 Contests & Activities: April 06, 2016 Issue [#7572] |
  Contests & Activities
This week: Should You Run a Weekly Contest? Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Contest & Activities Newsletter by Elf
A look based on my current experience hosting a weekly contest on the joys and pitfalls of the endeavor. |
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I did not come up with the idea for the Weekly Quickie, as many I'm sure by now are aware. It is a contest that has had a few different hosts over the years who take turns helping keep the challenging contest going on the site. On my own, I probably would not create a weekly contest because I like to write longer stories than flash fiction and have more time to write. I have my own contest that I run periodically and the rounds are a month long. But it has been a fun challenge trying to keep up with the Weekly Quickie.
And I will say, daily is even crazier. Hats off to the judges running contests like Writer's Cramp, Daily Flash Fiction, etc.
While it's a challenge to keep going every week, there are some good features to the contest with weekly prompts along with a few pitfalls.
The Plus Side
1. Variety
With prompts changing on a regular basis, there is a chance that one will come along that nabs at a writer. Plus, if you don't like a prompt at the time, you don't have to wait a whole month for the next one. Seven days later there is something else available to inspire a bit of flash fiction. It can become tough if you judge many rounds to think of something new but there are many options available and writers who all bring their own twists and interpretations.
2. Team of Judges
This was a plus for me with the Quickie because it is a contest I have also entered in the past as I like the challenge it presents. I do recommend having some people to help judge rounds because it does get tiring after a year or so doing round after round after round. Having that team also brings about connections with others on the site, all that are interested in the same genre. Having a group will also help keep from burring out or getting 10 months behind, though you still might get behind on judging a little depending on varying circumstances.
3. Timeframe
Sometimes, it's actually better to have a shorter round. People can forget or get distracted when they have an entire month to get a story done. Guilty as charged on that one. And for a story that's not very long, it's quite feasible to even do more than one draft or get in a small edit within the week, for those that don't procrastinate.
The Down Side
1. Commitment
It is a big commitment. There are going to be times when the team of judges you have, if you have any, aren't able to put as much time to a contest on a web site. There are times when you get busy too offline with work, family and other commitments. You might get a cold, like I have right now. Things come up so you do have to consider the commitment it takes to keep a contest running every single week of the year. I suggest to take breaks on occasion. It's okay to skip a week or two, especially during some of the slower times for contests on the site.
2. Expectations
Your expectations of the stories and number of entries will have to vary some because honestly, many rounds no one is going to enter the contest. And with some of the shorter contests or those of us who procrastinate, the entries aren't going to necessarily be publishing quality (yet). That's okay. You have to take into consideration the challenge you are giving to the writer as well as the other factors involved when judging, with any contest. Not that the entries are bad, though... okay, I've seen a few bad ones but eh, it happens. Just consider what to expect for the results if considering a very quick time frame type of contest (daily even more so).
3. It is Every Week
Minus some breaks, it can start to wear down on you when it's every week or day with the amount of work involved. That's new prompt and forum editing every week, depending on the day. I have an issue with that right now due to work schedule so prompts end up early or late. It's also picking winners, sending prizes and giving out reviews every week. Even if there aren't enough entries to give a first place, I still review every entry. It takes me time to get caught up with work and such, but I do think it's important to at least do the reviews.
So, that is my ramble of three good things and three struggles of running a weekly based contest. What are your thoughts about that time frame? Do you enter short contests or prefer ones with a longer deadline? Let us know.
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Quick self promotion cause it's the topic of the newsletter:
Now more contests to check out and a few entries too:
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Would you ever want to run a contest that changed prompts on a weekly basis?
Last time I edited one of these newsletters, I discussed the option of submitting stories for contests instead of taking part in National Novel Writing Month.
Comment by Ash 
I'm not participating in NANO this year. I will be graduating in December, but most of my "study time" is probably going to be devoted to | | | Invalid Item
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. I'm also planning on creating an auction, mostly for reviews of longer works, like NANO novels.
--Ash
This was a long time ago but just wanted to say hope it all worked out well for you with the studying and such.
Comment by jerics
Yes, I plan to enter but like you had mentioned and I am one who writing a novel ain't my thing.
That's okay. Write what you like. 
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