Writing Challenge #31: Mother's Day Story Contest

Have any of you ever heard of Storybird? It's a fun website that allows you to write your own stories based on beautiful art by professional artists. I learned about Storybird via Russell Stannard at the IATEFL conference in the UK last month.

I just created my first Storybird story called "Like Mother, Like Son." On Storybird, just like on MyEC, there is a monthly writing challenge. I submitted my story to the Storybird May challenge (Mother's Day theme). Unfortunately, this challenge is only open to residents in U.S, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand. However, I would still like to invite YOU to a Mother's Day Story challenge. If we get enough submissions, we'll have a vote for the best story!

Here are the instructions:

1. Go to Storybird.com and create an account. It's free. Check your email for confirmation.

2. Choose an artist. Create a story with "mother" as your theme.

3. Publish your story. (Make sure it is public so that we can read it.) You will be able to embed your story after it is approved. (This takes 24-36 hours. When you click on your story you will eventually see a share button that says "Embed".)

4. If you don't want to wait for your story to have the embed code, send the story to yourself via email.

5. Copy the link in the email and share the link in the comments below.

6. Create a blog post called: Writing Challenge #31: Mother's Day Story. Share the link to your story (or embed it) and describe the experience. Why did you choose this artist? What was the most difficult part of using Storybird?

7. Rate the stories you read.

Note: If you cannot use Storybird for some reason, feel free to write a true or fictional story or poem on the theme of "mothers".

My Example:

Like Mother, Like Son by TEFLTara on Storybird

Here is a short tutorial about how to create a Storybird for this month's writing challenge. You can also watch the full Storybird tour.

@Syubi

I'm glad you are challenging the end of the story! :) Please write a new ending for me.

PS-Here is a little secret. The story "Like Mother, Like Son" is inspired by a true story from my own life. Last year, around this time, we disconnected our TV service. Our hockey team (The Vancouver Canucks) was out of the playoffs and summer was coming. We totally forgot about the World Cup! I asked MyEC football/soccer fans to keep me in the loop about all things World Cup. They did an excellent job! I talked about this experience at the IATEFL conference in the UK last month.

Anyway...to make a long story short, the Vancouver Canucks made it to the second round in this year's playoffs. My husband could no long live without TV! He got tired of watching the games on the computer. And so...we now have TV again. Can you guess what my small son is doing? (In the last year he has become an amazing artist! Check out this arial view of a racetrack. I hope he'll keep drawing even though we have television.)

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Comments

ho van dang May 29, 2011 3:31

hi
MUKESH KUMAR May 29, 2011 2:12

Hi this is like medicine for me. I think no way left for me except it. I have to connect this program forever. Thank for inspiration .
Zahra May 10, 2011 13:37

Hi dear Tara,

Thank you so much for your kindness. You are so true. I was inspired by Ohnie's post. I was really touched by her post.

May all children live in joy and happiness under the warm shelter of mama and daddy's care!

Have a nice time

:)
Tara Benwell May 9, 2011 18:56

Hi Zahra,

It's perfect! I love your story and the pictures you chose. Were you inspired by Ohnie's Mother's Day post?

Thanks for taking the challenge. My favourite picture is of the children in the orphanage. It's so cute.

Cheers,

Tara
Zahra May 9, 2011 17:28

Oops! I apologize to everyone since my story was set to private. I've rectified it, and now it's public so that everyone can take a look at it.
Syubidupapap May 7, 2011 17:42

Uh Tara... :S I can't promise you to continue the story :S

But thanks for trusting me to do that ;) Mwah
Zahra May 7, 2011 9:44

PS- For my story, I've used Victoria Usova's artwork.
Zahra May 7, 2011 9:42

Hi dear Tara,

Thanks for the beautiful topic. I love it.

Here is the story I just made. I'll try to publish a post on it later.

A Tribute to All Angels

Thanks, and have a marvelous time

:)
Tara Benwell May 6, 2011 14:50

@Syubi

I'm glad you are challenging the end of the story! :) Please write a new ending for me.

PS-Here is a little secret. The story "Like Mother, Like Son" is inspired by a true story from my own life. Last year, around this time, we disconnected our TV service. Our hockey team (The Vancouver Canucks) was out of the playoffs and summer was coming. We totally forgot about the World Cup! I asked MyEC football/soccer fans to keep me in the loop about all things World Cup. They did an excellent job! I talked about this experience at the IATEFL conference in the UK last month.

Anyway...to make a long story short, the Vancouver Canucks made it to the second round in this year's playoffs. My husband could no long live without TV! He got tired of watching the games on the computer. And so...we now have TV again. Can you guess what my small son is doing? (In the last year he has become an amazing artist! Check out this arial view of a racetrack. I hope he'll keep drawing even though we have television.)
Syubidupapap May 6, 2011 3:40

Woah!! So this is the site where those magical stories came out. I love your story Tara but I was expecting more to read :S I mean, that is not likely an end for your story. So when I can't click the next arrow, I felt disappointed. I still want to read moooore. Anyway, it is an awesome site ^^

Mwah, thanks for the story and the beautiful images in the story Tara. I enjoyed reading it ^^

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