Introduction.

[merikuru]

Hello, and welcome to Twelve Months of Writing: A Themed Writing Challenge!

This here is, as it says on the tin, a themed writing challenge. Every month we'll have a different theme based on various writing genres - twelve different themes in total, for which you can write whatever you like so long as it fits the theme. Come the end of the year, we'll wrap up, cycle back to the first theme and start it all over again.

Like other prompt challenges, such as porn_tree, you shall post your offerings in a comment to the month's theme post (with a short description of fandom (or original universe), spoiler warning if applicable, and mature content warning if applicable), and at the end of the challenge, they'll be rounded up and a master list will be posted along with the next month's theme. You are also perfectly welcome to post on AO3, or a personal journal, or whatnot, and just post the link to your writing in the comment, with the aforementioned caveats.

I hope you enjoy yourself! Let's do some themed writing!

January themed challenge.

[merikuru]

January's theme challenge is:

JanuAUry!

This is the month to write anything that has to do with an alternate universe. Throw characters into a parallel timeline? Drastically change an event that shaped the canon of the world? Someone lives or dies in a reality where the opposite ought to have happened? Let's have it. AUs for all!

If your work has spoilers, please add an [S] tag to the comment title. If it has mature content, please add an [MA] tag.

This theme challenge will end on January 31st, 11:59 PM Central Standard Time.

Questions.

[merikuru]

If you have got any questions about the challenge, the community, or other various related things, this is where you will ask them!

I will answer them right here as they come up, so here we go:

How long do I have to post my fic?: You have until fifteen minutes after the deadline for that month's theme, and that deadline will always be 11:59 PM Central Time (9:59 PM Pacific Time, 10:59 PM Mountain Time, 12:59 AM Eastern Time, 5:59 AM Coordinated Universal Time...any other time zones I need to note?) on the last day of the month. That means you can work on it all month if you like, so long as it's posted before fifteen minutes after the deadline.
Can I write something with mature/spoiler-tastic content?: Yes, you can! All I ask of you is that you tag it appropriately. Mature content should be tagged in the comment subject line with [MA] (this is not necessary during Pornovember, though) and spoilers with [S]. This makes it easier to see at a glance if something is porny or might ruin something for someone else!
How long does something have to have been out to no longer need the spoiler tag?: I have discussed this with many people, and have decided on eight months, to strike a happy medium between the many opinions I've received.
Can I write more than one fic for a theme?: Absolutely! Write as many as you like. As long as you get it in before the deadline, you are free to let your imagination and creativity bottle spill all over!
Is there a wordcount limit?: It is likely best to write at least 100 words - that is, a drabble - but you can write as much or as little as you prefer. I won't yell at you for it; $deity knows how hard it can be to get words out sometimes.
Do I have to write something fandom-specific?: Nope! Feel free to write an original idea - in fact, one of our themed months deals with nothing but original fiction.
If I write for one challenge, am I then locked into writing for all of them?: Nope! You can write as strikes your fancy. If you only want to write for one challenge, that's fine. If you want to write for all of them, also fine. Half of them - a third - a fourth - that's also fine. There's no commitment!
How do I describe my fic when I'm posting it?: Please describe it with the fandom (if applicable - if it's original fiction, then just say "original"), pairing (if applicable) or character(s) involved, and a short summary or prompt if you feel so inclined. Example, pulling a random game from my shelf: Star Ocean: The Last Hope - Edge/Reimi - a day out for lunch.
Where do I post my fic?: Post it as a comment to the challenge post!
[New] Do pairing fics have to involve a romantic pairing?: They do not! Platonic pairings can be written for too - just use an & instead of a / (i.e. Noctis & Luna vs. Noctis/Luna) to signify that.
[New] Can I post a chapter of a work in progress, if it fits the challenge?: Yes! As long as the chapter itself is not incomplete, post away. I just ask that you note the whole thing overall is a work in progress.
Can I tell other people about this challenge?: Of course you can! Spread the word as far and wide as you feel the need. The more, the merrier!

Feel free to ask about anything else I've not answered here!