Writing Challenge

In the Creative Writing Challenges, we gather writers and non-writers looking to get out of their comfort zones and explore their creative side. We know creating a writing habit or overcoming writer's block can be incredibly hard - especially on your own. In this challenge, we take on daily writing challenges and work through our struggles together as an intimate community looking to grow collectively, and get comfortable with the prospect of messing up. The aim is to simply allow yourself to write, no matter how imperfectly.

With a variety of prompts bound to push us to think out of the box, we fall in love with reconnecting with our playground of imagination that we lost touch with during adulthood. We get to showcase our writing, read others' personal responses for inspiration, and as a bonus, experience getting to know a complete bunch of strangers through quirky pieces of personal texts. By the end, everyone feels like they've gotten to know themselves and each other in rather unexpected ways. It's magical, really.

I appreciate that you guys encouraged us to be raw and imperfect as well. It takes alot of courage to put out pieces of art which is imperfect. I wouldn't be comfortable doing that with my family or friends but this little community allowed me to do that and gave me confidence.

Yumna Khalid

I haven’t done creative writing since o level English to be honest and it just felt so good to do that again! I realised how it’s absolutely possible to set aside some time for writing, despite having a busy schedule. And the prompts were varied and amazing so very well done for that 👏

Khadija Salman

Consistent writing evokes creativity

What do these writing prompts look like?

We cover a variety of prompts to keep things interesting and challenging throughout the decided time period. A prompt can be a quote from a book or famous person, an idea (e.g. “home”), a scene between two individuals, a historic art piece, an Urdu sher, a song, or anything at all. The possibilities are truly endless, and you can expect to be kept on your toes! Often, the participants wait in anticipation for what the next prompt would be just to see what their day’s challenge will look like.

Do people's writing improve by the end of the challenge?

I have a pretty busy schedule, can I still do this challenge?

Some Thoughtful Reflections …

"A song you absolutely love"

For me, "Make a Man Out of You" is the right inspiration I need , especially when there is none, and more so, provides the optimism needed to get through the roller coaster that is life. It gives me hope that with the right amount of determination and support, anyone can make their own place as well. ~ Arhama Siddiqa

"Think of one that inspires you and ask yourself what it is about it"

My nani’s home - a place that has not only seen generations of khushi but has also been an epitome of strength, patience, and resilience. ~ Haadia Mumtaz

"Write about a place in the city that you consider your escape"

Having spent most of my life inside a peaceful gated community in Islamabad, I was never quite fond of the hustle and bustle. Anytime I wanted to relax or meditate, I would lounge in my garden under the winter sun or take a walk in my neighborhood in the summer evenings. Sometimes I would sneak up on the terrace with a cup of coffee at night and watch the city lights in the distance. With my mom busying herself in the kitchen, my dad out and about, siblings moving countries or wrapping themselves up in work, the quiet became my best friend. ~ Yumna Khalid

"I keep turning over new leaves, and spoiling them, as I used to spoil my copybooks; and I make so many beginnings there never will be an end."

Often a beginning is mere possibility. Anything that doesn’t yet have a name. An empty document. The first draft. Flesh and bone. The quiet before the heartbeat. A daughter. Or the lack of. Often a beginning is preparing the heart for loss. It is perfecting your stubbornness. Or meeting death for a third time. This time in a pool not made for your body. This time they praise you for your immortality. Because often a beginning starts when it meets its end. ~ Rameen Bajwa

It's not just about words …

In our Writing Challenges, we keep at least one picture prompt as well - usually taken from a famous art piece. On the occasion of Women's Day, we shared a famous painting of a woman called "The Swing."

Jean-Honoré Fragonard's "The Swing," created in 1767, is considered a masterpiece of the Rococo period, showcasing the lightheartedness prevalent in life. The interpretations were even more fascinating, with some participants referring to certain women in their lives who inspire them, while others saw familiarity with 'Sonja' from the book "A Man Called Ove."