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!!!!