Twain here! It's been a while since I've done a contest, and, since there haven't been too many great prompts lately, I figured I'd come back with an opportunity to get your creative juices flowing!

This contest is all about pirates. Who doesn't love a good swashbuckling adventure?

RULES

-Must start with a pirate on a ship. Captain or cabin boy, Pacific Ocean or made-up seas, sloop or clipper ship; I don't care. It's all up to you, baby boo. Just give me a pirate and their ship.

-Swearing, blood, gore, lynching, keelhauling; it's all allowed. It's pirates!

-NSFW, smut, graphic sexual content; not allowed. This contest is rated PG-13. References to sexual situations are allowed, but keep it classy.

-Alcohol and drugs; both are allowed. Just make sure that the use of your chosen drugs are accurate for the time period! Or, if you go the fantasy route, go crazy and make things up. As for alcohol, drink up, me hearties, yo ho!

-Word count limit is a strict 3,000. That should be enough to world-build, plus get your pirate in and out of trouble!

-Grammar and spelling plays heavily into my judging. Make sure your story has proper line breaks, proper punctuation, and proper spelling!

-Where your story goes is UP TO YOU! I'm not here to see cookie-cutter stories. I want to see action, adventure, and, most importantly, YOUR mark on the story. Make me want more!

-HAVE FUN. If you don't hve fun with it, I sincerely recommend taking a deep breath and listening to some sea shanties.

NOTES

-Please leave comments! Positive feedbck and constructive criticism are extremely important for authors, especially newer or younger writers. Even if you don't join the contest, letting the author of an entry know you liked their work can go a long way.

-This contest will last for two weeks. Don't forget to publish your entry before the deadline!

Well, I think that's all. I can't wait to see what you all come up with!

All the love, Twain.

(P.S. I'm writing this on my Kindle in the middle of the night. All issues will be fixed in the morning!)

Gecə saat 02:17. Telefonun ekranı yenə yanıb sönür. Hər dəfə bildiriş səsi gəldikcə ümidlə ekrana baxıram. Amma yenə də sən deyilsən... Nə mesajın var, nə də zəngin. Sadəcə bir sükut, bir də "görüldü" yazısı. Elə bil bu iki söz bütün həyatımı dayandırdı.

O son mesajı yazanda içimdən bir səs dedi ki, bu dəfə gələcək cavab… Amma gəlmədi. Bəlkə də ən ağır ayrılıq, heç bir söz deyilmədən getməkdir. Axı mənə demədən niyə getdin? Niyə susdun?

Winter is coming (in Australia at least) and things are starting to cool down!

I want you guys to create a cozy story that makes you feel warm in an otherwise cold setting!

Maybe it's a person visiting a cute little cafe for a hot drink and they come across unexpected love or friendship?

Perhaps someone has moved into an old house and gives it life again through warm soul food?

Or, it's a cold, snowy day and a poor animal needs to be nurtured back to health with love and a nice, warm bed.

The subject is up to you, as long as it is a warm setting in cold weather!

.....

RULES!

*Try to keep it mostly pg. I don't care about mild swearing, but I want it to be mostly wholesome. A little bit of blood from cuts and scrapes are fine, but no gore this time.

*Please keep it to a maximum of 1k words!

*Has to be a warm setting on a cold day! Could be snow or just a really bitter winter day, but it must be cold outside ❄️

*Genre is up to you!

*Have fun with it!

Bonus points for a thrilling plotline, cute setting, or unexpected twist! 😁

For each one of us there are inner rules, beliefs and PRINCIPLES!

In just one paragraph (5-12 lines) describe one of your principles, how it has affected you and anything related to that.

You can be poetic, describtive or just type it normally. Let's share our values!

In an age dominated by screens and short-form content, the traditional book club has quietly evolved into something far more powerful than a gathering of readers—it’s become a space for connection, empowerment, and collective growth. Book clubs today are not just about reading the latest bestseller; they’re about amplifying marginalized voices, unpacking complex social issues, and building authentic community.

At platforms like Pouring Through Pages with Cherice, the modern book club is reimagined as a space where readers not only engage with literature, but with one another. The curated selections focus on diverse, often underrepresented authors, sparking meaningful conversations that extend beyond the page.

