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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/12330-Handling-Complaints.html
Contests & Activities: December 20, 2023 Issue [#12330]




 This week: Handling Complaints
  Edited by: Leger~ Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

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

About This Newsletter

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.

This week's Contests and Activities Editor
Leger~ Author Icon



Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

*Dove* Handling Complaints *Dove*


Things are stressful in the world, and sometimes more so in a person's life. In a text-based platform, words are just words until you project an emotion to them. You don't know what is going on in that other person's head, or life or surroundings. Sometimes a little thing can be very upsetting piled on with other issues. So, stop... take a breath, and take the time to examine the 'what' and 'why' of a complaint.

When a host runs an activity or contest, sometimes a member complains. We don't like to handle complaints and the very first thing you should do is apologize. Even if the person is wrong, you can soothe with an apology. We do want a person to enjoy the contest or activity. Next, examine what the true nature of the complaint is. Was there an issue with another person? Was it a complaint about the mechanics of the activity or contest? Did someone not understand the rules? The fact is, some people just enjoy complaining.

We can't always go back and fix what the complaint was about. We can tighten up the language of the rules, the deadline, and entry. We can explain to the complainant what they misunderstood or what the problem was. We don't point fingers and throw out accusations and insults. Of course, there will always be poor losers who try to take the shine off another person's win to satisfy their bad feelings about losing. That can't be helped. If it truly becomes a problem, WDC has tools in your account settings to block or ignore a problem member. But if a host always responds succinctly and politely, it goes a long way with everyone involved as far as your hosting abilities. The important key is communication. No one enjoys drama unless it's in our writing.

In the end, try to resolve things peacefully, especially this time of year. We all deserve some courtesy and an enjoyable holiday season.


This month's question: How do you handle complaints or criticism?
Answer below *Down* Editors love feedback! *Heart*


Editor's Picks

DECEMBER SITE CONTEST
SURVEY
Short Shots: Official WDC Contest Open in new Window. (ASR)
Use the photo to inspire your creativity. Write a short story and win big prizes!
#1221635 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon

The task is simple: Write a short story using the image prompt above as inspiration!

 
STATIC
Good Deeds Get CASH! Open in new Window. (E)
Write reviews to win cash prizes!
#1908150 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon

Review and win cash!

FORUM
The Writer's Cramp Open in new Window. (13+)
Write the best poem or story in 24 hours or less and win 10K GPS!
#333655 by Sophurky Author IconMail Icon

This forum is designed to get your creative juices flowing. 10,000 gps will be given away every 24 hours!

FORUM
Lighthouses at Sunset Contest  Open in new Window. (13+)
This Is A Monthly Contest - (Sister Forum to Spirits at Lighthouses)
#2291993 by Beacon's Anchor Author IconMail Icon

Monthly contest runs from the 1st of the month until the last day of the month. "Entries are due by 12:00 AM WDC Eastern Time - 9:00PM Pacific Time." I know we live in different time zones.

FORUM
Santa, Elves, and Reindeer Contest Open in new Window. (ASR)
My 2023 Christmas Contest - bring your best short story to win great prizes!
#1730016 by Beck Firing back up! Author IconMail Icon

Give me your best Christmas Story! Word count limits: 500 - 1,500 words.

FORUM
Weekly Goals Open in new Window. (13+)
Motivate yourself to conquer your goals this week! Post on Monday; update us on Friday!
#1949474 by The StoryMistress Author IconMail Icon

Keep yourself on track with your goals and earn a few gift points.

FORUM
Merit Badge Magic Open in new Window. (E)
A magical way to inspire your Muse! New themes to write about every month. Not a contest.
#2293943 by GeminiGem🐾 Author IconMail Icon

Double badge December! Give this a try!

FORUM
I Write in 2024 Open in new Window. (13+)
Year 12 of I Write is the last one
#2307927 by NaNoNette Author IconMail Icon

Try this activity for 2024 - very rewarding!

 
FORUM
The Very Simple Raffle is Now Closed Open in new Window. (E)
A weekly, 50/50 raffle, that's open to all. Tickets only 100 GPs.
#2307647 by Krista Author IconMail Icon

Weekly raffle! Tickets 100 gps.

