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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/5106-Nothing-to-Do.html
Contests & Activities: June 20, 2012 Issue [#5106]

Newsletter Header
Contests & Activities


 This week: Nothing to Do?
  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

ASIN: 1542722411
Amazon's Price: $ 12.99


Letter from the editor


There's Nothing To Do!


There may come a day when you are knocking around the site, all your contest entries sent in, all your email addressed and the edit fairies visited your portfolio and corrected all your grammar...what to do then? Try something new!

If you've never been in a Campfire, perhaps you and some friends could start one. These are stories that pass around between friends, each person adding a few paragraphs before passing it on...like storytelling around a campfire. Or check out the In & Outs. These are fun items where members can stop in and contribute a few lines to the item and leave it for the next person. I've listed a couple below that look fun.

If you like trivia and puzzles, try a Crossword or Wordsearch. Whenever I try a wordsearch (I'm horrible with crosswords.), I review the item and let the puzzle owner how long it took me to solve the puzzle. If you create a wordsearch, you could make a coordinating In & Out for people to leave their score times, just for competition sake. *Wink* Or you could make or try a Madlib! These are fill in the blank stories, you choose words without knowing the story and then click View Your Madlib and see what kind of story you created.

Or you could answer some User Polls...or create one! Polls are a fun way to gather information from members on the site and see what their likes and preferences are. You can give the poll takers nine options to vote on and the poll will give you the collective results after you vote. Some members use them in groups to vote on things, like contest winners. All in all, there is plenty to do on the site, and after you try some, be sure to review the item and help the item owner improve the piece or correct any mistakes you find. Have fun!


This month's question: What are your favorite activity items? Send in your answer below! *Down* Editors love feedback!


Editor's Picks

Some things to do - and review!

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1810556 by Not Available.

AUTHORS WANTED!

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1874163 by Not Available.

Write a prophecy to fit the prompt.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1792135 by Not Available.

Leave a Steampunk themed writing prompt or use one!

 Fun with Acronyms Open in new Window. (18+)
Make up an acronym and the next person makes up what it stands for!
#1283660 by Just a Penguin Author IconMail Icon

The first person makes up an acronym or initialism. The next person comes up with what it could stand for. This can be amusing or it can make sense...doesn't matter. It's all in fun!

 Random Information 101 Open in new Window. (E)
Random blurbs that you may or may not know.
#1840140 by Tonya Bronks Author IconMail Icon

Little bits of information that I have gathered from my own adventures.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1869987 by Not Available.

Find the words in the word search! A fun little pass time to find out some Irish stories.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1868182 by Not Available.

All these words in this wordsearch are the name of characters in Ratchet And Clank.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1784351 by Not Available.

A surreal incident has landed you in hospital!

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1867114 by Not Available.

This poll is being created to find out which electronic reader is the most widely owned by the Writing.Com community.

 Why do you write? Open in new Window. (ASR)
Why do you write stories and poems etc. What's your purpose?
#102798 by A thinker never sleeps Author IconMail Icon

Why do you write stories and poems etc.

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

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

This month's question: ?

Last month's question: What do you do with your entry to make sure it is on the top of the slush pile?

Bikerider Author Icon replied: Leger, Great newsletter. I especially like that you pointed out that contest judges are only human and do have their preferences. I like the teddy bear analogy and your comments about submitting an appropriate story to a specific magazine.
I've heard people complain that their contest entry lost to an entry that was not as well written. (In their opinion, anyway).
I think we all need to come to terms with the fact that contest judges are human, with human preferences, just like you point out in your newsletter.

Diane Author Icon answered: Great question, Leger! If the contestants post their entries in the contest forum, I always try to read those before working on my own entry. I want to make sure that I have a fresh angle so that I stand out from the pack.

Steve adding writing to ntbk. Author Icon responded: Lately I have become aware of the need for a proof reader or at least a second set of eyes for suggestions before submitting a piece for a contest.
Thank you for sharing your insights and making contests and activities an interesting newsletter. In fact it was your title that caught the attention of this reader. Had deleted all of the others, but this one screamed. Read me!

johnny1209 submitted: I have a new contest (Short Story Unmasked) and really like the advice you gave above on 'Apex Entrant.' The advice would help the entrant and contest host ... judging is easier when a piece has been polished and edited to perfection.

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