 Contests & Activities: April 12, 2023 Issue [#11912] |
This week: Not THAT Prompt Edited by: Leger~  
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The purpose of this newsletter is to highlight some of the current contests and activities on the site, help educate members on how to host contests and activities, and provide clues to submit quality entries to contests. Write to me if you'd like something in particular covered.
This week's Contests and Activities Editor
Leger~ |
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Not THAT Prompt
What if...you're interested in a contest but the prompt doesn't really appeal to you? One of the reasons members enter certain contests is because the prize is large. Winning a few big contest prizes can earn enough gift points to help pay for your membership.
If the contest requires certain words to be used. Write the prompt words down and free think of some dialog or characters that would be inspired by those words. Then form a story around it.
If the prompt is an image. Don't just describe the image - it's a good way to be passed over. Don't make it a picture your character is looking at. Think about what happened before or after the image. Think about the character being in the image and what they'll be inspired to say or do.
If the prompt is a genre. Jump right in there and ask your characters to show how brave they are. Tell a story that includes them and the prompt genre.
If no prompt is given, just a word count. It's a perfect time to explore a new genre, a new setting, revisit an old character, or one you haven't had time to explore.
If you have a word count limit. Check your word count and make sure you post it where required. Click the gear icon in the upper right corner of your time and click Word Count. This tool also shows Most Used 4+ Letter Words. This can be helpful if you have favorite repetitive words that should be switched up a bit. Don't go all crazy with the thesaurus, though.
In conclusion, don't let a prompt limit you. Make sure you stay within the rules but get creative with HOW you write and enter. As always, be sure to double check you have all the requirements before posting your item, then don't edit after the contest time closes. We want you to win!
Write On!
This month's question: How do you twist a prompt to inspire/suit your writing? Send in your answer below!  Editors love feedback!
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April Site Contest
Excerpt: Genre Prompt for April 2023: Mystery
Excerpt: Authors on Writing.Com are looking for good, useful feedback... and of course, exposure within Writing.Com. You can do a good deed by reviewing any qualifying item* on Writing.Com and you might win! Enter as many times as you want to increase your odds of being selected as a prize winner!
Excerpt: Prompt for April: Write an essay about meditating...
Excerpt: Annual challenge to create a collection of short stories based on the track listing from a musical album of your choice. Entries are accepted from now until June 30th. Exclusive merit badges and prizes worth as much as 750,000+ Gift Points are up for grabs!
Excerpt: Use the prompt to create an engaging dialogue scene of 2,000 words or less. The scene must have plot/progression to it. Since this is just an exercise in creating a scene, you are not expected to create a self-contained story. But the scene should begin, advance, or conclude something.
Excerpt: APRIL PROMPT/ April Fool's joke gone too far.
Excerpt: Either a Short Story (2,000 word maximum) Or Poetry (44 lines maximum) 04/01/23 until 04/30/23 at noon
 1 - Main Characters Description and Personalities
2 - Summary of What a Thriller Short Story Is.
3 - Settings
4 - Plot
5 - Backstory/Flashbacks
6 - Main Character and his/her flaws or conflicts
7 - Write a short story demonstrating what you have learned in this course.
What is Days Of Sunshine? I am glad you ask, Days of Sunshine is a place where you can make five days brighter for someone who receives one from you. Also, if you are feeling down, you are welcome to gift yourself a week of sunshine too.
After submitting one of the questionnaires, scroll through the posted introductions and invite any party(ies) to a proposed exchange. Reach a formal agreement that is satisfactory to both parties.
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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
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This month's question: How do you twist a prompt to inspire/suit your writing? Send in your answer below! Editors love feedback!
Last month's "Contests & Activities Newsletter (March 15, 2023)" question: How has reviewing helped your writing?
N.A Miller  : somewhat it helps gauge my material and for likes and dislikes. It tackles any missed grammar and spelling issues. i find it quite helpful for use.
~Lifelessons~  : I think reviewing does help me. When I read books, things stick with me. In reviewing I see things that my writing can relate to and see mistakes I probably was making a few years ago. Writing is a hit or miss and I try to learn something from other's work.
s  : In one of my paid writing jobs, when I review a book I always see turns of phrase or character constructs that I add to the writing memory.
Reviewing at WdC, unfortunately, does not do that. But this community is also made up of a lot of people who are at the start of their writing journey so we are not going to see that degree of mastery here.
The main thing I get out of reviewing here is ideas for helping writers I am mentoring.
oldgreywolf on wheels : Reviewing would be beneficial, if I posted newer material.
Using an espeaker helps, but the accent is stilted and the timing sometimes gets weird. (Freeware, of course, 'cause I'm cheap.)
Worldbuilding is more on the order of concept papers, thesi, drawings, and notes on various facets of science. (You have to know the facts before you can plausibly twist them into a new idea.)
ADDENDUM: Learning how to help other people learn new skills (or improve existing skills) is an excellent path to self-education.
Spirit~writer 🎄🕎⛄ : For me reviewing brings me closer to people here, some have become friends.
It helps to see anothers perception and help if they missed a typo or something to improve their writing. I also learn from paying attention to content and the above.
Many times have learned something new from someone I may not expect to, when they write about a subject, I think wouldn't interest me.
Massive Friendly Derg  : I don't think it helps me so much as the other person.
hectorscofield: To be honest, very VERY little!
I get barely any reviews and from the few I got, there was only person one giving me real advice.
They're mostly opinions, not very detailed, and in one case I just received a short summary of the story. Of things I already knew! I know everyone's busy, but would it be too much to ask for a little more effort? At least half as much as I gave writing these stories?
elephantsealer : It opened some of the "dark parts" of my mind as well as I have learned few things here and there. All good wishes,
TheBusmanPoet  : By some of the suggestions others may have. Some I listen to, others I let go.
joemjackson : I defiantly hate bad grammer
Dragonfly : Reviewing is wonderful. I can see how reading another's writing compares with mine, therefore helping me to improve in many areas.
Also, reviewing gives the opportunity to read some pretty amazing stuff! So much talent  I can only hope to be one day as talented as many of the writers here.
Moonstone : Reviewing is good in many ways. First, I can see what mistakes others have made, and how it comes across. Because, let's be honest, us writers do fail to see flaws in our writing. Also, it gives me good ideas for what comes across well and smoothly.
jdennis01jaj: Reading others, who also worship the written word, I have found that I am not alone in overreaching to grab a reader's attention, hopefully, two. I want someone to glimpse into my soul and find a common cord that carries them through my story to an enjoyable ending where we both meet and sigh with a pleasant exchange of common understanding and delight.
Thanks for the awesome replies! |
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