By Irene Waters, Rodeo Leader
Memoir is a passion, so I’m thrilled to once again host the memoir section of the Carrot Ranch Rodeo Contest. Hoping you’ll tighten your saddles and put on your spurs and join in. [READ MORE…]
Last year we had Scars – this year?
“She Did It.”
Three little words can hold so much meaning and have so many stories that come to mind. For the memoir prompt “She Did It” write a true story or a BOTS (based on a true story) keeping in mind the tips on writing memoir.
THE RULES:
- Every entry must be 99 words, no more, no less. You can have a title outside that limit. Check your word count using the net as this will be the one I use to check the entries. Entries that aren’t 99 words will be disqualified.
- The genre is memoir although BOTS (based on a true story) will be accepted.
- English grammar and spelling (American, English or Australian) are expected, but as long as the judges can understand the language, it is the story that matters most.
- And it must be a story — that is it must be complete by itself not a part of a larger narrative. Give it a beginning, a middle, and an end.
- The prompt is a prompt, and the three words don’t have to be used in your 99 words unless you want to.
- You must enter your name and email with your entry using the provided form below. If you do not receive an acknowledgment by email, contact us at wordsforpeople@gmail.com.
- Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on October 17, 2018. Entries are judged blind, and winners announced November 16, 2018, at Carrot Ranch. Please do not compromise the blind judging by posting your entry before the winners are announced.
- You may post a “challenge” if you don’t want to enter the contest, but don’t use the form to enter the contest. Only contest entries will be published.
Above all have fun.
JUDGES (read full bios at SPONSORS)
Helen Stromqvist
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ENTRIES! CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!
Carrot Ranch Literary Community 
She did it – putting my thinking cap on. Nice topic.
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Thanks Robbie. Hope to find after blind judging that one of the entries was yours.
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I like the She Did It twist, Robbie! So much pops to mind.
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It took me a while but I finally managed to produce an entry I am happy with. Sometimes it is easier than other times.
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Almost
“Kid, whatcha doin’?”
“Mind yer- your- dialect. Irene mentioned grammar.”
“She did? What’s my Gramma got to do with anythin’?”
“This here’s a rodeo contest… gotta put the polish on fer all the folks. For.”
“Four what?”
“For.”
“Fer gosh sakes, Kid, we ain’t contestin’ an’ I ain’t changin’ no how. I jist come by ta see what you know about you know who.”
“Who? Yer gramma?”
“No! D. Avery. Dang she’s ornery. What’d she do that’s got her in sech a mood?”
“Oh, she’s gone an’ done it, Pal. Put a book out.”
“She did it!”
“True story.”
*Author’s note; these two might be jumping the gun but the print version should be ready to go soon and apparently there is a digital version at the big on line market named for a big South American river.*
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Yay, you did it … almost 🙂
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LOL. You can always send a gramma pie my way – that would make me forget about grammer.
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Almost. I’ll never be comfortable with kindling. I might be less ornery when I have a final print copy in my hands.
Yikes.
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And my spelling was atrocious.
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I love it when people misspell grammar.
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I went and Googled it–Coolio!!
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Cry me a river Kid, but your creator went and put herself out in the wide wonderful world as a … shhh … writer! Not that I’m promotin’ it or anythin’ …
Or saying congratulations!
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Ha! Ain’tcha a funny one, Shorty? How’n heck da ya rope such big books? Print available soon, Kindle as good as its gonna get.
Thanks Boss. Thanks everyone.
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Well done D. The cover has sold me – looking forward to reading it.
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That’s a mighty fine cover!
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Well, I’m so pleased you two took the lid of D.’s secret. I’ve gone and bought meself a copy. I know it’s just goin’ be a bewdy. She’s a mighty fine writer, and that cover is awesome purdy. I’m happy with a digital copy. Don’ need no paper copy. Have no need of kindling in my neck of the woods.
Please pass my congratulations onto D. next time you see her. She did it!
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Ha, ha! That is one purdy cover for the mighty fine and shy D. Avery.
