If you are smart, prove it.
That is the tagline for Cash-Tales, a new kind of competition I am building—one where creativity is the currency, imagination wins prizes, and everyone from kids to grown-ups can step up and tell their tale. This is not just a writing platform. It is a worldwide creative challenge.
Today I want to take you behind the scenes and tell you exactly how it came to life—from a little idea in my notebook to a full platform powered by AI and built for the world.
The Spark That Started It All
For years I have been surrounded by stories and ideas. I have written them, edited them, and encouraged others to write them. As a traveler and expat, I have seen how storytelling connects us across cultures and languages.
But something always bugged me.
Kids were losing interest in writing. Adults were giving up on their creativity. And the people who wrote often had no one to share their work with.
So, I thought: what if we could turn writing into something exciting again?
What if we made it competitive, fun, and rewarding?
What if we created a place where everyone, no matter their age or background, could write a short tale, get judged fairly, and maybe even win some cash?
Enter: Cash-Tales
That is when the idea hit me. A writing platform that would:
- Offer weekly prompts to spark creativity.
- Let users submit short tales anonymously.
- Have a fair peer judging system that is balanced through anonymity.
- Track streaks, reward progress, and offer real cash prizes.
- Welcome users of all ages—kids, teens, and adults
- Rewards educators.
- Rewards educational institutions.
And most importantly?
It would not require anyone to be a published author though you could be. You just need a good story and the guts to share it.
I called it Cash-Tales.
Building Vision (With Help from AI)
Now here is the twist: I did not have a dev team or a big budget.
But I had something better—ChatGPT.
Over the last few months, I have been working side-by-side with AI (who I have named Hal) too:
- Build the website and competition system.
- Design badges, leaderboards, and judging logic.
- Create ADHD-friendly features like focus mode and writing timers.
- COPPA & Parental Consent Systems
- 508 Compliance
- Multilingual & Global Layer Support
- Develop custom mobile and desktop versions (yep, both!)
- Add moderation tools, parental controls, and international support.
What would have taken a whole team months to do, I have been able to do with one brain and one AI—me and Hal, figuring it out together.
The result? A polished, scalable platform launching in June 2025, with live test versions already working now.
What Makes Cash-Tales Different
Here is why I think Cash-Tales stands out:
- Age-Based Competitions: Kids are not competing against adults. Everyone competes fairly, within their age group.
- Weekly Prompts: You will never run out of inspiration. Every week, a new theme drops to guide your tale.
- Judging is Peer-to-Peer: Participants help decide the winners. No biased scores. No names attached.
- Cash Rewards + Creative Recognition: It is fun, but also real. Win money. Earn badges. Build confidence.
- Global + Local: The platform can run international contests and also smaller country-specific events.
- Safe & Moderated: Especially for kids, there are protections, parental consent systems, and friendly onboarding flows.
Why It Matters More Than Ever
We are living in a world full of short attention spans and constant noise. Writing slows us down in the best way possible.
It lets us:
- Reflect
- Create
- Communication
- Competing in a way that is positive and personal.
Writing is one of the most powerful tools we have, and Cash-Tales is here to make it accessible, exciting, and rewarding for everyone.
Whether you are a 9-year-old with a big imagination or a 39-year-old who has not written in years, Cash-Tales is your space to shine.
The Role of Cherry Software, LLC
To keep everything professional and protected, I launched Cherry Software, the umbrella company for Cash-Tales. All branding, including future products, and technical development live under Cherry Software.
We are not just building one app—we are building a movement.
The GoFundMe Campaign
Right now, we are in final development. The app is almost ready, but we need help with:
- Final polish and mobile testing
- Covering the first rounds of competition cash prizes
- Launching our marketing campaign across schools, blogs, and social platforms
- Scaling our backend to support thousands of users
I am asking anyone who believes in writing, education, and independent platforms to chip in.
Even $5 helps. Every donor will be part of our first wave and listed on our “Founding Supporters” page.
👉 [Donate here on GoFundMe]
👉 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn
Let us build something that inspires a generation to write again.
What’s Next?
We will be launching test competitions soon. If you want to:
- Submit a tale!
- Try judging!
- View your own leaderboard stats.
- Earn your first badge.
…sign up early! We will notify you when the first prompt drops. (Hint: it is coming June 1st, 2025).
Oh, and yes—there are streaks. Submit three weeks in a row? You will earn a “Hot Streak” badge. Judge every round? You will get “Sharp Eye.” Win a round? You will be our “Tale Champ.”
Final Thoughts
I built this for one reason: to bring writing back into people’s lives.
Not as a chore. Not as a school assignment. But as a challenge. As a game. As a global proving ground for creative thinkers.
If that excites you, please share this blog. Tell your friends. Help us grow.
Together, we can create a space where creativity has real value—and every voice can rise.
Thanks for reading,
— Tom
Founder of Cash-Tales & Cherry Software, LLC
Powered by imagination, and a little AI magic.
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