Creative Writing Contest

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   emzitinasasposted 13 years ago

   I was wondering about the contest. You see, I'm writing a novel. Would that qualify under the creative writing category? If yes, do I post it in different hubs per chapter or put everything in one hub? I'm really excited about it. I hope it qualifies.
   
   Thanks a lot!
   
   -Emzi

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      J.S.Matthewposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Although I don't know the answer to this, I want to leave a comment so that I can share it in my Feed...
      
      JSMatthew~

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         emzitinasasposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         thanks J.S.! always the helpful one

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      IzzyMposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      If I was writing a novel, I would not put any of it online.
      This world is full of thieves, and it is very easy for someone else to copy your hub and claim the work as their own.
      
      Even worse, they could save all your hubs (if you do it chapter by chapter), and publish it as an ebook under their name.
      
      Why don't you save your work for an ebook?
      
      Use HP to promote it by writing short stories around it?

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         emzitinasasposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         that's a great idea! i've written and re-written the story line for this novel for a year, it would be a waste if somebody else got it. hmmm...
         
         what do you mean by short stories around it? like making fanfiction of my own fiction? something like a director's cut?
         
         sorry i'm new. i don't really know so i'm asking you so many questions.

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            lynsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            @emzitinasas, short stories are just that not a full novel like something you may see in  magazine or newspaper, anyway, good luck in writing your novel and no matter how many times you re-write your story one day it will be done that's what writing a novel is all about, rewriting, however don't spend to much time on the grammar while your novel is unfolding you can always do this once it's done I just wrote an interesting article which talks about this, it's under the "fearing the what you don't know", anyway good luck, have a great day

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               emzitinasasposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               thanks lyns! will read that article. thanks for the suggested reading!

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               Website Examinerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               This is excellent advice. Some people get stuck in revisions and edits before a workable first draft of the entire novel is in hand. Once there is a first draft, it never gets worse than reverting back to that if revisions aren't working out.

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   Randy Godwinposted 13 years ago

   Which contest are you referring to?  Perhaps I've missed an announcement somewhere along the way.  I've found nothing in the forums so far. 
   
   
   Gotta link, anyone?

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      MelissaBarrettposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      http://hubpages.com/static/hubpatron_of_the_arts.php

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      emzitinasasposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      randy, do join if you want! it sounds oh so exciting!

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   J.S.Matthewposted 13 years ago

   Here's the link to the contest Randy:
   http://hubpages.com/static/hubpatron_of_the_arts.php
   
   JSMatthew~

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   saddlerider1posted 13 years ago

   The Contest right beside your account button.
   
   http://hubpages.com/static/hubpatron_of_the_arts.php

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   J.S.Matthewposted 13 years ago

   I noticed that the "Contest Button" disappeared for a while after the "Clogs to Coins Contest" ended and then re-appeared a few days ago when the new Contest was released. Interesting.
   
   JSMatthew~

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   davenmidtownposted 13 years ago

   the contest button is only available while a contest is active.  There was an email a few weeks ago about the upcoming contest.  I am sure there is something in the forums as well.

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      IzzyMposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I only read about on the HP blog.

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   amymarie_5posted 13 years ago

   I agree with izzy, it's so easy to steal someones work online. Maybe you can copyright it and note it on your hub to protect yourself. Just an idea.

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      emzitinasasposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      i see copyrights. are copyrights effective also with online posting?

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         amymarie_5posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I'm sure it would be. I'm actually looking into copywriting a short story I wrote. I'll let you know what I find out

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         Website Examinerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Yes and no. By law, you are protected. In practice, pursuing your rights can be difficult. It can even be very late before you discover someone plagiarized your work. This would be one of the main reasons for not posting a novel online.

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   Arlene V. Pomaposted 13 years ago

   Contests are for fun.  They will not pay anywhere close to a blockbuster novel.  If you are serious about your novel and its potential as a money-maker, finish it, do the final editing  and market it to a reputable agent, editor or publishing house.  You can self-publish, too.  Contests and novel writing are two different things.  If you value your novel, NEVER put your baby out there for people to steal.