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Haha, these two always make me laugh
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I like the cover of this book. Will add it to my overflowing TBR.
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If you laughed then these two are doing their job and earning their keep around this here Ranch. And glad to do it.
If this book makes your TBR pile- well, thank you very much.
Some you’ll recognize from postings and prompts; some’s a might regional… and it’s too late, it’s all out there. I hope you like it.
I have your latest on my TBR pile too; I think that will be a great way to learn more about the second world war. I think I’ll have my mother read it too and compare notes. As an American her experience was certainly different and no bombs falling, but her father served and it was a life changing experience for all.
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Reblogged this on ShiftnShake and commented:
She did it! Memoirist Irene Waters has posted the second Flash Fiction Rodeo contest event at Carrot Ranch. This one is for those who can handle the truth, or at least a story based in factual events. No entry fees, cash prizes! Try it; all the other kids are doing it.
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Thanks D.
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This is a great prompt. You are sure to reel in some great tales.
By the way, good to see you. You’ve been busy. No Sunday coffee in a while.
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I have been busy – this move has knocked me for six and my Mum, being president of TM and the publishing process for my own book is filling every spare second I get. With it all my creativity has dropped to zero (even with photography) but I’m hoping a trip to Egypt will see me back on deck by the end of November.
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I hope Egypt fills your well, Irene!
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It did Charli and no doubt you’ll hear and see a lot of it in the weeks to come.
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I like that prompt, Irene. She might just do it if she can think through anything she’s done!
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Thanks Anne. I wonder if you’ll do it…..time will tell.
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I’d like to, but no ideas as yet.
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Indeed, I found it a lot more difficult than I expected but I’ve submitted now. As an extremely reluctant memoirist, I’m looking forward to seeing what you think.
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As you now know Anne I thought it was great. I’m interested in your new book. I won’t comment greatly on it until I have read it but you know that formation of identity is one of my passions.
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She did it — I know she did. 😉
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So many possibilities! This calls for an infusion of bacon, eggs over medium, on top of crispy hashbrowns. And coffee…LOTS of coffee! I’m in.
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Liz, you need to get together with Anne. And invite me over, too because I got a fall-time hankering for crispy hashbrowns and dark coffee.
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Feeding the Muse…not QUITE the Artist’s Way, but I’ll take it!
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Ha! It’s an acceptable variation!
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Yes there are lots of possibilities and include me in on the bacon.
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If bacon is like manna from the gods, then…ye Gods! But…ok.
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Definitely a challenging prompt. But what was I expecting?
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Glad you find it challenging! And hopefully fun, too!
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Looking forward to eventually knowing what you write. We’re judging blind. Enjoy the challenge.
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[…] Carrot Ranch Rodeo #2 Memoir ad […]
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Do not adjust your set… this is an ad – it is a challenge piece.
Title is the link to the post. Yup just for the fun of it:
All ‘Addressed’ Up Nowhere To Go…
Wanting a memoir, I hitched up my jodhpurs, put on
my fringed leather jacket and took a ride… oh no I
can’t use that I don’t have them fancy pants much
less a horse of a different color.
But I gotta write a memoir because that’s what’s up
at the Carrot Ranch Rodeo this week. Yup, ‘She did
It’ is the prompt.
I’m supposed to write a beginning, middle and end.
I’ll have to think hard on that. And save anything
resembling that truth for a contest piece. This here
is just an ad… Irene made me do it!
©JP/dh
Have fun folks ~ Jules
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Wonderful Jules. Look forward to your entry coming through.
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Sent… ’em.
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She did it — Jules put her fancy-pants on and gussied up an ad for the Rodeo!
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A challenging FF.
I thought a great deal about what I wanted to write, for someone who gave so much of herself to her children.
And I wrote it up as a BOTS.
My entry is in. And no matter how it ends up in terms of the contest, I want to thank you for providing this wonderful space to explore both fiction and real life .
Saifun
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Saifun, I’m so pleased you can tap into your own exploration through this space. Good job, meeting the challenge!
