For almost two years I have been a fairly regular participant in the Trifecta Writing Challenge, which after 2 ½ years will be closing its virtual doors.
Here is their own great explanation of the site:
After 2 1/2 amazing years of Trifecting, we are announcing that at the end of this month, Trifecta will be officially closing its doors. It has been an incredible experience. We have met so many talented, clever, kind writers, and for that, we are truly grateful. But life changes. Things pop up and new opportunities arise. Rather than running this challenge into a ditch from lack of attention, we prefer to end on a high note. We hope you'll agree.
Much can be (and has been) said about the internet. There are a ton of statistics about the percentage of the 'net that is comprised of cats and porn and nasty anonymous comments. You guys can, and should, commend yourselves for doing here what so few other online writing challenges ask of you—for honoring, retaining and honing your competitive edges. For bettering yourself weekly in hopes of the win. But for doing so in a way that not only respects, but indeed encourages, supports, cheerleads your competitors. You guys have formed the most amazing community here: self-governed, respectful, kind and uplifting. When we first started, we thought we'd have to choose between having a judged competition or having a friendly community. Trifecta has proven that you can want to win without being a jerk. Indeed, the kindnesses and attention you've shown each other in this space will be the overriding message us editors take away. Thank you for 2 ½ incredible years.
So, Trifectans, let’s make these last weeks the best ever. Go for it. Jump out of your comfort zones, run wild. Like a bird of paradise, strut your most funky and colourful stuff. Just don’t forget to pay attention to the prompt!
Are we not drawn onward, we few, drawn onward to new era?
I have to agree about the competition/challenge part - I was honestly surprised by the generosity of spirit towards the winners - Where was all the famed internet bickering, in fighting and back stabbing? Here are some of my thoughts from my blog posting for their last 33 word prompt challenge -
The last of the 33 word challenges - Satisfy - Trifecta: Week 114
“Scientists Announce They've Found
Direct Evidence of the 'Big Bang' “
Meaning Trifecta, of course,
a love
big enough to satisfy
even this skeptic’s heart,
seeds of new universes
from every pen
now freed
to shrivel
in the
sun?
Or
will you let them
E
X
P
L
O
D
E
?
posted for Trifecta
Ah Trifecta will be shutting their virtual doors - this is their last 33 word challenge -
A big thanks and congratulations to Trifecta. I first found Trifecta June 12th, 2012 with their Trifecta Prompt 31 - Alley. I was immediately taken by the competitive format and friendly atmosphere of congenial writers - Thanks for giving my writing and ideas a focus - those 33 word challenges were a great way to refine my writing and thinking - a poetry form if there ever was one - it’s been a great ride. I love you guys. My highest praise to Lisa and Joules, whenever I think of what a great idea it would be to do something similar - I immediately blanch at the work and the hours and devotion needed to pull it off - Even now I think maybe…. but still I won’t attempt what they have done.
So how have I exploded you ask?
Well I had already started exploding 6 months ago when I created my own local poetry group in Champaign Urbana Illinois - CU Poetry, a group that meets weekly to share our poetry and educate and perform in the public sphere.
I would really love to hear how you guys have exploded from your own Trifecta experiences. Where have you taken your creative impulses?
So I could use some help -
My CU Poetry group is in the process of creating an online source for local writing resources (anywhere in the world) and online poetry/writing resources - please share with us where you get your writing inspiration in your hometown, while traveling or online. Contact us through the website - cupoetry.com or email cupoetry@gmail.com Thanks I look forward to hearing what you guys come up with.
Finally,
Oh I was so bad on commenting and reading everyone’s entries - I apologize ...what a talented and robust band of Trifectans -I suppose I was not the only one who wrote Trifecta’s praises through the last 2 years - this one was memorable -
To the Scourge
of Flamboyantly Quilled
Invaders
Come
Infect Trifect-
a
words
leaking
predilect-
ions
akin to
a
colorful
despair
it’s ok Newbie
just know
that you are
being judged
just
once
thumbs up
thumbs down
either way
your writing
will
die
with each new
posting
the infectious
desire
burning within
it
the only
thing
to
survive
As you may notice my challenge prompt has 34 words , not the required 33 - I am such a rebel - it being the last 33 word challenge and all, and the ending should sound familiar - umm think lanston hughs harlem - a dream deferred - ahem…
Finally, in any case, what happens to a 2 ½ year internet writing prompt site when it dies? Perhaps it is akin to a forest or woodland. When a tree falls and dies it opens up the land for new seedlings to sprout, a vibrant transitional landscape providing new opportunities for all kinds of wild critters - I have heard established old growth for all its majesty can be a less than richly diverse and vibrant place.
What about all of the editors hard work? Sure they had some basic blogging ads on their site and they had a small shop with their logoed stuff there - but you just know they made no money doing their site - none, zilch, nada, week in and week out 30, 50, 100 blog responses - and at twice a week to read and comment on each and every one of those and then to judge them and do their biweekly comments - Think about that - The devotion and love for fostering the written word. Were they crazy? maybe…
Now for contrast sake let’s say they got paid millions of dollars and had the participants not only write the work but also judge the contests and announce winners - So for argument sake say they got millions of dollars and sold shares of their site and became billionaires for just maintaining the site and using the participants to create all the content and do all the work.
Yes, I just described facebook. What a concept - the participants provide all the information and data and creativity which is then sold to corporations and the web site builders get all the profits. In a just world, shouldn’t the people providing the creativity and information be paid something for making facebook owners billionaires - see wagesforfacebook.com
And in a just world shouldn’t those who do something positive for others for the love of it be paid something for their work and efforts?
Where does writing, art creativity, craft and service to your fellow man stand crawl lie in an internet age that tells artistic types - just do it for the love of it but don’t expect to get paid - we will get you name recognition, perhaps - everyone can already get something like that for free anyways. Perhaps it goes back to our school systems that don’t have the funds they need and cut the creative arts while increasing pay for after school athletics. Where is a society going that does not foster strong individual voices through the creative arts and critical thinking. It is not an accident that things are the way they are. Whatever’s happening is benefitting someone and they are keeping change from disrupting their goals, plans and bottom lines. Thus I would argue, any venture fostering the creative potential of others and done for the love of it rather than greed is not a loss but an uppercut to those who seek to plunder others for their own profit and gain. The lessons learned from a 2 ½ year poetry prompt site? Each writing prompt was a match strike - what little flames will burn? What little spark will start the forest fire or the prairie fire? Everyone knows underbrush needs to be cleared away sooner or later- the sooner it’s done the sooner the healing can start, wait too long and the heat of the blaze may take generations to recover, if ever….
