Creative Writing Competition – Discuss

In my post, End of Year Review, I said:

I’m also a little unhappy about the way the Creative Writing Competition seems to have lost its impetus. I’ve refrained from saying anything earlier, since Christmas is such a frenetic time of year!  But I propose that it return to its fortnightly slot.

One person welcomed the proposal, one did not and a third seemed undecided.

Since I rarely enter these competitions, it seems to me that I should, perhaps, canvass opinions from those who do participate.  All comments welcome, on the clear understanding (of course!) that the umpire’s decision is final!

27 thoughts on “Creative Writing Competition – Discuss”

  1. For those of us who do contribute, Boadicea, once every two week seems to me to be an impossible task.

    I am a great supporter of the creative writing on this site and I’m delighted to take part, but most of us do have other things to do.

    I’m happy to try this; it may well work out, but I cannot see myself contributing once a fortnight.

  3. I prefer a monthly competition, Boadicea. I haven’t taken part in any CW comps before, but I’ve really enjoyed this one. I spend a bit of time thinking about a theme, in a relaxed sort of way :), and then try for a story. Fortnightly feels rather rushed.

  4. Seasonal gretings, Boadicea, and all the best to Bearsy too. As a regular and terminally unsuccessful contributor to The Chariot’s ‘Creative Writing’ corner I support a monthly competition with an entrenched last-day-of-the-month sell-by date.

    OZ

  6. Good evening, Ma’am. The festive season was satisfactory – New Year, by comparison, was an absolute hoot.

    OZ

  8. HI, Boa, I’m guessing that I was the one who did not welcome the proposal.

    Just to restate my position, I think that a set deadline of the last day of each month works well for me. I also think that I would struggle to cope with a fortnightly deadline, particularly if I happened to be busier than usual at work.

    I also like the fact that we have a de facto fortnightly competition at the moment anyway, with CW at the end of the month and the Pome one falling on or about the middle of the month.

    But, as I said in my comment on your ‘End of the Year Review Post’ – your site and your decision.

  9. I’m guessing that I was the one who did not welcome the proposal.

    You were, indeed! I took note of your comments – hence this survey amongst those who are regular participants. As I said to Araminta: “The ‘proposal’ is not set in concrete!”

  10. Given my hasty rep, of course I supported the idea. To play advocatus diaboli (very nice with prawns and a thousand island dressing) what is sacred about months anyway? Why not every 3 or even 24 days? On the other hand maybe the December comp seemed to go on for ever because that’s what Xmas always does! 🙂

  12. Hiya Janus and all the best to you and yours. I have the prawns and can rustle up a dressing (how very ’70s), but where can I buy the avocadus diaboli…? 😀

    OZ

  13. OZ, all the best to the denizens of the lair! Our local Lidl is offering big ‘uns – origin unclear. 🙂

  14. December is the worst month to make a deadline the end of the month, and I really struggled this time, as you know… in fact it may be the first time I haven’t submitted anything for a long time. My started story did not have time to develop properly….

    I’ll go with the flow. I already write weekly for something else in term time, so once a month is fine by me.

  16. Thanks Pseu! I was waiting for your comment before making a decision. I think that most regular contributors have made their feelings known. And even if a couple more pop up the general consensus appears to be monthly.

    So for the avoidance of doubt, as my learned friend from the North so often says, we’ll stick with end of month deadlines.

  19. I say we should go weekly. This speed writing would focus minds. Once we’re all focused we can then go daily and ultimately, hourly. Focus, focus as Fash the Bash said.

  24. Ok pop pickers. The deadline is 12PM tonight. (Sorry Boa, don’t know what that is in Ozzy land).
    Minimum word count is 5,000 words and must include phalanx, Tropic of Capricorn and slubberdegullion. The topic is Bees. Get busy.

  26. C’est la vie, Boa.
    I was hoping that in an hourly competition deep in the morning (apologies again as I don’t know what that is in your part of the world) I would be the only poster and win by default.
    Must depart now and watch day two from Sydney. Goodnight all.

  27. Aye weel. JW. Thon’s a fine word that ‘slubberdegullion’. I’m almost minded to set it as a required element now that I’ve googled and found that it exists.

    Disaster for you yesterday but you didn’t play that well to be fair.

    In all seriousness, that memorial service from Ibrox today was deeply moving. An appalling tragedy at the time and no easier for the families to bear forty years on.

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