Contest Saturday (updated– prize info!) «

Contest Saturday (updated– prize info!)

February 10, 2007 by Mary Owlhaven

****THIS POST IS A STICKY. ****
It will remain at/near the top of the blog until Feb 10th.
Please scroll down to check for newer posts

***************************

Almost a year ago I did a writing contest using the “I Am From” writing prompt. A ton of people submitted really great entries, and it was such fun to read them. I’m doing this again, but this year you have two options.

1. The original ‘I Am From’ format gives you a chance to write about the things and people around you that shaped you as a child. Here’s my last years’ ‘I Am From’.

2. The new ‘I Am’ format gives you a chance to write more specifically about yourself, and your progression from childhood to adulthood. Here’s my “I AM”.

Remember, these are helpful suggestions, not a set-in stone mold. I would like it if you chose one or the other of the two formats, though, just so I know which category to judge you in. A few other details.

– This contest will run two weeks. I’ll keep this post at the top so it will be easy to find.
–You have until Saturday noon February 10th, Pacific time, to post your “I Am” or “I Am From” on your blog, with a link back here.
–As soon as it’s posted, come sign in with Mr. Linky so we can all come visit you. Sign in with your EXACT post address, not just your main blog address. The sooner you get yours written and up, the more traffic you’ll be likely to get.

There will be three prizes:

– Best “I Am From”
– Best “I Am”
– Most referrals.

The first two prizes are the writing prizes–make it crisp and descriptive. Make every word count.

The final prize is for the person who refers the most people to my blog. When you mention the contest at your place, ask your readers to come over to Owlhaven and comment in the regular comments section of this post and say “Hi, I’m here from….” Whoever’s name is mentioned most by February 10th gets that third prize!

The winners of the contest will be able to choose one of the six books shown here in the picture (click on the picture for a larger version). They’re all gently used books that I’ve read and enjoyed, but don’t need anymore. The first winner to contact me will get first choice. I picked 6 so that everyone would be likely to find something they are actually interested in.

The books are:
Half a Heart
Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child
Half Empty, Half Full
Chicken Soup for the Christian Family’s Soul
Fields of the Fatherless
Frugal Luxuries

A note about this Mr. Linky. It’s a beta version, made especially to work with WordPress blogs. The single solitary thing I don’t like about WordPress is that it doesn’t allow java. So I was thrilled on Friday when Mr. Linky himself emailed me a work-around for WP. This Mr. Linky opens a new page instead of posting your name directly on my post. From what I can tell, it should be a nice option for WordPress users.

Please use Mr. Linky ONLY for your contest entries. Use regular comments if you’re stopping in to visit from another blog or if you have any comments/questions about the contest.

Posted in Family | 90 Comments

90 Responses

on January 27, 2007 at 7:47 am Toni

Good One! Let me get a little more caffeine in my system, and I will be all over this!
on January 27, 2007 at 9:11 am Toni

Hope I did this right, still a newbie at this- I did the #2 format- this is a great exercise!
on January 27, 2007 at 9:16 am ~liz

thanks for a cool contest! i hope my blog readers find their way here and enjoy your blog as much as i do!
~liz
on January 27, 2007 at 9:49 am Karly

Ooh, what a GREAT idea! I’m all over that!
on January 27, 2007 at 9:56 am Mella

Oh cool, I like the “I Am” format. Busy weekend, but I’ll try it at some point (always looking for ways to procrastinate, rather than work on the story I need to finish for my thesis…)
on January 27, 2007 at 11:13 am Karly

Hey, thanks for the heads up that my link didn’t work. I have no idea how to delete the other one, though…new to this Mr. Linky business.
on January 27, 2007 at 11:54 am Lisa Knight

Ok, so my I am is up! wow that was a lot of fun!!! can’t wait to read the others.
on January 27, 2007 at 12:41 pm Leslie

Hi! I’m visting from Karly’s blog, Wiping Up Snot (don’t you just love that blog title?). I think I might have to give this a try!
on January 27, 2007 at 2:09 pm Jael

I have so many questions for you I don’t even know where to start. I have six kids. How do you blog and do kids and homeschool and live and eat and breath and still look and act normal? I have a forehead full of worry zits andI’m only thirty. I used to homeschool but am in school now myself. I guess I’m a homeschool failure. Hw do you stay organized? How do you stay Christian? How do you not cuss?
on January 27, 2007 at 2:49 pm Carol

