 Contests & Activities: January 04, 2023 Issue [#11737] |
This week: Made From Scratch Edited by: GeminiGem🐾  
More Newsletters By This Editor 
 
1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions
| Hi! I'm GeminiGem🐾 and I am the guest editor for this issue of the Contest & Activities newsletter. |
| ASIN: B000FC0SIM |
Product Type: Kindle Store
|
Amazon's Price: $ 12.99
|
|
MADE FROM SCRATCH
Do you ever wonder about the origin of any particular contest you see on this site?
Somebody at one time or another had to come up with the concept, develop, and run the contest. You might not be aware of this, but the current contest owner may or may not be the original owner. Sometimes people pass a contest to another member for a variety of reasons. I have personally "inherited" three different contests that I still run. I know that I am very grateful to the members that were willing to hand over their hard work to me and I enjoy keeping these themed contests available to entrants.
I'm going to just take a moment to personally thank those members. A big shout out to ANN Counselor, Lesbian & Happy for "The PET NEWS CONTEST" . She is no longer active on WdC, but many members will remember her. Also, thank you to Odessa Molinari for "The Comedy Club Contest" . Last but definitely not least, I would like to thank Angels in my Ear and Elle - on hiatus for entrusting me with the one-of-a-kind contest "Roots & Wings Contest" . Elle still co- judges with me for this contest, and I always appreciate her insight.
A contest may stay very much like its original owners originally had it, or it may go through some major transformations. Most new owners will put a note somewhere on the contest page acknowledging the original owner, and that may be your only hint that the contest changed hands.
That's all well in good if you happen to know someone who is looking for a person to take over a contest that you are interested in running. What if you want to run a contest but aren't in that kind of situation? Looks like you'll be the one creating a new contest concept from scratch, developing it, and running it. Are you ready?
First, I recommend taking a look at what active contests are already out there. You will want your new contest to be unique in some way, so know what other members have already developed can be helpful. Remember, not all contests are run continuously. Some are run a few time per year, but are still an active contest. Where can you get this information?
| | Contest Clues (E)
List of WdC Writing Contests, Challenges, Activities. Clues To What's Open, What's Closed!
#2221492 by GeminiGem🐾 |
This is good place to start. It is not the only place to find information about contests, but I do try to make it as comprehensive as I can.
I'm going to assume that you know what you want to judge, that you already have an idea of what type of writing you want people to enter (poetry, short stories, chapters, etc.) and you probably have a theme in mind. I'll let you sort all that out, that is the creative part of putting together a brand-new contest. Instead, I'm going to give you some pointers to help you out as you develop your new contest.
Keep It Simple: you need to have graphics, you need to have rules, and you need to have information on the contest page. Keep everything as organized as possible and as clear and simple as possible. Remember, white space is your friend! If people come across a cluttered up mess with complicated rules, they aren't going to pick your contest to enter.
Make It An Original: you will want your contest to stand out from the pack. Find something that makes people want to enter your contest.
Learn From Feedback: if you are getting questions about your rules or anything else about your contest, take a moment and look at that part with a critical eye. Sure, it may make perfect sense to you, but is there a way to make it more clear? Also learn from people's mistakes. If there is a rule that is consistently being broken, find a way to make it more eye catching so people don't miss it.
Make It Easy for People to Figure Out If The Contest Is Open And When The Deadline Is: This information should be crystal clear. Yes, the contest is open and currently accepting entries. Sorry, the contest is currently closed, etc. DON'T MAKE PEOPLE GUESS.
Okay, you have some things to think about, so get started! Click on that big green plus sign, choose Create a New Item, and then open up a Message Forum. If you open a new contest, drop me an email, and I will add it to Contest Clues so people can find you. |
| | Contest Clues (E)
List of WdC Writing Contests, Challenges, Activities. Clues To What's Open, What's Closed!
#2221492 by GeminiGem🐾 |
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2254385 by Not Available. |
|
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
Don't forget to support our sponsor!
| ASIN: B01IEVJVAG |
Product Type: Kindle Store
|
Amazon's Price: $ 9.99
|
|
From my last Contest & Activities Newsletter "Another Piece of the Puzzle"
BIG BAD WOLF is Howling
I add to all sorts of things.
That's awesome! I'm sure people appreciate your participation.
On newsfeed, I asked: What do you like to do on WdC when you aren't writing? Here is a selection of the replies.
TheBusmanPoet said:
I enjoy the newsfeed.
~Lifelessons~ said:
I love to review ! It builds the muse to write for me. It allows me to learn of my own errors. It's a feel good thing to receive a review and it's validating as a writer to see your work being read.
Leslie Loo said:
Sometimes go to Interactive stories when I’m bored.
THANKFUL SONALI Library Class! said:
I love interacting with my online friends!
|
| ASIN: B01CJ2TNQI |
Product Type: Kindle Store
|
Amazon's Price: $ 5.99
|
|
To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.
|
This printed copy is for your personal use only. Reproduction
of this work in any other form is not allowed and does violate its copyright. |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
