The Broken Format Write/Off
Jun 02 '05 (Updated Jun 20 '05)
The Bottom Line Put a twist on format and break writer’s block
If there’s one thing every writer hates, it’s writer’s block. You sit down to write about a product, knowing exactly what you thought of it and what you want to say, but you can’t seem to put the words down for the life of you. For some reason those words just aren’t flowing out of you like they normally do. I’ve been there – many times. It’s because of writer’s block I’ve got reviews started but nowhere near finished. It’s because of writer’s block there’s a movie I saw late last year and need to review soon, but simply can’t start it.
So is there a cure for writer’s block? Maybe. With a couple of reviews, what I’ve done is change the format of the review. My favourite example of this is my review on Finding Nemo. I wanted to review it as soon as I came out of the theatre, and sweet Lord I tried, but I really couldn’t get past the intro. From there I had some bullet points of what I liked and didn’t like, but I still couldn’t write the review for the life of me. So I left it. A few months later, I wrote three reviews in one day, and didn’t get a comment on any of them. So in an attempt to get myself some comments, I tried a different format. I’d been considering this idea for Nemo, and when I started writing it, it seemed like I couldn’t stop. By changing my format, I’d beaten my writer’s block.
So here’s my idea for a write/off – breaking the format. So many reviews around the site these days seem to adhere to a strict format. For movies, it’s talk about the basic plot, the acting, and any other fields that interest you (music, direction, scenery etc) and you’ve got a review. Track by track is always popular in music. I’m sure you’ve noticed formats in the categories you normally write in. Let’s see those formats broken, if only for a while. That way, not only are you breaking writer’s block, but also a bit of the monotony that seems to have crept into the site.
Rules of this write/off:
1) Standard write/off rules. Link back to this page, leave a comment to let me know you’ve joined.
2) PRODUCT REVIEWS ONLY PLEASE.
3) Entries close in six week’s time (July 7). Late entries may go un-noticed by myself for a week or so, as I’m expecting to be very busy then. When I do acknowledge them, they will be singled out as being late.
4) I’m not putting any restrictions on the type of format you use. As long as it’s not what you normally use, it’s all good.
Prizes!!!
Each entry will be given a percentage mark. You'll be marked on two main categories - originality of format and clarity of review. There will be prizes for First, Second and Third. (It should go without saying, but late entries will not be considered for prizes.)
Here’s the prize. As you know, The Crispys are currently in their final year. At first I toyed with the idea of renaming them and carrying on the tradition myself, but I’ve got a better idea for a moral booster in mind. Again, I’m not revealing it yet, but it involves a judging panel. The top three finishers in this write/off we be the first ones given the option of joining me on the judging panel. This is a high honour, and well worth winning. It should go without saying, but I will not be judging my own entry.
So, to break writer’s block, decrease the monotony of the site, and for a shot at the judging panel, submit your entry now!
ENTRIES SO FAR
dbcint - Joss Stone - "Mind, Body & Soul"
CaptainD - Proof Of Life - 80%
Jankp - Whose Life Is It Anyway? - 65%
heymrdj2k - Blue Lagoon - 60%
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
dbcint
|
|
Member: Dean Cowie
Location: Invercargill, New Zealand
Reviews written: 198
Trusted by: 39 members
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.