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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/11871-Explain-Yourself.html
Contests & Activities: March 29, 2023 Issue [#11871]




 This week: Explain Yourself
  Edited by: Annette Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

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

Where are all the contests and activities?

Here: "Writing Contests @ Writing.Com" Open in new Window. and "Activities @ Writing.Com" Open in new Window.


Word from our sponsor

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Amazon's Price: $ 0.99


Letter from the editor

Explain Yourself


So you have an idea for an activity or a contest that you want to offer the community. That's great! Writers are constantly looking for new ways to be creative with words and strengthen all of their varied writing skills.

It doesn't matter if you are offering a contest that follows a theme like a season, a technique like limericks, asks for the creation of new worlds, wants to see a certain genre reflected, or demands a response to a specific prompt.

It doesn't matter if you're thinking about a reviewing activity, a writing exercise, a challenge, or a raffle or auction.

Both of these types of community offerings need one thing before they can get started. A concise, precise, and understandable set of rules. Just how you want to read contest entries that spark something in you, you have to ensure that the guidelines on how to use your activity or write for your contest are clear. In order to attract writers, you have to be a writer too.

One way to make sure your rules are clear is to ask for reviews. Once you get reviews, be sure to answer any question that comes up. If someone doesn't know what you want, they can't write for you. Don't ever be offended by any of the questions about a contest or activity description. You want to hear (read) those questions so that you can answer them and fix whatever needs to be made more clear on your page.

As in most places in life, communication is key. No matter what is going on with your contest or activity, never forget to reply to emails, questions, comments, and of course entries.

If you are running a contest and you have asked for a certain rule to be followed, but you notice somebody didn't follow that rule, give them a chance to fix their mistake by alerting them to that fact. It could be that they used the wrong submission link. Or they forgot a word count. These things are an easy fix.

If you are running an activity, be sure to be present in your forum several times a week. Writers who come to you for a writing exercise are relying on timely feedback and the opening of further exercises. Try to get back to anyone who buys raffle tickets or places a bid on an auction package within a day. If that's not possible, at least within the week. Showing that you care about participants is the best way to ensure success for the current round and future rounds.

How much description do you put on your activities and contests?


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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FORUM
Merit Badge Exchange Open in new Window. (E)
WdC Anniversary Week Merit Badge Exchange
#2240858 by Annette Author IconMail Icon

 
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FORUM
Flight of Fantasy Custom Signature Shop Open in new Window. (E)
Order your custom signatures here.
#2076576 by A E Willcox Author IconMail Icon

 
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Elemental Merit Badge Project Open in new Window. (E)
A project to commission the Element Merit Badge
#2291718 by In the manGer(vic), He sleeps Author IconMail Icon

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FORUM
Horror Writing Contest Open in new Window. (13+)
A contest involving writing a horror story. Simple, really.
#2273172 by Santeven Quokklaus Author IconMail Icon

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FORUM
The Weekly Quickie Contest Open in new Window. (18+)
Can you excite in 969 words? Romance+ Contest. -Closed for NaNoWriMo
#1355442 by Dawn Embers Author IconMail Icon

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FORUM
Creature Features Open in new Window. (13+)
Round 27 open!
#2211262 by Angelica Weatherby-Star on top Author IconMail Icon

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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
Mad Hatter's Tea Party  Open in new Window. (E)
March Madness at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party Raffle & Auction Extravaganza.
#2074069 by Choconuts Roasting Author IconMail Icon

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FORUM
SENIOR CENTER FORUM Open in new Window. (ASR)
The Place for Seniors!
#427318 by Kitti the Red-Nosed Feline Author IconMail Icon

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
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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!

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Ask & Answer

Replies to my last Contest & Activities newsletter "The Hub" Open in new Window. that asked How often do you check out the Hub to see what's going on?

Shadow Prowler-Spreading Love Author Icon wrote: I have it so that as soon as I open WDC it opens to the news feed. As soon as I check the news feed I check the Hub. I'm guilty of checking it several times a day so I don't miss anything! As always, this was an awesome newsletter🍀🌷🍀


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