Whether you're joining to rediscover your love for reading or to engage with stories that reflect different perspectives, book clubs now represent something deeper: a cultural movement rooted in empathy, inclusion, and lifelong learning.

Five hours to pick the call,

Five hours to explore the hall,

Five hours to love the art,

Five hours to let it pass,

Five hours to feed the dog,

Five hours to run a mile,

Five hours has all the time—

It’s slowed down, but still passing by.

Five hours to reach the top,

Five hours till the sun dims light,

Five hours till time hits night.

What is a First Copy Pen?

1st Copy Penis often a fake or First Copy Pen version of a well-known and pricey pen brand. These1st Copy Penare fake goods even if they are made to mimic the look and occasionally even the functionality of the authentic brand. When compared to the genuine counterparts,1st Copy Penare frequently created and sold for a big discount.

1st Copy Penare frequently discovered in markets or internet marketplaces that sell First Copy Pen. The 1st Copy Pen are sold to consumers who want the status that comes with owning a high-end First Copy Pen but are unable or unwilling to pay the excessive rates as inexpensive substitutes for the original luxury pens.

In conclusion, the 1st Copy Pen offers a practical and efficient answer to anyone looking for an alternative to traditional ink-based First Copy Pen. With its ability to copy text and images with amazing accuracy, this First Copy Pen  has proven to be a useful tool for a wide variety of tasks, including note-taking, copying documents and creative work.

The invention of the1st Copy Penradically changed the way we write and copy  today. Students, professionals and artists can all use it thanks to its lightweight construction and user-friendly design. In addition, theFirst Copy Penadaptability enables seamless conversion between analog and digital formats, providing flexibility and adaptability to different requirements.

Write a story you needed when you were younger.

No word limit, nsfw or depressing subject matter is okay. Rated PG-13 because I don’t want teenagers to feel like they can’t participate

There’s always that onescience theory that makes your brain short-circuit in a good way. Maybe it’s black holes eating time, quantum particles ghosting reality, or the idea that we’re all living in a hologram. Whatever it is, I wanna hear about it.

🧬 This contest is for the curious, the passionate, the "I watched one documentary and now I believe I’m a physicist" kind of writers.

✅ Your mission:

~Pick your favorite science theory

~Explain what it is (as wild or weird as it may be)

~Tell me whyit’s your favorite

Show how it messes with your mind, your worldview, or just straight-up makes you feel alive....................

You can go nonfiction (essay-style), or get creative turn it into a short sci-fi tale inspired by the theory. Whatever your style, make it explode with personality and passion.

💥 Make me care about the theory that bent yourbrain. Bonus points for humor, bold analogies, and personal flair.

📏 Word Limit: 500🎯 Judging based on: Clarity, Creativity, Passion and brain-bending awesomeness.

🎁 Prize:The winner gets a 1-on-1 Question & Answer Session with me(the host), where we’ll geek out about your favorite theory.

I’ll ask cool, curious, mind-bending questions about your chosen theory and YOU get to teach me why it's amazing. We can do it right here on Penana (in messages or comments), or another way if preferred.

Think of it like a mini-interviewwhere you're the star. Because if your theory blew my mind, I want to learn more from you.

Write about the darkest thingyou have ever experienced.

Could be a nightmare, a feeling or an event.

RULES:

• It should be something that you actually experienced, but you can mold it into a fictional story if you want.

• Word count for both poems and stories is infinite.

• Don't worry about it being perfect. The raw and natural, The better.

• Pour yourheart.

Have you ever seen those cool moodboards online and thought to yourself that they would be cool vibes to implement into a character, a story setting, or maybe an entire plot line? This contest is based around this moodboard image. Read on for more details.

(Image found on Pinterest)

If you would like to join, write something inspired by this image. It can be based on the general energy around it, using the creatures and objects as key story elements, creating a character backstory, describing a world with the same color palette, or really anything. You could even write down a little story plan with ideas in bullet points. It doesn't have to be super sophisticated, this is just for fun. Likes determine the winner.

