#284 Great Expectations with Insecure Writer's Support Group

This week’s contest, "Great Expectations," is hosted by our friends over at Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG). The winner of this contest will not only be awarded $250 — they’ll also receive a special bonus prize from IWSG! We'll let them take it from here…

Hello from The Insecure Writer’s Support Group! We are a home for writers in all stages, from unpublished to bestsellers. Our goal is to offer assistance and guidance — we aim to create a community of support and help writers overcome their insecurities. Many of us post on the first Wednesday of each month, answering a question posed by the admins — we find it both fun and interesting to share different points of view on a single topic.

No matter which holiday(s) we traditionally celebrate, there is always a buildup of excitement and expectations across the globe during this time of the year. Many of us choose to be with family and friends, sharing delicious food, partaking in special activities, and fondly reminiscing about the past together. If we’re lucky, our expectations are met, but sometimes, gatherings can fall short, and the memories of moments long gone shine much brighter than recent experiences.

For our takeover, we’ve created five prompts to kickstart your post-holiday reflection and creativity. We can’t wait to read what you come up with! As a bonus prize, the winner of this contest will be given the opportunity to be featured as a guest on the IWSG blog, share their take on a subject about writing, and introduce their books in print or any works in progress!

Don’t forget to use the hashtag #ReedsyExpectations when sharing your writing (and potentially be featured on our social accounts)!

Special Update: The Results

IWSG's top pick for their takeover was “Humanity's Rebirth” by Reese Blaise. Here's what they had to say about the winning story: "This story is a tense and well-written science fiction drama with a good balance of dialogue and action. The reader feels the main character’s plight— desperation, confusion, and despair — blended with a thread of hope. It ends on a note that is both bleak and open to interpretation, making for an excellent entry."

Congratulations to contest winner Reese Blaise and the runners-up, Ambika Gogna, Nat Fendie, and D. Grimes!