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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/2599-.html
Contests & Activities: September 10, 2008 Issue [#2599]

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Contests & Activities


 This week:
  Edited by: spidey Author IconMail Icon
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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


Welcome to the Contests & Activities Newsletter. I'm spidey Author Icon, and I'm your Editor this week. I'd like to discuss writing for contests and editing contest entries once the competition is over.



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Letter from the editor


Writing After the Contest


Contests are meant to inspire. Sometimes they have strict rules, and sometimes they're left open. Whether rules and prompts stifle creativity or encourage it is another topic for another time. What I'd like to discuss here is what to do after the competition is completed.

Contests may require limitations like word counts or specific prompts, but once the contest is over and judging has commenced, it might be time to take another look at your writing. Perhaps you can improve upon it.


A few things to look at when revising:

Challenge Yourself! - If you're stuck on what to do next, try challenging yourself by applying one of these to an old contest entry:

*Bullet* Point of View - Change the point-of-view to see how it affects the tone of your story. Try telling the story from another character's point-of-view or try a different perspective.

*Bullet* Word Count - Try adding 100 words, or even subtracting 100 words, from the story.

*Bullet* Add a Plot Point - Add something unexpected, like a character receiving a strange letter or package in the mail or learning about the existence of a long-lost relative - it's up to you, of course. *Wink*

*Bullet* New Genre - Try telling the story in a different genre! Change your horror story into a romance, fantasy into mystery, drama into comedy, etc.

*Bullet* Character Changes - Try changing the gender of your main character, or drastically change their age or cultural background. Does that affect the plot of the story or how other characters interact with them?

*Bullet* Reviews - Feedback from Writing.Com members can always help! While a contest is running, you may not be able to follow any advice given by fellow members due to constraints of the contest, but once it's over, go back over those reviews. You may find some valuable information on how to strengthen your piece.


Contests can be an important stepping stone in creating a great work of writing. Don't be afraid to revise and look at your work from another angle!

And don't forget: When choosing genres for your contest entry, use "Contest Entry," NOT "Contest." *Wink*


purple flower sig


Editor's Picks


A few Contests & Activities to inspire you!


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by A Guest Visitor


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by A Guest Visitor


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by A Guest Visitor


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by A Guest Visitor


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 Who Are They and What's Their Story? Open in new Window. [E]
I give you the characters, you tell me their story. Great prizes!
by NickiD89 Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


100 Words Contest Open in new Window. [ASR]
Closed Until Some Unknown date in the future....
by Lonewolf Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


My newsletter last month recapped the various activities, but I didn't include any Interactive Stories in my picks. I browed the listings (click "Interactives" from the navigational area at the top of each page) and found these gems!

 Mystical Forest Open in new Window. [13+]
Choose your destiny in this fantasy adventure
by Beyond the Cloud9 Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 Pay It Forward Open in new Window. [ASR]
An interactive writing promt exercise. Choose a prompt, then create prompts for others.
by Shannon Author Icon


 Welcome to Silent Hill Open in new Window. [18+]
You are trapped in a nightmare, will you escape?
by Just a Penguin Author Icon


 Twisted Fairy Tales Open in new Window. [13+]
Tell Fairy tales YOUR way
by GoCartCherub- St Louis U Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor





 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
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Word from Writing.Com

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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Ask & Answer


My last newsletter gave information on a variety of activities on Writing.Com


Thanks for the comprehensive look at WDC activities! You made them all shine. ~ StephBee Author Icon
Thanks for the compliment, but I think Writing.Com should get the credit! There really are a great many creative & fun things to do on this site!


Well, Spidey, I imagine most people enjoyed the primer on the myriad activity types. However, why were there no quality interactive stories linked in the editor's picks section? They can be inspiring, and I think plugging some that do not concern the usual topics would help them shed their somewhat tarnished reputation. ~ Turkey DrumStik Author Icon
Sorry about not including any interactive stories in my picks last month. I've added a few to this month's picks to make up for it.*Bigsmile* And you're very right about the fact that there are a great number of quality interactive stories on this site. I hope I've helped members find a few of them!


My favorite activities on WDC are the contests, especially those that let me use old items (this po' girl has run out of room in her portfolio for anything new, and can't bear to delete any of her "babies"!)- it helps get reviews for neglected pieces, and gives me some direction as to what to read with my limited time here. ~ Lobelia is truly blessed Author Icon

This is another great idea for revisiting and revising old contest entries - edit them for new contests!


Good list Spidey, making members aware of the activities availabe here - informative newsletter.
Larry ~ larryp

Thanks, Larry! *Smile*



Question to think about: How can you improve your writing after the contest is over?



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