 Action/Adventure: September 21, 2016 Issue [#7874] |
  Action/Adventure
This week: Try Something New Edited by: NaNoKit  
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Want to write something? Don't know what? Why not try something different?
This week's Action/Adventure Newsletter is all about challenging yourself and trying something new.
NaNoKit |
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Amazon's Price: $ 12.99
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You log onto Writing.Com and feel like you want to go on an adventure. Problem is, you don't really know what kind of adventure. Have you ever felt like that? I know that I have.
Sometimes you just feel like writing, but your inspiration is all over the place, or needs a good nudge. You know you're not going to sit down and write a novel that day, but you want to create something, have some fun, play with words. That is the time to have a look at the contest listings and your newsfeed to see what challenges and prompts are available.
You can go for contests that ask for regular length pieces or poetry, but if you want to experiment a little, I'd like to point you in the direction of some fun contests that will make you really think about your writing skills.
One of these contests is "Invalid Item" . BLINK! Challenges authors to write a “snapshot” in 50 – 75 words. For someone as wordy as I tend to be, that seemed utterly impossible. 50 – 75 words feels like nothing. You start typing and have used up your allotted amount of words before you know it. That is the point, though, isn't it? Trying something new? It's a learning experience and we're on this site to learn. So, I have given it a go and you know what? It's fun. It makes you think about the words you are using and whether or not you actually need them. You get to assess their impact every step of the way. I am certain that I will have another go in the next round.
If you need a bit more breathing space, there is "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge" [13+]. For that contest you get to create a story within the space of 300 words. A new prompt is posted at around 11 PM W.Com time each day. There often are three words that you need to include in your piece, and that can send your imagination in all sorts of interesting directions. For example, as I write this the prompt is crown, shout, lie. Could you create an action/adventure story out of this? Or a story in a different genre? I am certain that you can.
Then there are two contests that offer to exact opposite challenge: "The Dialogue 500" [18+] and the "No Dialogue Contest-CLOSED" [E]. In the Dialogue 500 you are asked to create a dialogue-only piece. As someone who can struggle to bring my characters to life through dialogue, it's an excellent practicing ground. The No Dialogue Contest, on the other hand, challenges you to create a piece without any dialogue whatsoever and this, too, is fun and educational.
Spend so much time thinking of what to write that the day can pass by with you not writing anything at all? Why not try "The Writer's Cramp" [13+] It gives you 24 hours to write either a story or a poem to the daily prompt. And the prompt can be anything! It's all about writing, writing, writing without worrying too much about perfection. You can perfect your piece afterwards.
And then there are some big challenges... the first being "a very Wodehouse challenge" [E]. Entering this challenge is an adventure in itself. You choose a picture, not knowing what will lurk behind it. Once all slots are filled – you do have to be fast – your tasks are revealed and you may well find yourself way outside of your comfort zone. That's certainly the case for me this round, but I'll never shy away from a challenge.  Writers should test themselves.
"Give It 100!" [13+] is a whole different type of challenge. Can you stick to a project for 100 days? Maybe you'd like to try write x amount of words every day, or write a poem every day, or write a blog post every day. Why not sign up and see if you can do it? The accountability it presents may be just what you need.
There are many contests and activities out there that will test you. Have a good look around. You never know... you might find yourself inspired enough to add another gem to your portfolio.
Good luck! 
NaNoKit |
Below are the above-mentioned contests, for convenience:
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2054775 by Not Available. |
| | Give It 100! (13+)
Write daily on Writing.Com for 100 days and earn an exclusive merit badge! Start today!
#1974137 by ruwth  |
And don't forget this contest, as it has a prompt that's perfect for some adventure:
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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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The Action/Adventure Newsletter Team welcomes any and all questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in!
Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,
The Action/Adventure Newsletter Team
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