It pays to participate in
I recently sent everyone who had done a month between January and April 2022 1k per month they completed. ![]() If you worry that you can't work on "The Contest Challenge" ![]() You only need 12 consecutive months and they don't have to be done over a 12-month time. If it takes you 30 months or 3 weeks (because you work on past months as if you are catching up), it only matters that you finish. I don't care how long it takes. ![]() Get started today! ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() It's as easy as 1, 2, 3. ![]()
Now, pick a contest (preferably one of the 1st 2 since they still need more entries from "The Contest Challenge" ![]() ![]() Rewards For completing 12 consecutive months--any 12--you get... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Earn 15k per Heartfelt MB You Send! You can send 12 MBs with a heartfelt writeup, but they must count for CRs. (Community Recognition means you didn't see the red warning when you sent it.) You can send 2 MBs to a friend and 2 to a stranger. You can choose the same friend and same stranger, but in that case, you must wait 2 weeks between MBs. Or, send one to 2 different friends and 2 different strangers for faster results. Send 2 MBs to: Elle (she/her) Jayne Lilli ☕️ for all they have done and continue to do for "The Quills" ![]() And you can send me 2 MBs, again CRs. This is an actual contest round for "The Whatever Contest" ![]() To recap the MBs... 1. Friend 2. Friend (same or different friend, but if same, must be 2 weeks later) 3. Stranger 4. Stranger (same or different stranger, but if same, must be 2 weeks later) 5. Elle (she/her) 6. Elle (she/her) (2 weeks later) 7. Jayne 8. Jayne (2 weeks later) 9. Lilli ☕️ 10. Lilli ☕️ (2 weeks later) 11. Schnujo 12. Schnujo (2 weeks later) Judging is not based on the MB you choose (exclusive vs. community), but on the heartfelt message you include. Examples: Less likely to win I'm sending this MB because I'm entering "The Whatever Contest" ![]() More likely to win I'm sending you this MB because I'm entering "The Whatever Contest" ![]() |
Have you submitted your entry for this month's
We have 2 contests that are being somewhat ignored, so feel free to enter
and/or
I get it. They have the same prompt for a whole month. But still... ![]() Our popular contest this month (and every month I highlight it) is
Whichever contest you choose to enter this month, be sure to fill out all 3 genres on your item! Doing so will increase your odds of... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
As a fellow Mod and a newsletter editor, I can tell you that I certainly do search by genre for items to feature in my newsletters! ![]() |
The current round in my contest is Broken Masquerade - basically, what if the Memory Eraser Device/Spell used by the Men in Black, or Ministry of Magic failed to work, and now Normal Humans know that Aliens and/or Magical Beings exist? What happens as a result? |
Remember to fill out all 3 genres when creating an item! It boosts your chances of winning "The Quills" ![]() For example... Choconut ~ 7 Years Young! wrote
She was a finalist, but didn't win Best Flash Fiction. ![]() However, she filled out the genres of Children's, Holiday, and Friendship. ![]() In the genre awards, she won... ![]() ![]() ![]() Imagine if she hadn't filled out all 3, or worse, any of the genres! ![]() ![]() Another person I won't name (to protect the guilty) was a finalist but didn't win their category. But in genres, they listed Genre 1, Genre 2, and Contest Entry. (I'm not listing the genres because you will be able to figure out who it was and they aren't online, so I don't have permission to point out their error.) They won... ![]() ![]() There's no "Contest Entry" genre, so they missed an opportunity at possibly another Quill award. ![]() One Honorable Mention winner earned that for their category, but they filled out 0 genres so they lost 3 more chances to win. ![]() Plus... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Fill out all 3 genres! Contest Entry, Other, Contest (unless it's really a contest) and Activity (unless it's really an activity) don't count! Boost your odds of winning
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Don't make her yell at you while she's supposed to be working in Israel, either! ![]() |
If Schnujo doesn't yell, I will do it for her! I was already having a private rant about this very thing and was considering how to make it a public rant, she just dove in and beat me to it. She is also a bit more persistent than I am, which frankly makes her more effective. Go, Jody, go! |
How exciting is this?! And, yes, guys, GENRES, GENRES, GENRES ![]() ![]() |
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To find some awesome things to read and/or review check out our nominees and winners! ![]() Alas, there's no ceremony this year, but you can still browse and share people's excitement! ![]() Also, remember to nominate things you love for next year! It's free and easy--though they need to have been written this year...except in January when you can nominate things from last year or this year. ![]() Nominate through...
