Months ago, I had decided to run an autumn contest here at The Green Study. It will be my 4th contest in 4 years, so longtime readers here are familiar with the patter. At first I thought I’d dispel some political gloom and make it the “If I were President” Contest, but frankly, I’ve lost my sense of humor about it all. And I don’t have the energy to rein in political rants running amok on my blog.
Instead, I’m looking for good news – the news that aren’t click bait, news happening in your life or in your neighborhood. We the people aren’t just political affiliations and labels. We have stories – stories that remind us of what is good and kind and generous and decent about being human. They could be something that happened years ago or something that is happening now. We need joy. Stat.
Welcome to The Green Study “Positively Happy Nice Story” Contest. Here are the guidelines:
Write a previously unpublished blog post or if you’re not a blogger, an essay (with title) 400-800 words long about a positively happy nice incident, an admirable person in your life, unwitting luck or fortunate consequences. Submit it through my Contact page by Saturday, October 1st, 2016, Monday, October 3rd, 12:00 pm, Midnight (US Standard Central Time). Please note that your formatting is retained when I receive it – the Contact page makes it look like it has disappeared.
One entry per person please. The contest begins as soon as this post goes public.
The winners will be notified on Wednesday, October 5th, 2016 by 12:00 am (US Standard Central Time).
Shipping of the prizes and donations will take place by October 12th, 2016. Guest blog posting will occur between October 15th and November 1st, 2016.
All entries will be judged by me, myself and I. It’s entirely subjective.
1st Prize: Your entry will be posted as a guest post to my blog, you will be sent a brand new The Green Study Coffee Mug and I will make a $100 donation to the American Red Cross on your behalf to your local Red Cross Chapter or their International Disaster Response fund.
2nd Prize: Your entry will be posted as a guest post to my blog, you will be sent a brand new The Green Study Coffee Mug and I will make a $75 donation to the American Red Cross on your behalf to your local Red Cross Chapter or their International Disaster Response fund.
3rd Prize: Your entry will be posted as a guest post to my blog, you will be sent a brand new The Green Study Coffee Mug and I will make a $50 donation to the American Red Cross on your behalf to your local Red Cross Chapter or their International Disaster Response fund.
All participants will receive a priceless, irreplaceable postcard from Minneapolis (although it actually cost $1.00 and can be bought at the airport, in large quantities).
I will ship prize winners’ mugs stateside or internationally (with no guarantee that it will arrive or that it will arrive in one piece), just because I like to hold up the line at the post office because I haven’t filled out the right forms.
If any former participants and/or winners read this post, please feel free to comment on the veracity of The Green Study contests. Please let readers know that you’ve received your prizes and that I haven’t shown up at your front door looking for a place to stay or spammed your email. Previous winners are allowed to participate and an updated mug is in production.
Good news is rare these days, and every glittering ounce of it should be cherished and hoarded and worshipped and fondled like a priceless diamond.
Hunter S. Thompson
Administrative Note: There will be no fondling or diamonds involved in this contest.
I hope you post all entries,winners and losers ,the world needs more positive reads.Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s all dependent on how many entries are received. I will do my best to throw a little sparkle out there, though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can speak to the veracity of the contest, and how much I enjoyed participating a few years ago. And get this?! My hair stylist, independently of me, also participated and placed! Yippee! Here’s to tales of joy and mirth. And we have a couple of Michelle’s mugs in our cupboard, they’ve survived waves of down-sizing and still appear joyful in their role. Best, Bill
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Bill! I know I should get a little more creative on the prizes, but sometimes one has to go with what works. Maybe you’ll end up with a full set!
LikeLike
It’s a great prize, don’t change a thing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And the winning title is…
Positively Happy Nice Story Writer Gets Mugged
Yeah, I’m going for a set of mugs! Fan-friggin-tactic idea.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Go for it, Honie!
LikeLike
Another testimonial here for the fun and veracity of the contests. Have mug, Use mug!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Meryl!
LikeLike
Very cool idea! I can’t wait to read the results!
LikeLike
You might be one of them – I’m sure you’ve got a heartwarming kitty story to share!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm.
LikeLike
You’re so very generous, Michelle. This is awesome. I’ll think on that good news because I sure could use some and focus on it. Great idea for a contest! Should it be fiction or does it matter?
LikeLike
Hi Amy. I had creative nonfiction in mind, but if you have a happy tale you want to share, bring it on!
LikeLike
The mug will be mine. Oh yes… it will be mine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Word up! There, I’ve met my daily quota for dated references and cringe-worthy puns.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent. Party on, Michelle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOVE the topic! We sure could use some good news. I am kind of swamped with work and projects right now, so regrettably I am going to have to pass this year. Besides I’ve done it twice, and have even won a mug. I drink my one-coffee-a-day out of it every morning as I sit in front of my computer and write and if a mug can become a “muse,” than my Green Study mug is mine. Thanks so much for hosting this contest, Michelle, and for your generous donations and mugs. I can’t wait to read the entries 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Fransi. Sorry that you have to pass – I’ve enjoyed reading your entries in the past!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Michelle. On a deadline with a fairly large project and I’m struggling to keep up with my blog right now. I’m sorry I can’t participate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wish I had some good news story to relay for you. But at this particular moment in time, I’ve got crickets!
That’s life I guess. Maybe next year will be my “happy” year!
LikeLike
Sorry to hear it’s that kind of year for you, Lisa. I’ve been feeling a tad of that as well, which is why I’ve been seeking some balance by noticing/recognizing the good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, that’s got me thinking, writing is so often about conflict that one tends to avoid happy stories …
LikeLike
Indeed. I’ve been puzzling a bit over this one myself. Hope to put up an example in a day or two.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a wonderful idea. We all need to find a way to neutralize the awful nonsense + vitriol that this election has dumped on us. Good thinking. Now what shall I write about…?
LikeLike
Thinking about this subject has made me realize how intensely negative I’ve been feeling lately, failing to see the good things around me. Maybe this will help a few of us turn that around.
LikeLike
[…] The Green Study’s Positively Happy Nice Story Contest is off and running. I saw a wonderful post by Cate that is exactly the sort of thing that would be a contender. The deadline is October 1st. See here for details. […]
LikeLike
[…] The Green Study’s Positively Happy Nice Story Contest is a great way to win for your local American Red Cross and there’s a mug! I’m shifting the deadline to Monday, October 3rd. See here for details. […]
LikeLike
[…] still time! The Green Study’s Positively Happy Nice Story Contest is a great way to win for your local American Red Cross and there’s a mug! The deadline is […]
LikeLike
[…] you to everyone who submitted entries to The Green Study’s “Positive Happy Nice Story” Contest. What I enjoyed most about reading the entries were the diverse perspectives in what brings joy, […]
LikeLike