Contests & Activities: July 15, 2015 Issue [#7106]
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Contests & Activities


 This week: Paying It Forward
  Edited by: Leger~ 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 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~ Author Icon


Word from our sponsor



Letter from the editor


Pay It Forward


Summer in the WDC hemisphere is full of outdoor activities, from swimming, boating and hiking...to swatting bugs and oppressive heat. I thought this newsletter would be a good reminder for members, when you come inside to cool off and check your mail.

Don't Forget WDC!

While I'm just as busy as the next member, and sometimes even busier when I have wee ones underfoot to care for, I do try to peek in WDC and see what's going on in my favorite blogs and forums. This includes some of my favorite contests that run year round. These members plug away, helping all the new members that have a little time to explore because they're off school or work. Or like I said, take a break from the heat and wander in. So do our membership a favor and lend a hand, point a newbie in the right direction or click Community in the left column and then click Read a Newbie. Send a review and a little welcome from our community and make a new friend.

And while you're at it, check in with your favorite contest hosts and see if you can lend a hand while they're on vacation, or send some surprise gift points to help fund their prize banks. Even if you don't have time to write an entry, it's encouraging for the host to hear that their efforts aren't forgotten and ignored. While I'm delighted you decided to open this newsletter and read it, please...take a moment and encourage other members in their efforts.

Have a great summer and Write On!


This month's question: What are some good ideas to help new members?
Send in your reply below! *Down**Down**Down* Editors love replies!


Editor's Picks


Image Protector
FORUM
The Dialogue 500 Open in new Window. (18+)
Dialogues of 500 words or less.
#941862 by W.D.Wilcox Author IconMail Icon

New Prompt....(July 1 to July 31) --- A Dialogue Between You And Your Mirror

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2048577 by Not Available.

This is a supernatural short story writing contest, so please keep it in the genre. Three pictures will be listed below, simply pick the picture that interest you the most, and write about it.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2040560 by Not Available.

Excerpt: Please pick any song listed under the genres below and write a short story. Your story must be between 300 to 800 words. *You may use the lyrics, the theme/story/setting of the song, the artist or the video to inspire you. The song must be a central theme. Also this is a short story contest - there must be a plot.

Image Protector
FORUM
The Lair Contest (Mythical Creatures) Open in new Window. (ASR)
Monthly Mythical Creatures writing contest. Stories or epic poems - you choose!
#1938456 by Beacon's Anchor Author IconMail Icon

Excerpt: This is a monthly fiction writing contest, accepting stories or epics (long narrative poems). --- Prompt: Saturn Devouring His Son is a disturbing portrait of the titan Saturn consuming one of his children by Francisco Goya. According to Roman myth (inspired by the original Greek myth), it had been foretold that one of the sons of Saturn would overthrow him, just as he had overthrown his father, Caelus. To prevent this, Saturn ate his children moments after each was born. His wife Ops eventually hid his sixth son, Jupiter, on the island of Crete, deceiving Saturn by offering a stone wrapped in swaddling in his place. Jupiter eventually supplanted his father just as the prophecy had predicted.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2045357 by Not Available.

Excerpt:
The StoryMaster has found some easy to remember ID #'s that are not in use. So, we are going to sell each number to the highest bidder, and The StoryMaster will change one of your current items or a new item to that number. This is an awesome, one-time opportunity. Don't miss getting the cool ID for your activities, contests, or personal items.


Image Protector
FORUM
Coffee Shop Discussions Open in new Window. (E)
Drink Coffee, Discuss, Earn Rewards and Raise Funds - CLOSED (obvs)
#2045688 by Fran 🌈🧜‍♀️ Author IconMail Icon

Excerpt: Welcome to my coffee shop. Here you will find multiple layers of fun to be had. It may all seem a little confusing to start with. But I promise, you'll soon be a regular! The coffee is just that good!
As I said, this activity has tons of layers to it, and, therefore, lots to do and tons of rewards. To put it simply, this is a fundraiser, discussion point, idea builder, challenge and reward pod... all rolled into one!


Image Protector
FORUM
The Writer's Cramp Open in new Window. (13+)
Write the best poem or story in 24 hours or less and win 10K GPS!
#333655 by SophyBells Author IconMail Icon

Excerpt: This forum is designed to get your creative juices flowing. 10,000 gps will be given away every 24 hours!

 
Image Protector
SURVEY
Rhythms & Writing: Official WDC Contest Open in new Window. (E)
Use the music provided to inspire your writing!
#2002964 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon

Excerpt: The task is simple: get inspired by the music linked above and write a short story using this inspiration!


 
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!

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Ask & Answer


This month's question: What are some good ideas to help new members?
Send in your reply below! *Down**Down**Down* Editors love replies!

Last month's question: How do you handle dropouts in your contest/activity?


Elisa: Snowman Stik Author Icon replies: I've actually had judges drop out of my big annual contest before, and it's always a juggling act selecting winners when that happens. In recent years, the number of entries has dropped to the point where I can judge solo (even though I prefer not to). In the past, though, when I've had 50+ entries, I've had to beg people I knew well that I know could handle the no holds barred nature of the material to step in, and they have performed admirably. I think in those cases, though, I was extremely lucky.I'm not sure what I'd have done without my pinch hitters when facing a reading load like I had a decade ago.

Annette Author Icon answers: This question is also so very relevant to my contest "I Write Open in new Window.. Rather than 15 in 15 it asks for 13 consecutive weeks of writing one piece and reviewing one fellow contestant once per week. I've been running this seasonal contest on and off since summer 2012 and I know very well the feeling of losing contestants.
One thing I do when I see that we still have some weeks to go and I want to give as many members as possible a chance to win is to post a special challenge which allows those who missed so many weeks that they would now lose the whole contest can earn "make up weeks." This challenge usually means writing more or reviewing more within the contest. Kind of like extra credit in school. In my last round from spring 2015, I had one taker who lifted herself from disqualified to merit badge winner by accepting the extra challenge.
I don't really do much more than that because I also know as a writer, when I'm out of steam, I'm out of steam. So those who don't finish still get my reminder emails until the end, but I won't harass them.

JennyHeart Author Icon responds: Dropping out of a contest could be for many reasons. There are times in my opinion that dropping out of contest should be understood Writers may have just heard some disturbing news and the drive to write was gone. I think if the reason for dropping out of a contest is true and genuine that should be taken into consideration. Writers as a whole are inspiring people. We all need understanding about things of this nature. I would let the person in charge of the contest know why the cancellation of being in the contest changed, and pray they understand.

Smee Author Icon sends: I can understand it. A bright, colourful, exciting competition can fill you with inspiration. It's hard not to be caught up in it. I handle it with the classic parent line "I'm not angry, just disappointed". *Pthb*

Thank you, for those who took the time to reply to my newsletter question. Your answers are always much appreciated.

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