How to Enter the Writer's Cramp

How to ENTER "The Writer's Cramp" :
Just go to the Cramp itself using the link above, and look for the most recent prompt under "WINNER AND NEW PROMPT - Due Month/Date" subject line. (For instance, it might say, "WINNER AND NEW PROMPT - Due Dec. 31" - or whatever the date is.) A new prompt is posted around NOON each day (WDC time, which is Eastern Time Zone) and entries for each prompt are due by 11:59am Eastern Time (late entries are DQ'd even if a new prompt has not already been posted).

If you do not do so already, please view the Cramp forum using the "Unthreaded View."
If you use the "Threaded View," the most recent prompt may not appear at the top of the list, which has confused some entrants as to which is the current prompt, leading to a disqualification. To avoid this, make sure you view the Cramp via "Unthreaded View" so you will see the most recent/current prompt closest to the top of the page of posts.

Click on the most recent "WINNER AND NEW PROMPT" message, read the prompt, and then write a story or poem that fits the prompt -- creating a STATIC item in your portfolio. You will only have 24 hours or less to do this, depending on when you read the prompt.

HOW to create a STATIC ITEM: See How To Create an Item from Writing.Com 101 
Once the story or poem is in your portfolio, it is given an ID#. You go back to "The Writer's Cramp"  and click "Post a New Message" to submit your entry via b-item link.

HOW to create "b-item" LINKS (Watch this helpful video Video: Linking to an Item from Writing.Com 101 
Using the b-item link tag, post your entry (make sure you include a word count if it's a story or line count if it's a poem IN YOUR FORUM POST). Stories are limited to 1000 words or less, poems to 40 lines or less.

Using your item ID#, you put the number inside the squiggly brackets as below:

{b-item:########} replacing the #'s with the actual ID#, which will create a b-item link.

So, for instance, THIS item has THIS Item ID# 1633129 which is found below the title of the item.

So, if I were to enter this in the Cramp, I would click on "Post a New Message" and then type this:

Subject line: My Entry (or something similar)

Text box for message:
Word Count = 897 words

{b-item:1633129}
creates

STATIC

How to Enter the Writer's Cramp  (E) Step-by-step instructions on how to enter the Cramp ... #1633129 by Sophy

See "Video: Linking to an Item"  or WritingML Help for b-item for more help. And go to "Invalid Item"  to practice linking.

Remember to include a word count for stories (1000 words or less) or a line count for poems (40 lines or less) in your forum post or your item will not be considered for the daily prize.

If you have any other questions please email me directly -- do NOT post them in the Cramp as they will be suspended.

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