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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/7561-Success-is-the-Key.html
Contests & Activities: March 30, 2016 Issue [#7561]

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Contests & Activities


 This week: Success is the Key
  Edited by: Creeper Of The Realm 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

Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.
~ Greg Anderson

Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally.
~ David Frost



Word from our sponsor



Letter from the editor

Communication is the key to success.


No matter what type of contest or activity you're running, communication will always be the key. You have to remember that in order to receive, you have to give. That means that you have to be available for questions, offering help, including others in it. Don't be afraid to tag a person in something if you think they might like it or have an opinion of their own. You can only expand if you're willing to work at it.

Not every contest requires your utmost attention, but most of them do. You have to focus your energy and time and direct it where it is required. At times, we bug others or clog up the newsfeed in hopes that we'll get more participants. *Bigsmile* Yes, we do that a lot. All of us! It's pat of the fun in this community.

Sometimes it may backfire. The more you try, the less people want to participate. You have to find a middle ground and know when too much is too much. That's where communication comes in.

Even though you're hoping for more participants, you also have to consider their time, their willingness to enter, and most of all, you have to make them engage in it. While we all enjoy having fun on the site, our personalities aren't the same. We all differ from each other. You have to get to know those who are your regulars and also try to get to know those who are new to it. Set the time aside and invest it in the people, not the activity itself. Most of us love to chat with each other no matter how time deprived we are.

You can come up with all sorts of ideas and run all things possible here, but if you don't have the time to engage with those who are participating, you may lose them. Make sure they know they are important to you - before, during, and after the activity. The line of communication should always be open. You as the person in charge, should find the time - however limited it may be - to at least give them something they can work with. Don't brush people off and have patience for those who have a harder time understanding the rules.

The activity or contest may not be the greatest idea, but you'll have gained friends who'll participate just because it's something you created. You took the time to invest in them, not just an activity.

'Til next time!
~ Gaby *WitchHat*


Editor's Picks

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FORUM
I Heart WdC Contest Open in new Window. (13+)
CLOSED until further notice.
#2077827 by Creeper Of The Realm Author IconMail Icon

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SURVEY
What a Character! : Official WDC Contest Open in new Window. (E)
Create a memorable character using the given prompt for huge prizes!
#1679316 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon

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No Dialogue Contest-CLOSED Open in new Window. (E)
Write a story containing no dialogue, in 700 words or less.
#2079495 by QPdoll is Grateful Author IconMail Icon

 
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Other Worlds Contest Open in new Window. (18+)
Science Fiction Short Story Contest. Closed
#2078460 by A E Willcox Author IconMail Icon

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This item number is not valid.
#2077696 by Not Available.

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Intentionally Bad Story Contest Open in new Window. (ASR)
You probably know about intentionally bad poetry. This contest is all about the stories!
#2075418 by Kit Author IconMail Icon

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This item number is not valid.
#2075141 by Not Available.

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This item number is not valid.
#2072774 by Not Available.

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#2070222 by Not Available.

 
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Word from Writing.Com

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Ask & Answer

Concerning my previous newsletter:

Elle - on hiatus Author Icon wrote:

Great newsletter, Gaby. Lots of great advice for writing reviews there.


Thanks, Elle! *Bigsmile* I try.


Angus Author Icon wrote:

Hi Gaby!
I'm about to do my 6,000th review in a week or so, but I'm always open to suggestions on how to get better. I don't use a template, as I feel they're too impersonal, but I always try to give good feedback and/or suggestions.
Great Newsletter, Gaby!


Thanks for commenting, Angus! Appreciate it. Templates aren't a necessity, more like guidance if one needs it. Congrats on the 6000 reviews! That's amazing.


CasualWriter~thanks, Anon! Author Icon wrote:

I have a question. So I am on tumblr and recently I came across this post that basically advised people to not leave comments unless it was a matter of life and death and nobody should have to accept a comment from any other stranger with a blog. Now, tumblr is obviously a vastly different platform and in general is quite ill suited for critique. But it occurred to me that there could be users on this site who uploaded a piece of work just because they wanted to, and they may not really want feedback. And there is no way I can know unless they specifically ask for reviews. I don't really want to tell them my opinions if they would rather not hear them. So, what is the solution? Should we only stick to reviewing items that we know are open to reviews? Or when we are specifically asked?


Good question. I don't use tumblr and don't plan on it, but I do know that on Writing.com, most of us are looking for good, helpful reviews. It's the reason why we post our work here. You'll encounter items where only emails are allowed and not reviews - that would be an indication that the person isn't looking for help on that particular piece. Otherwise, all reviews are welcome to any written piece, even contests and activities.

Reviewing all sorts of items makes you practice your reviewing skills, but also, you get more noticed. With that in mind, most people return the favor of a review. Most of my items, which are view-able to all, are set to be reviewed. Those I don't wish anyone to review are set to private and none of the other members have access to it. It makes things much simpler for everyone.

Hope I could be of help. *Smile*



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