It has it's own item alias so you can easily create the link yourself with {item:quillnominate}. ![]() AND BE SURE TO INCLUDE ALL 3 GENRES IN YOUR ITEMS TO MAXIMIZE WINS! ![]() Contest Entry and Other don't count. ![]() |
And not to beat a dead horse or anything - GENRES!!! Chose wisely GRASSHOPPER! |
I found the Facebook page of author Gemma Rogers and was scrolling through. I just finished listening to her audiobook, Payback. In paperback, it's known as The Secret.
On her Fb page, she did a couple of things I thought were good ideas. Aside from the typical posting about books she's reading and asking fans to post what they are reading, along with posting reviews and thanking the reviewer and doing signed book giveaways, she did an unboxing video of her latest book. That's a cool idea! I see unboxing videos on YouTube a lot and never considered doing one for a book reveal. Fun idea! She also posted an interview with her main character from her latest book. I thought that was another great idea! For those of you with author pages, consider trolling other authors' pages for ideas to use on your own. ![]() |
How very cool -- I'd love to volunteer. It would be a great way to discover new writers on here! Sign me up! ~MiddleSon |
Thanks everyone for being so awesome and volunteering so I don't have to! ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I've added you to the list, James Matthew. Thank you for volunteering! Buddhangela's Brave & Crazy, you are ridiculous! ![]() |
I missed my flight from New York to Rome (and thus my flight to Tel Aviv). In my defense, there were 2 flights to Rome leaving only 5 minutes apart. ![]() ![]() I lost my awesome row 9 seat and now have a nonstop flight, nixing the 5 hours to roam the Rome airport. I was looking forward to that. ![]() ![]() Anyway, if anyone wants to cheer me up, you can enter this round of
Like that segue? ![]() I'm not asking for MBs for me (in this post...though I'd never turn away a lonely MB... ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() To get paid your 15k, post the badge in the forum with {badge:XXXXXX}. ![]() Note: You are supposed to send a heartfelt MB writeup, not just something you slapped together. Be thoughtful. ![]() If anyone is surprised I missed my flight, you don't know me as well as I thought you did. ![]() |
WOW! You do get around a lot. I remember when my job required me to travel, but never out of the states. It was like a sea of airports. After a while traveling was no longer exciting, but more of living out of a suitcase and missing my children growing up. I do not ever remember missing a plane, and I ALWAYS preferred non-stop travel—no interest in floating around any place. On the flip side, if the job required two weeks, I always took an extra week or two to explore the city of the surrounding area just inc case I would not be returning. Sorry to hear that you were in so much pain. Do you use Tumeric? I live on it, and I can always tell when I have skipped a day or two. It will not eliminate all of the pain (joint and muscle), but it does reduce it tremendously. Safe travels and a safe return home. |
Hi, Jody, you’ve just described my worst nightmare. Travel and I don’t get on. The only reason I still live in Australia after fifty years is because I couldn’t face the trip back to England.😂 |
We have the winners of the April/National Poetry Month round of
Are you impressed with how quickly I judged it? Don't be. It wasn't me. ![]() You can thank Solace.Bring ![]() ![]() ![]() I only made final choices about ties and such from their list of winners...and that took me a couple of days. ![]() Tied for 1st Prize
"Hair" ![]() ![]() Tied for 2nd Prize
"Carving Knife (Pantoum)" ![]() ![]() "Taken by storm [The Whatever Contest, 4/2022]" ![]() ![]()
Tied for 3rd Prize
Yeah, I couldn't decide who should get an awardicon vs. who should get just GPs this round (honorable mention), so there were a LOT of ties. ![]() 1st Prize = 10k and a "The Whatever Contest" ![]() 2nd Prize = 5k and a "The Whatever Contest" ![]() 3rd Prize = 2500 GPs and a "The Whatever Contest" ![]() Congratulations to all the winners! It was a tough competition! Beholden and Solace.Bring had to sort through 41 poems to pick a winner! ![]() (Now responding to all the emails from people who had previously offered to judge that are now withdrawing their statements. I'm paying judges 100k and a MB, people! What do you expect? If it were easy, I'd always do it myself. ![]() ![]() ![]() The next round will (hopefully) open today! What is it? Sending heartfelt MBs! ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Earn 15k per MB you send, but they must count for CRs! If you get a red warning when you try to send your MB, wait until 15 days (or 14 days and 1 min) have passed from the previous one sent or your entry won't count! See "The Whatever Contest" ![]() ![]() |
