|
Author: Shelley Wake Article source: http://u-self-publish.com/. Used with author's permission.
The Blogfest 2005 Writing Contest has only been running for two weeks and already the results are overwhelming. And not because we're getting far more entries than we expected. It's because along with entries, we're also getting heartfelt messages from writers all over the world. I've run a few contests before and received quite a few entries, but I've never been personally emailed and thanked by so many writers.
What's the difference with this contest? I think the main reason is that the idea actually came from writers. Even though the writers at our company work in publishing, they find it a little sad that there's so much focus on writing what can sell instead of writing what truly matters to you. They wanted a contest that would allow people to write whatever they wanted to write.
From that idea came Blogfest, a contest designed to encourage all writers to get the project of their dreams done. Unlike most contests, we decided not to offer publication and not to pay the prize for a completed work. Instead, we decided to offer the prizes based on how much the writing project means to the writer. This is one contest that isn't about whether or not your work can sell or about what your writing will mean to someone else. It's about what it means to you.
To enter, we asked writers to tell us about the one thing they've always wanted to write and to tell us what it would mean to them to write it. Now, after only two weeks, we have an inbox full of emails from people. Entries so far have included grandparents wanting to write their life story for their grandchildren, aspiring novelists, professional writers looking for the chance to write something for themselves and not for money, and a young woman wanting to capture and preserve her mother's family recipes.
These people have entered and then sent us an extra email just to thank us for the opportunity. They've told us how just writing about the project has made them so excited and full of joy. They have enthusiasm and feel delight just for thinking about finally writing. And we've started reading the entries and the joy is there too. As a publisher, I'm used to reading submissions and contest entries. It's often a joy but there's rarely as much life as there is in these submissions. Reading them, I can feel that people have that spark of excitement that is only motivated by something much greater than money or even publication. It's the joy of doing what your heart's always wanted to do.
There is more to writing than publication and money and this competition is bringing out the real spirit of writing.
My message to all writers is to think about what matters to them. Think about that one thing you've always dreamed of writing. I challenge you to write down what completing that project would mean to you. If you feel that spark, I challenge you to commit to your project and get it written. Not because you can make money from it, but because it means something to you.
This contest has made me see more clearly than ever that there is far more to writing than making money. There will only be a few winners to Blogfest, and choosing them is going to be the toughest job we do all year. But I hope this idea can reach further than that. I hope all writers will listen to their hearts and complete their projects. I hope that just thinking about actually doing it will wake up that writing spirit that is in so many people. Shelley Wake is one of the organizers of Blogfest 2005 and the manager and editor of Writing Stuff - the site that offers everything a freelance writer needs to succeed.
http://www.writingstuff.com
Internet Marketing: Are You Leaving Money on the Table?
Many internet marketers are leaving money on the table by overlooking one simple yet incredibly lucrative activity. Don't be one of them!
Link Cheating On The Rise
Website owners and webmasters who are trying to improve their search engine ranking by trading links with other sites should beware of being cheated. Beware of ...
Capture Your Perfect Moment with a Wedding Website
Not so many years ago, the proposition of a wedding website would be a thing of humor. For decades, wedding invitations created from custom stationary and maile...
Choice and Change - The Two Constants
Two things are always happening. You're always making choices, and these choices are always changing your world.
A Singles Game of Real Estate
This discussion leans toward answering questions asked most often by our youthful men and women in there early twenties. They often begin to ask themselves the ...
Dress Your Kids In the Best For Less
How to find affordable new and nearly new clothing for your children. Dress your children in stylish and trendy outfits without having to take out a second mort...
Top 7 Reasons You Should Back Up Your Data Online!
How much is your data worth to you? In this modern electronic-age we rely more than ever on our computers to supply us with the information we need. Chances ar...
Functional Flexibility Is The Desire Of Every Golfer
Functional flexibility for golf is an important element. Quite often there are a lot of feelings of inadequacy, more so physical inadequacy, on the golf course...
Money, Insanity and Wall Street
For some, the process of trading is like the development of an addiction, it starts with expectations, with hopes of a relief, with desire to control money or a...
How to Use a Smoothie to Eliminate Acne, Improve Skin, and Keep Regular
Smoothies are a great way to enjoy a nice cool drink, which will help you clear your face of acne and give you better health. Learn what the right kind of smoo...
Mythology and Parables in Modern Communication - Part 1
Today there is a growing need to examine all our systems of thought and communication. We are witness to an information explosion. Never before has there been...
Anatomy of A PayPal Identity Theft Scam - The 7 Warning Signs
Paypal is becoming the online payment processor of choice for many users. Paypal allows virtually anyone to except credit card payments. Paypal is also a grea...
Freelance or Staff
Which category do you belong in?
Natural And Not So Natural Disasters: An Alternative Perspective
Taking action to improve world conditions can be a healthier alternative to sitting home watching media hype. Wouldn't it be a better use of our personal power ...
Candlestick Charting - Learn How to Make Bigger Trading Profits!
The Japanese have used Candlestick charting for centuries. Candlestick charting is more popular than ever today as it adds an extra dimension to trading to give...
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon: Treat Yourself to Surgery at Its Best
Learn how to choose the best los angeles plastic surgeon...
Blogging on Ecademy Will Boost Your Web Site
Ecademy is the world's biggest online business network. It runs it's own blog and you can post entries to that blog; doing so will boostyour web site.
Purchasing Spyware Software—Avoid the Scams
Be an educated buyer of anti-spyware software. Don't become a victim of false advertising.
Cytoskeleton-the cellular scaffold
The cytoskeleton is a network of fibers throughout the cell's cytoplasm that helps the cell maintain its shape and gives support to the cell. It is a cellular s...
The Perfect Meeting (Part1) - Staging For A New Client
In my years in business, the one thing I pride myself on is how to win a potential clients over with one meeting only. This series will show you how to win over...
Insider Tips to Quadruple Your Art Show Sales
Learn how to sell more effectively at every art and craft show. This article shares secret tips on how to maximize every sale when exhibiting your work at art s...
Are You Addicted To Your Acne Trigger?
If a food or drink is the culprit behind your acne breakouts you may actually be addicted to your preferred culinary delight. The allergy addition could stem fr...
After Your Interview - What Must You Do Next?
Other than actually landing the interview itself and living through it, waiting after the interview and wondering whether you will get a phone call or a rejecti...
How to Overcome Being Overqualified
Here's how to prepare for and avoid the negative perception of being "overqualified" for a job.
|
Print this page