As most know, the word "believe" is central to most of what I do here. I often share what I myself believe, and I encourage others to believe, even if it's only in themselves. The concept of belief goes much farther than a persons religious beliefs however, we all use the word and its like constantly in our speech and writing. It is my belief that gives me the strength to remain strong, to learn from my mistakes, and to grow. I believe in myself, that I can, and will, overcome any and all obstacles that face me. I know, I BELIEVE that we can ALL do this.

This contest is YOUR chance to show not just me what you believe and why, but your chance to show the WORLD what you believe and why. You might just show yourself as well.

THE GUIDELINES:
Each entry will be judged on the following things:
1) Originality and Creativity: Did you do something that required thought, or did you go with the flow? Did you strive for something truly unique?
2) Theme: How well did you adhere to the precepts laid down here? The precepts being : What do you believe? Why do you believe it? How do/did you achieve this belief? If you don't believe in something, why do you not?
3) Emotion: Does your entry evoke an emotional response? True belief DOES evoke one.
4) The contest begins at midnight October 15th, 2009, and runs through November 15th, 2009. This gives you one month to create and refine your entry, to make the best possible entry that you can.
5) HAVE FUN! We create better when we have fun and enjoy what we do.

THE RULES:
THIS CONTEST IS OPEN TO ALL ART MEDIUMS.
YOUR SUBMISSION MUST BE AN ORIGINAL CREATION.
ONE ENTRY ONLY PER PARTICIPANT.
YOU MUST MENTION THE CONTEST AND PLACE A LINK TO THE DETAILS OF THE CONTEST IN THE ARTISTS COMMENTS ON YOUR ENTRY.
SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED UNTIL MIDNIGHT, OCTOBER 15TH, 2009, THEY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER 11:59 PM NOVEMBER 15TH, 2009.
NO COLLABORATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED, ONE PERSON, ONE ENTRY.
JUDGES CANNOT, I REPEAT CANNOT ENTER.

**FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE CONTEST RULES WILL CAUSE YOUR ENTRY TO EITHER BE DISALLOWED OR DISQUALIFIED!!!**

To enter, send ME, =th3krimzon1, a note entitled "Believe contest entry", NO OTHER FORMATS WILL BE ACCEPTED, so please pay attention.

Judges, aside from myself, will be known ONLY to me. Judges, this means you may NOT tell ANYONE, other than me, that you are judging this contest. I want not even a HINT of bias in this. Judges will NOT be made known after the contest is over.

THE PRIZES:
There will be three winners, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, as well as three Honorable Mentions.

There are no "categories" for this contest, to win, you have to win it all.

1st place:
3 month subscription from *TheLeavesOfMemory
3 month subscription from =th3krimzon1
1 month subscription from `innocencedied2nite
A necklace and earrings set from `jenepooh (She will explain. )
Feature from ~ScionOfLove
Front page box feature from `innocencedied2nite
Poem of your choice from ~becbecmuffin
2 week journal feature and Journal Skin created for you from =caybeach
Short story from ~Artemis19
Pen and ink portrait, real or fictional, from ~fantasypanther
Original drawing from ~jordanpopz
Week long journal feature from *ladyshadowrage
Week long journal feature from =th3krimzon1
Week long journal feature from =Wolven-Goddess
Journal feature from *TheLeavesOfMemory

2nd place:
3 month subscription from =th3krimzon1
3 month subscription from =AngelStrange7
2 week journal feature and Journal Skin created for you from =caybeach
Short story or poem from `innocencedied2nite
Front page box feature from `innocencedied2nite
Flash fiction from ~Artemis19
Feature from ~ScionOfLove
Poem of your choice from ~becbecmuffin
2 packs of backgrounds from `jenepooh
Pen and ink portrait, real or fictional, from ~fantasypanther
Week long journal feature from *ladyshadowrage
Week long journal feature from =th3krimzon1
Journal feature from *TheLeavesOfMemory
Week long journal feature from =Wolven-Goddess

3rd place:
One month subscription from =th3krimzon1
One month subscription from =AngelStrange7
Front page box feature from `innocencedied2nite
2 week journal feature and Journal Skin created for you from =caybeach
500 word or less story by ~Artemis19
1 pack of backgrounds from `jenepooh
Poem of your choice from ~becbecmuffin
Feature from ~ScionOfLove
Week long journal feature from *ladyshadowrage
Week long journal feature from =th3krimzon1
Journal feature from *TheLeavesOfMemory
Week long journal feature from =Wolven-Goddess

~ScionOfLove will also feature the Honorable mentions, =th3krimzon1 and =caybeach.
=CartheInsane and =th3krimzon1 will feature the winners and honorable mentions in news articles.

Now, get ready, start thinking, look inside yourself, and see what you believe, and then bring that belief to life in art.

And remember, ALWAYS BELIEVE.