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This sounds like fun. The possibilities are endless. May I ask, if we enter our name with our entry in the form, how is it ‘blind’? 🙂
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Good question, Debby! The form goes into the leader’s email. The form keeps each section separate so leaders don’t have to look at the name section. The leaders copy from the story section and compile the entries that meet the word count and send those out to the judges who don’t see names. The leaders do their best to not peek because it makes it easier to judge blind.
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Thanks for this explanation, Charli. Debby’s is an important question.
I have a question too. I’m wondering about the word count. I compared the count using both Word and wordcounter.net, as you suggested, and got different totals – one word difference. It’s the punctuation that does it. I think I’ll use both counters in my contest to be fair. I wonder what the other leaders will do.
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Thanks for explaining Charli. I was curious how that worked. 🙂 Good plan! ❤
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nor’s point on word count tallies with what I’ve just found using the word number checker and finding a few entries in at 100 or 101. Maybe that is down to a different checker. Back we go….
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Good question, Norah. Yes, there are discrepancies between the two word counters and likely punctuation is the culprit. My preference, for editing, is Microsoft Word. But not everyone has access to it. Therefore, I offered a secondary, universally available word counter online. Writers will use one or the other but not both. I sent a clarification to leaders.
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Hi Charli,
You’re right about the counting of punctuation.
I use OpenOffice software and compared the word count to the suggested one — there is a difference; OpenOffice counts ellipses as a word. The suggested word counter does not. Openoffice is a free software — a good alternative to
MS Word.
Also — when do we receive the email acknowledgement for our entries?
Enjoying the Rodeo!
Saifun
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Saifun, I would love to learn more about open source programs, but I’m not keen on learning new software (insert eyeroll for old dogs/new tricks jokes). Microsoft Word is the editor I use, which is why it’s offered as one of the word counters. To be fair to all the other options out there, I found a free universally available word counter (WordCounter.net) as a secondary option. Just be sure you are using one of those because that’s what the judges will use. Maybe one of these days I’ll make the open source leap!
Good question about the confirmation — I’ve checked in with our leader, to make sure she’s getting the entries. I checked the “backdoor” and see your entry and others are coming in.
I’m so glad you are enjoying the Rodeo!
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Irene… Whoa. That is going to turn up a lot of fantastic stories. My mind is spinning. And BOTS is acceptable. I’m in. I have to be. That prompt is way too good.
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It is a great prompt! Chase it down, Sarah!
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Challenge
Always fearful, she must have been more than mad when she called me in from riding my bike through the rising water that coursed down our street. I knew it was fun and that I was capable. Didn’t she?
She would have felt my father’s absence more than I. Of course he was gone, he had to fix the power lines, it had been storming. I knew he always came back. Didn’t she?
She knew we had no power ourselves and the river was rising. Somehow, all by herself, she got three kids and a dog to higher ground.
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Great representation of “She Did It” D. I like the refrain of “Didn’t she?” to each passage followed by what she did.
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This ain’t fiction. But thanks for the 99 word restriction.
That constraint made me be more sympathetic to the hero of this story.
Maybe Irene or the other memoirists out there can speak to a phenomena of a changing of … attitude or perspective or sympathies as one writes a memoir.
Yep, Shorty, I used ‘repetition’ because it’s a poet’s trick and if it ain’t fiction it’s creative non-fiction and yeah, you see what I did there.
This really is a good prompt. If we all weren’t constrained by the BOTS business…
which story? whose story? why Story?
WRITE ON
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That’s an interesting observation, D. I hadn’t thought that perspectives might shift during the process of writing memoir. Then again, I’m always distracted by what if to stick to it enough to find out! But I do know, that after years of managing communications I know all about taking on the perspective of others. Another reason I prefer to write fiction, lol!
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I think all I meant was that if I’d not paid attention to boiling this down to a 99 word essence I would have had more room to be more dismissive of my mother and her fears; that’s the way it started. Then I had to pare down the words and I realized in paring the story down that she was as brave as she could be and maybe had more common sense than her seven year old daughter. Either way she got the job done, made a reasonable decision to stay at her sister’s on the hill. I started out judgmental and ended up a bit more sympathetic.
