Try as I might, I have been finding it particularly difficult to rise to the latest JUWC challenge. The fact that both Tova and Roy have done such particularly good jobs with theirs has left me bereft of ideas. Every time I try to start something, it evolves into a very poor second to Tova’s wonderful entry.

But the words she chose are absolutely fantastic. Some of them I’d heard of before and had even added to my vocabulary (such as rive, odious and usurp). Others I’d read ...

Inspired by both DeathbyBeebles and Tova (and at both Tova and UDig's insistence), here is the next challenge for the JU Writers Club.

The idea is to write a story in 6 words.  I know it sounds like a hard thing to do (and believe me, it is).  But not everything challenging is easy.  If you want to see a few good examples, check out Beeble's post here:

http://deathbybeebles.joeuser.com/article/308581/My_Six_Word_Story

It is a tough exercise, no doubt.  But here is fa...

She woke with a start, shook the remains of the dream she was having and habitually reached out and touched the wall. It felt warm. She sat up in the cot, looking across the annex to the kid’s empty beds.

Groaning to herself, she swung her legs off the cot and stood, stretching up until she felt her back click. As she walked across the room, she rolled her head from side to side and then rolled her shoulders. She felt a little better for the light stretches.

The kitchen bay was empty...

Hopefully, this will stimulate everyone’s imaginations. Some of my favourite stories are those that appear to be a glimpse into the future. Not necessarily science fiction as such, more almost alternate realities.

For instance, you could rewrite an historic event from the perspective of here and now or perhaps a piece set in a future where, for instance, water has become more precious than gold. You could write a poem or a play about a typical day living in the 22nd Century. It really i...

He said he’d wait. He still remembered the conversation as if it were yesterday.“I’ll be waiting for you.”

“Really? You’ll wait for me even after I do what I have to do?”

“Yes, of course I will. I love you.”

“I know you do but love might not be enough to get us past this.”

“Of course it will. So long as we have each other, the world could stand still and we’ll still be fine.”

“Oh, I’m s...

On and on, ad infinitum repetition
The treat is not so sweet with this carry on
Over and over till boredom is a relief
This righteousness feels completely wrong

The treat is not so sweet with this carry on
Ditto after ditto, repeating endlessly
This righteousness feels completely wrong
Rewind, reverse and repeat after me

Ditto after ditto, repeating endlessly
Until any sense of moment is truly gone
Rewind, reverse and repeat after me
The singer might differ but not the song

Ech...

Mindnumbingly spent
Bored by too much stimuli
Give me some relief

Those whose hearts
Are formed in sorrow
Can’t help but look bleakly
At the coming tomorrow

Those whose hearts
Are formed in pain
Look to be hurt
Again and again

Those whose hearts
Are formed in mirth
Will never believe
In their own true worth

Those whose hearts
Are formed from hate
Will never understand love
Can lift this weight

Those whose hearts
Are formed in ire
Never let cool waters
Dampen their fire

But those whose hearts
Are formed from peace
Move through th...

I have my mother’s mouth
And her creative ways
I have her nurturing instinct
And her love of music

I have my father’s legs
And I have his eyes
I have his way with people
And his love of good humour

I have my mother’s sins
Her vanity and pride
I have her nervous laugh
And her lack of self-control

I have my father’s bullhead
His lack of faith in his own abilities
I have his crushing shyness
And his damned dodgy knees

I have my granddad’s temper
Though I never met him
Alth...

I’ve been thinking about the next Joe User Writers Club Challenge. I am going to appropriate an idea of KellyW’s to make this suggestion: how about rewriting a classic fairy tale. You could rewrite your favourite, maybe inserting yourself into the tale or rewriting to make it end differently or modernising the story to suit the sensibilities of today.

You could turn a tragedy into a comedy or vice versa. Maybe Ali Baba’s 40 Thieves could be changed to be politicians or maybe any number of ...

This could be the scene where I could finally tell him: a deserted stage. Footlights will dimly glow. We'll walk on stage left.

Two shadows moved out onto the stage. As they drew closer to the still-glowing footlights, their glow revealed a man and woman. The man could feel the heat coming off the cans, like radiators. He ran a hand through his dark, wavy hair. Wow, it must get hot up here?”

The woman replied, almost despondently. “Yeah, it does. But the makeup hides our sweat, mos...

The last challenge was a beauty. I really like the idea of offering up a couple of suggestions as it means if you're not inspired by one, you might well be inspired by the other. With this in mind, following are the next couple of suggestions.

The first is courtesy of DrDon (thanks, Don): Signs (as metaphors for life) Don had a picture of a 'Detour' sign as inspiration. But I'm sure you all get the gist.

The second is a favourite quote of mine. It comes courtesy of the great Stan Lee,...

It has been a little while since the last challenge (thanks San Chonino) so I thought it was about time I got the next one started. I've been thinking about what we've done so far and realised there are a whole lot of people who are writing who haven't yet had a go at providing a topic for inspiration. So, if any one out there has any ideas, please pass them on.

Remember, the inspiration can be anything; a picture, a piece of prose, a quotation, poem or song lyric. It could be a cartoon ...