  Contests & Activities
This week: Spice things up! Edited by: spidey  
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Welcome to the Contests & Activities Newsletter. I'm spidey , and I'm your Editor this week!
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Spicing up your contest entry
One way to ensure that your contest entry grabs a reader's (and a judge's) attention is to make sure it stands out! There are several ways you can do this:
 Use WritingML! Effective use of WritingML can really make a story pop on the page! It's wise not to overuse it, though. I love an emoticon as much as the next internet-user - C'mon, we've got so many great ones here, like       
You can even make a bookshelf:
    
Etc. I really could do this all day! But the point is, you WritingML to enhance your work, not over-run it!
Check out http://www.writing.com/main/tools/action/emoticons for more, and http://www.writing.com/main/tools/action/writingml for help on using WritingML
Choose an eye-catching title! Titles aren't exactly my forté, but it's a good way to make your entry stand out! Try to come up with a play on words, a pun or something mysterious to draw the reader in!
Stretch the rules! Now this one walks on a dangerous line, because if you stretch the rules too far, you could be disqualified. You could always check with the judge first, but then that might also ruin the surprise. Write in an unexpected genre, or take the prompt and tweak it. It's a risk, but it could also pay off if it's done well! 
Edit! Check, double-check and triple-check your grammar and spelling! I can say from experience that an entry that is flawless definitely stands out! Make sure to print out your entry and read it out loud. That way, you'll be sure to catch typos and mistakes!
A few things NOT to do when trying to stand out:
Don't go for shock-value. Okay, sometimes this could still work, but it's not advised to go for extreme graphic ends to try to stand out. If it fits (or the contest calls for it), that's fine, but carefully weigh out whether or not you want to run the risk of scaring off a judge or reader!
Don't write in all capital letters. Sure, it'll make you stand out, but it's not seen as "polite" in the current internet world. 
Don't break the rules. It may seem like an obvious one, but I think it still should be said. If you break the rules, don't be surprised if your entry is disqualified! (Just goes to show how important it is to read through the rules before you enter!)
Some contests, particularly ones with great awards, get a lot of entries. The judges are only human and maybe their attention can falter by reading through so many with similar themes. One way to get their attention back is to try to stand out in some way, whether it's a splash of color or just really fantastic writing! Never give up!
Always keep on writing!
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These item(s) were submitted by readers of the Contests & Activities Newsletter:
Contests:
Official Writing.Com Contests:
Contests run by Writing.Com members:
Activities:
Know of some gems that deserve exposure? Submit them in the feedback form or submission form at the end of this Newsletter, and I'll put them in my next one!
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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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My last newsletter, ("Contests & Activities Newsletter (May 15, 2013)" ), discussed taking a break.
What a great newsletter! I think I have mixed views on this subject. I am the sort of person who has a few good friends offline. Because of the way life happens, I don't get to spend a great deal of time with them, but when I do I make it count. When I'm with them I tend to avoid the internet (and my phone). Now online, I find that I can connect with a lot more people in a shorter time frame. I also feel in a way I can truly be myself on the internet, especially here on WdC
~ blue jellybaby 
Thanks! I feel the same way!
I agree with you. I'm a quite awkward when it comes to meeting people for the first time. I don't speak a lot unless I'm already close to the person, which wouldn't even happen if the person doesn't approach me first. My older sister drags me to parties she goes to sometimes, but it's too tiring with all those people I don't know surrounding me. Most of the time I feel claustrophobic- as if people are walls closing in on me. However, it's different in the internet. I'm more confident, I get to say whatever I want and I'm more honest with my feelings. I guess, this stems from my fear of rejection. Even if someone doesn't like me in the cyber world, I can just find someone else to talk to in a flash. It's difficult to do that in real life- face to face with a person who thinks you're a loser or a strange specimen isn't as easy to deal with. Aside from that, WDC has been a perfect place for me to develop new friendships through writing, so that's another plus side of the internet for me! ~ mARi☠StressedAtWork 
Nice to meet someone who feels the same! I definitely think it's easier to meet like-minded people on the internet, particularly on WDC!
I will try this disconnect on Sunday. I will write in my blog if it works. Somehow, I doubt it. ~ dwar2012
It's quite possible that it wouldn't work for everyone, but good luck!
Questions to think about:Do you think the internet keeps people from interacting? Or does it help them interact more? -- My answer is BOTH. Too often people connect with others via the electronic media to the exclusion of face to face interaction. This is sad. (lMH0) However, the internet relieves to some degree the level of isolation experienced by folks like myself who have health problems that limit our real life socializing. For the most part, WDC is my social life.  ~ ruwth 
Great insight!
People are PEOPLE if they have addictive personalities they be come addicted. I love to read posts on FB. I have only joined Twitter since the Jodi Arias Trial 1/2/13 and now I follow just a few that are following that. I found lots of mannerisms at the trial. FODDER for the writer. Personalities galore! ~ Quick-Quill 
You've definitely got a point there, and what a great idea! Inspiration can be found in so many places!
I like your take on the benefits of having the internet. I agree. I'm much more involved with other people because of the interent. My cirlce of friends and acquaintances now reaches around the world, and I have WDC to thank for that. ~ warriormom
I know just how you feel!
Thanks for the editorial! It's important to remember that we all have the capacity to experience the same medium differently. While the internet may make some feel isolated, it's a social wellspring for others and allows for opportunities you could never find in 'reality.' Such as this lovely writing site! ~ mblank
I couldn't agree more!
My great grandfather, an old-time dentist, thought that the physical strength demanded of handdrilling was an important part of the craftsmanship of dentistry. He thought the relationship of pain and dentistry was a necessary and valuable component. T
he electric drills and novocaine came in. He was opposed to their use but, as his practice declined, he changed his mind. Technological and electronic advancesin communication will soon have few detractors. ~ Doug Rainbow
Interesting perspective! Thanks for sharing!
Questions to think about:
How do you make your entry stand out? What tips would you give others? |
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Contests & Activities: June 12, 2013 Issue [#5725]
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