Survivor's Contest Is It Worth It?

[Babeslady]

Because I don't have enough to do in my life and possibly because I will be turning 40 next year and I feel the need to prove I haven't wasted my life, I am considering entering the Survivor's contest in 2012

I am just wanting to get some feedback from people. Is it worth it? Does it make you a more rounded person? I don't expect to win at all I just like a challenge and I hope to get some feedback from people along the way and learn some things.

Am I being naive? Am I a sadist?

 

[Darkniciad]

Not the question you asked, I know, but... Considering how Survivor has fallen on its face this year, I really wouldn't count on there being a 2012 one. It hasn't been moderated or maintained for months now.

Really, your odds of winning one of the big prizes are slight, unless you want to dedicate yourself to writing lots and lots of short pieces. So, using that as a motivating goal isn't going to work all that well. If you can use one of the smaller prizes as a motivator, then that might work.

But beyond that, I don't really see any useful purpose for which you couldn't simply set a goal for yourself and shoot for without going through all the rigamarole of the contest.

 

[MagicaPractica]

Hmmm, I don't know what's going on with it but I can offer you my experience. I was out of work when I tried it. I wrote a story a day one month and tried to keep going at a slightly slower pace after. I ended up taking third place.. I think it made me stretch as a writer and try things I otherwise wouldn't have, it also got me to write a lot of crap. It was an experience I'm glad I tried.

 

[Boxlicker101]

I have participated for nine years now, and I find it induces me to try things I otherwise would not have tried. Dark is right when he says it has been largely unmoderated this year but, if it runs next year, that problem should not exist. In the past, there has been a certain amount of backbiting, but that can be ignored. All in all, I believe there are more positives than negatives.

I expect to compete next year, unless I am designated a moderator.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

I've participated three times. The first time I did it (2006), I was a newer writer, and set "mini-goals" - I didn't focus on winning the big prize. I focused on completing those goals. The first was to get one entry into every category. Next goal was to close out the poem categories, placing 10 submissions in each one. Then I decided to write in categories I enjoyed, or in categories that I had left chapters that could be potential sequels. I think I ended with 164 or so entries, and took 4th place.

The other times - I still enjoyed it, but life intervened and writing took a backseat. I'm still debating on joining next year or not. I feel the biting bug has dug it's teeth in again, so I may find myself signing up.

I recommend a person join, and do it just once. It does stretch your imagination and opens you up to exploring topics you normally wouldn't think you could write.

 

[Babeslady]

Thanks guys for the feedback. Given my schedule I am thinking I won't be able to generate the volume of work required to even rate a mention in the despatches. Maybe I should take the advice given and just set myself some personal goals to achieve here.

I am notorious for biting off more than I can chew so I am glad I looked before I leapt this time.