FaithWriters.com-Christian Writers Forum

I've noticed a couple of comments on entries this week about people moving up a level. One comment said, "You should go ahead and move up to level 2". My understanding of the rules is that we have to place a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in a given level before moving up to the next one. Am I wrong about this?

If you feel ready to move up, you can, except to Masters. That has to be earned by placing in the EC Three times.

It's sometimes best to stay in your current level until you place, so you have more time to grow into it But, it's ultimately your choice, just as it was to decide what level to begin with.

Shari is right. You can choose to move up at any time, but it really is better to wait. If someone is ready to move up from Level 1, they'll probably be doing very well in the Challenge every week.

The biggest risk of moving up from Level 1 too soon is that you may end up in Level 3 very quickly. Level 2 is a very small field of entries, so a person could move up to Level 2 and then be in Level 3 before they know it (where the competition is intense).

So although anyone can choose Level 1, 2 or 3 as their level of entry, it is best to stay where you are until you place (unless you've been in Level 1 for a year, for example, and are really not technically a beginner any longer).

Love, Deb

BreathFreshAir wrote: So although anyone can choose Level 1, 2 or 3 as their level of entry, it is best to stay where you are until you place (unless you've been in Level 1 for a year, for example, and are really not technically a beginner any longer).

Love, Deb

I'd also add, especially if, after several entries you've placed consistently in the highest rankings of level one, it's safe to move to level two (if you feel comfortable). I say this because of the higher number of entries in level one vs. level two. Go give them some competition!

Disclaimer: The above comment is my personal opinion gleaned from being here for a while, and not as a moderator or official voice of any kind.



(But remember, you can never move back down a level once you go up. It's a one way ladder. )

CatLin wrote: (But remember, you can never move back down a level once you go up. It's a one way ladder. )

LOL ... not quite, Cat. That's only if they place in that level. If they move themselves up to a new level without placing, then they can move back any time they want.

But, yes, once they place, that's it. Up they go.

Love, Deb

Thanks. I am not planning on moving up until I place a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, but I was curious because my understanding was that you couldn't move up until you had placed.

Wait. Just wondering. Can we put it upon ourselves to stay at a lower level until we hit EC three times, like for masters?

There are new guidelines (as of March 13) posted on the Writing Challenge home page.

http://www.faithwriters.com/writing-challenge-intro.php

Basically, if you place FIRST in level 1 (or get an EC), you MUST move up.

If you place FIRST in level 2 (or get an EC), you MUST move up.

If you're in level 3, you stay there until you get a total of 3 ECs (counting any you may have earned in other levels).

Help please?

With my EC placing (8th) for the "Discern" Challenge, I believe that makes my third EC placing (if EC placings refer to the top 10--I question this because one of the placings was #10, the other was #2).

Does that mean I MUST (gulp!) move up to M-m-a-a-s ... uh, Master level?

Thanks for your patience with my questions. It just doesn't seem like I should move up, since my placings weren't all high--just all within the top 10.



I'll do whatever the rules indicate, of course -- just unsure.

Blessings,
Kate

Yes, Kate. With your 3rd EC, you must move up. Congratulations!

Yikes!!!

Thanks, Jan, for getting back to me. BTW, I appreciate all the "behind-the-scenes" work I see you doing on FW, besides being an impressive author and teacher and mentor and....

Whoooeee. Am I ready for this?

Thanks again,
Kate

You're ready! You're awesome!

Kate, you'll be more than fine. It's a little daunting moving up to Level 4, I know, but you've earned it. Well done!

Love, Deb

I've just placed first in Level 1, it's hugely humbling and I'm so grateful to God, but I've read in the rules that I should now enter in Level 2. But, I currently have another entry in Level 1 because, of course, I never expected that I would win in Level 1 last week. So, is my current entry now going to be disqualified?

kimhamlin wrote:I've just placed first in Level 1, it's hugely humbling and I'm so grateful to God, but I've read in the rules that I should now enter in Level 2. But, I currently have another entry in Level 1 because, of course, I never expected that I would win in Level 1 last week. So, is my current entry now going to be disqualified?

You're fine. There's always an overlap