Reading Time:
3 Minutes
Themes: Time Travel/Hurt-Comfort
Sign-up dates: October 1-15
Project File(s) Due: October 25
Challenge Period: November 1-30
Word Count: 25k minimum (for each project)
Note: You may sign up for 1 or 2 projects
SIGN UP WITH: Title (Fandom)
Note: You get one fandom in your title, so choose the main one for your story if it’s a crossover/fusion.
About the Themes
Time Travel
Satisfy that urge to fix everything and ruin the lives of the characters you hate by having your darling time travel. OR, if you’re a mean ass, throw your character back in time against their will and make them suffer.
Hurt-Comfort
Make your darling suffer, then make them feel better about the whole thing. This dovetails pretty well with time travel, eh? See what we did there?
FAQ
What’s up with the new setup for the challenge?
A. Rough Trade is a challenge environment and doing the same thing for every single event isn’t going to be any sort of challenge for most participants. Shaking it up a little will allow for growth and a different sort of learning experience.
Can I sign up for one project and use both themes?
A. Yep, you do you boo. Your minimum word count would still be 25k.
Can I sign up for two projects and use one theme?
A. No. One project per theme or as stated above, one project with both themes.
Will you have a set period for each theme during the month?
A. Nope. In fact, you can work on both projects at once if you think you can handle that without having a complete freakout. We won’t have time to pet your psychosis if you do so choose carefully.
I hate both themes! What can I do?
A. Sit back and watch the rest of us write. Seriously, that’s your only choice. It would be impossible to please every single person who might wish to participate in RT while creating an event that is inspiring, interesting, and challenging.
Why do you announce challenges so far in advance?
A. Because some of us motherfuckers are planners and we need time to get our shit in order. You don’t gotta be a plotter but don’t be hatin’ on our game.
Can I write a series of works across the whole year of challenges?
A. Absolutely, this has always been an option and has been done several times over the years. Sometimes the themes just line up in a perfect fashion and sometimes they don’t. With six themes this year, you have a lot of room for development.
Can I start engaging in the challenge in the last week of the month like a total twat?
A. No, because I will have deleted your ass on Day 14 of the challenge if you haven’t posted at least once. I mean it and I’m not going to waste my precious, immensely valuable time emailing you about it either.
Can I write a sequel to another story?
A. Yes, but it should stand on its own.
Can the story be part of a larger arc?
A. As long as the story stands on its own as a complete work, yes.
Do I have to post daily?
A. No, but no less than 3 times a week during the course of the challenge.
Can I post more than once a day?
A. No.
Is there a minimum post length?
A. 1,000 words
Do I need to finish by the end of the month?
A. If you fail to meet the deadline then you’ve not completed the challenge. I may or may not allow posting after the challenge ends.
Is there a limit to title length?
A. No, but don’t be fucking ridiculous either.
Noble Actual (Stargate: Atlantis)Once Upon A December (Heated Rivalry)A Journeyman’s Home (Heated Rivalry)
Oh, Snap (MCU)Through All The Changes (911)I Can Still Remember (Star Wars Clone Wars)
Stars Hide Your Fires (Star Wars)Wildfire Heart (9-1-1)Paenitenia: Nova Vita (Harry Potter)Death Cannot Kill What Never Dies (Harry Potter)Mail Order Pack (Teen Wolf)Charlie Foxtrot (Stargate: Atlantis)
With a Little Help (DC Comics Universe)Past’s Sparks Future’s Flames (Star Wars)Should have been (Harry Potter)Abandoned but Still Wanted (NCIS)Three Times Seven (Harry Potter)Aqua Regia (Teen Wolf)Blood Trail (The Untamed)
Somewhere Else (9-1-1)The Hand of Fate (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds)Second Chance (Heated Rivalry)Almost Too Late (Heated Rivalry)
A Matter of Time (MCU)Phoenix Rising (Stargate: Atlantis)Hedging Bets (9-1-1)In Service (Criminal Minds)The Devil is in the Details (9-1-1)Destiny Unknown (NCIS)Landslide (9-1-1)