BDCommunity Writing Contest - Week 4

in BDCommunity4 years ago (edited)

Oh boy! What a well-to-do contest we are having here. As the weeks pass on, and the contest progresses, the true caliber of the authors who are participating keeps pouring out.

We have successfully ended the Third round of our contest with 41 total entries. The count was less than our previous runs but, the quality of the posts is now so better than the earlier entries; its almost eye poking . And that is exactly what we wanted. Not thousands of entries, but a few that justifies our effort behind this contest.

As always this time too, our gracious @Azircon "Dada" managed to put aside some time for us and our contest even amidst his busy schedule. This time, 14 entries were chosen just only for the first place. And the other entries were too good not to be awarded. But contests are contests, and only the toppers win.

For now, our plan is to hold these contests for at least a few weeks. And if you didn't win this time, participate now, and hopefully, you will have a chance at it again.

But, let us remind you of one thing. These contests aren't just about the prizes. So, if you didn't win, there must be a pretty solid reason behind it, or you fell short just before the finish line.

These contests are not about giving handouts to people who need it. For that, we have an ongoing and completely voluntary donation project. This is so we get a chance to show the world our native rich culture and our beautiful little innate stories.

Our goal is to make this as fun and entertaining as possible. Honest engagements are the basic bricks and mortars for a great community. And that is what we are trying to do here, build a great community.

If you want to know what your entry lacked in, please read the following texts carefully. @Azircon was kind enough to share with us methods he used in selecting the best contents. These are his words without anything altered at all.

What worked:

Honesty. I can usually tell what people really want to do vs. what they are saying, thinking," it will work."

Originality. If someone says I want to buy a cow with 1000 Hive and defends it with convincing writing, that's original. Because, as a city dweller I won't buy a cow personally, but I can see why someone farming in the village want to buy a cow.

Flow. From beginning to end, the post kept the reader engaged, and the writing flows.

Personality. A person's writing tells me who they are. That is the goal of this contest

True Story (or its reverse construct): Personal stories about a memorable time/space. These are often hard to make up, so the winning ones were personal stories. Remember, in original writing, the story does not necessarily have to be true. But the way you write makes it true or false.

Style or destruction of Style: I am a big fan of "lack of formal structure" in sentence construction. However, that comes after you know how to construct a formal sentence :blush: You learn the classic sentence construction first….. then break the rules :blush: Just like Picasso

What didn't work:

Images of poverty. Especially ones taken from internet (even with source cited). I grew up from a fairly economically disadvantaged background. I have seen plenty of poverty all over the world. I strongly believe that our culture is rich, and we have many things to contribute to the world other than poverty.

"Pie in the Sky" thoughts. I should say what Miss Universes say during a reception speech. "We are very proud, excited, and thrilled to receive the prize, and we will distribute it selflessly to the poor and the needy"…. No, that didn't work.

Missing the concept: Many people tried to write on a similar topic, like travel, friendship etc. Some of these posts are quite good, but they are off topic. What we are trying to do with these contests is to invite people to understand our culture.

Trying too hard. and missing the fun altogether.

Now, if you decide to participate in all the upcoming contests, including this one, just keep in mind a basic understanding of those great suggestions, and you'll be hard to beat.


Winners of our last contest:

First place: @shadonchandra

আমার আত্মার সম্পর্কের মানুষগুলোর আমার পাড়ায় বসবাস।(Those Who Reside In My Heart)


Second Place: @deepu7

আমার সুখ স্মৃতি (Happy Memories)


Third Place: @niha

নিজেকে খুঁজে পাই(In Pursuit Of My Soul)


Next Weeks Topic: ASHAA Othoba NIRASHAA.

Ashaa is a Bengali word for Hope.

Nirashaa is another Bengali word for Being Hopeless

Imagine yourself being stranded on an island devoid of any other human. Now, the only thing that will let you live and motivate you is hope. Or kill you because of being hopeless. Write about something like that.

This is a broad topic, so sprinkling a bit of fiction here and there will most probably stylize your entry for the better.


Winners and prizes:

Like the last contest, there will be a 100 hive prize pool, sponsored by @sourovafrin, our native casanova. It will be given to authors with the best top three entry as 50 for the first position, 30 and 20 for the second and third.

All the details and conditions of the contest are as follows.


Terms and Conditions:

  • The entries can be written both in Bengali and English.
  • You have to be a Member of BDCommunity to participate.
  • The post should contain at least 350 words
  • Only the first entry will be counted as valid. Tags can be used more times, but not the title.
  • The title of the post should include "Ashaa Othoba Nirashaa". For example, Ashaa Othoba Nirashaa: [Your Title Here]
  • Use both #BDC #BDCcontest among your tags.
  • Put a comment with the link of your entry below.
  • Submission is due within Friday 10:00 AM GMT +6. Entries will not be accepted after 10:00 AM.

Evaluation Process:

  • Try to follow the counsel given above by heart as they were proven to have worked.
  • Failure to follow any of the conditions as mentioned above will cause an automatic disqualification.
  • Please refrain from using vulgar words and stick to the topic.
  • @Azircon will be evaluating the entries.
  • There will be Three Winners, 1st place-50 HIVE, 2nd place-30 HIVE and 3rd place-20 HIVE.
  • Try putting passion and personality in your entry. It is what will let you win in the end.
  • The winners will be announced in our weekly voice meeting next Friday 10 PM GMT +6.

If you have any questions regarding the contest, feel free to ask ZayedSakib#0458, Linco#6742, or head over to our community Discord and drop your queries there. Somebody will always be there to answer your questions.


Photo Taken from Pixabay

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here is my entry to the fourth week of this amazing contest

https://peakd.com/hive-190212/@burlarj/ashaa-othoba-nirashaa-believe-dream-and-hope

Best of luck to the other contestant as well...

Hi thank you so much for organizing such contest you guys rock.

Here is my entry

https://hive.blog/hive-177682/@xawi/ashaa-othoba-nirashaa-hopeless-but-hoping

কঠিন টপিক। যদিও আশা আর নিরাশার সাথে সবারই পরিচয় আছে। কিন্তু গুছিয়ে লিখতে গেলেই বিপদে পড়তে হবে। সবাইকে শুভকামনা।

Thanks a lot for describing the real motive of weekly writing contest by @bdcommunity. Aamong all motive I really feel for the honest entries, that means a story based on realiity, based on our own Bengali Culture and present all those two thing attractively will help to represent The orginal Bangladesh on #Hive Blockchain.

We just want to represent us really what we are. Then every will start to judge us.

Thank you @bdcommunity to given an opportunity in such a wonderful platform for sharing the sweet memories with black and white.

Nice topics. Hope I will do.

বিজয়ীদের অভিনন্দন। ধন্যবাদ @bdcommunity এই কনটেস্ট পরিচালনার জন্য। আশা করি কিছু ভিন্নধর্মী আশা ও নিরাশার গল্প শুনতে পাব এই রাউন্ডে।

Thanks for this, I have failed to complied with previous contents. I will write this one very well

41 total entries is huge thing. thank you team for this initiative.

This is my entry

https://hive.blog/hive-190212/@dlioness/ashaa-othoba-nirashaa-trapped-in-oblivion

Thanks to bdcommunity for the privilege given to participate in the contest