I loved doing the “I Am From”. This one looks good, too. I’ll have to give it some thought, though. I’m not good at this sort of thing.
on January 27, 2007 at 7:36 pm Ellen

Hi!
I’m coming over from smithical.com. Any blog Liz admires is worth attention in my book.
I’ll get cooking on the “I Am From” – thanks for the inspiration!
on January 27, 2007 at 10:11 pm Rasha

Hiiii
I just saw u’re link in liz’s site
u have such a good writings i love them
spacially the I Am From .. one
keep up the good work
goodluck
on January 27, 2007 at 10:55 pm Heidi

Fun! Mines up too. These are so much fun to read.
on January 28, 2007 at 12:25 am My Mommy’s Place: Mommy’s Blog » Blog Archive » I Am From

[...] Submitted to the writing contest sponsored by Owlhaven. Visit her to learn [...]
on January 28, 2007 at 12:27 am Azul

I did the ‘I Am From’ format as a NaBloPoMo Post, so I’ve linked to it already.

I enjoyed doing it so much though, that I think I will do the ‘I Am’ format as well.

Thanks so much for these wonderful ideas, Mary. It’s nice for us newer bloggers to have generous people like you to suggest an item to write about.

I’ll be reading each and every one that is linked here.
on January 28, 2007 at 1:27 am Azul

I’ve got the second one up, this time in the ‘I Am’ format. This was such a great writing exercise. My compliments to everyone else as well. I’ve already read several, and you’ve all one a marvelous job.
on January 28, 2007 at 12:13 pm Susan (5 Minutes for Mom)

Talking about contests….

You’re our lucky winner for our Kangaroodle contest. Shelly will contact you to arrange to send you your prizes.

Congratulations!!!
on January 28, 2007 at 4:23 pm Stephanie

MIne is up! http://stkappleto.blogspot.com/2007/01/i-am.html
The new “I am” format.
Mr. Linky is not showing for me. Is anyone else having this problem?
on January 28, 2007 at 6:09 pm D

I’m up… http://straddlingtheline.blogspot.com/2007/01/i-am.html Thanks Mary, this is so… enlightening!
on January 29, 2007 at 12:41 am jcn

mine is up on brownstreet for all three of my readers to see. i have been wanting and meaning to to do this for sometime…so i am glad you did this. can’t wait to read all of your reader’s essays.
on January 29, 2007 at 9:41 am Mella

Hi Mary – I posted a link to my “I Am From” in Mr.Linky, but unfortunately I am a tad dyslexic and mistyped it the first time. It’s in there twice…oops. I couldn’t delete the wrong one – can you?

Maybe I’ll get a chance to do the “I Am” this week too – such great writing exercises.
on January 29, 2007 at 9:51 am Phelan

I am is up
on January 29, 2007 at 10:53 am Merry

Phelan sent me. I like the writing prompts – maybe I’ll give them a go.
on January 29, 2007 at 12:12 pm Merry

I’m back with my “I am”.
on January 29, 2007 at 2:25 pm Tami

I have posted an “I am from…”. That was great fun to write. I laughed and cried and remembered a lot more than I wrote. Thanks for the opportunity.
on January 29, 2007 at 3:16 pm MommasWorld

D. from Straddling the Line said I was pretty and smell good so I should visit your web site and tell you she sent me here Sorry, it’s Monday and I am a little gitty from all the paper work on my desk today

Good Luck to all!
on January 29, 2007 at 3:30 pm alrescate

Phelan at ‘A Homesteading Neophyte’ sent me.

This is a great idea Owlhaven!
on January 29, 2007 at 4:21 pm Donna

That was interesting. I had difficulty keeping it in the third person, but I think I finally got it right.
on January 29, 2007 at 5:23 pm misslionheart

; ) Well done!
on January 29, 2007 at 6:18 pm Shannon

I wrote an “I am from” awhile back on my xanga, so I put it in Mr. Linky. I hope that is okay, since I guess a xanga is a blog of sorts.
on January 29, 2007 at 6:59 pm Linda

Stephanie from Adventures in the 100 Acre Woods sent me. Love the “I am’s”
on January 29, 2007 at 10:36 pm Jenni

I played! I did the “I Am From” writing prompt. I accidentally put myself in twice in Mr. Linky. Is it possible to delete my first link? Sorry!

