Do you find the the recipe contest should allow recipes less than 500 words long

1. 68

   novascotiamissposted 12 years ago

   Do you find the the recipe contest should allow recipes less than 500 words long?
   
   The hub recipe contest states that the recipes must contain at least 500 words to be entered. I am absolutely frustrated as I would have several good recipes but they are just not long enough. I was told that I could write other stuff relating to the recipe or the ingredients etc. I just worked over an hour translating a recipe and found out it's only 276 words long. I'm giving up now as I don't want to waste more time writing up an essay about tomatoes and watermelons. No offence, but is this a recipe contest or is this a story contest? Shouldn't recipes be short and easy to cook?

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2. 38

   Laci Ledbetterposted 12 years ago

   I agree. 500 words is more like a short essay and many people look for recipes that are short, easy and quick to make.  When I'm looking for a recipe, I'm not looking for something that is 5 pages long and will take all afternoon - but maybe that is what Hubpages wants?  Why don't you just make a funny story up and add it to the end? You only have 225ish more words to go, that's easy to make with a story. : )  Make it a funny story.  People like funny!

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   1. 68

      novascotiamissposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Laci, I took your advice and made a recipe into a funny story. Hope you'll enjoy it
      http://novascotiamiss.hubpages.com/hub/ … melon-Soup

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3. 77

   cloverleaffarmposted 12 years ago

   I agree. It has been difficult to find 500 words to say about some recipes. What I did was find side lines to write about. For example, in my Chicken and Bean Soup recipe, I did a couple of extra things on Tips on Cooking With Beans, and How to Use A Slow cooker.
   In my Lemon Balm Lemon Butter recipe, I did the same thing. All the capsules together added up to at least 500 words.
   It is tough, but just think outside the box a little, and go for it.

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   1. 68

      novascotiamissposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Cloverleaffarm: Thanks for your input. I especially enjoyed your lemon balm butter recipe and tried it out. Haven't tasted it yet, as it went directly in the freezer (was made with freshly churned butter).

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4. 86

   Patty Inglish, MSposted 12 years ago

   Write some background information on a recipe or give a story with it that is related, and 500 words happen in no time. I do that for family recipes.
   
   Or include a paragraph about an ingredient, etc.

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   1. 68

      novascotiamissposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Patty, I certainly appreciate your advice. You are the godess of the hubber universe and a real pro! I really admire your writing.

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   2. 86

      Patty Inglish, MSposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Extremely high praise I did not expect. Thank you, novascotiamiss.

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5. 89

   Turtlewomanposted 12 years ago

   I know what you mean.  I have a few recipes in the same category, and there's only so many stories I can tell! Here's a few ideas...hope it sparks some ideas for you. As for the contest, I think HP is encouraging original recipes that stand out from the rest from other recipes on the web, as well as utilizing new capsules. Write a few paragraphs about...
   1. Why your recipe is better than a million other recipes out there. Draw the reader in by giving them a summary of your recipe.
   2. An interesting story related to the recipe. Where did you find it, or why do you cook that?
   3. Any special tips? Readers love tips! They wouldn't be searching for recipes if they were professional cooks who knew how to make everything.
   4. If it's a healthy recipe, explain benefits of your star ingredients.
   5. A special tribute to someone...talk about your kids, friends, grandma??
   6. Interesting background...where did souffles come from, etc..
   
   Good luck and don't give up...it should be fun! :-)

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   1. 68

      novascotiamissposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Turtlewoman, thanks for all your great advice which is greatly appreciated.

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