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Contests & Activities: December 25, 2013 Issue [#6058]

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Contests & Activities


 This week: No More Zero Days!
  Edited by: spidey Author IconMail Icon
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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

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Welcome to the Contests & Activities Newsletter. I'm spidey Author Icon, and I'm your Editor this week!



Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

It's just about that time of year!


We're quickly approaching the end of another year! *Shock* Where did the time go? I swear, 2013 was one of the fastest years I've ever experienced! *Laugh*

Personally, I'm still in a bit of a writing slump. I think I need someone to email me every few days and ask, "Have you written anything lately?" To be fair, I do a decent amount of writing at my job, but it's non-fiction, report writing. Not exactly my passion, but it still counts!

To help myself out, and maybe some others who are having some inspiration problems, I'd like to sum up something that was shared with me by Jenn Author Icon recently -- a concept called "No More Zero Days" which involves four simple rules:

Rule #1: No More Zero Days A "zero day" is a day that you do nothing toward your current goals. To complete this task, you don't need to write for a specific amount of time or write a certain number of words. To do this, you need to simply not have a "zero day." Do something, anything. You can write one word or one sentence, because one is greater than zero!

Rule #2: Be Grateful to the Three You's. There is a past you, a present you, and a future you. Thank your past self for getting you where you are, and do things that will help the future you. Sometimes you've got to ignore the present you that's coming up with excuses. Tell the present you that you're doing it for the future you!

Rule #3: Forgive Yourself. Had a zero day? Forgive yourself and move on! Prolonged feelings of disappointment and guilt aren't helping you move forward.

Rule #4: Exercise and Books. Keep your mind and body healthy! The suggestion in the concept is to read self-help books, but I honestly think reading any book that motivates you, that pumps you up, that makes you think or inspires you is good. Reading is very, very important to mental health.


That's it! Sounds simple, right?

(The concept was created, as far as I know, by a reddit user. I won't link it because it has some 18+ language in it, but if you search "No More Zero Days," you'll find it pretty quickly.)

Whether your goal is to write more, enter more contests, exercise more, get a degree, learn a skill, find a better job, etc., etc., I think you can use these principles to get you there!

Keep on writing!



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Editor's Picks





Contests:

Items Submitted by Writing.Com Members:
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by A Guest Visitor

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Monthly Calendar Contest Open in new Window. [E]
A Monthly Calendar Contest: For Stories
by Sunny Author Icon



Official WDC Contests:
 
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Good Deeds Get CASH! Open in new Window. [E]
Write reviews to win cash prizes!
by Writing.Com Support Author Icon

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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!
by Writing.Com Support Author Icon


Contests/Activities:
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If you shook your family tree, where would your apple land? (2013 Quill Award Winner)
by Angels in my Ear Author Icon





Know of some gems that deserve exposure? Submit them in the feedback form or submission form at the end of this Newsletter, and I'll put them in my next one!



 
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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!
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Ask & Answer

My last newsletter, ("Contests & Activities Newsletter (November 27, 2013)Open in new Window.), discussed NaNoWriMo!


I participated in NaNo for the first time this year and won! A great feeling of pride and accomplishment. What was most intriguing was how much I learned about myself, my writing and my abilities. Those were some of the most important lessons of my life all crammed into less than 30 days. December a busy month with the holidays, raffles, contests and more. I am putting my novel to rest until the new year. Until then I shall continue with daily writing, get back to reviewing and enjoy all that WDC has to offer!

I have also included our daily advent raffle for your consideration. If there is room it would be greatly appreciated if you would feature this activity in your next newsletter. "Invalid ItemOpen in new Window.

Thanks again for your time and consideration.
~ Rhonda Author Icon

Congratulations!! Isn't it an awesome feeling to be a NaNo Winner? *Bigsmile*



I was wondering if you could add my Monthly Contest in one of your newsletters and please check it out and maybe enter into the contest.
Thank you so much.


Sure thing! I've linked it above, and here it is again:
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FORUM
Monthly Calendar Contest Open in new Window. (E)
A Monthly Calendar Contest: For Stories
#1921062 by Sunny Author IconMail Icon




Good ideas. I did well with my NaNo writing this year. After I have so much more to do still. The young adult won't be done that I started, I have another novel to edit (written years ago) and more things to write on the side. Then there is the reviewing and contest judging. Fun times ahead as usual.


Sounds like you'll be busy! I think writers often are because we love writing so much! *Smile*



Questions to think about:
How can you have No More Zero Days? How do you keep yourself motivated and how do you deal with disappointment?


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