FORUM
Leger's Christmas Raffle - CLOSED Open in new Window. (E)
Three members and RAOK will win!
#1828348 by Leger~ Author IconMail Icon

Winners drawn on Christmas, tickets 1,000 each. Three winners and raffle supports "RAOK Upgrade Brigade GroupOpen in new Window.


 
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Ask & Answer

This month's question: How do you handle complaints or criticism?
Answer below *Down* Editors love feedback! *Heart*

Last month's "Contests & Activities Newsletter (November 22, 2023)Open in new Window. question: Do you feel inspired belonging to WDC?


Beholden Author Icon: Yes. I found WDC when I was looking for prompts on the net. Most immediately, WDC fulfilled my need in that area with the contests. Very quickly thereafter, I found the company of other writers to be quite stimulating and by then I was completely hooked. Wish I'd found the place much earlier.

NaNotatoGo! Author Icon: Absolutely!

Quick-Quill Author Icon: I did more so the first 10 years, now I’m so busy writing my novel(s) I don’t get here as much as I used to. I need to make that my New Year Resolution

H❀pe Author Icon: Aw don't say you failed.

I think everyone who took on the challenge took a giant, bold, community-driven leap and should be celebrated for their daring! So perhaps you are not going to hit the Nano target - make your own new target then. Legerwri2mo perhaps, or even Legerwri6mo, if that is what you need.

The only time you really fail is if you give up. So don't!

Hip Hipp Huzzah Leger~ Author Icon

bryanmchunter: I'm sorry to say that as of late, No. Quite the opposite, as a matter of fact. I'm even planning on retiring and closing my account after my final week on WDC. *Frown*

Auri Johnson Author Icon: I'm honestly having a lot of trouble finding where I fit in this community- it's a little overwhelming and my motivation fluctuates so frequently that I feel like I'm constantly erasing any progress I manage to make. I'm sure I will figure it out (hopefully) but at this current point in time I'm struggling with it.

Turkey DrumStik Author Icon: It comes and goes. I actually have written a fair amount this year, but a good portion of my work lately has been in my journal and blog.

Mouse says gobble gobble Author Icon: Yes and no. The support I've been getting lately has been great but I feel like I am letting them down because I can't get myself to work on my novel. There's so much pressure here and in my personal life I can barely function.... Somehow I hope I keep moving on from day to day like I have been.

Spirit~Fall🍁🍂 Writer Author Icon: Very much so over the past almost 20 years! I've made very good connections with people who have inspired me many times. I found groups to be part of and always found help for questions and even if I should continue writing at rough times in my life. I did the NABLOPOMO Blogging this month and stuck with it. It's a matter of keep looking to find your nitch!

flash Author Icon: I don't know about belonging, even though I've been here a long time. One thing that inspires me here is seeing other writers work and after seeing enough, I understand much more clearly about how it works.

the last cicada Author Icon: I feel inspired. If not for WDC I think I'd never would have met so many people who love writing. For every person who I meet here, I am motivated to keep writing. For every contest or writing activity that comes up, I am motivated to read works by other writers (FYI: before Contests, I would never read outside of my preferred genre).

It's no good to feel like you are the only one who loves an activity because then you can't express your love for that activity! Each person in WDC may like a different part of the writing spectrum but what I love about Writing.Com is that we can actually combine writing and with other activities. We can even collaborate other writers. Before I found WDC, I couldn't find a site that let you combine different types of writing styles like interactives with books and even with books a million ways to set up the books (and now we have photo albums). We have more than 5 ways to communicate with other writers (eg: email, forums). Also, we can combine images and physical objects and apps with writing. We can upload documents with word. We have web pages and our own mark up language. We have badges, awardicons, and trinkets. Then we can also order the hard copy version *Delight* That's crazy! How can one not get inspired?

HollisFrances Author Icon: Absolutely! The platform, the activities and contests provide a steady workout routine for my brain housing group. This would be my "tiny house" of course! But I have to say, what motivates me the most is the interaction other members of this great community. Thanks to you all!

TheBusmanPoet Author Icon: I enjoy my time here. *Smile*

Paul Author Icon: I also find it an enjoyable environment. Thank you for that.

Dave Author Icon: Absolutely, on a daily basis.

D. Reed Whittaker Author Icon: Do we consider prompts as inspiration? If so, then I'm frequently 'inspired'.

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