  Contests & Activities
This week: Deadlines! Edited by: Legerdemain  
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The purpose of this newsletter is to highlight some of the current contests and activities on the site, help educate members on how to host contests and activities, and provide clues to submit quality entries to contests. Write to me if you'd like something in particular covered.
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| ASIN: B07B63CTKX |
Product Type: Kindle Store
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Amazon's Price: $ 6.99
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Making Deadlines
Most contests have deadlines. The question is, how do you handle your deadlines? You definitely want to have your entries in by the due date. As a contest owner, you want your entries in on time and within the rules set in the contest. As an entrant, you want your entry to be in on time so it is not disqualified.
Is it good or bad to enter early? I feel it's good to enter early, but only if your entry has been edited to perfection. Contest judges often start reading entries early, especially if a lot of people enter. The advantage is a judge most likely takes a little more time reading an early entry. After twenty or so, it is hard to focus on the story if many of them are common themes.
How do you make your story stand out from the others. The first would be to think outside the box. In other words, if the prompt was a picture of a train or the text is "train", use the prompt in a unique way. Don't take the picture and merely have your character on a train, or looking at a picture of a train. If the genre is open for interpretation, you could write a science fiction story with time travel. All the story requires is a train, don't make it all about the train.
The other thing to consider is the contest itself. Are you linking the contest in your item? Are you helping promote the contest for more exposure? It's definitely good etiquette to congratulate the winners when the judging is complete. If you're in a contest that is held regularly, it's nice to welcome them to the contest in email or IM. (Some forums don't want OT or off topic messages.)
The last thing I want to mention is our smart phones and all the different apps available to us. Use your calendar, use your reminders. They can be an invaluable tool when business and family distract your mind from your writing. As always, Write On!
This month's question: What are your suggestions for helping members meet deadlines? Send in your answer below!  Editors love feedback!
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March prompt: Write a short poem (3 - 12 lines) using "anything" or "any character" you choose from the Scriptures. Personification and giving voice to silent characters is welcomed. The specific prompt is up to the author.
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A drabble is a short work of fiction of around one hundred words in length.
Every month I will post the 'cover art' from one of those great, old pulp magazines, and you will write a short story, of say, no more than a 1000 words, that best describes that cover.
Write new Free Verse based on weekly photo prompt, 7-40 lines.
March prompt: Sexy Movie Quotes
In the 1950s, "twenty-five words or less" was a catch-phrase as well known as "I'll be back" became to a later generation. In the age before the internet and its attendant social media, the producers of everything from soup to washing machines needed a way to engage with their customers.
{bitem:1944443 }
The contest is simple and free to all users of writing.com. Create a forum post in this forum, no {b-links}, in three or less sentences. Your writing doesn’t have to be funny. If I do a double take, or go ah-hah, you could still win the Keenest Joker.
This forum exists to encourage members to participate in the Contests and Activities of OTHER members and groups. Sound a little CRAZY? No one has ever accused the Scheming Scoundrel of being NORMAL.
{bitem:2146647 }
Check out the Daily Snapshot and come up with the best cunning, creative, or clever caption and WIN.
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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This month's question: What are your suggestions for helping members meet deadlines?
Last month's question: Do you have a helpful hint for activities?
REPLIES:
Elfin Dragon-finally published  : I'm always doing something. The best thing for an activity is to have a plan right at the get go. Have all your "utensils", your "mise en place", or basically everything ready before you start your project. Know where everything is before you start. You don't want to have to be running to the pantry, shed, or wherever looking for some obscure tool in the middle of your project. When you know you're ready you can relax and enjoy the lovely ride of being able to create, innovate, and just be yourself. |
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Contests & Activities: March 21, 2018 Issue [#8814]
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