Each month, I'll be debuting a new literature challenge that will run throughout the entire month. Each month's challenge will have a different theme. The common thread is that each challenge is designed to be fun, challenging, and to expand the writer's repertoire by introducing styles, genres, or methods of writing that most people either haven't been introduced to or don't have much practice in (for more details about what these challenges are meant to do, visit here.)

So, without further ado, let's get on with August's challenge!

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CHALLENGE FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST
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Deadline: All entries must be noted to me by September 02, 12:00AM EST

Your Assignment: Write a fantasy story. "That's easy!" I hear you say. Well, there's a catch. All of the action of the story must take place in a single room. Now, no cheating. You can't go Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe on this one. In other words, no portals within the room to new locales. To make it a bit easier, "room" can be defined a little broadly. Would a small cave work? Sure. Would an extensive network of caverns work? No. I'm looking for a typical room sized, semi-enclosed area. If you have a specific idea you're not sure about, feel free to ask me via note and I will tell you if it would be acceptable for the challenge.

Also, poets, I know this challenge is geared more towards prose, but feel free to give it a shot if you're up to it! I'd love to see some poetry entries on this one.

Prizes:
1st place: 1 year sub or similarly priced print from wishlist.
2nd place: 3 month sub or similarly priced print from wishlist.
3rd place: 1 month sub or similarly priced print from wishlist.
Note: If there is only one entry, that person will automatically receive the 3rd place prize for their effort. If there are two, the winning entry will receive the 2nd place prize and the remaining entry will receive the 3rd place prize.

Story Behind This Challenge: Fantasy stories typically make use of wide, sprawling worlds to harbor their plots. In fact, a magical, majestic setting is one of the key aspects of fantasy as a genre. Fantasy authors spend years just developing the worlds (a process known as worldbuilding) where their stories take place. After all, what would Tolkien do without Middle-earth, Pratchett do without Discworld, Rowling do without Hogwarts, and so forth?

By severally limiting the options the author has when developing their story, especially something as vital to the genre as setting is to fantasy, the author must make sure the other aspects of the story are strong enough to pull the extra weight. Without the setting, other elements such as the characters, dialogue, plot development, and the overall concept become that much more important.