That was a fun writing prompt. It made me a bit homesick for my childhood.
on January 29, 2007 at 11:05 pm Erin

Great Idea!
on January 30, 2007 at 2:07 am Kate

will do
on January 30, 2007 at 7:49 am Mella

I love reading through all of the entries – they’re fabulous!

(Did my “I Am” link not go through? I thought I put it up on Mr. Linky…but, maybe not?)
on January 30, 2007 at 9:29 am Kelli

I just did mine. I was so suprised how it just flowed and took no time to do. I loved doing it.
on January 30, 2007 at 7:08 pm Mel

I am here from TXMommy. This is a really neat writing contest!
on January 30, 2007 at 9:39 pm Heart of the Prairie»

[...] I have done LOTS of writing, but none of it anywhere close to what Owlhaven was asking for with this little number. I just couldn’t turn down the chance to stretch myself outside of my writing comfort [...]
on January 30, 2007 at 10:07 pm PJ

This was a lot of fun, thanks! I found it at too many to count!
on January 31, 2007 at 8:38 am Gab

Michelle, from Heart of the Prairie sent me.
on January 31, 2007 at 1:05 pm Killi

I came here from Phelan (I think), eireannaigh on livejournal.
on January 31, 2007 at 1:20 pm Jenn

this is great. I am not a mom but it’s an important exercise to do I think.
on January 31, 2007 at 1:31 pm jenniam » Blog Archive » I Am From

[...] I Am – A Writing Prompt (go visit and tell them I sent you!) [...]
on January 31, 2007 at 6:01 pm MommasWorld

This was a great exercise! I really enjoyed filling out the form and took a full day to think about my answers. In retrospect, I should have taken a few more days. ha, ha, ha I have sent the form to friends and family who are not bloggers, yet, and very interested in seeing the outcome. I learned a few new things about myself and it was fun to travel down memory lane.

I thank you whole heartily.
on January 31, 2007 at 8:13 pm Donna

I did this a second time, in my AOL journal, this time trying to stay with the pattern. I hope that’s OK. Mainly, I wanted to give others a chance to do this, and most of my faithful readers are on this journal.
on February 1, 2007 at 11:56 am JoyfulHouseFarms

I wrote my I Am Cara, thought about it for a couple of days, then edited it on my blog. I’ll be giving a copy to my parents and grandparents.
I think I’ll try writing it again in a year to see if it’s changed much. Thanks for the prompts!
Cara
on February 1, 2007 at 2:33 pm Celeste

I did not realize how painful this could be.
on February 1, 2007 at 9:10 pm Beth/Mom2TwoVikings

Just posted mine. Thanks for this chance!
on February 1, 2007 at 10:10 pm Debbie

Hi! I visited your blog via Beth at

http://twolittlevikings.blogspot.com/
on February 2, 2007 at 8:46 am Where I’m From (part one) «

[...] (Originally written May 2006. Transferring to this blog as an entry in Owlhaven’s “I Am From” contest.) [...]
on February 2, 2007 at 1:15 pm Bozoette Mary

Hi! I left two links, one for my “I Am From” from March 06, and one for my “I Am,” from today. These are great exercises. It took me quite a while to do them, but it was worth it.
on February 2, 2007 at 2:10 pm Henry Frueh

Hello. Although this is contest formatted, may we all pray that it will glorify the One Who has secured in Himself the victory for the eternal contest and has seen fit by His grace to share that victory with all who believe!
on February 2, 2007 at 3:17 pm Anamara Ritt-Olson

Your I am example just made me cry!! I am so going to try this.
on February 2, 2007 at 6:07 pm Stephanie

This is a wonderful writing exercise. A teacher friend of mine used it with her 11 grade English classes, and the results were amazing.
on February 2, 2007 at 6:11 pm Stephanie

This is a wonderful exercise. A teacher friend of mne used it with her 11th grade English class, and the results were amazing. By the way, I was referred here by Bozoette Mary.
on February 3, 2007 at 12:03 am Krina

Okay, I’ve made a start but this is going to have to be done in parts … so my part one is done and posted and linky looed. I think. I’ll be back with more soon …
on February 3, 2007 at 10:16 am arthist99

Hi, I’m here through the link at MiKael’s Mania: http://risingrainbow.blogspot.com/
Great idea!
on February 3, 2007 at 12:17 pm MiKael

I forgot to do this part when I posted my link for the contest yesterday. I have to say this felt like an assignment for a therapy group. It’s fun to see that the comment about me is linked from my site, I didn’t really expect that. I thought I wasn’t getting all that many hits on my site and no one would really read it. I feel a little naked. Guess I’ll survive.

