Choose a Name for Our New Column!
Our temporarily titled "location bio" will focus on the landscapes and locations of Middle-earth. We need your help naming it!
Challenges have been a part of the SWG since our group was formed in 2005. Before the archive, there were challenges. Before References or any special projects or B2MeM or any of the myriad things we've done over the last decade-plus, there were challenges. Challenges end and a new challenges is posted on the 15th of the month. (Yes, that means there is one thrilling day each month when there are two active challenges!) Participants—both authors and reviewers—will receive a stamp in their challenge stamp collection for their participation. Deadlines apply only if you want your fanwork to receive a stamp.
Every challenge that has ever been offered by the SWG is available for use by creators of fanworks who are looking for inspiration. Even if the deadline for stamps is passed, you are welcome to use the challenges listed on our site. And comments on past challenge fanworks are always welcome and always receive a reward for that month. Want to join us? Click to read the guidelines below!
Create a fanwork using our prompt generator that includes stock characters, common plot scenarios, settings, and episode types that are frequently featured in soap operas. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork that shows how a character failed due to a weakness. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork that solves a canon problem using your own favorite (or most frustrating!) canon problem to solve or by choosing one of the member-submitted canon problems. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork about exile or exiles. About being exiled. About the people who are exiled. About the decision to exile, the leavetaking, the consequences. About metaphorical or symbolic exile. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork about music. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
While usually the scenes are filmed first and the soundtrack is composed later, this month we want to challenge you to create (or continue) a story after listening to one of our musical prompts. The prompts will be pieces of classical and instrumental music. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Choose one of the famous first lines from the list below and use it to start your story. If you are creating a fanwork other than writing, you may use one of the first lines to inspire your fanwork. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Storytelling is an interactive art, using words and actions to bring a story to life while encouraging the listener’s imagination. This challenge is all about storytellers in the Silmarillion tapestry. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Your character arrives for the first time in a new place. Maybe he journeyed there with a purpose, or maybe she ended up there by accident. What does she perceive? What new experiences and conflicts will he have? This month's challenge asks you to bring a character to a new, strange place for the first time and to develop a story around his or her experiences there. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork using the Melville quote about the relationship between strength and beauty. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Choose a female character from The Silmarillion or related texts who contributes something of value and create a fanwork about her. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
What is taboo? Use a bingo card of taboo-related prompts to inspire your fanwork. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
In honor of the SWG becoming a teenager, create a fanwork about an adolescent character or adolescence using our prompt generator. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
A daily prompt of a Tengwar letter per day. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
In honor of our second birthday, we asked for fanworks about the second year of a character's life. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
In this AU challenge, fix that moment that you always wanted to see handled differently by offering your beloved character that moment of forgiveness or redemption. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork concerning one of the three selected quotes about Fëanor (although your fanwork can be about any character). Challenge opened in . Read more ...
We honor the theme of hope in Tolkien's work with prompts about joyful or happy times in the text. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Use a fanwork to show a character working to achieve freedom. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
A joint event with silmladylove for creating femslash fanworks using bingo cards as prompts. Challenge opened in . Read more ...