competition

American Idol for writers? Skrawl – a brand new world of collaborative storytelling…

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Occasionally I get contacted by over excited people who want to share something totally awesome and new with me that will make everyone a lot of money. Since I am trying to keep this site indie and clean I usually say no.  But every once in a while, there is actually something cool that I think you will like.

Full disclosure – I am not making one penny off of this. This is a really awesome site that some of you might enjoy, and the people I have talked with seem super nice.

skrawl-large-0d29837054232cb9016716f8f30f6583So now that is out of the way, let me introduce you to Skrawl.com.

Skrawl.com is a collaborative and competitive group writing website. Users have the choice to enter into a writing competition based on a theme or topic, then the readers view the entries and vote on their favorite. The winner’s entry becomes a part of the story and that process continues until the story is finished. Writing styles can range from stories, scripts, articles and debates while breaking off into numerous categories from Action & Adventure to Fan-Fiction. It is free to enter, which is always nice. They also have “writing challenges” where you can win prizes, on top of bragging rights.

It looks like a great way to get some practice in, meet other writers, and possibly get some exposure. Plus you get to vote on your favorites to move up.  If anyone joins, could you come back and let us know how you like it and also give us a chance to root for you!

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How Twitter is Blanding Branding

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This post, by Kian Kaul, originally appeared as a guest post on Byzantine Roads on 5/3/13.

These days every writer is their own brand, we’re constantly told in advice columns on mid-ranking marketing blogs and rushed non-fic titles (many of which are only available in the Kindle or Nook store), but what does it mean to be a brand?

A brand is a name or title which represents a product, through an experience, communicated by a primary feeling. And that experience can change, sometimes drastically, depending on the needs of the market.

Coke is positivity, excitement and energy — but not too much energy, otherwise it would be Rockstar. Pepsi is all those things but in a blue can and with celebrity stunt casting. It’s also diabetes and tooth decay in excess, but that wasn’t included on the creative brief. Ralph Lauren was originally clothing intended for upper-middle class white people until “urban” black influencers assimilated the preppy style into their own cultural positioning. But these are the major brands, the celebrity brands.

When you’re a celebrity brand people just want to feel like they know you. When you’re not a celebrity brand you have to offer something. Anything. Don’t have anything? How about an intellectually unchallenging motivational message that may or may not have anything to do with the thing you’re selling?

If you’re a writer reading this, you’re likely not a celebrity or a major brand. You’re the fifteenth bottle of detergent from the left and you’re actively tweeting how “fresh” and “clean” your formula will make one’s clothes, but then again, so are all the rest. So, how do you stand out? Do you refine your message? Do you clearly define yourself and your approach so maybe your brand actually means something and carries some sort of significance?

 

Click here to read the rest of the post on Byzantine Roads.