Contests & Activities: March 20, 2024 Issue [#12471]
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 This week: Three Time's A Charm
  Edited by: GeminiGem馃惥 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




Blue Sparkly Heart Divider

Hi there! I'm GeminiGem馃惥, one of the regular editors of the Contests & Activities Newsletter. My computer and I are currently at war and I think I'm losing. I'm going to do my best to give you some useful information whether I get my computer's cooperation or not.


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

Three Time's A Charm
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I do well enough with computers. I'm certainly not an IT whiz, but I manage.

I will admit that this is my third attempt to write this newsletter. The first two times, something happened and my content went *Burstb*POOF. It either didn't get saved properly or it was accidentally deleted. Even though I tried to blame it on my computer, it was likely Operator Error. It felt like the Universe was telling me that my prior attempts were garbage and I needed to start over. The Universe can be a brutal critic.

In review, I talked in my last Contest & Activities Newsletter "Contests & Activities Newsletter (February 21, 2024)Open in new Window. about the first three big decisions to make when creating a new writing contest or activity. Now I will give you some "do's and don'ts" to make it look and work smoothly. (That is, if the Universe is willing to let me do this *Laugh*)

DO: Use large fonts, bright colors, and images (if your membership allows).

DON'T: Clutter up your page so that it overwhelms your potential entrant.

DO: Make use of drop notes. If you never used them before, it might take a little practice to get them right but it is so worth it. See that little button right above the text box that says "drop"? That is what you are going to use. If you need help figuring it out, drop me an email and I can give you some step-by-step instructions to help you out.

DO: Make the opening and closing dates of your contest/activity very easy to find, especially your deadline. Don't make your entrants hunt for it. Here is a nifty bit of code you can add to your forum that shows how long until the deadline:

{code:countdown('03/31/24 11:59p')}
It will look like this: [Refresh to load countdown.]

*ExclaimB* You will want to change the date to whatever YOUR deadline is, of course.

DO: Put the open/closed status of the contest or activity right with the title or the line below it where you describe your activity. That way people know before they open the forum if it is running currently or not. Here are two examples:

A Newbie Short Story Contest
Rated: E 路 Message Forum 路 Contest 路 #2273966
presented by The Fox's Socks//OPEN MARCH 1 - 31, 2024

The PET NEWS CONTEST
Rated: E 路 Message Forum 路 Animal 路 #1986337
CONTEST CLOSED

DO: Look at other contest forums and see how they have been done. What appeals to you? What doesn't? Make some notes and use these other contests as guides when setting up your own forum. Here's a list of WdC contests: "Contest CluesOpen in new Window..

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Okay, I should save and send this newsletter before I do something that causes my content to disappear once again.


Editor's Picks

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STATIC
Contest Clues Open in new Window. (E)
List of WdC Writing Contests, Challenges, Activities. Clues To What's Open, What's Closed!
#2221492 by GeminiGem馃惥 Author IconMail Icon


Image Protector
FORUM
Marketing Muse is Closed for Judging Open in new Window. (E)
Put your skills to the test! Write a convincing travel piece & get GPs!
#2235874 by Krista Author IconMail Icon

Image Protector
FORUM
Fox's Socks Newbie Short Story Contest Open in new Window. (E)
Contest is Closed. Will return in 2025
#2273966 by GeminiGem馃惥 Author IconMail Icon

Image Protector
FORUM
Out of The Fog Contest-Opens Dec. '24! Open in new Window. (E)
A contest that comes out of the fog now & then, as if in a dream.
#2002225 by 馃懠intuey Author IconMail Icon

Image Protector
FORUM
Three Perspectives Contest Open in new Window. (E)
Write a story from three different perspectives.
#2315975 by Averren Author IconMail Icon

Image Protector
FORUM
WDC L'il Helper Contest Open in new Window. (E)
Submit your best How-To essay or narrative that explains a specific aspect of Writing.com.
#2308999 by JACE Author IconMail Icon

 
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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!
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Ask & Answer

In my last Contests and Activities Newsletter "Fun Will Now CommenceOpen in new Window. I asked: Have you noticed the lack of a particular type of contest or activity that you would like to see on WdC?

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Turkey DrumStik
Admittedly when I have noticed these gaps I've created contests to address them. I only have so much time, though!
That is completely understandable. Time is always in short supply.

Mouse says gobble gobble
Turkey DrumStik - same here. If I noticed a gap I would create something but I haven't really noticed any.
Now that I brought to your attention, keep your eyes peeled.

Cubby
I'll be opening back up "Writing 4 Kids Contest (CLOSED)" in April or May, once I get back from being a nomad this winter. But wouldn't it be nice to have another contest open for those who enjoy writing for the children's genre?

Also, I'd been thinking about a contest or activity that challenges members to write in as many genres as possible during the year, but haven't quite figured out how to go about it yet. 馃槄
Cubby, let's work something out. I would love to run a Children's genre contest when you are unable to run yours.

s
I've noticed an increase in contests and a decrease in straight-forward activities that still reward participants.
I agree, Steven, we could use more simple writing activities. You had better not stray away from "Merit Badge MagicOpen in new Window., however! *Laugh*

hdarling
What about a challenge for single-genre writers (or anyone) to write a story that could be many different genres. Although there aren't that many genres, when I designed a board game I used genres such as Westerns, Horror, Mythical, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, and others I can't think of now (I designed the game about 15 years ago, and I'm too lazy to locate it now).
Okay, that sounds intriguing, why don't you be the one to develop that idea? It would be a fantastic challenge!

jackson
Short story contests with no prompts or other story altering rules. (Word count excepted.)
I think it would be the perfect challenge for you to create a contest like this.

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