This I Believe Essay Contest!

American Public Radio (NPR) has an audio series they've run for several years, called "This I Believe." Listeners send in a short personal essay on the topic of what they believe and why they've come to believe it. One essay each week is chosen to be read by the author and broadcast on National Public Radio. They range from authors like John Updike and Elie Wiesel to everyday schleps like you and me. It's based on the original "This I Believe" 1951 radio program by Edward R. Murrow.

My DA Contest:

1. Write an essay on the topic "This I Believe." Make it real. Make it from the heart. Make it less than 500 words. Avoid sermons or editorials. Describe an event that shaped your beliefs, or a person who inspired them.

2. Post it as a Deviation and note a link to me here.

3. Go to the NPR website and submit your essay there, as well as here.

Here is the link.

NOTE: You must be 18 years old or older to post an essay on the NPR website. You can still enter this contest if you are under 18, but please note the fact that you are under 18 when you send me the link to your deviation.

4. Deadline is midnight, GMT, May 31, 2009.

5. I will choose three winners. There will be no 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. All three winners will share first place. Each will receive a one year subscription to DA.

I'm hoping to get at least a few broadcast on NPR, so don't forget step 3 in the process.

Remember, no poetry. It has to be prose. And no fiction. I like it from the heart, so write what you want, but if you want to win, make me believe you believe and make me understand why you believe it. 500 word limit. Make it real. Choose a core belief and be specific.

Here are 4 samples from the NPR "This I Believe" site. You can find many more there.

1. "God is God Because He Remembers," by Elie Wiesel
2. "There Is No God," by Penn Jillette (of Penn and Teller)
3. "Be Cool to the Pizza Delivery Dude," by Sarah Adams
4. "Testing The Limits of What I Know and What I Feel," by John Updike


Have fun!