by Gregg Rowe
What is a Lord of the Rings contest?
A Lord of the Rings contest is a writing competition of a high calibre. You have to READ ALL the contest criteria, and write a poem that includes ALL the rules as stated by me. I have a numerical system that I judge all the poems on and award points to the poet whose follows my criteria. If you miss out on a rule, then it is cause for a disqualification.
Yet one must not be fooled, instead of wasting space on a long list of rules, I give you the FORM of what I want the poem to be in and you MUST be KNOWLEDGEABLE on that form before entering. The rules that follow the FORM being called for, depends on the level of difficulty I want you it write in. For example, I may run a HAIKU contest, therefore you HAVE TO KNOW the policies for creating a HAIKU…but I may ask for a ‘on-liner’ haiku, a traditional haiku, or a beat haiku, so you NEED TO READ ALL THE RULES before going off and entering a poem.
How do I enter?
I pay a lot of points to advertise my contests so you will always see them in the FEATURED box. Just click on the Contest Link and you will be carried away to enter, if the contest suits you.
How will I know if I have won the contest I have entered?
IMPORTANT: I have seven days to judge a contest, so don’t start IMING me to see if I have chosen a winner. I am a student, a volunteer, a writer, and have a few extra-curricular activities in my personal life that have to deal with my health. Therefore, if you IM me one hour, two hours, three days, I will disqualify you for harassment, simply because you Iming me, takes time away from reading the entries in order to answer that: I AM NOT FINISHED YET! If I was finished you would have received a notice to say that this ‘CONTEST IS CLOSED…PLEASE CHECK THE WINNERS.’ So in retrospect, after seven days start Iming me, not before because it is irritating to receive the same number of Ims to answer as in entrants to the contest.
What do I get if I win a contest?
You'll notice whilst reading the criteria, you'll see an amount of points given to first place. (The minimum is 300, but I have been known to give out more).
How do I judge my contest?
I work on a numerical system where I give out points for the most creative, filled with imagery, metaphors, similes, alliteration and enjambment (except in those form poetry that prohibit these poetic techniques). The more of these poetic devices you have in your poem the higher on the numerical scale you go. I do not like rhyming poems in general, and if you submit one, you should check your iambic meters to make sure that they are consistent. I also do not play favourites, just because you are on my list of friends does not guarantee an automatic trophy.
ANY POEMS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN PUT THROUGH THE SPELL CHECK AVAILABLE ON THIS SITE WILL BE AN AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFICATION! why? you ask, because you don't need to use a dictionary anymore with the advancement of technology -- so use it!
What else do I need to know?
I will not ask you to write something stupid in AUTHOR’S COMMENT BOX, because I think that is retarded. If you carefully read my rules then you won’t be disqualified, simple as that, I think we are all adults and I think I know you can read, only when you enter my contest will I really find out.
I also will not ask you to write egotistic poems about me. I think those are also retarded. I prefer to receive a poem written by someone in my IM box or on my front page. No one knows enough about me to write a complete poem about me, so I will save you the torture of that. (I must admit though, I have had some beautiful tributes to me just from people reading my poetry, and that is more special than forcing people to write.)
In Conclusion
My contests are developed to practice FORM poetry and to be comfortable with working outside of your box of free verse. I hope to see a lot of you as entrants.
What is a Lord of the Rings contest?
A Lord of the Rings contest is a writing competition of a high calibre. You have to READ ALL the contest criteria, and wri
A Lord of the Rings contest is a writing competition of a high calibre. You have to READ ALL the contest criteria, and wri
Included in the list
Add a comment
Comments
1 - 15 of 15
-
Sounds like you are quite fair in your approach to judging and that you "tell it like it is". For that I applaud you. I not sure about your statement that you generally don't like rhyming poetry as you asked for form poetry in your just posted contest "spring ..." and that means that rhymes may be neccessary but if you don't like them, why would one bother? One more point on this page you have a sentence that needs to be edited because it doesn't make sense: "The rules that follow the FORM being called for, depends on the level of difficulty I want you it write in." Say what???
Anyway, thanks for how you go about your contests and especially for not playing favorites to poets you know. joy
-
I think this is very relevant, and should be used as an example of the proper way to hold contests for new members, in the policy and procedure section on this site.
That is ALL!
Edited on Jul 17 because '
'.
-
hey gregg I'll be entering your erotica contest, but not tonight...brain fried tonight... Loves you!!
-
I was going to have a go at your contest, however, I feel it is beyond my capability... after going through all the rules etcera, I feel very disheartened... I do appreciate reading good work, so can understand your expecting such a very very high standard... perhaps when or if I ever reach the standard required, then I would love to have a go... please understand, this is not a critical comment here, I am just being honest about how it has made me feel... all the very best with your enteries... you seem to work so very hard, so I do understand and appreciate you expecting the same of others for your contests... well done.. ~Katie~
-
I thought that I would comment on this, since I haven't in a while. I like your idea for a contest, and how it should go. I just thought that I go over this one more time before I start my entry. I am fixing to head back over to the other column of yours.
-
Not all my poetry contests are form, like this was I opened for free verse, but I still have a few limitations I place so that poets will be able to learn some of the basics and fundamentals of poetry writing, I do not run the contests to shut people out, but to try and reach another level in their writing. Contests are not only for writing poems, they are also placed to learn how to critique and to share experiences. There are a lot of contests out there to enter in and a diversity of subjects and themes, I am just a miniscule in the process of learning.
Edited on Apr 27, 10:00 p.m. because ''. -
hmm.. i do love rules and people that stick with them..but i don't really think i know all that poetry goodness..like form and stuff..i just write..not really good stuff but i try..so hopefully i atleast get some critiques that help me with my poetry rather than stuff that brings my down, ya know?...thanks anyways...Aida
-
I am helping with the editing of the allpoetry.com yearly journal that we put out, so high calibre contests like these help me sift out and find the best of the best on the site. Sorry about my strictness.
-
wow.. you're very.. strict i guess is the word that comes to mind. lol. wow.
annie -
You won't need to worry about form poetry, as we go along I will be putting columns up in my library on what I expect in my contests pertaining to form, there is one colum up already on what I expect when entering a HAIKU contest that I host and I will be adding more later, so those are good reference points to start. Just watch my Column icon and click there once in awhile for new info.
-
Here we go!
Well I must first admit you are a stickler for following the rules. That's a good thing. I guess I had better brush up on Form first.I can follow directions.But I will make mistakes along the way. So I am about to enter one of your contests. practice makes perfect and I will need plenty of practice. Having fun doing it! Seeee ya! -
Edited on Apr 26, 1:25 because ''. -
It's not a contest lol, it is rules to enter my contests to direct to complainers when the need arises, I will be putting up more of these columns as I go along in writing form poetry now that school is over.
-
You should get with haikumonk and see about teaching a class if you have the time. Something tells me you'd be a fair and good teacher for this site to have around.
Have I mentioned I like you
You're one of my faves around here.
-
hmmm intresting contest
Adding your comment:
1 - 15 of 15
