This week: Where to Put Notes and Which to Include Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Contests & Activities Newsletter by Dawn
Taking a look at little notes and details that can be added to a static item when entering a contest that may be helpful for different readers. Including bits of information like word counts, contest links and even a question of location with my general advice but acknowledgment that it's up to you, the writer. |
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You have a story or poem ready to enter a contest. You've done the hard part in being creative and coming up with something that fits any prompt and follows every rule. But are you missing anything? What else might go in a static item when entering a contest or challenge? Is there anything that you should take note? Is it even a good idea to put in information instead of leaving everything up to the reader?
Okay, that is a lot of questions. I'll just get to the point. Today, we are going to discuss extra notes and bits of information that can be put into a static item that may be helpful when entering a contest or taking part in a challenge here on WDC. This will not help when submitting to other places for publication. Today's topic is site specific.
There are some basic things that are often added to an item when it is being entered because the contests and activities often include a rule about them. The number 1 item: word count. While it's not required for every entry, it is one that definitely helps the person judging or whoever gives the review as part of the challenge. Yes, someone can copy and paste into a word count web site if they wanted to make sure a word count limit was followed but that is a step that could easily be avoided with just a couple of words added to the static item to show the information for whoever needs to know.
If you are entering a contest or writing for a specific challenge, then another option would include letting the reader know that information. This can include just writing the name of the contest/challenge but even more helpful is to provide a link. For this, I would recommend the ritem format because it gives the link and rating but doesn't have the big size that might distract from the rest of the item, in particular when we're talking about a really small poem. While the information isn't necessary, it can help let a random reader know what helped to inspire the writing.
Speaking of contests... What about the prompt? Having the prompt listed in an item can be helpful for the random reader as I would imagine the judge is aware of it already. Though, it still might help the judge too if there is more than one prompt and it's not overly obvious in the writing. Years later, if you don't delete the item, someone will have no clue about what helped spark information for the story unless you provide the information for them. That is, if you want people to know. With poetry, this is nice when there is a specific form that not everyone may know about. Showing the details of the form or a link so they can learn about the different rules that you had to follow might be useful.
Now, the question is, where do you put it?
The answer at the end of the day is personal preference. I know there are some who will put word counts and other little details at the very top, before the main section of writing. That is not what I tend to recommend. It's not wrong or anything like that but I do have a reason that I recommend putting notes and extra details at the very bottom of a static item. The main focus of the item should be on the writing. It is good information to have and if there is stuff that I didn't know which is interesting, finding out at the end might make me want to read through again. However, I want to see the writing first. I will say, that at times there can be an exception like the use of an image for the prompt. The image is okay at the top instead of the bottom, for me.
Another thing that you can do, if you want, is that the details like word counts and such can be tucked away so that only those who want to check them out will see them. The dropnote is one of the best options for this. You can use a single word or something simple like "Note" to let readers know there is more information but they don't see all the stuff that follows unless they click on the little link/word. This gives options. If a reader doesn't care and just wanted to read the poem, they don't have to check it out. If they want to know what else you might have included, the option is there.
In the future, we'll go into what other things you might include in your item but also maybe some things that might be avoided since we can't tell every reader the intentions behind each detail of the story. For now, consider whether or not you want to add information to your contest item or entry posted in a challenge. What do you want to include?
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Do you add notes with your static item? If so, where do you put them?
Last month, I discussed the reasons for entering a contest and how sometimes one can do it just for fun, whether there is a prize involved or not. Here are a couple comments that were sent in over the topic of reasons to write or enter a contest:
Comment by Beholden  :
Most of the time I'm trying to win. There have been times when I've entered a contest out of a feeling of obligation to the owner. My entries to Screams!!! for instance, were all the result of trying to repay Angus for the help he gave me in getting to know my way around WdC. I don't really like horror and yet I've won in horror contests occasionally. Perhaps that's more a reflection on the competition than on any ability of mine. But I'll still keep the kudos, thanks very much!
Comment by Mary Ann MCPhedran  :
I'm Mary Ann MCPhedran and the computer is my friend and I write to keep my brain alert. Some days I don't write anything and just browse, but I'm still on this site. I have to get some fun when I write or there is no point in writing.
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Contests & Activities: June 19, 2024 Issue [#12601]
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