First, I congratulate all winners. I also congratulate the rest of the participants. Without their participation, the contest cannot be such successful as it is now. In the end, I congrats dear Schnujo for this beautiful event. |
Open until June 30 for a MB contest! ![]() Send a heartfelt MB to Elle (she/her), Jayne, Lilli ☕️, me, a friend of your choosing, and a stranger of your choosing. Earn 15k per MB. Each person can receive 2 MBs from you, but they must be at least 14 days and 1 minute apart to count for CRs. ![]() ![]() Your MB must also include a link to "The Whatever Contest" ![]() ![]() ![]() If you need GPs to get you started, check with Adherennium. He'll help you out. ![]() See the forum for complete rules! Our judges this round are Ben and Majestic moose. ![]() |
NEW ROUND OF
What am I up to now? A MERIT BADGE SENDING CONTEST! ![]() ![]() You are to send a heartfelt MB to me, Lilli ☕️, Jayne, Elle (she/her), a friend of your choice, and/or a stranger of your choice. (Please comment in the forum if it was a friend or a stranger you sent a MB to.) You can send each of us 2 MBs over the course of the contest (closes June 30), but THEY MUST COUNT FOR CRs!!! That means if you see the red warning on the screen by their name just before your final confirmation, it won't count--wait 15 days (or 14 days and 1 minute) after the last one you sent that person. You are reimbursed 15k for each MB sent. If you need GPs ahead of time, Adherennium ![]() ![]() ![]() MBs must be posted in the forum using {badge:######}. There are instructions in the forum for how to send and how to edit your MB. Note that if you make a mistake, you can edit the words, not the recipient or the specific badge sent. All entries must contain a link to "The Whatever Contest" ![]() |
What happened to 'no such thing as a stupid question'? If one person doesn't understand the rules, the chances are super high that others don't either but are too timid to say so. |
Yes, you all are right. Here are 2 examples. Not very heartfelt... Thanks for being my friend. More heartfelt... Your friendship means so much to me. I genuinely value the comments and suggestions you provide on my work. Because of you, I'm a better writer and a better person. Thank you for being you! ![]() |
"You are my sun, my moon, my starlit sky. Without you, I dwell in darkness." ~Madmardigan, Willow |
Have you written a book? Are you interested in writing a book? Vivian owns a publishing company, 4RV Publishing, and has a round table discussion each month. This month they are discussing promoting your book. ![]() It's free, but you must register. It's this Sunday at 3:30 WdC (Eastern) time. This is the last time it will be available live for people to attend! ![]() If you have questions, include them in your registration to have them answered by the panel. ![]() Go to "Note: Sunday afternoon will be our next Between the Cove..." for the original post. ![]() |
I've been doing acupuncture for weeks now and it seems to hurt more each time. I think it's because he's putting needles into where I already have visible bruises. ![]() ![]() |
We didn't want to stop our Between the Covers discussions, but finding time to have a live session at a regular time was becoming an impossible task. So, we had to compromise. |
I just gave away 107,000 GPs to participants of
They got 1k per month they'd done between January and April 2022. ![]() It pays to participate--sometimes literally. ![]() |
Exciting News!
now has an item alias! ![]() That's right! Thanks to so many of you abbreviating it as TCC, I've now created {item:tcc} (also {bitem:TCC}, of course) so you can link to it quickly and easily. ![]() In other news, we are having a lopsided month, for sure. ![]() ![]() ![]()
Finally, I plan to give 1k to everyone who has posted an entry for January - April 2022. Be sure you have gotten your entries in! ![]() To participate in "The Contest Challenge" ![]() ![]() "The Whatever Contest" ![]() ![]() |
Just so you know, Rupali Goswami, "The Whatever Contest" ![]() ![]() |
When I was in New York in 2009, I met with Carol St.Ann
Hope you find someone to meet with.