Contest Rules

Show, Don't Tell
Contest Rules


1.  You must create a static item that transforms the "Contest Scenario"  into a scene.  If you're not sure how to create a static item, see "Create/Edit a Static Item" . 

(a)The "Contest Scenario"  is not a story and you are not required to write a story, just a scene based on the scenario. 
(b) Judges will assess your entry on how well it transforms this list of events into a scene; for more details, please see "Show, Don't Tell Judging Criteria" . Also see the comments below.

2.  To enter, you must post a message with the subject, "My Entry.," to the "Show, Don't Tell Contest"  message board not later than noon, CDT, September 5, 2011.  This message must include a link, in b-item format, to your scene.  If you are unsure how to do a b-item link, please see "Newbie Hyperlinking 101 - Bitem Format" . 

(a)  The contest is limited to SIXTEEN entrants, so post early. 
(b)  The contest will be closed to new entries either at noon CDT, September 5, 2011 or when we receive sixteen entries, whichever comes first.
(c)  In case there are more than sixteen entries posted in the "Show, Don't Tell Contest"  message board, the first sixteen, based on date and time of posting, will qualify for the competition.
(d)  Only one entry per contestant.

3.    Your scene must be not more than 1500 words in length, excluding title, author byline and word count.  Word count must be posted at top of the scene.  Use counts from either WDC or MS Word.

4.    Entries must neither introduce new characters nor change the basic events of the  "Contest Scenario" .  Entries may be disqualified for not complying with this rule.

5.    Entries that include fewer than twenty of the "Contest Scenario"  elements will incur a penalty in scoring.

(a)  Judges will award points for each element that you show instead of tell. 
(b)  Judges will also award points for showing all 25 elements. 
{c)  The elements do not have to occur in the same order as in the scenario. 

6.    Entries must be written using third person limited narrative, immersing the reader in the point-of-view character's head. 

(a)  If you need help understanding what this means, glance at the "Point of View" section of the essay "Long Musings on Short Stories" .
(b)  Entries not complying with this rule will incur a penalty in the scoring.
(c)  The point-of-view character must be one of the characters explicitly mentioned in the  "Contest Scenario" .

7.  There must be a minimum of EIGHT entries by noon CDT, September 5, 2011 or the contest may be cancelled.

8.  Entrants must be 18 years old or older, verified by WDC profile, WDC bio, or via a public assurance in a message posted in the "Show, Don't Tell Contest"  message board. 

9.  Entrants are expected to interact with other contestants and with the judges in a professional and civil manner.  This is a contest, but it's also designed to be a learning experience  Please be courteous to everyone involved.

10.  Entries may have any rating.  Please be sure to properly rate your items.

11.  The first sixteen entries that comply with the above rules will receive 1000 GPS.  We will award these bonus points whether or not there are the required minimum of eight entries in the contest.

12.  Contest prizes:
      FIRST PRIZE:  25,000 GPS and an awardicon worth 25,000 GPS.
      SECOND PLACE: 10,000 GPS and a merit badge.
      THIRD PLACE:  5000 GPS and a merit badge.
      HONORABLE MENTIONS: merit badge.
Honorable Mention prizes are at the discretion of the judges and may or may not be awarded.  All prizes are contingent upon the contest having at least EIGHT entrants by noon CDT, September 5, 2011, per rule 7.

13.  You must NOT edit your entry after noon, CDT, September 19, 2011.  Doing so may result in disqualification.

(a) This is two weeks after the last date for submitting entries to the contest.
(b) If we receive 16 entries prior to September 5, 2011, we may advance this date accordingly.
(c) If the last date for edits is advanced, entrants will be notified by email and via a posting in the "Show, Don't Tell Contest"  message board.

14.  All decisions of the judges are final and not subject to appeal.

Comments.

The rule about "show, don't tell" is not "always show and never tell." That would be following a rule off a cliff.  The rule is, more properly, "have the right balance between showing and telling." Since almost everyone finds "telling" easier, it rarely happens that an author will have too much showing and not enough telling. Hence, the emphasis in this contest is on showing.  However, even here it may be appropriate to have some telling.

For example, if you write, "Joe saw monkeys fly over his head," that's telling the reader he saw them.  If you write, "Joe ducked as the monkeys flew over his head," that shows that he saw them.  Note that both examples tell the reader that the monkeys were flying.

As you develop your scene, you will certainly add things that your point of view character notices, senses, says, feels or thinks.  That's fine, as long as you don't deviate from the basic set of events.  For example, the scenario doesn't describe any conversations that might have occurred.  You could, if you wanted, add conversations, provided they are between characters mentioned in the scenario. 

Other than Ruby, the characters in the scenario aren't named; you are free to make up their names and insert them, provided the point-of-view character knows or learns them.

The scenario is more or less told from Ruby's point of view.  That doesn't mean she has to be the point-of-view character.  But the point-of-view character must be one of the ones explicitly mentioned in the basic scenario.  If you are unsure, write to one of the contest sponsors for a ruling.

Showing includes, but is not limited to such things as:
    a.    Character emotions and sensations;
    b.    Background and back story, if any;
    c.    Foreshadowing, if any;
    d.    Setting;
    e.    Character descriptions.

"Show, Don't Tell Judging Criteria"  include points for using descriptions to reinforce point of view.  If you're not sure what this means, see this comment.

"Show, Don't Tell Judging Criteria"  include points for using all five senses.

"Show, Don't Tell Judging Criteria"   include points for conventional elements of good writing--grammar, dialogue, staging, scene setting--even though the basic focus is on "show, don't tell."

Each entrant will be assigned up to three other entries to read and critique.  However, it is not required that you critique these entries unless you wish to compete for a Reviewing Merit Badge.  In order to be eligible for the Reviewing Merit Badge, entrants must use the  "Show, Don't Tell Judging Criteria"  as the basis for their critique, and must post these critiques to the message board and publicly on WDC.  Critiques must be posted not later than noon CDT, September 19, 2011.  See the "Show, Don't Tell Reviewing Competition"  rules for more information.

Showing and point of view.  It's almost always a bad idea to include descriptions unless they are things that the point-of-view character would naturally notice or think about.  For example, don't mention the brand of sneakers worn by a character unless your point-of-view character would notice that for some reason.  This is, in part, what we mean when we say descriptions should "enhance point of view." For another example, if you decide that your point-of-view character is smart, or depressed, or sarcastic, then your descriptions can show this character trait, and hence enhance point of view.  Another way to enhance point of view is to show your character reacting to events around him or her. For example, instead of saying, "a cold wind was blowing," you might say, "Joe shivered and clenched his coat against the wind."  Remember that writing, "Joe was cold," is telling, not showing, and does not enhance point of view.