  Contests & Activities
This week: Edited by: Texas Belle  
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As many of you know, from past newsletters and other places onsite, one of the best ways to get to know others here at W.com and hone you skills as a writer is by entering contests. If you go to Item Jumps, located under Site Navigation, and click you will see Contest Listings from there you'll be directed to a page that lists many contests of various types. Oh, yes, gentle reader, you can't throw a pen around here without hitting a contest. However, how do you know if the contest is a well run contest, or a dud?
This newsletter is going to explore that very question.
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Product Type: Kindle Store
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Amazon's Price: $ 5.99
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You sit back and look at the screen with loving admiration. For hours, days, weeks, perhaps, you have typed, retyped, yelled, cried, worked, reworked, and pulled your Muse kicking and screaming out from under the bed TWICE, but you did it! You came up with what you know is the winning entry for a contest. You read the rules and regulations one more time to make sure you've followed them to the letter and with trembling fingers you hit the combination of keys that turns your work into a contest entry. Now comes the hard part, the waiting. And you wait.....and wait.....and wait.....and wait. What's the deal, pickle? You write the host, no answer, or maybe you click on the link to find that the item no longer exists! What's a writer to do!?" you scream to the Heaven's, or you dog Skipper. I have some suggestions that may not be foolproof but they may help you navigate the contest world.
One of the best places to start on your search for hosts who consistently run enjoyable and quality contest is a forum run by the ever bouncy Tigger thinks of Prancer , the aptly named "Invalid Item" [] by A Guest Visitor . Tigger thinks of Prancer and her merry band of writers keep a keen eye out for the well run contests and granting the hosts of such a contest the right to display the Official Seal of Approval in their contest header. Before you think that once your on the list it's a walk in the park, take a look at this Individuals will be removed from the list if they have 3 (or more) 'violations' in nine months (If prizes are not sent out, etc) You see, Tiggers don't play unless everyone plays fair!
Next I'd like to throw a four letter word into the mix: RAOK. Any activity that has RAOK in any part of the title represents an excellent contest or activity. Not only do you meet great people, have fun, and win wonderful prizes but your donation goes to a marvelous cause: upgrades for those who ask. You can't beat that! It’s one of the very few true win-win situations. RAOK is not the only philanthropic organization, look for activities and contests sponsored by Pass it on and ♥Pay It Forward♥  ( I love those fuzzy bears  ). All three look to make the contest and activities experience a positive one. Oh, I guess it goes without saying, but just in case, anything bearing the names The StoryMaster  or The StoryMistress  is a guaranteed winner. The word on the street is that this pair are very good hosts. 
"If it looks to good to be true, it probably is," is an ancient saying but very true. If the prizes seem unnaturally large, or you have to pay an unusually large entrance fee, think twice before you enter. Ask around, that includes friends, or mods. Sometimes a host does indeed have the money to bankroll a large prize package, or possibly was a recipient of a large gift of gps (that happened to me one time and I gave it all away 500 gps at a time!!!). Generally, a large prize package is funded by donations from other writers whose names are usually listed in the header. Once again, large prizes should just raise a caution flag not scare you away from the contest all together.
Finally, look at the format. Bells and whistles accompanied by a dog and pony show or a talking moose and squirrel doesn't guarantee the contest is well run; however, clearly stated rules and regulations, defined start and end dates with times certainly shows a host has thought out the process (in that case, the moose and squirrel just add a level of sophistication to the contest). I also like a host who includes a separate forum for discussions making it easier to follow a question thread plus it allows entrants a chance to get to know one another. If you get to know other entrants then you can gauge the quality of other contest by these new found friends; if they entered it, maybe, you should, too.
I love contests whether it's hosting, entering, or donating. Don't shy away because you're new (there are contests just for you!), or don't know many people, or aren't sure you're "good enough." It's a rare writer who walks away from a contest and hasn’t benefited from the experience. Many of us have not only improved our own writing this way, but have picked up new insights on forms we'd never tried, and made excellent friendships.
As I wind down here, I must say one more thing. Writing.com is celebrating its seventh birthday, to join in the fun be sure to check out:
Good luck, and be sure to thank the "little people" when you win that next contest!
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Get your guitar ready 'cuz here come the picks:
I wanted to mention these two again:
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#1033445 by Not Available. |
Remember to check out Contest Listings where you find a new contest every day!
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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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Contests & Activities: September 05, 2007 Issue [#1928]
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