Slice of Life Story Challenge

Essential FAQs for First-Time Slice of Life Story Challenge Participants

Stacey Shubitz

Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes. Contains 1,219 words.

Primary Audience: Educators considering participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC) for the first time. Secondary Audience: Current Slicers inviting colleagues, friends, or family to join them.

Welcome to the 19th Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge! Every year, we receive many of the same questions from both newer participants. This updated FAQ is here to help you prepare for the Challenge, starting on Sunday, March 1.

QUESTION: Do I need a blog to participate in the Slice of Life Story Challenge?

ANSWER: Yes, you do. You can write every day in March in a notebook or Google Doc if you like, but joining the Challenge means being part of an online writing community. Your blog needs to allow comments so other Slicers (that’s what we call participants) can support you as you write.

It’s quick and free to start a blog! We suggest WordPress, Blogger, or Edublogs. Some people still have trouble leaving comments on Blogger because of Captcha images, especially on phones. For step-by-step help, see our updated blog setup tutorial.

QUESTION: Can I write my slices on Substack?

ANSWER: I use Substack myself and think it’s a great platform. However, it doesn’t work well for the SOLSC. Substack is built for email newsletters and subscriptions, not open, community sharing. The challenge needs public blog links so anyone can read and comment. Substack often puts posts behind paywalls or only lets subscribers see them. Its commenting system is basic and not meant for open community sharing. This makes it hard for Slicers to connect and leave quick, friendly feedback.

Black background with two organge slices. Text says FAQs for New Slice of Life Story Challenge Participants; http://twowritingteachers.org.

QUESTION: Where will I place the link to my blog?

ANSWER: Each day in March, a new “call for slice-of-life stories” goes up at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time. Add the permalink to your blog post in the comments of that day’s blog post. For example, last year’s first day was: https://twowritingteachers.org/2025/03/01/day-1-sol25/.

QUESTION: Do I submit my posts to the Two Writing Teachers Blog?

ANSWER: Each day’s call for stories on the Two Writing Teachers blog is where our community gathers. To join in, share your post’s link in the comments of that day’s post.

QUESTION: Can I share my SOLSC posts on social media, and is there a hashtag I should use?

ANSWER: Feel free to share your story on social media using the #SOL26 hashtag. This helps other Slicers find your post.

QUESTION: What should I write when I leave the permalink to my slice of life story?

ANSWER: Write a short teaser and add the link to your blog post.  Here’s an example:

A sample completed comment box on Two Writing Teachers. This sample shows you the way to leave a teaser and permalink to your slice of life story.

Each blog post you publish has its own unique URL, called a permalink. Please share your permalink each day, not just your main blog link. To find it, click the title of your blog post. The permalink will show up in your browser. Copy the whole link and paste it into your comment when you share your slice of life story on Two Writing Teachers.

QUESTION: What should I write about? Can I write about teaching?

ANSWER: A slice-of-life story is a narrative that offers insight into the life of an ordinary person. Think of it as a small moment story—you’re not telling about your whole day, just a meaningful piece of it.

However, your slice-of-life post shouldn’t be a lesson plan or PD notes. Book reviews or giveaways aren’t slice-of-life stories either. Please don’t just link whatever is on your blog that day. Our goal is to build a community of writers through sharing stories. We hope you’ll help by sharing your own stories with the Slicer community.

QUESTION: Why story?

ANSWER: The word ‘story’ is part of the Challenge’s full name. Stories have brought our community together since the Challenge began in 2008.

QUESTION: What should I do if my comment is held for moderation after I leave the teaser and permalink to my slice of life story?

ANSWER: If you’re new to commenting on TWT or include more than one link, your comment might be held for moderation. Please don’t resubmit it. We check and approve comments several times a day. After your first comment is approved, future comments should show up right away if you use the same username and email.

Sometimes, genuine comments are marked as spam due to high spam volume. If you think this happened to you in March, email the TWT co-author for your last name’s initial (see contacts at the end) and include when you left your comment.

QUESTION: What if I miss a day?

ANSWER: Life happens. If you miss a day, just come back and keep sharing your writing. The most important thing is being part of our writing community.

QUESTION: Can you explain how commenting on other writers’ blogs works?

ANSWER: There aren’t any strict rules for commenting, like “comment on the previous three posts.” We want you to connect in a way that feels real. Read the teasers other Slicers leave and comment on posts that speak to you.

Usually, people write a sentence or two—a teaser—about their slice of life story when they leave a comment. Read these teasers. They can help you decide which blog posts to read.

QUESTION: What steps should new Slicers take to get involved and receive comments?

ANSWER: We don’t have a formal “Welcome Wagon” team anymore, but we want new writers to feel noticed. If you’re new, add “I’m a new Slicer!” to your teaser or comment during your first week. For the best experience, keep your posts between 300 and 700 words and comment on at least three other Slicers’ posts each day. If you haven’t received comments by the end of the first week, email the TWT co-author for your last name’s initial (see contacts at the end).

QUESTION: What if I need tech support?

ANSWER: If you have technical issues—such as links that aren’t working, problems with your permalink, or a permalink that leaves an unwanted image or preview in the comments—our Slicer Troubleshooting Team is here to help. Reach out to one of these experienced Slicers for support:

  • Glenda Funk: gfunk441{at}gmail{dot}com
  • Fran McCrackin: fran.mccrackin{at}gmail{dot}com
  • Joanne Toft: joanne.toft{at}gmail{dot}com
  • Peter von Euler: pvoneuler{at}gmail{dot}com

Some final notes & our co-author contact information:

If you haven’t read about how to join our writing community, which is a post that contains an overview of essential information about the Challenge, click here to read it and sign up now.

Should you have questions about getting started with this Challenge, please direct your questions to the appropriate coauthor:

  • If your last name starts with A-G, email Jess Carey at jessica.carey224[at]gmail.com
  • If your last name starts with H-N, email Lainie Levin at lainlev72[at]gmail.com.
  • If your last name starts with O-T, email Melanie Meehan at meehanmelanie[at]gmail.com.
  • If your last name starts with U-Z, email Sarah Valter at sarahvalterreads[at]gmail.com.
  • If you need support with the Classroom Challenge, email Leah Thomas at leahthomaswrites[at]gmail.com.

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Published by Stacey Shubitz

Stacey Shubitz is a K-6 literacy consultant and former elementary teacher. She is the author of CRAFT MOVES and other professional books on writing workshop. Her new book, MAKE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WORK FOR YOUR CHILD WITH DISABILITIES (Guilford Press, 2026), empowers parents to navigate the special education system.

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