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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/6980
Contests & Activities: May 13, 2015 Issue [#6980]

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Contests & Activities


 This week: What is P15?
  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

header for my C&A Newsletters
Welcome to the Contests & Activities Newsletter. I'm spidey Author Icon, and I'm your Editor this week!



Word from our sponsor

ASIN: 197380364X
Amazon's Price: $ 15.99


Letter from the editor

P15 is finally here!


If you've been active on the site for the past few months, you've probably heard whispers about P15, and if you have, you've also probably wondered what it was all about. Well, it's finally here!

I'm sure by now you've noticed that our favorite website has had a face-lift! P15, or "Project 2015" is a step into the future of Writing.Com! A sleeker and more welcoming site now greets us! So what has changed exactly?

*Thumbsupl* Mobile functionality! This is probably huge for a lot of WDC members! Many of us use tablets or even cell phones to check in with our favorite site, and the site is now much easier to view and navigate with mobile systems!

*Thumbsupl* Item creation/edit screens are simpler and easier to understand. This will surely help newbies to create their new items! (Why not create a new item, a new contest or contest entry, perhaps? Try it out!)

*Thumbsupl* Cover Items! Cover items are now easier to choose and upload and any level of membership has access to stock covers!

There's much more! To see the latest, don't forget to check: "Site News & AnnouncementsOpen in new Window.

Get out on our favorite site and explore! Try updating and rearranging your portfolio to see the new system there! Create and/or edit an item! Add some cover images to your items!

As with anything new, there may be hiccups or bugs. Please report those (and comments) here:
 
Beta Tests: Comments Open in new Window. [13+]
A forum for discussion of beta updates within Writing.Com...
by The StoryMaster Author Icon


As with any change, there will be a period of adjustment. All I ask is that you give it a chance! *Smile*


As always, keep on writing!



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Editor's Picks





Contests:



Official Writing.Com Contests & Activities:

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

Journey Through Genres: Official Contest Open in new Window. [E]
Write a short story in the given genre to win big prizes!
by Writing.Com Support Author Icon





Contests/Activities:

Roots & Wings Contest Open in new Window. [E]
Can you capture the essence of an ancestor in one story? CLOSED
by GeminiGem🐾 Author Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 King's Landing updating  Open in new Window. [E]
For GoT scoring
by Creeper Of The Realm Author Icon

Newbie Merit Badge Project Open in new Window. [E]
Newbies: Want to earn some merit badges?
by Cinn Author Icon

Give It 100! Open in new Window. [13+]
Write daily on Writing.Com for 100 days and earn an exclusive merit badge! Start today!
by ruwth Author Icon



Some contest resources:
How to Create a Contest Open in new Window. [ASR]
Things you need to know before you open a contest. Includes a contest template.
by Angels in my Ear Author Icon

"Create/Edit a Message ForumOpen in new Window.
Newbie Hyperlinking 101 - Bitem Format Open in new Window. [E]
Learn the ins and outs of creating a link using the bitem format.
by NickiD89 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!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: B083RZJVJ8
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Ask & Answer

My last newsletter, ("Contests & Activities Newsletter (April 15, 2015)Open in new Window.), discussed prompts vs no prompts

As a judge, I guess it doesn't matter either way since I don't do it. As a participant, many prompts just drive me away from that contest. Keep it as loose and free as possible. Structure is good in small doses. ~ haldo

Thanks for the feedback!


I also like both kinds of writing incentives. With prompts, it directs your thinking about what u want to write. But now and then, I just can't get an idea based on the prompt. That's when I usually do things like "What if?" or just write for 10 minutes without stopping. Photos and word prompts often are the best.
~ dragonwoman Author Icon

Thanks for the feedback! I totally get that, too. I think prompts can be pretty useful when I'm looking for inspiration!



I love prompts, but I get one or two every day and lately they haven't inspired me to write anything. ~ Quick-Quill Author Icon

Prompts seem to be hit-or-miss like that with me, too.



As a contestant, I prefer prompts. Elisa mentioned that she thinks prompt-free contests 'encourage people to write what's actually on their minds' but I don't have lots of ideas for stories or poems. I have never been the kind of person who is brimming with ideas. I can't even manage to come up with one plot that would see me through a whole novel, let alone write said novel. So I need prompts to inspire me. And sometimes the results aren't great. But sometimes they're really good. And that's the same with all writing, isn't it? So as a contestant, I love prompted contests. But there is no reason Writing.com can't have a balance of both prompted and not-prompted and keep everyone happy. I host and judge numerous contests and as a judge I have no preference. It is very rare to get identical stories in response to a prompt. Very rare. I do find having an 'open prompt' AND a prompt is the best of both worlds though, like we do for the "Roots & Wings ContestOpen in new Window. - inspire those who need it and keep the door open for those who have their own ideas. *Smile* ~ Elle - on hiatus Author Icon

I totally agree! I think there are positives and negatives to both! And that's really cool that you have a contest that uses both! *Smile*


I am more of a "free form" writer and a lot of my poems come from songs or just from thinking about certain people in my life, so prompts don't really help me much. Unless there is a group about loneliness that only gives those types of prompts then I'm all over that! The strange thing is when I am in a room it seems like I am the most visible person because of my disability and my wheelchair, but sometimes I think that's the only thing people see and some keep their distance because of it, or at least it seems so. ~ nala5065

I can relate to that type of writing! Sometimes it's just a "feeling" that I'm trying to capture or write about.


Questions to think about: What do you think of the new website? What's your favorite new feature?

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