Hiya! To help people keep up with where the Year of Challenges is at, here's an update of what's going to be due in March:

March 5:
The Challenge
Idea: Write a story based around either a deal, bet, or dare involving cross-dressing, with the following limitations:
A: The character agrees to the transformation of their own free will (no coercion).
B: Keep things 'G' or 'PG' rated.
Length: 500—1,500 words.

March 12:
Reunion
Idea: Write a story concerning the first meeting between an openly TG individual and a friend or relative they have not seen in a long time, focusing on the difficulties of re-establishing relationships after a long break, with the addition of overcoming any shock caused by the one character‘s gender expression.
Length: 1,500 words or less.

March 19:
Opposing Views
Idea: Write a story from the viewpoint of someone who has just found out that someone else close to them is TS, and who is having trouble accepting the idea.
Length: 1,500 words or less.
Limitations: Try to explore the idea of transgenderism or transsexualism from the viewpoint of one who is unlikely to be very accepting of the idea, while exploring what reasons they might have for those views. Whether their reasons could be considered rational or not, focus more on the difficulty of reconciling their views with trying to accept someone important to them who falls outside their comfort zone. Try to use a sympathetic viewpoint.

March 26:
TG Or Not TG
Idea: Write a story that is ambiguous as to whether the subject is transgender or not.
Length: Any.
Limitations: While the goal is to be ambiguous as possible concerning the subject‘s gender status, this can be done in a number of different ways. Use your imagination, and have fun!

April 2 (also first challenge of April:
Burning Bridges
Idea: Every person who comes out has a few people who are close to them who never come to fully accept them. Write an open letter to those who you feel would not accept you, explaining why you feel the way you do about who you are. Alternatively, write a letter from the view of a character facing the same problem.
Length: 1,000 words or less.

And finally March's month-long challenge:
Henry Harrelson’s Custom Fit Boots
Idea: Henry Harrelson‘s Custom Fit Boots has a reputation for always matching an individual to the absolutely perfect pair of boots–boots that not only fit well, but whose very design says something deep and meaningful about the person who wears them. Sometimes, it‘s even something they are hesitant to admit even to themselves. Write a story exploring the feelings of an individual after receiving a pair of boots from said store that are, perhaps, not exactly what they were expecting.
Length: Any.

That's your challenges for the next five weeks or so!

In addition, don't forget about the gifts I've got for the top three finishers! Check my last blog entry if you need a reminder on what's up for grabs. And again, those who have already finished challenges for February get to count those toward their total too, so they'll have some free time come next February. Those who haven't started yet? Well, here's your chance!

Melanie E.