Contests & Activities: November 13, 2013 Issue [#5997]
<< November 6, 2013Contests & Activities Archives | More From This Day | Print This IssueNovember 20, 2013 >>

Newsletter Header
Contests & Activities


 This week: Contest Prompts: Good, Bad, or Mediocre?
  Edited by: 🦄🏳️‍🌈Sapph 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

The purpose of this newsletter is to share my thoughts, ideas, and experience with anything and everything relating to contests and activities. Information from me to you on entering and running activities here on Writing.Com.

Today's Topic
Contest Prompts



Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B085272J6B
Product Type: Kindle Store
Amazon's Price: $ 9.99


Letter from the editor

This newsletter is going to focus on those who run contests and the prompts that are chosen to be written about. Most contests require the entrants to focus on some type of prompt rather than leaving it completely open but when does a prompt keep people from entering? Some prompts can be good but others can be too restricting or not interesting enough to keep members interested.

Whether you like prompts or not, they almost seem necessary in the world of contests. A prompt could be an image, a quote, a few words or even the genre. Here are a few tips I've come up with on how to choose a prompt:


How can you choose prompts that keep potential entrants interested?

         *Starr* Don't box contestants in, keep it a bit open.
         *Staro* Don't require exacts, allow interpretation.
         *Star* Don't use a combined prompt such as image and quote, let them choose one or the other.
         *Starg* Have more than one possible prompt choice.
         *Starb* Make the prompt original, don't just recycle it.
         *Starv* Don't use a prompt you wouldn't want to write for yourself.



A prompt (in the way we use it in this instance) would be defined as an act of assisting or encouraging a hesitating speaker or the word or phrase spoken as a reminder to an actor of a forgotten word or line. The main key here is that it is encouraging, helpful and should be seen in the way of nudging along entrants rather than holding them back.

The next time you're coming up with a prompt, remember to keep it simple, keep it open, keep it interesting, and most of all make it encouraging, not restrictive.


Editor's Picks

These contests have prompts that I found interesting and intriguing! Most were chosen because of the openness of the prompts.

Shadows and Light Poetry Contest Open in new Window. [E]
Do you love the challenge and creativity of free verse poetry? This contest is for you.
by Choconut Author Icon


A Great Value of Expressions Open in new Window. [E]
NEWBIES CONTEST"Pen me your Quote,and I'll send you Gifts" CLOSED-will resume on December
by Samberine Everose Author Icon


The Weekly Quickie Contest Open in new Window. [18+]
Can you excite in 969 words? Romance+ Contest. -Closed for NaNoWriMo
by Dawn Embers Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


Keenest Joker Open in new Window. [18+]
Use your sense of humor and win gift points. Try not to laugh.
by Matt 2021 Dean Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


The Lair Contest (Mythical Creatures) Open in new Window. [ASR]
Monthly Mythical Creatures writing contest. Stories or epic poems - you choose!
by Beacon's Anchor Author Icon


 
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: B07N36MHWD
Amazon's Price: $ 7.99


Ask & Answer

My question for you this time: If you host a contest, how do you decide on the prompts?


Question from before: Do you think there are many original ideas for contest or activities out there any more? Do you strive to come up with original ideas in this area?


Crys-not really here Author Icon replied: There are definitely some cool contests out there. I love contests that go above and beyond a picture or word prompt and ask me to combine two seemingly unrelated genres, or try a new poetry form, or invent my own poetry form! I am very picky about what I enter because I get tired of seeing the same concepts over and over. That's one of the reasons why I dislike most raffles on the site. All of your suggestions were great for members who want to run contests.


BIG BAD WOLF is Howling Author Icon replied: Sometimes the problem is that no one gets the idea, and passes you by.


*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor
ASIN: 0997970618
Amazon's Price: $ 14.99

Removal Instructions

To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.


<< November 6, 2013Contests & Activities Archives | More From This Day | Print This IssueNovember 20, 2013 >>

This printed copy is for your personal use only. Reproduction of this work in any other form is not allowed and does violate its copyright.