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Why no love for the answers.com writing challenge?
Written By lqz on Dec. 12, 2007.
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Answers.com is at it again with a new writing challenge. I participated in the past, but won't this time around because I have other things I should do.
I like the idea of the challenge myself. I think it is good to work within someone else's restrictions some times. The thing is, judging from the reaction that it gets in here, I appear to be the only one. Which brings me to the topic at hand, what is it about the challenge that people around here don't like? Or is it something about answers.com that I do not know?
shadowsun7
Written Dec. 12, 2007 / Report /
Neh, it's because we're all on holiday mode. And, if you haven't gathered, NaNoWriMo just ended. Our poor brains are worn down by all that writing.
peroty
Written Dec. 12, 2007 / Report /
I can't ever think of a time when I went to answers.com. That's what google is for. Never saw it. heh
lqz
Written Dec. 12, 2007 / Report /
@ shadowsun7
Did not think about NaNoWriMo. However I doubt it was responsible for the lack of enthusiasm when it came to past writing challenges.
@ peroty,
I know what you mean, I only found out about the first one because someone posted it here.
bloglily
Written Dec. 13, 2007 / Report /
I just went over there and checked out the challenge. I wouldn't do something like that because you're required to use a bunch of words most people will have to look up to understand. Good writing doesn't shy away from tough words, but it doesn't use them just because someone tells you to.
If the point is to improve vocabulary, then people should all be over at free rice (http://www.freerice.com/), which I really love.
lqz
Written Dec. 31, 2007 / Report /
Bloglily,
I don't think it's about expanding vocabulary, my guess is variety. They could ask for stories about the old west or any story 750 words long. If they do the first then they have to read a lot of stories with the same theme. They do the second, they can't guarantee that it wasn't something that was sitting around.
There are a number of ways to run a writing contest. I don't see anything wrong with wanting to see who can be the most creative with a particular set of words.
Oh well, I am still kind of surprised with the general lack in interest.
shadowsun7
Written Dec. 31, 2007 / Report /
There is nothing wrong with that. It's just ... as a general rule of thumb, the easier the words the better the writing. That may be an over generalization, but it holds true in many cases.
Okay, wait, let me rephrase: 'use the first word that comes to mind to ensure natural writing'. Forcing people to use bombastic words they don't normally do only ensures their writing to be stilted, stiff, and, yeah, unnatural. They could've done it, but with more simple to use (and interesting!) phrases. Here's a good example.