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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/8650-Reasons-to-Compete.html
Contests & Activities: December 13, 2017 Issue [#8650]

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Contests & Activities


 This week: Reasons to Compete
  Edited by: Dawn Embers 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

Contest & Activities Newsletter by Dawn

There are many contests and different activities available on the site and we all have reasons why or why not we take part in them.


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

Recently, I competed in a weight lifting competition. It was a challenge and also, a lot of fun, spending a day in the gym with others trying to pick up heavy weights. While I have been training for a few years now and it was only my second meet, it both went well and just okay. The meet wasn't very big, not many in the different weight classes for the women in particular, and several were competing for the first time. While I managed a personal best on one of the lifts, in the end I didn't place/win. But that was okay for me. Maybe I'm not the most competitive, just aside from the whole trying to win aspect I find there are many other reasons to compete and the same goes for writing. I haven't entered a competition lately because I've been focused on novels. Still, I enjoy entering contests or other activities on this site whether there is a win involved or not.

I have also been on the other side of the contests here too, as a judge. I host a contest, which has been on hiatus, and have been a judge in others along with helping out with different activities over the years. While I know my reasons to take part, I do sometimes wonder about what others are thinking and why they take part in a challenge.

So, that's the big question of the day. Why do you enter a contest or activities on WdC? What is your reason for competing?

One options is, of course, that you want to win. And it's okay to have that as a reason. It's a competition so most of us are trying to put the writing or whatever is required forward with the idea of doing well. We can want to win but still also be okay if that isn't the end result.

So, aside from wanting to win though, what other reason can one have to compete. One is to gain experience. In the beginning, in particular, like with weightlifting and other activities, you have to start somewhere. Competing isn't the same as practice, so to get better at competing you have to actually do it. With writing you get experience too since it's different having other people looking over and judging your work compared to keeping it all to yourself.

I also enter contests sometimes as a motivation to get things done. Having a deadline, especially since I'm not published so can finish things whenever, is helpful for me to actually get something done. Sometimes I will even enter the scene or start a novel through a contest here on the site. Sure, it's not a finished story and the comments mention that but it's okay.

Another reason is to just have fun. Contests and competing or other activities on the site can be fun. Like NaNoWriMo, which also has the social element where so many people are taking part in the challenge. Writing was often thought of as solitary, but taking part of an activities or contest can bring about a more social element to our literary world.

Those are just a few reasons that I've come up with. Now it's your turn. Think of some reasons, go check out a contest and get writing. Hopefully I'll see some entries and maybe I will even submit one too. After all, I do have fun entering contests and there are plenty of reasons for such.


Editor's Picks

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Short Shots: Official WDC Contest Open in new Window. (ASR)
Use the photo to inspire your creativity. Write a short story and win big prizes!
#1221635 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon


 
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Bah Humbug! Open in new Window. (13+)
Christmas is cancelled...
#2141771 by NaNoKit Author IconMail Icon


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FORUM
The Science Fiction Short Story Contest Open in new Window. (18+)
A contest inspired by the serious need for more good sci-fi
#2140378 by BlackAdder Author IconMail Icon


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FORUM
The LGBT Writing Contest Open in new Window. (18+)
Short story contest (with great prizes) for LGBT characters.
#1980539 by Osirantinous Author IconMail Icon


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A Romance Contest - winners announced Open in new Window. (13+)
A short story contest for the Seasons of Romance: August = Winter
#1892844 by Osirantinous Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2142100 by Not Available.


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The Writer's Cramp Open in new Window. (13+)
Write the best poem or story in 24 hours or less and win 10K GPS!
#333655 by Sophurky Author IconMail Icon




 
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Ask & Answer

Why do you enter contests or other forms of competition?


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