This competition is now closed. Shortlisted 10 to be announced later today – Monday 28th March 2011.
If you were to write a 100 word letter to someone, anyone, what would you say? This is what we would like to know and, if you say it well enough, we’ll give you a first prize of a free ticket to this year’s CyberMummy Blogging Conference 2011 (worth £100) or a £100 CASH PRIZE. Because we are a goodly people, my fellow judges and I have agreed that the 100 word quota will not include the Post Title, Letter Salutation or Letter Sign-Off.
Who are my fellow judges? I’m glad you asked. I will be ably assisted in judging your 100-word competition letters by ace bloggers, “I Am Typecast” and “Mr London Street”.
That’s all well and good you’re thinking … but what of any substance can be said in 100 words? Well, since I am a great believer in ‘putting the proverbial money where the mouth is’, the judges and I challenged each other to write a bio of ourselves and our blog using only … please pay attention … yes, only 100 words. Here are the results.
HerMelness Speaks 100-word Bio
HerMelness Speaks…Out” is the blog and alter-ego of Melinda Fargo who, in turn, founded and owns the word company, TheGiftOfWords.com. Writing as ‘HerMelness’, reveals an opinionator, an ‘old school’ parent, with a grudging fondness for ‘The Gibberish Generation’ (teenagers). She writes about and for this endangered species with honesty, humour, grace and not a little craziness. In addition, The HerMelness Speaks’ space is for those who often wonder “IS it me?” but know damn well it isn’t! Writing as herself, Melinda indulges her unbridled passion for words, truly believing that words have the power to uplift, inspire and transform us.
Mr London Street 100-word Bio
Mr London Street lives in Reading (or, as he likes to call it to people outside London, “Zone 8”). He has been writing at his eponymous blog for two years and so far has had work published in Esquire and the Reading Post, two distinctly dissimilar publications. His father has about a dozen copies of that edition of Esquire which he keeps foisting on unsuspecting Jehovah’s Witnesses. His nonfiction writing covers a range of subjects: office life, smut, filth, everyday events and his remarkable wife. He has a particular interest in trying to express ideas in exactly a hundred words.
I Am Typecast 100-word Bio
In this instance, “Typecast” is an oxymoron. Breaking the mould is what it is all about. Nickie started her blog to release a few demons and tell the world about her difficult and unusual experiences of parenthood. Once she started, she couldn’t stop. With one finger on the pulse and the other on the keyboard, Nickie is not afraid to say it as she sees it. She works hard, is a true procrastinator, drinks wine, is occasionally published and is a Nana in her spare time. In the words of Raymond Babbitt: “She’s all sparkly. She looks like a holiday.”
Again, all well and good you might say; but what of feelings; a real letter to someone using only 100 words? Okay, here is a letter composed with one of the most unromantic men who ever walked the planet. This is borne out by the fact he wanted to give his wife a garden shed for their wedding anniversary! Instead, he gave her this framed 100-word Wedding Anniversary letter courtesy of The Gift of Word.com. (Names have been changed to protect the innocent.)
On The Occasion Of Our Wedding Anniversary
My dearest Anna,
Romance does not come easily to me. I go through life assuming you know how much I appreciate you and how very much I value our life together with little Daniel. While romantic meals and flowers have not always been forthcoming, I wanted one of the rare times I did show you my heart to come from my words and not from temporary gifts that will not last. My love for you will last, and these are 100 words to say I Love You and that I truly treasure that day on 1st July 2006 when you became my wife. Michael
Or how about this 100-word post from Mr London Street on his wife sleeping? A beautiful and poignant piece entitled “100 Words: Snapshots” or this reflective piece from I Am Typecast entitled “100 Words – The Beginning”?
So, now that we have shown you ours we would love to see yours. What could you do with a mere 100 word post, and could it win you a first prize ticket to CyberMummy 2011 on 25th June 2011, The Brewery, London or a lovely £100 in cash?
Get one step nearer to that prize by submitting your entry via this online Competition Entry Form.
Entries may be submitted from:
Tuesday 1st March 2011
which is the official opening date for the competition.
With thanks again to my fellow judges and a massive ’shout-out’ to Mr London Street for letting us hijack his 100-Word Post occasional series.
HMS HerMelness Speaks
