  Contests & Activities
This week: Edited by: Tigger thinks of Prancer  
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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
Contests and activities are all over Writing.Com.
Whether you use them for fundraisers, a break from writing, writing challenges, socialization, other reasons, or a combination of the above, this newsletter is for you. |
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Just Enough WritingML
This issue is in response to a question Elisa: Snowman Stik  submitted to one of my previous Contests and Activities Newsletters:
[W]hat do you think about WritingML in the rules? What do you think is appropriate, and what might you consider excessive?
Bolding, Colors, Emoticons, Itallics, Centering, Links, Images, Fonts, and so much more. WritingML is fun! (If you need a reminder in how to use it, go to the "Site Tools" menu in the left column and select "WritingML Help")
Everybody seems to have a little different view on how much is an appropriate amount of WritingML. That is fine and dandy, but sometimes there's an item that has so much ML that it becomes a distraction. Here are a few things to keep in mind when playing with ML:
 What's Important?:
WritingML can be very helpful for making important details stand out.
Bolding, underlining, size changes, or color changes (or sometimes two of the above) can be very effective for highlighting a contest's ending date, a maximum word count, the group number to send Gift Points to, or other short bits of information. It makes those details easy to find when someone is deciding whether to enter a contest and also for the repeat visitor needing a refresher.
Set Up:
WritingML can help set up your item.
Here's an example from my port: "Invalid Item"
There is a lot of information in the header, but anyone looking for details on one specific sort of request can read the just one colored section. Centered headers are also used to separate sections.
I've also seen sections separated by use of different emoticons.
Less Is More:
While the use of WritingML can make a point stand out, overusing it can cause just the opposite!
Bolding (or underlining) the whole body of an item makes nothing stand out.
Frequent color changes can make it look like the Easter bunny threw up on your contest. Typically two to three colors works well for an item. This depends on the set-up of your item.
Using Size 4 or 5 font
If I wrote this large for
my whole newsletter
can you imagine how much you would need to scroll?
Annoying isn't it?
Use large fonts sparingly! But use small fonts sparingly as well. They can hurt the eyes. |
Excessive use of emoticons can make an item be taken less seriously.
Typically it is not a good idea to change your font in the middle of an item. |
Writing.Com is ready for Halloween. Are you?
Many contests, including a "Spook-tators" group that is filled with randomly-running fun.
A place for fun Halloween sigs.
For treats or tricks, find the right items and send each a review.
While not specifically Halloweenish, you can make is so if you so desire, I'm sure.
1,000 words or less based on an image - This is a weekly contest. |
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!
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Comment about this Newsletter:
If you have any comments about this newsletter, I would  love to hear them.
Also, if there is anything you want to know about in the future, let me know. Thanks!
Comments about "Contests & Activities Newsletter (September 12, 2007)" :
From earlybird:
Congratulations for your first newsletter! Don't forget to give thank to Sherri...
I am astonish for featuring one of my word searches in this newsletter, a step up for becoming an editor (lol). I found responding and reading to newsletters are of great worth. I see many inteactions and this serves a conducive learning process. Keep it up!
Thank you. I am still very excited to be an editor.  Keep on reading the newsletters and sending in comments. It's great to hear from readers.
From me_kaitlin:
Just wanted to say thanks again for featuring my survey on your newsletter... when I saw your picture ("Note to Self - Take a Break") I laughed. That's exactly what I need. Of course, I seem to be unable to stop... I don't think it's enitirely possible...
-Katie
Glad to have been able to provide a laugh. Thanks for commenting.
From 🦄🏳️🌈Sapph
Great job on this newsletter! I definitely need to check some of those out! 
I hope you had fun. Thanks for the comment. |
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Contests & Activities: October 10, 2007 Issue [#1999]
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