Fifty Frequently Asked Questions
[Last updated April 3, 2005]What are the rules for submitting to Fifty Words? (UPDATED)
The rules are simple. There’s a new writing prompt each week, posted sometime by Sunday morning. You have one week to complete the writing prompt. When you do, choose your best 50 words and send them to me via the comments section or by email at GiennaWrites(at)gmail(dot)com. I’ll post the excerpts here for everyone to read. I stop posting responses when the new challenge goes up, so try to get your responses in by Saturday night.
Anything else?
It might seem obvious, but the words must be your own. Also, one entry per person per week. The entries must be in English and must be relatively free of errors (enough so that we can read it, anyway). Entries with strong language and/or sexual content might be marked as such. I reserve the right to reject any submissions.
What should I include in the email or comment?
Include your name or pen name, a short title for your piece, the 50-word excerpt, and a link that readers can click on to see the rest of your response. Please include the phrase “Fifty Words Entry” in the subject line of the email.
Who can participate?
Anyone can play.
What if I’m not a very good writer?
All levels of writing skill are welcome here. The best way to improve your writing is to practice and to read other people’s writing.
Why 50 words?
Because I have a fear of commitment. Also, all the good URLs for 100 words were taken.
How do I do a word count in Microsoft Word?
Highlight a selection of text, click on “tools” and then click on “word count” to find out how many words are in the selection.
Do the 50 words have to be the first 50 words?
Nope. Choose any 50-word excerpt that you’d like to share.
Do the 50 words have to be consecutive?
OK, now you’re just being silly.
What if I go over the 50 word limit?
Fifty lashes with a wet noodle! Listen, Fifty Words is kind of like a game that you play among friends. There are rules. And it’s more fun and fair for everyone else if you play by them. But I’m not going to turn you away if you submit a reasonable number of words over the limit.
What if I don’t have a web site?
Creating and posting to a blog is easier than you might think. Hey, if Katie can do it, anyone can. You can sign up for a free Blogger account or choose another service that you like. However, if you do not have a site to link to, let me know and I will waive the 50 word limit. I will state the alternate word limit for those who do not have a link in each week’s challenge. It will probably be between 100 and 500 words. Another option is to have someone else host your writing for you. If anyone would like to volunteer to host other people’s writing on their own blog, drop me an email and I’ll hook people up.
What’s in it for you?
I started Fifty Words because I loved participating in photo memes such as Photo Friday and lurking on other memes like Illustration Friday. But I couldn’t find many writing memes. My goal is to foster a community of writers, where folks can find inspiration and get feedback and encouragement.
What’s in it for me?
Writing is its own reward. But sometimes you need a nudge to get going. A writing prompt and a deadline can work wonders. That having been said, depending on how many people participate, I might post weekly “editor’s choice” awards.
Where do you come up with the writing prompts?
The writing prompts come from my own experience as a writer and a participant in writing retreats and courses. I also look for ideas in books on writing. I will always credit any sources I use to create a challenge and will provide a link for readers who want to purchase the books or get more information.
What if I don’t like the week’s writing prompt? Can I submit something else?
Too bad. And no. Listen, I have always struggled with writing prompts. My first instinct is to resist. But experience has taught me that if I let go of my doubts and tell my inner critic to shut up and just do the damn thing, I almost always end up with something that surprises me. In a good way.
What’s up with the advertisements?
The Google ads that you see at the top of the page generate a small (very small) amount of money only when and if someone clicks on them. You can read more about the Google Adsense program here. I like them better than pop-up or pop-under ads, because you can simply ignore them if you choose. But if you see an ad that interests you and you click on it, you are also supporting this site. Plus, if I started another blog without any source of revenue instead of getting a “real job” my mother would kill me.
Why do you link to Amazon?
Because I like their service, selection, and prices and because they pay me a small percentage of the sale if you go to their site from Fifty Words and buy something. Like the Google Ads, it’s a (very) small amount of money that keeps all the people who think writing isn’t a “real job” off my back.
