# How to decide my category if I started writing but had to discontinue due to some reasons and now I have started writing a couple of months back?

~ In such a case, you’ll have to calculate your overall writing duration and select your category accordingly. Let’s say you started writing in February of 2018, then stopped writing in September of 2018, and then resumed writing from November of 2019. Then your overall writing months will be seven months in 2018 and six months from 2019 onwards. That makes a total of thirteen months, which makes your category 0-2 years.

But this is applicable only for the last two years, i.e., for the category of 0-2 years and not for 2-4 years or more than 4 years.

# How to use the password?

~ You’ll have to use the password while filing up the forms. You’ll have a section where you’ll be asked to fill up the form.

# How to submit my story?

~ You can submit your story in either one of your existing books of short stories collection or make a new one for this contest. And then follow these steps to submit the story.

> Post your story in the book and tag either one of GS_Stella Ink_Lover or asmi944 in the chapter.

> Tag #thewarriorsofink in the tag section of your book.

> Message us on any one of the above IDs to inform us that you’ve submitted your entry.

# What is a Blurb and how to include that in my story? Can I have a sample?

~ A Blurb is a short synopsis that you write in the beginning of a story. It should be short, crisp and interesting enough to make your readers read the entire story.

You can post the cover and the Blurb of the story in two ways: either in the same chapter as your story or in a different chapter. That’s up to you.

For reference, you can visit my official Wattpad ID GS_Stella. I’m not promoting myself over here, definitely not, but I have two books where you can find examples of both the above cases.

> In FIREFLIES : A COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES, the cover and the Blurb of each story have a separate chapter.

> In IT’S ALL IN THE STORY (A SET OF DRABBLES), the cover, the Blurb and the main story are posted in the same chapter itself.

# Do I need to write separate Blurb and make a different cover for each story?

~ Yes, you’ll need to make a different cover and write a separate Blurb for each story you write, as that will earn you marks during evaluation.

You can take help of any of the graphics designer over here on Wattpad for your covers, as we have several talented designers over here or you can make them yourself. You can even take help of the mobile app CANVA for making the covers, as it’s one of the easiest I have used till date. We don’t want any extraordinary editing and graphics skills to be displayed in the covers, just a simple one do as long as it conveys the main idea of your story.

# Is there any word limit for the entries?

~ Yes, at present it’s 1000-1500 words. But we may extend it a bit, if the plot demands. Right now, it’s 1000-1500 words.

# Is the Blurb included in the word limit of 1000-1500 words?

~ No, the Blurb is not included in this word limit. It’s only for your main story and you have to write this story in one chapter only. You are not allowed to write a separate prologue for the story. That won’t be considered during evaluation.

# If I fill up the form but somehow fail to submit the entry before the deadline, will that affect my participation in the future sets of the contest?

~ In such a case, you’ll have to give us a proper reason for that. This won’t affect your future participation in any manner.

# Can the judges hop in and out of the contest as judges and become a participant as and when they wish to? Is there any regulation over that as well?

~ Yes, they can. But we have a twist in tale here as well. Once you opt out from being a judge then you can reapply for being a judge again only after completion of two sets, i.e., after 40 days. And for these two sets you can participate in the contest.

Same goes for the other way round. Once you become a judge, you can opt out from being a judge only after two sets or 40 days.

We hope this doesn’t sound too strict to you all. This is just to make sure that the participants don’t think that the judges are getting too much of benefit or we are being lenient towards anyone. We aim to make everyone feel that they all are equal over here.

If you have any more questions, ask here 👉

Happy Wordsmithing!

Love,
Stella & Asmi