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So the paring down allowed you to think through the perspective differently. That’s in line with how I think distillation works, but I hadn’t thought of it specifically with memoir. I’ve seen entrepreneurs have such shifts using TUFF to process their vision. Thanks for clarifying!
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Reblogged this on Norah Colvin and commented:
The first contest is done and dusted and the second is out of the chute. This time Irene Waters is the Rodeo Leader and she has challenged writers with a memoir prompt, “She did it”. (I think she’s done it this time. I don’t think I can do it. :)) Pop on over to the Ranch for all the finer details.
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Great challenge, Irene. I haven’t decided yet how I’ll tackle this one. I have lots of stories in mind, but so far haven’t decided on a ‘real’ event. You’re making me think! 🙂
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Thanks for sharing, Norah!
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My pleasure.
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several come to mind immediately so maybe I will have to enter a few 🙂
YEHA
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It’s a prompt that has many possibilities.
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eh you have a clever bunch to lasso us in Charli 🙂
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Ha, ha! Teach a writer to lasso other writers and we’ll never write alone!
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Got at least one entry in.
It’s tough for a fiction writer to get real.
But when life gives you lemons… write about it.
Good luck all. ~Jules
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I found myself with the same problem. My mind was racing with all these fictitious, out of this world plots…
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I suppose that when life gives you a bowl of cherries –
something good, you could write about that too?
Good luck.
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And same to you.
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Ha! Yes, it can be hard to resist the lure of fictitious plots!
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I couldn’t and didn’t.
She didn’t?
She didn’t.
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goodness that is tricky Irene, but opens up a lot of possibilities… hmmmmm
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Hard to settle on an idea…and then it has to be true or at least based on a true story.
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Will we lose brownie points for not adding dialogue? Just wondering. 🙂
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I personally don’t think dialogue is needed for this prompt.
I didn’t use it. I just reread the rules and don’t see anything implying that dialogue is required at all.
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Thanks Jules 🙂
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No brownie points lost for this contest if you don’t dialog!
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🙂 😉
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This was so hard! It’s easy to write a memoir — not so easy to stuff it into 99 words.
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I see it the other way around! 😀 Glad you stuffed it all in there, Joelle.
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Thanks. 🙂
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Hi Irene, great to see you back again with your prompt. Look forward to giving this one my best shot…with the best intentions 🙂 Sorry for the late re-blog…’stuff’ pre-empted my attempts to go online with my laptop last week, but hauling myself back into the saddle again now. Thanks for all the great memoir tips, as always 🙂 ❤
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This one is in your sweet spot, Sherry! Thanks for re-blogging despite all the hurdles you had to get your horse over. 🙂 ❤
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Haha…you and me both! Time to take up horse jumping as a profession, I wonder?!! 😀 My pleasure…and thanks, Charli…delighted to be back in the saddle….again… 🙂 ❤
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I think you are ready for it, Sherri! ❤
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Reblogged this on A View From My Summerhouse and commented:
‘She Did It’. That’s the prompt for Irene Waters’ Rodeo #2 Flash Fiction Memoir Contest. Huge apologies for my late re-blog this week – wifi/update issues, say no more – but there’s still plenty of time to enter by 11:59 EST 17 October. As before, all entries are free with a cash prize for the winner. Irene asks for a 99 word memoir or a BOTS (Based on a true story), all rules below. Winners announced 16 November at Carrot Ranch. Speaking of memoir…time to press on and good luck to all!
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Irene – did you get my entries? I have three emails for you and not sure which one to use. I haven’t gotten any conformation that they were received. As I did with the first rodeo contest.
If I need to email them to you – please send me an email first so I can just reply with my entries.
~Thanks Jules
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Jules, your entries are in the “backdoor.” I’m checking in with Irene to make sure she’s getting the actual emails.
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Thanks.
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Just entered, and the experience was fulfilling!
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That’s good to hear, Lori! Thanks for entering!
