Anybody on here on Faithwriters? They revamped their Weekly Writing Challenge. I entered for the first time! I wrote up a piece about the first day of school called "A New Name." If you are on the site, check me out and vote for me if you think it's worthy! I'd like to get at least a few votes! LOL!! It's under "Weekly Writing Challenge." My story is on the third page, I believe. The link to Faithwriters is: www.faithwriters.com

Does anyone pay for the premium service? I haven't yet, but wondered if anyone thought it's worth $36/yr?

Thanks!
Donna
www.devotionalsbydonna.blogspot.com

Hi Donna,

Yes, I tried Faithwriters for awhile and even paid for it for a month. Didn't work out well because my computer was blocking the sent messages. I have a very alert virus deal and it just didn't work out. They do seem; however, to have a good deal going on. I haven't been back to check the new weekly deal. May do that today. Thank you for bringing to our attention.

Toni \,
You probably already know, but if you want to temporarily disable your virus checker to get a page that is being blocked, all you have to do is hold down on the "cntrl" button as the page loads.
Usually it works.
smile

Hi, Brenda. I read and left a comment under your entry! Good!

I didn't think about putting a direct link. You're so smart!

http://www.faithwriters.com/writing-challenge-article.php?id=2092

Talk to you soon!
Donna
www.devotionalsbydonna.blogspot.com

Speakermom and Donna: I read your articles and was able to vote for Donna's. Left a comment under each one! Good to know there are such talented writers in this forum!

Hi, everyone! Just wanted to let you know I came in Third Place in the Readers Choice! Yea! I just know you BoomerWomen made the difference.

Alas, I didn't make the editor's choice list, but then again - none of us did. Weird, huh? Not one. But I'm happy anyway, 'cause the readers liked it!

http://www.faithwriters.com/writing-challenge-article.php?id=2092

Thanks! - Donna
www.devotionalsbydonna.blogspot.com

You go girl! Congrats!!!

Thank you, Songbird! It meant a lot to me that the readers chose. I like that! I know I had a lot of fun writing it and then going back through and reading all of the entries. We'll have to do it again!

Donna
www.devotionalsbydonna.blogspot.com

Okay, I entered the Faithwriter Challenge again, and I thought I'd give y'all a heads-up because when I re-read my entry this morning, it sounds more like I'm addressing being a Boomer! LOL! Check it out if you get a minute. Thanks!

http://www.faithwriters.com/writing-challenge-article.php?id=2355

Donna

Donna, read it. Yup, you sound like a boomer! It's cute.

Did you get somethign from faithwriters about them charging to use their site?

I just went back through my email and found it. Yikes! $120/yr?

I guess I should have put the link up to the article. I never thought about it - again! *g*

Here 'tis:

http://www.faithwriters.com/writing-challenge-article.php?id=2355

Thanks for reading, Sherri and Dotsie!

Donna

I am a member of Faithwriters and have found it be a very worthwhile place to hang out.

Just to clear up a few things: The 120/year is only for those who wish to belong to the Faithwriters 500 - those who commit to supporting the site to pay for the enormous amount of time and effor that goes into maintaining a site of that size and magnitude.

The Challenge guidelines were changed to accomodate some very real issues: winners were winning by inviting unlimited amounts of friends to read and vote for them--without reading any of the other articles. Winning articles would sometimes be so full of mistakes, bad grammar, incorrect punctuation that it was a bad reflection for the whole site. Editors Choice consists of five panels of judges who rate each article on criteria with a dollop of grace for a misspelling or two. I'm on one of the panels, and it is very fair. Since the site also exists to improve the writing skills of its members, it is important that winning articles are well-written. Publishers DO visit the site and oftentimes will contact members for possible assignments based on their work.

So, when articles that were winning solely on the number of friends one had, a change needed to be made.

The new judging is going well and the winning articles are truly deserving. They are judged on six criteria, with each guideline allowing a rating of 0-5. Then the eight highest scoring entries are chosen from the panel. Each judge is not allowed to reveal their choice until the end, and that is sent to a moderator so no one judge can influence any other.

On another note: I subscribe to the $36 a year private message system that has netted me two writing gigs for startup newspapers as well as publication in an established Christian newspaper.

I will look for your articles, Donna, and leave some comments if I can find them.

Toni, I hope you come back!

Dian, you answered a lot of my questions in one fell swoop.

I was going to sign up for the $36/yr. option, but I had never really heard of anyone getting a writing job through the private messenger. Some months I've had as many as 11 messages on there that I couldn't access, but I'd heard that a lot of advertising emails were sent. It's a blessing to hear that you actually got some jobs that way!

I heard there were rotating boards for the judging, and I know from visiting the message board the goal is to keep it all fair. That's wonderful!

Also- thanks for visiting and commenting on my latest entry!

I know it has to take a lot of money to keep that site running. It is HUGE! Maybe the Faithwriters booklets will bring in some needed revenue.

Thanks!!!
Donna
http://www.faithwriters.com/writing-challenge-article.php?id=2355

Good morning, Boomers. I just posted on the Faithwriters board, and I know there are several on this board, too. I'm in shock! My last entry came in first with the readers, and third with the editors! Woohoo!! So now I get to be in a book with the other Faithwriters. I'm so thrilled.

The latest challenge is "Bullies."

This was a nice way to start my week!

Donna

Congrats Donna! I get tickled at you because with every success you post (and there have been many! you go!) you seem so surprised! LOL!

You are a good writer...AND deserving,

JJ

Donna,
Congratulations on your recent success on the Faithwriters site. I was wondering if you would also provide a link for your latest "Bullies". I tried to go to the site and find it but I didn't have any luck. Thanks.
Joyce

You did a good job, Donna. I'm happy for you!

Thank you, Dian, Joyce, and da Queen.

A couple weeks ago when I came in third with the readers, I'd gotten several comments under the entry. None of the readers' choices even placed with the editors that week.

This time, I'd gotten fewer comments and figured this one didn't resonate with the readers. So I really was surprised when I saw that it had! And I'm tickled about the editors' choice, because I get to be in the Faithwriters Quarterly book.

And JawJaw, I'm a writer who is still surprised when anyone thinks what I write has merit! I guess there are people who think everything they write is wonderful, but I'm not one of them.

Joyce, here is the link to the Writers Challenge. I didn't enter this week. The topic was Proms. Next week's topic and the one to write about this week and turn in by Sunday night is Bullies. You need to be a Faithwriters Member to vote, but you can sign up for free at this time.

http://www.faithwriters.com/writing-challenge-intro.php

I noticed today that all the winning entries get a chance to win some actual $$$ at the end of the year.

Donna

Dian, I just read your Prom entry. It got my vote! Wonderful.

Donna

Thanks Donna! I'm trying to think of a story about bullies. I do have a lot of school stories, since I used to be a school secretary. But there's so little time!!!!

Dian! Congratulations on your win in the Readers Choice! I knew it!! And Joyce...as promised, here's the link to my latest entry for the Bullies category. Thanks for asking!

http://www.faithwriters.com/writing-challenge-article.php?id=2438

Too much fun, isn't it?

Donna