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Contests & Activities: April 13, 2016 Issue [#7583]

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Contests & Activities


 This week: Let's Talk Titles
  Edited by: spidey 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

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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

ASIN: B07N36MHWD
Amazon's Price: $ 7.99


Letter from the editor

Let's Talk Titles


I think we'd all agree that titles are pretty important, right? They help identify and clarify what you're about to see. It's your first opportunity to "wow" your reader, to capture their attention, and often will determine whether they click to view or not! Whether it's a forum, contest, activity, short story, television show, whatever, the title is your first glimpse at it, so it's an important aspect!

So, some tips on titles:

*Idea* Something catchy is always great. When a WDC member is looking for something to read (or a contest to enter), you're competing with lots and lots of others. Try something that stands out. Some examples:

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor





*Idea* Or go with the descriptive/straight-forward route. Nothing wrong with describing exactly what you'll find inside:

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Writing 4 Kids Contest  Open in new Window. [ASR]
If you like writing stories and/or poems for kids, this is the contest for you!
by Cubby Author Icon


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Scary Animal tales Open in new Window. [E]
A short story contest. Show me the monster.
by Danger Mouse Author Icon



*Star* To "E" or not to "E". Choose an E-rated title or don't, but please rate it correctly! Title/Intro ratings can be E or Non-E. For more on the ratings and rules, see "Content Rating System (CRS)Open in new Window..


*Thumbsdownl* Don't be misleading. Unless you're being clever and can pull it off (which would be tough but not impossible), it's probably not a good idea to mislead your audience. Using a title like, "Horror Contest," and then stating, "Just kidding! It's a contest for Romance." might not get the best reception. But then again, we're all different and will respond in different ways! Take a risk if you're willing to deal with the consequences! *Wink*

*Thumbsdownl* Don't name your contest entry, "Contest Entry." Most of us have done it, it's sort of a newbie thing, I think. Move past it, please! *Laugh* It will almost definitely get you more views to choose a title suited to the piece of writing instead!


If you're like me and have trouble naming things (characters, places, titles, etc.), you can try creating a poll asking readers which they like best!

Have fun with your titles! Or don't! It's totally your choice! *Bigsmile*

(In addition to the examples above, I've included some titles that caught my eye in my Editor's Picks! Check them out!)


purple flower sig


Editor's Picks






Official Writing.Com Contests & Activities:

 
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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:

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

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a very Wodehouse challenge Open in new Window. [E]
Special 24th WDC Anniversary Special Event! Come test your fortitude!
by iKïyå§ama Author Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

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Give It 100! Open in new Window. [13+]
Write daily on Writing.Com for 100 days and earn an exclusive merit badge! Start today!
by ruwth Author Icon

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No Dialogue Contest-CLOSED Open in new Window. [E]
Write a story containing no dialogue, in 700 words or less.
by QPdoll is Grateful Author Icon

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Poetic Insanity Open in new Window. [13+]
Complete the previous line and enter part of a new line of poetry...
by deemac Author Icon

 
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Lost In The 80's Open in new Window. [13+]
Test your might!
by Lexi Author Icon




Some contest resources:
How to Create a Contest Open in new Window. [ASR]
Things you need to know before you open a contest. Includes a contest template.
by Angels in my Ear Author Icon

"Create/Edit a Message ForumOpen in new Window.
Newbie Hyperlinking 101 - Bitem Format Open in new Window. [E]
Learn the ins and outs of creating a link using the bitem format.
by NickiD89 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!



 
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!



Ask & Answer

My last newsletter, ({nl:7533), discussed Daylight Savings Time:


Hey there! I hope you didn't turn your clock back an hour, otherwise you'll be two hours late that first day! We turn clocks ahead an hour in the spring. The old saying, "Spring Ahead, Fall Back." ~ Sum1's In Seattle Author Icon

Did I say the wrong one? *Blush* See, this is why I need technology that does it automatically! I'd be lost without it! *Laugh*


'Contrary to popular belief, DST wasn't created or even promoted by farmers.'
I find that a bizarre assumption. Farmers hate DST. The cows have to be milked at the same time every day, regardless of what the clock says. If you were milking them at 6am and you put your clock back an hour, now you have to milk them at 5am. DST is more useless to a farmer than pretty much anyone else I would imagine...
~ Patrece ~ Author Icon

|I totally agree! *Smile*


Better late than never, feedback from my newsletter on RPGs:

So late with this reply, but with regards to RPGs...I LOVE THEM *BigSmile*. I'm always surprised by the storylines my Video Game RPG programmers come up with. And though I haven't played D&D in ages, I always loved when the DM would allow some fun with the adventure and everyone was not so incredibly serious with it. ie, My brother had a random elf join our group in a dungeon (my character was an elf too). Our group got into a battle with orcs and the random elf died. I told my brother "My character says 'She was the only one who truly knew me' with a tear in her eye." My brother thought this hilarious and rolled the dice for the orcs (my character has high influence over others). The orcs stopped fighting and started crying! *Laugh* ~ Elfin Dragon-finally published Author Icon

Sounds awesome! That's one of the things I love about playing D&D! You never know what's going to happen! It's really great to get a group of creative people and a DM willing to have fun with it!






What was your best title? Do you have trouble coming up with titles or do they come easily to you?

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