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Think of the writing contest as "Project Helium".

Put yourself in a "Project Runway" mode (and if you're not familiar with the show then rush right out and rent Seasons One through Three from your local Blockbuster Video). Every week designers, whether neophytes or old pros, have to come up with exciting and captivating outfits. These are judged by the three regular judges, super model Heidi Klum, clothing designer Michael Kors and Elle fashion magazine editor Nina Garcia along with one guest judge. All four are experts at ripping a designer to shreds ( no pun intended here) and scoring the designer's weekly creations. The designer with the lowest score goes home or "Aufed" . The designer with the highest score stays until next week's challenged . Then he or she could be told to leave or could win again. The last three remaining designers get to show at Bryant Park. There is a winner chosen from these three and that one makes out like a bandit.

See yourself as one of those designers. First of all pick some challenges you know something about Read the other articles on that subject. Ask yourself what makes the top four or five articles the best. Now challenge yourself. See if you can write something better than they can. Can you make it work as Project Runway's guru and mentor, Tim Gunn, would say. Do you know more than the other writers on the topic? If not, find another subject. If you can then write. Add a dash of wit too if if the subject is light. If you know some interesting or even arcane fact about the topic, include it in. Now write. Challenge done. Move on to the next topic.

Another motivating factor is picking out subjects you really like. I love anything with style , make up and food so I tend to go to these areas. I also love the debates and feel I can bring an important opinion to them. Find your own bliss here. If you love skiing then write about skiing but also consider writing articles about ski injuries. Then you can write about ski lodges or what states to visit where skiing is king. Write the fun articles first. They're easier and faster to write.

From there move onto the serious challenges. Contribute pieces to Helium's feature page. This is where you'll get the most hits and possibly generate the most money. Try to write at least three articles for this section. Also as another challenge go into an area that you've shied away from. Try the debates there and see how you do. The next step is the Marketplace. There may be publishers who need someone with your area of expertise to write articles for them. Find one that really is up your alley and write. You'll make extra money too if the publisher likes your work. This is an extra bonus to consider.

Remember to take breaks from Helium. Go out and walk the dog or cuddle the cat. Take naps. Take snack and coffee breaks. There's nothing like a fortifying cup of hot tea and your favorite cookies to make your forget a Helium writing contest. If you're a regular freelancer, like I am, then go back to your other writing. Knock out a short story or greeting card verse. Write something different for a few hours and then return to Helium.

Just remember when you write for a Helium writing contest, motivate yourself to do as much as you can. Push yourself to be better than anyone else. After all it's a challenge but a worthy one.

Learn more about this author, Liz Roberts.
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