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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/5949-Make-It-Original.html
Contests & Activities: October 16, 2013 Issue [#5949]

Newsletter Header
Contests & Activities


 This week: Make It Original
  Edited by: 🦄🏳️‍🌈Sapph 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 share my thoughts, ideas, and experience with anything and everything relating to contests and activities. Information from me to you on entering and running activities here on Writing.Com.

Today's Topic
Originality


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: 197380364X
Amazon's Price: $ 15.99


Letter from the editor

Writers prize originality in their work, whether it be a short story, a poem, or a novel. So my question for you is, why don't we look for that same originality in our contests and activities? Whenever I look through contests or activities all I see are the same kinds of things over and over again. Where is the originality, where is the creativity, why are these all the same?


How can you make something that's original?

         *Starr* Think of things that you love to do. Can you take those same ideas and make them into a neat contest or activity?
         *Staro* Take an old idea and give it a twist. Add something to it.
         *Star* Use real events as inspiration to create an activity that comes across with the same essence.
         *Starg* Utilize tools that the site offers and incorporate them in an inventive way.
         *Starb* Brainstorm multiple ideas. Jot them down and sort out what each would entail. Create the one you think is best.
         *Starv* Gather inspiration from current activities and contests. How can you change them to be original?



Whenever I look at a contest or activity on here, I think of how it could be made original. How could I change it so that it becomes my own, something new and exciting? Coming up with these ideas is all part of being creative and should be stretched beyond our writing to every part of the community.

Can you come up with an original contest or activity? I would like to challenge those of you who make raffles, auctions, contests, etc. to think before you create a new one. Think of ways to make it original and something that stands out from the crowd.



Editor's Picks

All of these contests and activities are original in one way or another. There are so many possibilities to be had if you think creatively!

P.E.N.C.I.L. Anniversary Fundraiser  Open in new Window. [E]
Almost closing time... Hurry and get your bid in!
by Creeper Of The Realm Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


Image Protector
Letters of Life, Love & Hope Open in new Window. [18+]
A writing activity in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.
by iKïyå§ama Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


Image Protector
Crack Kraken's Code Contest [Round Over] Open in new Window. [13+]
Follow the clues and decipher the message to win prizes!
by Kraken through the Snow Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


Image Protector
One Night in Margaritaville Open in new Window. [18+]
Small town bad poetry event on Friday nights.
by Katya the Poet Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 
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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!
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Ask & Answer

My question for you this time: Do you think there are many original ideas for contest or activities out there any more? Do you strive to come up with original ideas in this area?


Question from before: Do you consider timing when planning a contest or activity?


Elle - on hiatus Author Icon replied: Thank you for featuring "Invalid ItemOpen in new Window. in your newsletter. In answer to your questions, yes, I do consider timing. For the contests the "Kiwis on WDC!Open in new Window. group runs, we try to hit the right 'month' for the theme, eg an ANZAC theme in April (ANZAC Day is 25th April) or a summer Christmas writing contest in December. For the Instant Kiwi activity, I waited until the majority of the birthday celebrations were over (including the activity I ran for the main birthday week) and then kickstarted it when things were slowing down a little. For myself, I was so manic that first birthday week, but now have time to look at the writing contests that are running until the end of the month - I'm grateful there are some! *Smile*


Quick-Quill Author Icon replied: Absolutely timing is important. Sometimes I find a good contest only to find it closes in a day or that day! Then there are others that are a month long and I've gotten bored with the prospect. I think we are people who love instant gratification. We work better under pressure or off the cuff so to speak. We whip something out for a contest, send it out for review, tweak and submit. We may even forget about it as time goes on.


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