Thanks for doing this. It’s a great idea.
on February 3, 2007 at 1:49 pm MiKael

I thought I submitted a comment here earlier but guess I’ll try again since I forgot to leave a comment when I left my link for my “I am” piece.

This was an interesting project. It felt like something that might be an assignment in a therapy group. I didn’t have much problem writing it but after I posted it I felt exposed. But then I told myself no one would read it anyway because I’m pretty new a blogging and not got a lot of hits to my site yet. Now I get here and find links from my blog – so now instead of feeling exposed, it’s more like naked.

But it was still an interesting project and hopefully a great way to get traffic to your site.
on February 3, 2007 at 2:59 pm Beverly

Hi, I’m here from MiKael’s Mania.
on February 3, 2007 at 4:08 pm Lori Schmidt (LoriProPhoto)

I am here via Mikaels Mania. You should also check out her blog spot
http://risingrainbow.blogspot.com/
She is a great writer and knows how to draw you into her stories.
I will do my own I Am as soon as I have a moment
on February 3, 2007 at 5:22 pm shawnda

I wrote “I am”. It ended up being pretty long – sorry! And I just read it was maybe supposed to be in 3rd person….oops! I did it in and out! Not trying to be a rebel….just in a hurry w/ 3 little ones! : )
on February 3, 2007 at 9:48 pm Elise

I have an “I Am” that I posted a couple weeks ago without knowing about this – is it all right if I put a link to here on that post without re-posting it? I don’t want to be a pain – but I also don’t want to make too big of a deal about it on my own blog. Let me know!
on February 4, 2007 at 3:17 pm dressagemom

Hi there..I got here from Mikaels Mania – http://risingrainbow.blogspot.com/ – who has a lot to say about horses, but I think non-horsey people would find her interesting also. I don’t think I’m up to writing my own “I Am”, but it’s fun to read other’s posts.
on February 4, 2007 at 5:20 pm Kari

Put mine on Mr. Linky a couple of days ago, now I have part two up – though number one was my entry.

Wanted to let you know that I entered by way of Beth:

http://twolittlevikings.blogspot.com/
on February 4, 2007 at 7:41 pm Nicole

I’ve found you through Straddling the Line and her I Am is here – http://straddlingtheline.blogspot.com/2007/01/i-am.html

I have my own here
http://www.nicolewilker.com/nicole/blog/index.cfm/2007/2/4/I-Am-A-Writing-Prompt
on February 4, 2007 at 9:11 pm b-lo

A referral for Shawnda – who submitted her I Am.
on February 4, 2007 at 9:13 pm b-lo

Maybe I need to correct my comment… I am here from New Jersey, referred by Shawnda!
on February 4, 2007 at 9:55 pm anordinarymom

I hope you feel better soon!

Thanks for inspiring me to try my hand at writing one of these. I really enjoyed it … I used it for my 100th post!
on February 5, 2007 at 7:05 am Laura

Hey – cool site….. Michelle from Heart of the Prairie sent me here from her blog. She submitted an “I Am” writing….
on February 5, 2007 at 2:21 pm Tryphaena

Here from Lisa at Stilltroubleshooting.blogspot.com

And then I came from Shawnda at Spirit of Adoption
on February 5, 2007 at 11:23 pm susiej » Archive » I am from

[...] remind you of happy memories you’ve long forgotten. For instructions for the contest, go to Owlhaven, and tell her Susie J sent you. Here’s my version — let me know how I [...]
on February 6, 2007 at 4:21 am wifemothermaniac

Ack, I linked mine to the min bog url instead of directly to the post, that’s what I get for not reading the instructions clealry first, and being a fairly new blogger.

Alas.

Thank you for the wonderful inspiration.

SusieJ sent me. http://www.susiej.com/
on February 6, 2007 at 4:22 am wifemothermaniac

And apparently I’m up too late and should spell check my comments.

