This week: I Want To Speak To The Manager! Edited by: GeminiGem of House Lannister  
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My muse:
Hi all! I'm GeminiGem of House Lannister , and I am this month's guest editor for the Contest & Activities Newsletter. I always have something to say on this subject, so let me take you along as I bully persuade my diva muse to get back to writing. |
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I Want To Speak To The Manager!
I want to write something. I need to write something. Please don't point out that I am currently writing a newsletter. Sure, the newsletters I put together every month count as writing, but they don't add to my WdC portfolio.
So, I poke at my muse. "Let's write something, Muse." She flips me an unkind gesture, grunts, and then continues to scroll social media.
So rude.
I drum my fingers impatiently. "I really want to write something!" At my insistent tone, my muse gives me some bombastic, criminal side-eye.
Curses! Foiled again. Well, I'll show that muse of mine that I am serious about this writing thing. She is not the one in charge! I'm not sure who is in charge, but it is definitely, probably not her! I'll just sign up for "I Write in 2024" . That should get her attention.
(Side note: I Write in 2024 will be closed for new sign-ups by the time this newsletter comes out.)
I post my sign-up in the I Write forum, then silently start panicking. What makes me think I can go from writing one short story in a year's time to the steady stream of writing this challenge will demand of me?
My muse sees what I am doing and rolls her eyes. Clueless writer. You're just setting yourself up for failure.
I set my chin higher. "That may well be, Muse, but at least I'll go down in a flame of glory!"
She gifts me with another eye roll and a one shoulder shrug. Whatever. What are we writing for the first entry?
"A poem for "The Writer's Cramp - Poetry Week" ."
My muse jumps off the couch in alarm. A WHAT? For the Cramp? Are you kidding me? We don't write poetry! Why would you start with that? When is it due?
Looky there, it is her turn to panic. I suppress a grin. "Tomorrow at noon, Eastern time. Which is 10:00 a.m. Mountain time, by the way," I replied.
Yep, got that got her attention. She huffs and glares at me.
I add, "Don't you want to know what the poem will be about?" I pause, but she doesn't respond.
Proud of myself that I found this contest with a food-related prompt, I blurt out, "Macaroni and cheese!"
My muse stops glaring and looks at me thoughtfully. This is right up her alley.
Ah-ha! Got her. The score is Writer 1, Diva Muse 0.
So yeah, that's the true story of how I forced/bribed my muse into action. At the time of writing this newsletter, I only have one thing written for I Write. Yep, that would be that poem about Macaroni and Cheese. Let me tell you my war plan to survive this year-long challenge.
1. There will be much teeth-gnashing, self-berating, loud and quiet panicking, not to mention loads of whining involved. And that will just be by my muse.
2. I started with a poem on purpose. That was to set my muse up with the expectation that we would be writing things that are out of our comfort zone.
3. I will once again prioritize time for writing. I haven't done this in a while, so I need to get back to that habit. It won't be daily, but it will be often. I may also return to the habit of using "Weekly Goals" to help me sort through my writing goals. I did this as a WdC newbie (was that really a decade ago?!) and found it to be a useful tool.
4. I already keep a list of what writing contests and writing activities are currently open and running. I will be trying some new ones, and I am especially interested in the activities. Winning a contest is nice, but right now writing is more important to me. Activities are especially great for that goal.
5. I will encourage people to start new writing contests and activities or re-open existing ones! There are some 35 people signed up for I write, and they all have to enter lots and lots of writing contests and activities. If you are an owner, make sure you get the word out so people know you've got something they should consider entering. I will list a few ways to do that.
List your contest or activity in these places:
"Writing Contests @ Writing.Com"
"Activities @ Writing.Com"
"Contest Clues"
and of course, post in the WdC newsfeed.
If you didn't notice, "Contest Clues" is my list. All you have to do is drop me an email and I'll get your contest/activity listed. It does have to be based on writing.
I advertise Contest Clues and remind people to check it for items to enter on a fairly regular basis. Many people have Contest Clues as a favorite so they can consult it as needed. I encourage you to take advantage of this resource, too.
Okay, I'm off to write something. Wish me continued luck with my recalcitrant muse. I am going to need every drop of it. |
for more writing contests, activities, and challenges:
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It has been almost a year since I've done the Contest & Activities Newsletter!  "Get The Word Out"
StephBee - House Targaryen
Just want to say, I loved "Contest Clues." It's a great way to find not just contests, but other items on WDC.
That is a very valid point! Contest Clues is a great place to find writing activities and challenges as well as interesting things to read and review. You know that people who enter contests and activities are interested in getting their items seen, right? That pretty much goes without saying. With Contest Clues you have a concentrated list of items people are just begging to have looked at.
I want to speak to the Manager
Adherennium Dr of Phoolishness
Nope. Write-Write has very definite 'ideas' about who is in charge, and what happens if 'someone' forgets that it's her!
Elisa the Bunny Stik
I'm trying to get my writing muse to shut up so my photography muse can speak freely. It's going okay for the moment.
Asha Moonfall - Plotting Book!
My dragon muse, Silverwing, is currently chasing something outside!! I wish she would come back! I miss writing!
SherritheWriter
No, but my muse might have tried some tricky measures to get me writing what he wants me to write.
s
My muse always co-operates... after all, she's in charge. I just do what she says and everything is then fine...
I just wish she'd give me some peace once in a while.
The Dark Faery
My muse has her moments, there are times she is creative. Sometimes I think she goes on vacation. |
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Contests & Activities: January 24, 2024 Issue [#12352]
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