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Tried to submit via the form Charli and Irene but it doesn’t seem to be sending, so I have emailed it to you. ❤
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I’ve got gmail… they did some updates and messed stuff up.
Like when WP does updates.
Mine went through but I didn’t get confirmation yet.
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I’m on Gmail too Jules. Nothing happened. But I’ve emailed my entry to Charli anyway 😊
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If sent queries out to Charli and Irene. If I don’t get a reply soon – I’ll email my entries. Thanks
The new gmail has the animated envelope… my hubby says he hasn’t noticed a change. I have to log on two or three times. And then there’s some blips. I keep sending gmail feedback. But nothing changes – it is a pain I have no choice but to live with.
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I’ve had that update for a while…
It hasn’t posed a problem so far.
I’d email it anyway, then you can be doubly sure xx
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Thanks.
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Jules, yours came through fine.
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Ritu, yours is the only I didn’t get in the “backdoor” and your feedback helped me troubleshoot. It may a Gmail glitch or a browser issue. I changed the type of field the email was set to and that might adjust. Thanks!
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Here’s hoping it’s all sorted out then 😁😍
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I didn’t get a confirmation for the first weeks entry or this weeks, nor an answer from Charli’s e-mail. Hope I’m getting through.
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Have emailed you the entry Charli as not sure online form worked.
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Marje,
I sent my entries to Charli’s email. But just to be safe I just sent them through Charli’s ‘contact page’ up on the top of the blog.
Go to Charli Mills; there is a drop down menu, the last tag is ‘contact’.
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Please email me directly as stated above if you have questions or concerns. We are simply delayed in responding. The entries are going through. If you use the contact page, it clutters the feed for when I have to sort for grabbing stories for the collections and it’s just me — there’s no administrative backup. 🙂
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Charli,
Your email isn’t on the left side (bar?) anymore. That’s why I sent stuff to the contact page. But as long as your email is still working – I’ll stay out of the ‘contact’ zone.
Cheers, Jules
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It’s in Rule 6 which is the process to follow. 😉
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I did see that after I went looking. I guess I was used to it being on the side. The address is there
The Rodeo is making us all dizzy 🙂
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Got both, Marje! Thanks!
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Great thanks Charli. 🙂
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I tried to email using the address provided and my gmail said it wasn’t recognized. ?? Anyway, I entered and didn’t receive a confirmation. 😦
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Colleen,
I sent my entries to Charli’s emai. But just to be safe I just sent them through Charli’s ‘contact page’ up on the top of the blog.
Go to Charli Mills; there is a drop down menu, the last tag is ‘contact’.
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Thanks, Jules. Much appreciated.
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I used the entry form found here:
https://carrotranch.com/2018/10/10/rodeo-2-memoir/
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Your entry is there, Colleen! I’ve emailed Irene to make sure they are coming in to her. It can be overwhelming when the floodgates open and I hope she didn’t get washed away! But I can check on the entries and I can see yours there. That’s bonkers about my email! But I’m glad you said something because it made me look at it ten times until I finally went…duh…the period at the end of the sentence was included in the hyperlink. It’s fixed!
Must be some technology storm this weekend… 😦
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LOL! It’s the Venus retrograde. No worries. I know you are all inundated. Glad to know it’s all good. Hugs for checking, Charli. ❤
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Venus needs to send us some technology love! 😀
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Hi Charli. I just added my entry. Can you please check you can see it through ‘backdoor’ lol, as I read a few here weren’t sure their entry went through. 🙂 Thanks.
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It’s in the backdoor, packed like a suitcase! 😀
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Lollllllllllllllllllll 🙂 Thanks!
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😀
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Whew, that was close.
Submitted!
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You made it!
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Entered…phew! 🙂 ❤
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And now off to your travels! ❤
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Packed and ready for the off! ❤
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[…] for Carrot Ranch Literary Society’s #2 Contest: […]
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[…] “She did it!” – a prompt for this week’s 99-word-CW piece. [Source: CarrotRanch] […]
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