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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/6473
Contests & Activities: August 06, 2014 Issue [#6473]

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Contests & Activities


 This week: Merit Badges
  Edited by: spidey 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

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Welcome to the Contests & Activities Newsletter. I'm spidey Author Icon, and I'm your Editor this week!



Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

Merit Badges!


Did you know there are over 200 different Merit Badges on Writing.Com? *Shock*

How can you send a Merit Badge?

That's easy! Click on "Gift Point Tools" near the bottom of the box on the left side of the screen. Then find "Merit Badges Shop" (the last in the list). That will take you to Writing.Com's Merit Badge Shop  Open in new Window.!

Choose from "General" badges (with choices like "Appreciation," "Creativity," "Reviewing," "Supportive," etc) or from "Genre" badges (from Action/Adventure to Writing) and "Type" badges (featuring the many different item types on Writing.Com).

And the all new Group Badges category, featuring custom-creations for WDC groups!


So Step 1 (maybe the hardest step) is choosing which Merit Badge you'd like to send! Seriously, with over 200 different badges, it can be tough to figure out which one to choose! Here are some tips:

*Idea* Take a look at the member's profile. Note the genre they tend to write or an item type they are currently hosting. Did you receive an act of kindness? Maybe an Appreciation or Angel badge would work best!

*Idea* Look at the Merit Badges they already have. Maybe they're holding out for that elusive badge, and you can help by finding an appropriate badge that hasn't been awarded to them yet! (To see a member's Merit Badges, click on their portfolio. Then click the "Community" tab at the top of the screen. In the middle column, you should see "Merit Badges" and a number. Click there to see their Merit Badges!

Step 2 is to enter their username (remember, it's different than their handle!), and you can send the same Merit Badge to up to 10 members at once! That can save time if you're sending multiples! Enter a description for the merit badge next (E-rated) and you can optionally send gift points, too!

Your next option is to send a physical Merit Badge to the recipient! Another new feature! (I've received two of them so far, and I can tell you that they are really cool, and it was such an awesome thing to receive one! Definitely consider sending one if you're giving a Merit Badge!)

How can you commission a Merit Badge?

See this link *Right* "Commission a Custom Merit BadgeOpen in new Window. [E]

The basics: It costs 500,000 gift points to have your very own custom Merit Badge! Just read over all the details & rules and commission your very own Merit Badge!


How do I get Merit Badges?

Merit Badges are pretty cool, and I don't know any member that wouldn't love one! So how do you get that elusive Merit Badge you've been craving? (And no, you can't give one to yourself!) Well, you could ask someone, but remember that unsolicited emails or communications aren't taken kindly. There are some auctions that give out Merit Badges of your choosing, so that may work. Basically, you're going to have to wait until another kindly member decides to give that recognition to you. *Smile*



For even more info on Merit Badges, see: "Merit Badges and AchievementsOpen in new Window. in "Writing.Com 101Open in new Window. [E]




Always, keep on writing!



purple flower sig


Editor's Picks

Official Writing.Com Contests:

 
Rhythms & Writing: Official WDC Contest Open in new Window. [E]
Use the music provided to inspire your writing!
by Writing.Com Support Author Icon

 
Good Deeds Get CASH! Open in new Window. [E]
Write reviews to win cash prizes!
by Writing.Com Support Author Icon




Contests/Activities:
Membership renewal auction. Open in new Window. [13+]
All packages fulfilled. We will return in 2015.
by WDCassist Loves WDC Author Icon

A River of Poetry Open in new Window. [E]
Winners Posted... look for a fresh contest prompt again soon!
by River McKenna Author Icon

October Novel Prep Challenge Open in new Window. [13+]
A month-long novel-planning challenge with prizes galore.
by Brandiwyn🎶 Author Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

I Write in August-September-October Open in new Window. [ASR]
One contest entry and one review per week to win!
by NaNoNette Author Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

Contest Central Station Open in new Window. [E]
Looking for contests to enter? Find your destination here (a 2015 Quill Award Nominee)
by GeminiGem🐾 Author Icon

 
Splash some moods C-note Open in new Window. [E]
C-note for various occasion,(birthday,congratulation, thank you,sympathy, missing.
by Samberine Everose Author Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 Abandoned Robot Factory Open in new Window. [13+]
You awaken in an abandoned factory to find you've become a robot. What will you do?
by bluedraconian Author Icon






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!




 
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!
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Ask & Answer

My last newsletter, ("Contests & Activities Newsletter (July 9, 2014)Open in new Window.), discussed taking a break from WDC!

Sometimes you need a break, or you'll lose your love.

~ BIG BAD WOLF is Howling Author Icon

Good advice! *Smile*


A break from WDC? Why? I don't camp and even on vacation I will check in. I may not do anything but I check emails, I may even read a story before bedtime to review when I'm able. I'm addicted to WDC.......

~ Quick-Quill Author Icon

*Laugh* Good answer! And you know what? If I had an internet connection while camping, I'd totally be checking in! It's not easy to spend time away from WDC!



When I go away from home, driving alone, I take my cell phone which I use only in an emergency. I still enjoy our years before everyone seemed to have hi-tech wrapped around them everywhere we went. Too often, they focus on what's in their hand instead of the person or child in front of them; it's so tacky and unkind. I expect the day will come when people don't have face to face conversations, maybe no voice either; just poke the buttons and think they're living. Come on, leave the techy toys at home and enjoy holiday/vacation anywhere in the world. Let your friends miss you and wonder if you're having fun wherever you are; then you can tell them about it when back home. It's more relaxing.

~ ANN Counselor, Lesbian & Happy Author Icon

I see your point! *Smile* I think communication in general is changing and some will think it's not necessarily a good thing. Personally, high-tech stuff keeps me in touch with family I otherwise wouldn't get to talk to, and I think most people, when they're playing with their phones, are actually texting or communicating with others, so it's still a form of communication, just a different one. Whether it's better or worse, I have no idea, though. *Wink*





Questions to think about:
What do you think about Merit Badges? What's your favorite one? What's the last one you gave out? The last one you received?

*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

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