Alas pt. 2!

min og=main blog.
clealry = clearly

shame shame.
on February 6, 2007 at 2:28 pm Donice

I’m here from Susie J.’s blog; the “I am from” is a lovely idea, I enjoyed reading hers and look forward to others.
on February 6, 2007 at 8:45 pm Steph

This is my first time checking out your blog. I was bored and checking out the links at Notes from the Trenches. Love the contest!
on February 8, 2007 at 12:36 am audrey h.

Hi I am here from Cara’s blog(joyfulhousefarms). First time here and i have enjoyed reading your blog.
on February 8, 2007 at 12:44 am Sandy

That was harder than it looked!
on February 8, 2007 at 9:04 am jenn

i so know your pain! my husband is a finish trim carpenter. he creates beautiful pillars, four piece crown moulding, etc, etc… our house… well…
“the cobbler’s children wear no shoes”

everytime i have wanted to just go out and buy more bookshelves he starts thinking what he could create even better/cheaper/more efficient.

like you i also am and OB nurse… though taking a break from it right now. i
on February 9, 2007 at 4:10 pm campclan

I just found out about this, but I’ll give it a try! We seem to have much in common. I’m from northwest Arkansas (Eureka Springs is my favorite place in the entire world), I have 8 kids, homeschool, drive a 15-passenger van… I’m sure there’s more!
on February 9, 2007 at 4:55 pm Pastormac's Ann

I’m trying and trying the I Am format but I’m really having a hard time with it. I did the I AM From poem last summer. I’m linking that one.
on February 9, 2007 at 9:58 pm Doris

Hi, I’m here via Moomy Dearest. Cute contest!
on February 10, 2007 at 2:10 am Carol

Wow. There are some really good ones here, Mary. You’re going to have a really, really hard time choosing.

So….good luck with that!
on February 10, 2007 at 10:19 am Jen

Hello, I was sent here through the blog She Lives.
http://she-lives.typepad.com/she_lives/
on February 10, 2007 at 11:28 am Shane

Hi there! I’m here from “Mommy Dearest’s” blog.
on February 10, 2007 at 1:54 pm Kit

Here’s mine – I wrote it back in June so hope it’s eligible, but only saw the contest just now!
http://food-and-family.blogspot.com/2006/06/where-i-am-from.html#links

Couldn’t see anything Mr Linkyish to try so hope this counts.
on February 10, 2007 at 4:13 pm Rory

Hi, I was turned onto your great blog & your “I am” contest from another great blog – Spirit of Adoption
http://james127.blogspot.com/
I realize I ‘m officially a couple hours past the deadline, & that you have a bajillion of these to read & judge – so, though I would still love to be in the contest, I will not maliciously judge you for not including me in the contest at this point!!!
Seriously, I am thankful that I did this just for the sake of pondering my life testimony and working on my writing skills (lack of?!) a bit. It was a good stretch & challange for me. And I am very thankful to you for that! The exercise itself was all the prize I needed. Thank you so much! God Bless you!
on February 10, 2007 at 6:52 pm Jenny A.

Hi! I’m over here from Dandelion Momma. Shoot! I found out about this too late! it sounds so neat, I wanted to do it myself after only reading Dandelion Momma’s.
on February 10, 2007 at 9:29 pm Michelle

I there! I am from Amy, Laughing Through The Tears blog! What a great contest this was!
on July 7, 2007 at 7:57 am My Mommy’s Place: Mommy’s Blog » Blog Archive » I’m A Driver. I’m A Winner. Things Are Gonna Change, I Can Feel It*

[...] Write-Away Contest, The “This Blog Blows My Dress Up” Contest at This Ecclectic Life, Owlhaven’s I Am From Contest – and I haven’t won any of them. I had decided that I would not be entering any more contests [...]

Comments are closed.

About Me

I'm Mary, wife to John, and mom to 10 kids ages 3-20. Six of them were adopted, from Ethiopia and Korea. I spend my days applying Bandaids, reminding kids to use their inside voices, persuading kids fractions are useful, cooking spicy ethnic food, and snapping gig after gig of pictures. Very late at night, I write about it all.

Favorite Posts
I Am From
My 100 Things
My "30 Days of Nothing" Frugality Experiment
Dear Me in 1983
Time Saving Tips
Gifts to the Future
When I'm An Old Lady
The Pink Robe
Never Alone

Blast From The Past

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