As for rules, make sure you are nice to everyone else participating, regardless of the kind of content they put out. I encourage you to read the other entries, but you aren't obligated. It just might be fun to see others' ideas. You may also take LIGHT  inspiration from other entries so long as you ask the writer first. The most important thing, though, is to have fun. Don't stress too hard. :)

What Surprising Routes Offer the Best Avios Value?

When you book flights with Avios, you unlock access to some of the most unexpectedly valuable redemptions in the frequent flyer world. While many travelers focus on obvious routes, the real magic happens when you discover hidden gems where your Avios stretch much further. This guide reveals the surprising routes that deliver outstanding value when you avios book flight, helping you travel farther while spending fewer points.

The Hidden Gems of Avios Redemptions

Avios operates on a distance-based award chart, which creates some fascinating sweet spots that differ dramatically from traditional airline programs. When you learn how to book flights with avios strategically, you can exploit these quirks to your advantage. Some of the best values come from routes you might not initially consider.

Short-Haul Flights Within Asia

Many travelers don't realize that Cathay Pacific flights booked through Avios offer tremendous value for short hops around Asia. For example, you can book flights with avios between Hong Kong and Taipei for just 4,500 Avios each way in economy class. Considering these flights typically cost

150−

150−200, you're getting about 3-4 cents per point in value - far above average.

Japan Airlines also offers excellent redemptions within Asia when you avios book flights. Routes like Tokyo to Seoul or Osaka to Shanghai often cost just 7,500 Avios each way, representing similar outstanding value.

European Connections You Wouldn't Expect

While many focus on transatlantic Avios redemptions, some of the best values exist within Europe. Iberia's route network offers particularly good deals when you book flights with avios. For instance:

These routes frequently cost €100-€200 when paying cash, making your Avios worth 2-3 cents each - an excellent return.

Unexpected Long-Haul Sweet Spots

While Avios are famous for short-haul value, there are some surprising long-haul routes where booking a flight with avios makes perfect sense.

Middle East to Africa Routes

Qatar Airways offers some remarkable deals when you avios book flights between Doha and various African destinations. Routes like:

These represent excellent value considering the flight durations and typical cash prices. Even better, Qatar Airways imposes minimal fuel surcharges on these routes.

South America's Hidden Opportunities

Iberia's network to South America contains some surprising values when you book flights with avios. The Madrid to Buenos Aires route often has good availability at the 34,000 Avios level in economy. More interestingly, secondary routes like:

These flights typically cost

800−

800−1,200, making your Avios worth nearly 3 cents each.

The Best Ways to Book These Hidden Gems

Now that you know about these surprising routes, here's how to book flights with avios to access them:

Use the Right Avios Program

Remember that British Airways, Iberia, and Qatar Airways all use Avios but have slightly different pricing. Always check all three programs before booking:

Timing Matters

Many of these surprising sweet spots have limited availability. To successfully avios book flight on these routes:

Combine with Positioning Flights

Some of these great deals work even better when you add a short connecting flight. For example, you could:

This approach lets you maximize value from your Avios while keeping overall costs down.

Why These Surprising Routes Offer Such Good Value

The exceptional value on these routes when you book flights with avios comes from several factors:

Distance-Based Pricing Works in Your Favor

Avios charges based on flight distance in bands, so slightly shorter routes in a band can offer outsized value. A 1,200-mile flight costs the same as a 1,450-mile one, but the shorter flight gives you better value per mile.

Lower Demand Means Better Availability

These secondary routes often have more award availability precisely because fewer people think to search for them. When you learn how to book flights with avios on these less-obvious routes, you'll find awards when popular routes are sold out.

Minimal Fuel Surcharges

Many of these surprising sweet spots have low or reasonable surcharges, unlike some transatlantic routes where fees can eat into your savings.

Start Exploring These Hidden Avios Opportunities

Now that you know about these surprising sweet spots, it's time to put your Avios to work. Remember that the best values often come from routes you wouldn't initially consider. By expanding your search beyond the obvious choices when you avios book flights, you'll discover a world of incredible redemptions that let you travel farther for fewer points.

The key is to think creatively, be flexible with your routing, and always check multiple Avios programs for the best deal. With this approach, you'll consistently find outstanding value that makes your Avios balance work harder for your travel dreams.

Happy hunting for those hidden Avios gems! Your next amazing redemption might be on a route you've never considered before.