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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/7135
Contests & Activities: August 05, 2015 Issue [#7135]

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Contests & Activities


 This week: Break the Rules!
  Edited by: spidey Author IconMail Icon
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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

Break the Rules!


A little over a year ago, I wrote a newsletter: "Contests & Activities Newsletter (June 11, 2014)Open in new Window. and now I'm going to go against everything I said, because sometimes it might be worth it to break the rules!

Consider the fact that there are countless articles on breaking common writing rules:

http://problogservice.com/2011/06/17/five-writing-rules-youre-allowed-to-break/

http://www.betternovelproject.com/blog/break-writing-rules/

Etc. Just try searching "common writing rules to break" or something similar.

It's very, very important to read and follow rules of a contest or activity, but sometimes it might be worth it to break a rule or two. *Wink* What kind of rules are there to break? Rules tend to list restrictions or guidelines such as word count, genre, rating, deadlines, etc.

Why it might be worth it to break a rule:

*Idea*It can make you stand out. Particularly in contests and activities that get a lot of attention and entries, going against the grain can help you stand out.

*Idea* Some judges like creativity and ingenuity in an entry. It can break up the monotony of reading entries that similar.

Yet, you take a risk when you break the rules.

The negative side to breaking rules:

*Thumbsdownr* Some judges are very strict about their rules (and understandably so!) so you take a big risk bending or breaking a rule. You might get disqualified or even banned from participating again. That's a pretty big risk!

Basically, you'd better have a really good reason to break a rule, and be prepared to face the consequences! *Laugh*

In all seriousness, if you're thinking about breaking a rule, you should definitely contact the judge/host and ask them first.



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

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





Contests/Activities:

SCREAMS!!! Open in new Window. [GC]
A Terrifying Contest Of Horror And Three Time Quill Award Winner!
by Lilli 🧿 ☕ 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

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 
Odd questions. Open in new Window. [13+]
Add your own or answer one if you can.
by keetao 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!





 
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Ask & Answer

My last newsletter, ("Contests & Activities Newsletter (July 8, 2015)Open in new Window.), discussed quitting something.

I think sometimes you should have a contest that goes contrary to the genre. I personally get tired of the same thing all the time and am glad when I see something different. I think it's why I often don't enter contests during those specific months because they stick to the genre of the month. It's kind of why I like Alfred Hitchcock's movie "The Trouble With Harry". You think Hitchcock and you think suspense and horror. But this movie, with it's black humor, is simply hilarious. A comedy worth seeing.
~ Gaby ~ Elfin Dragon-finally published Author Icon

I totally agree! Great example, too! *Smile*


I like focusing on genres at the right time of year. For example, I always try to write a Halloween story in October - it's just an ingrained habit. Bizarrely though, I also like the idea of using contrasting genres - I actually once turned a romance prompt at Valentine's on it's head and wrote about a relationship break up. I received a few very confused reviews over it.
~ Andy~hating university Author Icon

I think most people follow that line of thought, too, and great use of contrast! I've done that, too. *Smile*



Questions to think about: Have you ever broken the rules of a contest? What were the results?

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