Tell Us A Story In 60 Seconds & Win A Chance To Perform At Spokenfest

You have 60 seconds. Tell us a story. There’s a lot you can say in a minute. Here’s how it goes: butt in chair, selfie-camera on, and record. There’s no limitations to what you can say. You can perform spoken word poetry, a comedy routine, or a rap. So long as your words are strung together in beautiful successions, we have no other requirements. Use the language your lips feel most comfortable in.

This month, Homegrown is partnering with Spoken Fest to spread the love of words. For our 60-second Storytelling Competition, all you have to do is take a one-minute video of yourself telling a story, post it on Instagram, and tag @homegrownin and @spokenfest. If you don’t want to post your video publically, message us on Facebook with the video or email it to editor@homegrown.co.in. Submissions close October 10th! Enter and win a chance to perform among wordsmiths like Kalki Koechlin, Kautuk Srivastava, and Diane Ferlatte at Mumbai’s Spoken Fest on October 28th.

Being writers ourselves, we know just how difficult it is to get started. So, we’re here to give you some inspiration. Tell us a story about your favorite swear word - maybe it’s from a language you do not speak? What’s a secret superpower you have that no one knows about? I once knew a girl who could turn emotions into colours and thought it was the most beautiful power one could ever have.

Write a letter to your 13-year old self. Warn yourself against that bad haircut, that heartbreak, and that insecurity that still clings to your skin like a relentless mosquito. Talk to me about loneliness. Talk to me about your relationship with yourself. Talk to me about love. Use your tongue, use your tones, use your humor. Use a beat if it helps you. Use your life as a palette.

If your eyes have glazed over this article and you’re still not convinced, here’s one last request to submit. Whatever it is that you want to talk about, speak it truthfully and wholeheartedly—that’s all that matters. We are listening.

SUBMISSIONS CLOSE OCTOBER 10TH. Tag @homegrownin and @spokenfest on Instagram, Facebook message us, or email editor@homegrown.co.in with your submissions.