This week: Competition or Challenge? Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Contests & Activities Newsletter by Dawn
There are different options for contests and activities that one can create or enter on the site. This newsletter looks a little at two similar options that can promote writing. |
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One of the great things about this web site is the availability of options for places to submit writing. We have a variety of writers and to match that, a variety of different venues to help influence more creations. Some of the options include contests and some activities also do their part to promote the entering of said contests. I'm writing in a challenge where we enter a contest every single week for the entire year. It's a fun challenge but between this and running contests it has got me thinking about the differences between a challenge and a contest. I've considered switching a contest over to a challenge and in reopening a different contest so let's look at what is different between the two options, both the positive and the difficulties one might face.
Contest
+ Fun in competition
It's fun to compete. Part of what can draw in entries is not just the chance to be judged (reviewed) or even the spark to encourage writing, but the chance to maybe say you won. Sure, some will lose as that is part of the nature of competition but for many it's worth the risk in order to also have the chance to have their writing win in a contest. Prizes are good incentive too though they aren't the only reason people enter. For those that really enjoy the thrill of competition, having a contest to enter is a great way to get some writing done.
- Not enough entries
The downside to a competition where judges have to pick winners is that at times there just aren't enough entries. No matter how fabulous the prizes might be or how interesting the prompts (though some rounds may be just not as inspiring as we might have hoped when coming up with them) there are just times when either not enough saw the forum or maybe they did start writing an entry but ran out of time due to a variety of reasons. No matter the reasons for the lack of results, in the end there are times when a contest has only a couple, if any entries submitted for a round. In that case you have to decide if you still want to give out the prizes for the few that did enter or just give them something as a thank you. Some contests have a minimum entry requirement in order for prizes to be given. As a judge and contest owner, I know many of us would much prefer to give out the prizes and see enough entries but alas, that is not always possible.
+- Judging
This is both a plus and a minus for a couple of reasons. It can be fun to judge a contest. You get to check out a variety of entries from very different writers. Never know what people will submit. But this is a double edged sword because you really do never know what someone might submit. Let's just say I've seen a few things over the past 10 years, some of which still haunts me a little. Judging also can take a lot of time depending on what the particular contest requires and the number of entries that get submitted. It's awesome to see a plethora of entries but in order to give a good review in return to show how much we appreciate the writer putting the time and creativity into the submission there is an increased amount of time needed in return. Official contests are a good example because some rounds will have over 20 entries. It's a challenge to determine who to place in the top and in order to provide feedback while also having an offline life, jobs and all of that other stuff we do. On the other side, when we only get one or two entries, sure it takes less time but can be discouraging as a contest owner/judge as there is also time that was put into the creation and maintenance of the contest that doesn't get rewarded when no one enters. So, there is both good parts and struggles for judging with the contest method.
Challenge
+ Incentive to write
No matter who enters, there is a little prize for getting something done and that can be even more incentive than a chance to place in a contest. We don't know how we will do and judging is really very subjective, dependent on the person judging in that particular moment. At times it's nice to get something in return for participating, even if it's just a review or some type of note that provides a virtual pat on the back. We should write in general but at times having an extra incentive can help in order to make more progress and get those words onto the page.
- Almost any writing gets rewards
This is kind of like the whole debate whether rewards for participation are a negative impact on development of skills instead of the positive enforcement people might strive to achieve. The whole "don't give your kids stickers just for doing anything" mentality isn't going to like the idea of a challenge where the prize is given for participation. There is a valid point there, however, because sometimes people will put together just about anything without as much effort in order to get the incentives the competition might offer. They have a drawback in what they don't get out of their own writing but there is also the issue of how at times, not everything posted is of quality. Rules help but we all know not everyone follows those. So there might be a downside but also depending on the challenge it can still be hard to keep or maintain participation.
+- Participation
I consider the participation but a positive and a struggle when it comes to the option of a challenge because it can go a few different ways. There can be many entries within the time frame of a challenge. With many entries comes a lot of work for the person running the challenge in keeping everything posted, up to date and following those that post in order to make sure what gets posted follows the rules and qualify. Or a challenge, much like a contest, might not get much participation. It's also happens at times where times the participation is fantastic in the beginning but things can dwindle down so that by the end there isn't much at all.
In the end, one isn't necessarily better than the other. Both are fun and can help promote writing, which is what most of us are here to do. So go check out some contests and maybe even a challenge or two. As for what I'll do, I still don't have an answer but I do know I'm in a challenge that requires I write for a contest this week. I had better get writing. You should too.
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Which has more appeal: a competition with winners or a challenge to write with incentives to those who enter?
Many moons ago, back in March of 2018, I wrote about how many entries should be enough to give out a prize. No comments were sent in over the topic.
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Contests & Activities: May 01, 2019 Issue [#9517]
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