May's Write-Away Contest

If I were to be honest I'd admit that I didn't come up with the topic for this month's Write-Away Contest. Actually, it was Andrew's idea and at first I thought, "Wha?" but then I recognized his brilliance and said, "That's pretty darn good! I'll take it!"

So without any more delay, this month's topic is "Shoes."

"Wha?"

Yes, shoes. You can take it metaphorically, you can take us to your closet, you can do what you like so long as you do it before the deadline. I was thrilled with the quality of submissions last month so I'm giving you a topic that's a little tougher but should turn out some fun results. I'm also going to reprint the tips I mentioned in April which might help you once again.

* Less is usually more--cut it down to the essential words. Brevity isn't just the soul of wit it's the soul of good writing as well.

* Get to know the judge--check out her writing and see what angle on the topic would most likely appeal to her. We know she likes ice cream--but what else might appeal to her?

* Try for a title that sets your entry apart--a snappy phrase can do wonders. I thought the titles for April's entries were just fabulous--creative and intriguing. Well done!

* The most important sentence is your first so make it count. Readers decide by the end of the first paragraph, sometimes the first sentence, if they're going to finish reading the piece.

If you'd like to participate here are the rules:

1. Write a post or find one in your archives on the topic, "Shoes," and email your post's permalink to me at: scribbit at gmail.com any time through Sunday May 18th. If you fail to meet the May 18th deadline I will still happily publish your link with the list of entries but it will not be judged. I reserve the right to reject submissions if they fail to meet the topic or if they contain objectionable content.

2. Publish a link to the contest page here at Scribbit in either your entry post or in a separate post.

3. Check back here on Tuesday May 20th when I will post a complete list of the entries along with the Write-Away Winner and any honorable mentions our judge sees fit to award.

Our guest judge this month is My Ice Cream Diary an excellent writer who has written more than a couple good Write-Away submissions of her own--check out what flavor of ice cream she's savoring this week.

So what is the prize you may ask? Well with a topic like this you're in for a treat because Payless ShoeSource has generously offered a $50 gift certificate to the winner plus a pair of their pretty little Frienship Shoes, the casual shoe you see pictured above that comes with special markers for decorating. All the profits from the sale of the Friendship Shoe goes to benefit the Fresh Air fund which is a non-profit organization that helps fund children in New York City to attend summer camps along the Atlantic coast.

I saw a news program about Payless not too long ago where it said that Payless has been making some changes in their shoe lines in order to provide more attractive, designer-style shoes at prices that we mortals can actually afford and I've been interested in how that will affect shoe lovers across the country.

Seeing this adorable Love Satin Peep Toe with the cute little dotties across the toe proves that it's got to be working, they just scream "spring." Those peep toes and sling backs make your feet look so petite--and I so need that. If you win this month's contest this pair (or another of your choosing) plus the ones above will be yours. Now how's that for a deal?

But besides this the winner and all runners-up or honorable mentions (I leave that up to the judge to award them) will also get to take home this attractive Write-Away Winner button which he or she may display in their sidebar if they wish.

Good luck, I look forward to reading your entries.

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