OUR SPECIAL ISSUE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 123, 26 May 1928, Page 2 (Supplement)

OUR SPECIAL ISSUE.

READERS ENTHUSE OVER SUGGESTION,

TIPS FOR PROSPECTIVE COMPETITORS. Dear Boys and Girls,— Instead of writing this letter on the usual day I waited in the hope that word would come from readers regarding our proposed special issue. And 1 was not disappointed either, for from far and near have come letters of praise and enthusiasm. As a result 1 have not the slightest doubt that, when it does appear, it will be the best ever. Oh, 1 am so enthusiastic over it, everyone. Picture it- 1 can almost see marked in red letters across the page, and in red ink, "All our own." Now a few tips for those who are likely to contribute. First and foremost, don't hurry over your work. You have still almost a clear month before your entries have to be in. and a little careful thought before pen is put to paper will increase your chance of prize winning as well as raising the gene.-al standard of our issue- Above all be original but do not sacrifice sense to this end; neither make your story too impossible to be readable. Perhaps in your readings you may have come across some very original plot; think it over, and then it might be possible to work a similar climax into your story. Another thing, good humour is always appreciated, but never overdo it or belabour the point. Don't pad your stories; padding is only resorted to by weak writers who need more words to spin their story out long enough to fill the column. After your story is written, read it through and cut it down; give it to friends to read and ask them to cut it down. When everything possible has been cut, without loss to the sense of the yarn, you should have a powerful tale which hits the nail on the head. Now a word or so as to the artists. Your drawings may be any size you wish, but you must bear in mind that they must be drawn for reduction. Very fine lines will be lost in a big reduction, but on the other hand do not go to the other extreme and make your work a mass of black lines. Questions regarding anything to do with your work will be gladly answered in the first issue of the \ J f "Budget" after they are received.