Topic: About the Do-Over contest

Hi. I tried asking this question on the Comments section of The Do-Over Writing Contest page (used 3 different browsers) and it didn't work.

If my story is 511 words, is it ineligible? Any leeway there? Do I need to hunt Sol down and ask him?

Quote Post 1

Re: About the Do-Over contest

I think you need to ask Sol that question. It's never come up (publicly) for word-limited contests I was in. Do you have a connection with Sol? If not, his user id is SolN (find him using the white search field at the top of screens on this site). You can also try emailing contact@thenextbigwriter.com. I don't know which one he checks most often (he checks this forum too at times).

Have you posted it yet? I had to get real good at trimming words for previous contests, so I may be able to spot a few things to tweak/remove.

Not sure how Facebook comments tie into/relate to the site, but I don't think they're intended for support.

Quote Post 2

Re: About the Do-Over contest

Dirk B wrote:

I think you need to ask Sol that question. It's never come up (publicly) for word-limited contests I was in. Do you have a connection with Sol? If not, his user id is SolN (find him using the white search field at the top of screens on this site). You can also try emailing contact@thenextbigwriter.com. I don't know which one he checks most often (he checks this forum too at times).

Have you posted it yet? I had to get real good at trimming words for previous contests, so I may be able to spot a few things to tweak/remove.

Not sure how Facebook comments tie into/relate to the site, but I don't think they're intended for support.

Thanks Dirk. I have Sol's email but when I rejoined the site I sent him a note and he never replied. I haven't posted the story yet. I get that the simplest thing to do is to just find 11 words to cut. Sounds easy, right? But after cutting it from 520 words to 511, I stopped to wonder about leeway. I'll try emailing contact@.

Quote Post 3

Re: About the Do-Over contest

And btw, thanks for your involvement in the point system makeover. It was overdue.

Quote Post 4

Re: About the Do-Over contest

You bet. :-)

Quote Post 5

Re: About the Do-Over contest

In case you didn't know. Contractions count as one word so use them if you can. Get rid of "that" if you can.

Quote Post 6

Re: About the Do-Over contest

Hi all, 500 words is the maximum according to the contest rules. Keep it at 500 words or below.

Whatta, did you email me? I'll have to check. Sorry if I didn't respond. I get a lot of email and I might have missed it.

Quote Post 7

Re: About the Do-Over contest

SolN wrote:

Hi all, 500 words is the maximum according to the contest rules. Keep it at 500 words or below.

Whatta, did you email me? I'll have to check. Sorry if I didn't respond. I get a lot of email and I might have missed it.

Hi Sol. I emailed you with the addy I have from long ago when I rejoined. The one I sent recently was to the contact@thenextbigwriter.com.
No matter, I got my answer. Thanks.

Quote Post 8

Re: About the Do-Over contest

whatta wrote:
Dirk B wrote:

I think you need to ask Sol that question. It's never come up (publicly) for word-limited contests I was in. Do you have a connection with Sol? If not, his user id is SolN (find him using the white search field at the top of screens on this site). You can also try emailing contact@thenextbigwriter.com. I don't know which one he checks most often (he checks this forum too at times).

Have you posted it yet? I had to get real good at trimming words for previous contests, so I may be able to spot a few things to tweak/remove.

Not sure how Facebook comments tie into/relate to the site, but I don't think they're intended for support.

Thanks Dirk. I have Sol's email but when I rejoined the site I sent him a note and he never replied. I haven't posted the story yet. I get that the simplest thing to do is to just find 11 words to cut. Sounds easy, right? But after cutting it from 520 words to 511, I stopped to wonder about leeway. I'll try emailing contact@.

Yep, cutting can be a bitch sometimes, but at least for this contest it doesn't have to be an exact word count as some are. One suggestion should you get down to a few words you just don't want to eliminate is to use hyphenated words which count as a single word. I've done that in the past. Even if it looks awkward or made-up, it is still within bounds as the automated word counter does not know the difference. All is fair in love and writing. Just a thought. Take care. Vern

Quote Post 9

Re: About the Do-Over contest

>> use-hyphenated-words-which-count-as-a-single-word

You're right, Vern. That works beautifully. :-)

Quote Post 10

Re: About the Do-Over contest

Dirk B wrote:

>> use-hyphenated-words-which-count-as-a-single-word

You're right, Vern. That works beautifully. :-)

Guess I gave away my secret, but not too many folks read these things, lol. You're welcome. Take care. Vern

Quote Post 11