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Writing Marathon Week 4: Exploring the Theme of Belonging

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The Writing Marathon, hosted by The Holistic Pine: International Independent Lifestyle Journal, continues to flourish, inviting writers from all walks of life to share their creative expressions. As we step into Week 4, we take a moment to reflect on the remarkable contributions that have shaped this journey so far.

Celebrating Past Themes and Writers

The Writing Marathon launched with the theme Mothering, which inspired deeply personal stories about the joys and challenges of nurturing children. Contributors like Ayana Kuttampalli, Helan Jose, Dr. Ayushi Chirag Arora, and Vini Kunhappan beautifully captured the emotional depth of motherhood, making the inaugural week a memorable success.

Week 2 focused on the theme Resilience, where writers explored stories of inner strength and perseverance. Among the standout pieces was Ashima Syal's thought-provoking story titled The Pause, which delved into moments of reflection and self-discovery. Other contributors such as Angel Mary, Dr. Khushboo Fatima, Helan Jose, and Ayana Kuttampalli shared compelling works that resonated with readers.

In Week 3, the theme Hope brought a fresh wave of inspiration. Writers like Ashreeta Mohanty, Siljiya Francis, Ashima Syal, Angel Mary and Ashika Umesh presented powerful works that reflected on the strength found in moments of uncertainty, reminding readers that hope often shines brightest in the darkest times.

Introducing Week 4: The Theme of Belonging

This week’s theme — Belonging — invites writers to explore the profound sense of connection we all seek.

Belonging is about feeling seen, valued, and accepted — whether it's within family, friendships, or community. It’s the comfort of finding your place or the courage to build one.

We encourage participants to explore this theme in their unique way. Whether it’s through poetry, stories, essays, or reflections, we invite you to share your personal experiences of finding, losing, or creating a sense of belonging.

Submission Details:

📌 Who can submit? Anyone — no age limits, no experience required.
📌 What can you submit? Poetry, stories, essays, quotes — whatever resonates with the theme.
📌 Word count? As short or long as you wish.
📌 Theme: Belonging — stories of connection, identity, and acceptance.

Timeline:

🗓️ Starts: Monday, March 24
🗓️ Ends: Sunday, March 30

Participant Perks:

✅ Digital Certificate of Publication
✅ Digital Certificate of Participation
✅ Custom Author Poster
✅ Social Media Shoutout
✅ Guaranteed publication within 24 hours

Deadline:

🕛 March 30, 11:59 PM

We believe that belonging is a theme everyone can relate to — from moments of finding home to discovering your place in the world. Your story may be the very thing someone else needs to hear.

So, gather your thoughts, pick up your pen, and join us this week in celebrating the power of belonging.

Submissions are accepted through our submission form only. For submission form, Click Below! 

Submission Form

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This Month's Top Stories

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She is Always There by Ayana Kuttampalli | A Poem

Even in the cold windy nights, when you feel all alone When nothing seems to be right and you just wanna hold tight. A voice comes asking for you; A voice you wanna hear When you're all in fear and she calls you; dear, Indeed heaven falls there! No matter how far you go, No matter the people all around, the one person you would run back to, even in the midst of all storm; Yes! that's your mom! Fading away the darkness, a soft touch leading towards the brightness. She might not always be fun, but truly she loves you more than anyone. A million more you would find but not anyone so kind. When nothing seems to be at place, an inner strength arise just by looking at her face. A thousand more to say, but it'd take an entire day. God has provided more than one could ask for, she is the one who would love you to the core. If you ever think anyone would care, remember; MOM is always there! Ayana or in Latin we say 'Beautiful Flower' is a nature lover and an ardent admirer o...
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Mother by Helan Jose | A Poem

Fractured bones, trembling lips, Her heart stood still—just for a glimpse. Eyes cried out, a silent wail, Breath unraveled, fragile! Within her, a breathing wonder Crossed the threshold, life tore apart. Sleepless nights, love unbound, Selflessness mirrored all around. Cracked nipples, bloodred pain, Yet in her arms, the world moves. Helan Jose holds a UG and PG degree in English Literature. Pursuing B.Ed from Pondicherry University, she nurtures a passion for literature and teaching. With a keen interest in literary studies,she aspires to inspire young minds through education.
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Finding Beauty in Resilience: Sommya Jain's Story of Success | Ankush Bharti

by Ankush Bharti  In this exclusive interview, we delve into the remarkable journey of Sommya Jain, from being diagnosed with Haemangioma at a young age to overcoming countless obstacles and emerging as a successful social media influencer and dancer. Sommya shares her experiences, challenges, and triumphs, offering insights into her resilience, passion for dance, and commitment to inspiring others through her story. Join us as we explore the incredible transformation and unwavering spirit of this extraordinary individual. Can you share with us your journey from being diagnosed with Haemangioma to becoming a successful social media influencer and dancer? Well, to know the entire story, you need to read my autobiography book, which I am going to launch soon but to give you details in short:- I was just nine years old when I was diagnosed with a large Haemangioma on my right cheek, I was about to take part in the very famous show of the time named Boogie Boogie as I was born dan...
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Art of Teaching: A Hope to Hear the Youth Communicate | Ashima Syal

