Invitation: Reflect on a life-shaping moment with the 20:26 Project

It’s 2026. Where have the years gone since we welcomed a new millennium? And what happened in the 26 years, 2000 to 2025, to shape who you are today? A live project is helping our friends at 26.org.uk to find out, and you’re invited to take part.

In January, writers’ organisation 26 launched a hugely ambitious project with their membership. It’s called the 20:26 Project, and every day of this year you can enjoy a new response to the project’s creative writing brief on 26’s Substack.

As you’ll see, writers are exploring all aspects of life through poetry and prose, writing on love, longing, loss and many more deeply human experiences.

A special invitation

You might feel, like we did, the project has a strong sense of Lapidus to it. Therefore we were delighted when Regina Beach, our Plumb Lines editor, put us in touch with 26.

The project’s initiator Rob Self-Pierson has extended the invitation to us all, the Lapidus community, saying: “Both 26 and Lapidus exist to celebrate the power of writing. So it feels the perfect collaboration, our two organisations coming together to encourage members to reflect on those life-shaping moments that matter most.

“Writers from 26 have covered so much of what makes us human. Difficult births, beautiful goodbyes, pride in children, new starts in distant countries, the discovery of a true passion. Each day, readers get in touch to say how they’re touched by 20:26 writing.

“As Regina tells me more about Lapidus, I’m excited to hear from members and read your reflections. I hope plenty of writers of all experiences sign up to take part.”

Writing with a constraint

Every great writing project needs an inspiring brief. We’ve seen the 20:26 Project brief, and it’s sure to inspire a lot of beautiful, moving writing from our members.

We won’t share everything here. You’ll need to see the full brief yourself by filling in the form below. But we can say that the special writing constraint – a feature of all 26 creative projects – works so well to tease personal stories from the writer.

Regina herself has taken part in the project, reflecting on the moment she started a new life in the UK. “I’ve been a 26 member for three years, and the creative projects are my favourite part of the organisation. When I saw the 20:26 invite, I had to take part.

“Choosing a year was simple for me. As soon as I read the brief, I knew I’d write about 2017. The constraint is good fun and a great writing challenge. It really made me tap both into my journalism training and my love of poetry to make every word count. 

“Once I’d written my first draft, I worked with Rob as my editor to hone my piece. It was great to see it published alongside so many other heartfelt contributions. It’s also been so fun to read a new piece as they’re published every day.”

The word count is under 50 words. If you choose to take part, the 20:26 Project team will pair you with an editor for gentle guidance and encouragement, where needed.

Showing your interest

To get involved, the team has created an online form to show interest. 

It’s quick and easy to fill in. If you complete and submit it by Monday 9^th March, you’ll receive the brief on Wednesday 11^th March and will be able to begin writing.

Click here to fill in the 20:26 Project show of interest form.

As the form says, deadlines are tight – but the word count is short. You’ll have a few weeks to work on your first draft before sharing with your editor. Once you hear back, you’ll have another week or so to reach your final draft.

Sound like the sort of project you’d like to join? Keen to see your words designed and published online? Simply fill in the form and the 20:26 team will email you the brief on 11^th March.

We hope lots of you take part. Those who do, enjoy the experience.