Contests & Activities: December 20, 2017 Issue [#8665]
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Contests & Activities


 This week: The Big Year
  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

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: B07NPKP5BF
Product Type: Toys & Games
Amazon's Price: Price N/A


Letter from the editor

That special day of the year

Late December brings quite possibly my favorite day of the year, and I'm not talking about *Xmastree*Christmas*xmas*! *Laugh*

The third Sunday on December is my local birding group's Christmas Bird Count Day! It's actually hosted by the Audobon Society and is held all over the world! (Local groups pick one day to count birds in their designated area)

This was my second year taking part, and I had been looking forward to it since last year's count day. I got together with a few others, including an expert, around 5 am to go "owling." We played owl calls to see if any would answer, and we heard three of them! It's totally worth standing out in the freezing cold in darkness, I swear! *Laugh* Highlights of this year's count included hearing two types of owls, seeing four Redtail Hawks, two Bald eagles and at least 200 Horned Larks! *Shock*

I got into birding a few years ago when I was looking for a new hobby. While I was growing up, my Dad always kept a bird book and binoculars next to the rear window of our house (which backed up against a forest), so I invited him on a guided bird walk in a local state forest. From then on, I was hooked! This past year I even kept track of how many different species I saw. I'm currently at 135 and with only a week or so of the year left, that will probably be my total for the year. It's nothing like a "Big Year" (Have you seen that movie? It's about birding starring Jack Black, Steve Martin and Owen Wilson) but I'm proud of it.

What does this have to do with writing, WDC, and contests & activities? I'm glad you asked! *Bigsmile*

I think it can be a good thing to keep a written (or typed) account of your activities whether it's a hobby, your dream or your career. I kept a journal of the birds I saw this year. I plan to do the same next year, and maybe I'll beat my 135 number in 2018!

On the left side of your screen on WDC, you'll see navigational tools. Click on "My Account" under your name, and click "My Activity." From here, you can see your WDC involvement, like forum posts, reviews, group memberships, etc. Take stock of your activity this year and see if you can beat it next year!

From the "My Account" option, you can also look at other things like your Merit Badges and Trinkets. You can also track "My Submissions" here which can keep track of contests & activities you've entered! For more on that, visit: "Submission Tracking SystemOpen in new Window. or click on the links in your "My Submissions" tab.

The key is always balance. Maybe it's not good to be too goal oriented that you forget to enjoy yourself, but having goals can also help motivate you to try harder. Have yourself a "Big Year!" *Bigsmile*


As always, keep on writing!



purple flower sig


Editor's Picks






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

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!
by Writing.Com Support Author Icon





Contests/Activities:

I Write in 2018 Open in new Window. [E]
Write and review once a week for all of 2018
by NaNoNette Author Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

The Taboo Words Contest ~ On Hiatus Open in new Window. [13+]
create writing that has wings
by Choconut Author Icon

The Witch's Garden  Open in new Window. [13+]
HALLOWEEN HANDLES! Closed! See you in 2025!
by Ẃeβ࿚ẂỉԎḈĥ Author Icon

Holiday Short Story Contest - closed Open in new Window. [E]
Write a short story based on a random holiday; prompt provided.
by Lilli 🧿 ☕ Author Icon

TLC Prayer Parlor Open in new Window. [13+]
A place where you can request Biblical prayers and/ or pray for others' requests.
by 🌻 thankful pwheeler nanoing Author Icon

The Daily Poem Open in new Window. [13+]
A Week of Poetic Craziness
by JayNaNoOhNo Author Icon

Spirits At Lighthouses Group Open in new Window. [13+]
If you're interested, Please check out the contest! Year Round.
by Beacon's Anchor Author Icon

Seasonal Beary Greetings Open in new Window. [E]
A Beary C-notes for all occasion: Christmas, New Year, Valentines, Halloween and others
by Samberine Everose 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: B07K6Z2ZBF
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99


Ask & Answer

My last newsletter, ("Contests & Activities Newsletter (November 22, 2017)Open in new Window.), discussed ties.

My apologies, Spidey, I had no idea my forum had been featured here until Elycia Lee fan'd it. My belated thanks to you; it is no easy task getting a new forum off the ground, and every little push is greatly appreciated!

Read well, and write better,
*Hotair2* Jack "Blimprider" Tyler *Hotair2* ~ blimprider

You're quite welcome! *Bigsmile*


Feel free to send your thoughts on this newsletter, ideas for future newsletters, or items you'd like to see featured! *Smile*





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