Teaching is an Art, and to keep the artistry alive is the challenge which the current educational scenario brings. With the advent of AI and other technological hacks, knowledge seems to pronounce itself with the ease of availability and accessibility. This resorting to the quick arena of the internet, is what is keeping the GENZ’s of today away from using their creativity, their minds potential to the fullest. The teachers of today no longer embrace chalk and duster, they make use of white digitized boards. With a nominal attention span of students, activity-based learning is the requirement of skill-based teaching. The size of a class being of a giant eighty and with youth, which is only distracted, teachers find it the most challenging when they give an experiential classroom task to students, to gauge their learning, the students struggle hard to complete it, they find it challenging to put their own perspective in front, they at once become restless and resort to AI for answers. W...
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New Dawn, New Blooms by Angel Mary | A Poem

A sudden gleam appeared, as I wandered in vain, Feeling like solitude, a cool breeze stirred in the quiet air, As the tides rise and fall, I endure like a beacon of light, Trapped in silence, the bird longs for the sky, I yearn to fly, Each bud that blooms whispers a promise, a hope reborn in every petal's grace, As the night grows deeper, moon beams brightly with a gentle smile, With every step I take, I carry the spirit of resilience… Angel Mary born in Kasaragod, Kerala is a dedicated poet with a deep passion for capturing the beauty of nature and the power of hope through her words. Her poetry reflects a profound connection to the natural world, often exploring themes of renewal, resilience, and the quiet strength found in everyday moments. Through her work, Angel strives to inspire readers to find light and hope, even in the darkest of times.
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A Scholar's Odyssey: Neha Kumari's Evolution into an IAS Officer | Interview by Ankush Bharti

  Neha Kumari is a dynamic and accomplished individual who has excelled in multiple domains, from academia to public service. Holding a strong academic background with a Master of Arts in English Literature from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Neha further pursued her scholarly pursuits by completing a PhD from BHU, specialising in British and Commonwealth literature. Her dedication to academic excellence is underscored by her achievements, including clearing the National Eligibility Test (NET) with Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and qualifying the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) in 2021.  Notably, Neha's intellectual curiosity extends beyond the realms of literature, as evidenced by her success in the competitive arena of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), where she attained Grade A in 2022. However, her journey doesn't end there. In 2023, Neha achieved a remarkable milestone by securing a coveted position in the Indian Administrative Service (I...
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Beneath the Soaring Canopy by Angel Mary | A Poem

The nature holds us close, like a mother's embrace, As though cocooned in the warmth of its serene arms, Nurturing us with the tenderness, Surrounded by green, we feel revitalized, A space that offers healing to a distressed mind, The zone we delve into the deepest, A spectrum of elegance wrapped in a circle, Relishing every miracle, unveiling that it belongs to us… Angel Mary born in Kasaragod,is an Assistant Professor of English and a dedicated poet with a deep passion for capturing the beauty of nature and the power of hope through her words. Her poetry reflects a profound connection to the natural world, often exploring themes of renewal, resilience, hope and the quiet strength found in everyday moments. Through her work, Angel strives to inspire readers to find light and hope, even in the darkest of times.
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Longing by Siljiya Francis | A Poem

With the darkened depths and wide sea She keeps her heart with spirit of light Through the shadowed trees and cloudy sky She still keeps her luminescence When the world described her as SHE A flame of fire flickered in her She named it as HOPE Which enabled her wings to fly high.... She is a holder of Degree and Masters in English Language and Literature. She loves to write poetry.
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Weeping Willow by Ayana Kuttampalli | A Poem

With the outer attire; comes the inner soul. It's the appearance of mine Which makes people think of me in their days of gloom. The dead shady leaves hanging down, Carrying the weight of people judging around. A moment then comes! Portraying the divine purity of nature, A strike of reaching cloud 9! Taking me apart from the worldly chaos; A cold breeze flows taking away all my sorrows. Fluttering my dead leaves; a beautiful hope it fills. Here comes another moment! Leaving nothing to lament Striking the garden clock 11:11 I realised The awakening was straight from heaven Wiping away my sorrows, Saying goodbye to my days of gloom A ray of delight began to bloom. People still think I'm weeping Little do they know Happiness is what I'm keeping. Ayana or in Latin we say 'Beautiful Flower' is a nature lover and an ardent admirer of human thoughts and emotions. Her poetic style is as unique as every existing star in the Universe. She believes embracing every existing and ...
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Hope is not a Losing Game by Amaan Khan | An essay

"Hope is not a losing game'' Amaan Khan Yesterday, I visited a stationary shop from where I used to get my school supplies often when I was in school. To put it in perspective, I went back there after six years to get a pack of ruled sheets for my little brother. I felt a strange sense of familiarity, Even though the shop's interior had been changed, I remembered how my eyes used to wander, scanning the whole shop, yearning for new pens, supplies, and other stuff that could be afforded with a note of fifty rupees or less because that was my financial ceiling. I would wait for opportunities to just get there, now looking back I realize, how my delight drive would have been fulfilled with a mere purchase of my cherished blue gel pen. The stationary part of my life is just one bit, there are several other pockets, which I filled back then with my curiosity, another memory I recall, the time when I saw an advertisement for martial arts classes which was somewhere in my loc...