Here's the second assignment/topic for our finalists:
The best of ... or The worst of ...
Again, this is intentionally vague and open-ended. But you can take your pick of wanting to write about something that you deem "the best" of something or "the worst" of something. What's "something?" Totally up to the authors: game, play, team, event ... you name it.
Topic choice is often as important as the writing itself, so giving authors the freedom to choose their own path and seeing where they take it, is one of the ways we will be, and have been, evaluating entries.
Pieces must be posted on finalists' own blog no later than noon ET/9 a.m. PT this Friday.
Personally. I'm glad that I don't have to... I have a huge headache right now, and this assignment seems way too vague. Good luck to the final 12. It will be fun to see how each of you interprets this assignment.
It is very simple what the judges are looking for. And, the fact that they are being so open-ended about this assignment is the best of all worlds for the contestants, as well as the worst for those who are beginning to doubt they belong in this elite class.
Comfort with one's voice and with oneself will win this competition.
Thus said, if I were a select member of this group, I would have one focus and one focus only at this time, displaying to the judges and the voting public, via my writing, a unique perspective and voice.
For example, love them or hate them, here are a few unique voices in sports who sell tickets, if you know what I mean: Vin Scully, Jay Mariotti, the late Howard Cosell, Michael Smith, Chris Berman, and of course, the late Chick Hearn.
No matter what the topic, you always hear(d) the same person behind the perspective. It's their unique way of looking at things (life..sports) that makes each one stand out from the average sports guy or gal. And, make no mistake about it, you too are vying to become a recognized sports personality.
So, what's unique about your voice and perspective?
They may have looked, but they didn't see.
And I am a religious guy, a man who thinks faith is the ultimate power, and I know they did not see MeanD.'s blog.
We all must truly see...everything except that which will blind us...
Blog away my brethren,
Peace
PS I have funny and thought provoking post about crickett (baseball) now on newsstands!
leaving the topic vague does the judges' work for them. as usual, i'm su####ious... this topic gives these writers just enough rope to hang themselves with. your choice of topic will say mountains about you. then how you handle said topic will speak even more. there'll be people frozen with anxiety by the amount freedom this challenge hints at. with no guidlines, there's no way to hold the judges accountable for the results... what if your topic is great, but they judges dont like it? mainstream or groundbreaking? are we flexing intellect or timely regurgitation of cliche? i'm tempted to take this challenege upon myself just to see how far i push the coin before it tumbles from the night stand and hits the worn carpet.
What will gain my attention, and I do mean my attention, are the 'wiseguys' who wouldn't know icing from the ice in their highballs, that hockey is a (in their boozed-up words) "loser sport." Don't understand this and never will. It is fine to prefer to watch one sports or another. However, for my money, or pleasure, a hockey game (Stanley Cup Playoffs at the top of the list) beats sleeping through any golf match on any network, at anytime.
This topic should be fun. The only trouble I see is that this would be a great topic for someone like Crabman or TSI. Where is TSI? I miss his limericks and ballads.
Peter Schrager Peter Schrager is a regular contributor to FOXSports.com and author of the popular "Wednesday Buffet" in the FOX Funhouse. He was also one of the judges in the first Next Great Sportswriter competition.
Tom Seeley Tom Seeley is the managing editor of FOXSports.com and was also a judge in the first Next Great Sportswriter competition.
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