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      emzitinasasposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      thanks arlene! you just gave me great insight!

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      lynsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      @Arlene V. Poma, well said I like the phrase you use, "your baby", because it is just like our babies we protect them and watch over them, is how our writings are to us it's personal and means a great deal to us.... so protect is very important, very good advice...

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         yusefblackposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I think it's reasonable to be careful with any baby you may have... but then isn't it so useful getting opinions and feedback, at least for the first couple of chapters???  It's one thing to be careful, it's another thing to keep the world at bay for fear of losing out...

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            Arlene V. Pomaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            If I want some feedback, I''m talking to my friendly neighborhood agent or in the trusted atmosphere of a good writing group or writing class.  You do not put "sample" chapters out there for people to hack, make fun of or steal.  You want constructive, helpful criticism.  Make it in person, while you're at it.  A critique group where people read or listen to your work and can give you something helpful to go by beats "sharing" it on the Internet.

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               yusefblackposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               A few points...
               
               -I've had a 'trusted' professor steal my work... Anyone can steal your work
               
               -I get awesome critique, online, from people I've never met in person, I appreciate them and their opinions and would not give up these free opportunities.
               
               -Not concerned about someone making fun of my work.

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   Randy Godwinposted 13 years ago

   Thanks for the links, guys!  I knew nothing about this contest, strangely enough.  Sounds fun and a great chance to spin a tale or two. 

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      emzitinasasposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      go for it randy!

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    lynsposted 13 years ago

    @JS.Matthew:  & InnyM, not sure which one of you wrote about HP to promote, what is HP?, thanks

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       IzzyMposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       HP= Hubpages

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          lynsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          LOL, thanks @izzyM

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          emzitinasasposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          haha! thank you for asking this question lyns! i was scratching my head thinking about what hp is. all i can think of was harry potter.
          
          brain power dwindling. haha

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    Arlene V. Pomaposted 13 years ago

    lyns, thank you!  A novel is a writer's creation as well as a legacy.  I won't treat my novel like my online work.  My online stuff is like fast food.  I just write for today and think of it as gone tomorrow.  If someone's going steal it, I don't care.  I've been in a couple of lawsuits, and I don't care to spend time and money over what I've got that's floating the Internet.  I was told by one published author that once your work makes it to your hard drive, it's protected.  Why would I want to chase some jerk who had to steal because he didn't have any writing talent in the first place?

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       Website Examinerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I basically agree. It is noteworthy that some major publishers that have created websites for writers to showcase their work have found technologies to make it nearly impossible to copy the contents.

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    Greek Oneposted 13 years ago

    why are you people bothering?
    
    I have already written my 5 submissions and they are fabulous.
    
    Really, you should focus on more worthwhile pursuits

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       Arlene V. Pomaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Whatever you say, Alpha Male.

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    emzitinasasposted 13 years ago

    Thank you so much for your comments everyone! I'm still weighing my options but all of your suggestions have been very helpful to me, really. It's nice to see both sides of the coin. I will let you know what I decide on doing.
    
    Again, thank you so much! You have all been very nice to take the time to reply to my question. If you have anything else to add, post away.
    
    - Emzi

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    asmaiftikharposted 13 years ago

    i agree with iazzy statement ,that is realistic approach.

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       emzitinasasposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       asmaiftikhar, i think so too. i'm considering having it copyrighted first then maybe start offering it to publishers? i really don't know how stuff works haha

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    iviskeiposted 13 years ago

    I think they are looking specifically for short stories. It probably wouldn't hurt to do fanfiction of your own original works, but avoid fanfiction around already created works.

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       emzitinasasposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       yes, it would also be weird to right fan fiction of my own story haha. XD
       
       i see short stories. okay noted! thanks iviskei!

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    mary615posted 13 years ago

    I want to enter the contest for Creative Writing.  I can't find info on how many different submissions you may make?  Does anyone know?

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       Uninvited Writerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       A total of 5 per day.

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          mary615posted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Thanks for speedy reply!

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