back, you regret having been a part of. On the flip side, someone might have influenced you in a way that had a negative impact on you.
- Occasionally, a passing fad, fashion, or trend can compel us to behave in a rather absurd manner. Perhaps you found yourself donning an exceptionally odd and unsuitable outfit solely because you succumbed to fashion's influence.
- Have you ever believed that the Zodiac (or other influence) held sway over your path to prosperity? Share the moment when you realized you were being guided by frivolous superstition.
- Frequently in life, we fail to recognize the well-intentioned influence that a caring friend or family member tries to exert on our decisions. It’s possible that you missed out on opportunities as a result.
Tell us about it! And remember to integrate storytelling elements like characters, scene setting, dialogue and action to bring your story to life!
Have fun and good luck! We look forward to reading your stories.
Contest Rules
- You have 6 days to write your story from the date of this prompt post. Be sure to check the deadline countdown.
- Write a real-life story with the creative elements of fiction, like characters, dialogue, scene setting and a story conflict.
- Post your story in The Ink Well Community.
- Please use the tags #creativenonfiction and #inkwellprompt on these posts. Other possible tags: #writing #inkwellprompt #nonfiction
- Stories must be written in English. If you've translated the post, it's best to add the original version below the translation. Do not write mixed language paragraphs.
- Read and comment on at least two stories in the community. Add a link to your story as a comment on this post.
And be sure to remember to join The Ink Well community!
Prizes
Prizes are only for stories written for this week's prompt
- First place : 5 Hive
- Second place : 3 Hive.
- Third place : 2 Hive.
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