In this post, we'll announce the winners from last week's contest and provide the prompt for the coming week.
We ask that you read our Creative Nonfiction Tips post to learn about the creative nonfiction genre and review our guidelines.
Important notes:
Thank you to all who participated in last week's prompt Belonging
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| Craving Inclusion
I kept quiet. And decided to observe her more. When she got back, the girls sent her on multiple other errands and I was aghast. We were all in the same class. Why were they doing this? And more importantly, why was she letting them? Truth is, Miriam was one of my childhood friends but we’d grown up and somehow drifted apart but it didn’t mean I no longer cared about her so seeing that made me more than mad. |
 | Moving with the big guys
Nene invited me to join her clique of friends. I was skeptical initially because these were students that took their academics as a secondary reason for being on campus. The primary being partaking in the activities of their clique anywhere within town and even beyond. |
| A Letter to My 16-Year-Old Self
I have always known what I wanted to do right from age 14, but while navigating my way through the university, my perspective and the world began to change. New trends and new waves of innovative solutions popped up. I thought I had everything figured out, but I quickly realized that I had only chosen what I wanted to do to feel a sense of belonging. After writing my final exams, I started dealing with midlife crises. I decided to confide in one of my older friends about my situation. And what he said made it worse. |
 | I Dared To Be Different
I was at home when he called on the phone and pretended to be a coursemate who needed to submit an assignment. I hurriedly got dressed to meet up with him at the ETF hall in school, but when I saw his face, I knew he wasn't a member of our class, as I was familiar with most of the faces in class. |
Our third place winner is
Currently, I am still working as a volunteer. I have keys to the library and I am in charge of opening it in the evenings. Every time I arrive, feel like I am entering a parallel reality where time has stopped and silence is law. I look at the books on the shelves and get as excited as the first time. Ever since I was a teenager I dreamed of being in a place this quiet, away from the noise.
Our second place winner is
My eyes widened in shock, my conscience battled against the temptation that beckoned me. A thousand thoughts swirled through my mind, questioning the morality of such an endeavor. In that moment, my quest to belong among the affluent of the society was never to belong through a means that degraded the steadfast principles that had guided me thus far.
Our first place winner is
First I passed by my office and Mrs. Maritza was waiting for me with her usual cup of coffee, her friendly smile, her joking commentary. In the office my students were waiting for me, with the curiosity and impetuosity that only young people have. We chatted pleasantly and commented on impressive readings. My office smelled of incense, of coffee, but especially of camaraderie, of books and learning.
Curiosity is behind some of the most spectacular discoveries and developments known to humanity. However, it is also sometimes the very foundation of disillusionment and failure.
This week we ask you to write a creative personal story that reads like fiction using words related to 'curiosity'.
For this topic, there are several possible approaches. For example:
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.
And be sure to remember to join The Ink Well community!
Prizes are only for stories written for this week's prompt
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