WriteLink Competiton News

COMPETITION
NEWS


	An occasional newsletter detailing latest Writelink competitions - December, 2008


	This newsletter can also be read online Click Here


	*We Plough The Fields And Scatter ..!*


	Perhaps not physically, but as writers we know well how to sow the seeds of inspiration into the fertile fields of our imaginations!

So here’s a great chance to share the results of your labours by combining your poetic thoughts and musings into a harvest theme poem and posting it to our latest open contest ... Grape & Grain.

There are all ready some great poems online so you can see what you are up against! All receive votes and comments and are enjoying a public airing which, in my opinion, is only right and proper!

Poetry was never meant to languish in a dark drawer, but to dance like summer butterflies
in the bright light of kindred spirits.

Here are brief details, but do visit the competition site if only to read some of the entries and leave a comment or two!

THE GRAPE & THE GRAIN
OPEN POETRY CONTEST
£40 First Prize
£20 Two Runners Up
All entries posted on-line
All entries open to voting
All entries open to commenting
Top 10 site entries automatically
added to judge’s short list
Closing Date:
30th September, 2010
All details and enter Grape & Grain here

At this stage, I’m not promising but ...

If we get a few more good entries I will consider publishing an anthology of the top twenty poems. These will be made up of the site short list and the judge’s shortlist.

The anthology will be similar to the Spring Fever anthology which is due to be published in time for Christmas. The top three entries will receive a complimentary copy and all other included poems will be able to purchase copies at cost.

Finally, just in case you are thinking that this is a popularity contest being run at the expense of quality ...

I’d like to reassure you that it definitely is not!

The poem with the highest number of votes will not necessarily be the winner! Final judging is by human editor who will read all the entries!

REGISTER OR SUBMIT YOUR POEM
http://www.writelink.co.uk/grapeandgrain

Best of luck,

Sue


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NOT MADE THE WINNER’S PODIUM YET?
FOLLOW THESE FIVE TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES!

1. Study the rules! Obvious, but surprising how many entries get disregarded for exceeding line count, submitting fiction instead of poetry(!) and sending attachments when it clearly states entries to be submitted online.

2. Don’t go with your first idea for a themed contest. The chances are what initially occurs to you will also strike 90% of all the other entrants. If you must use an obvious theme look for a unique way of telling it.

3. Don’t use twist endings unless they work really well. Many a good story or poem has fallen at the last fence through a contrived ending. Get a couple of independent readers to critique for you, fresh eyes will tell you if it works or not.

4. Don’t force or invert rhymes and check for proper scanning. If you have difficulty reading it aloud something isn’t working!

5. Don’t use outdated words or phrases unless the theme calls for them.
E.g. thee, thou.

6 Check for typos, misused words and spelling errors. You are probably not the best person to proof your own work so, again, enlist a pair of fresh eyes.

7. Allow yourself enough time to put your work away for a couple of days if deadline allows. It is surprising how distancing yourself from the work will allow you to spot errors and in many instances, make improvements.

GOOD LUCK!






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		Competition News published by Writelink, 7 Melbourne Road, Newbold, Coleorton, Leicestershire. LE67 8JH.