Canada Writes 2010: About Canada Writes

Canada Writes — the writing game for quick-witted Canadians

Canada Writes is a writing game for everyone, but that doesn't mean it's easy! It's the kind of writing you may already be doing — or imagining yourself doing — but with a deadline, a word limit, a timer ticking, a radio audience, a live audience and three judges! It's fun, fast-paced, challenging and very entertaining.

The action unfolds on CBC Radio One's GO. Four contestants get one hour to write their best 200 words or less in one of the five Canada Writes categories: ad, blog, movie pitch, song, and tweet. (Sometimes there's a surprise category!) Then it's time to stand and deliver: contestants read their work and then face the judges for comments. There are a total of four challenges during each game, but not all contestants will get that far. By the end of the game, the two with the lowest scores will have been dropped through the Canada Writes Trap Door.

The top two contestants at the semi-finals in the West (Vancouver) and the top two in the East (Toronto) will then face off at the national finals in Winnipeg.

The winner will take home a new MacBook laptop! The other three finalists will win a Sony Reader digital book. See Prizes for details.

There's more than one way to participate (and win) in Canada Writes

Play the game on-air.
Play online — three challenges just for the home player.
Enter our Last Word draw
Cheer on the players as part of the studio audience, or tune in and enjoy the action from home — there's no prize, but it's fun!

1 ) Play the game

Write in (January 30 to March 1, noon ET)

To qualify to play Canada Writes on CBC Radio One, send in your best 200 words or less in one of the following categories : ad, blog, movie pitch, song, and tweet. Click on Categories for examples.

Please note that tweets must be no longer than 140 characters, while entries in the other categories will be disqualified if they go past the 200-word maximum. Enter as often as you like at cbc.ca/canadawrites. (We can only accept online entries).

See Rules and Regulations for eligibility rules and other details.

Shortlist (To be announced March 15)

Twenty entries will be selected for the shortlist — ten in the West and ten in the East.The bios and entries of all shortlisted writers will be posted on cbc.ca/canadawrites.

Auditions (March 15 to 19)

After trying a timed writing challenge, shortlisted writers will be auditioned by telephone for the final selection of eight players who will compete in the Eastern and Western games. The aim is to choose the best game-show contestants, who are not only the best writers but can also write under pressure and bring personality to the presentation of their work on-air.

Western Semi-Finals: Vancouver, April 9, 2010
Eastern Semi-Finals: Toronto, April 24, 2010
National Finals: Winnipeg, May 7, 2010

2 ) Play online

Practice challenges (January 30 to March 1)

Limber up your Canada Writes muscles by trying some of our timed practice challenges. The results will not be posted!

Online challenge (March 26 to April 1; April 9 to 16; April 23 to 30)

You'll have the chance to try three timed writing challenges online. Selected entries may be read on-air on GO! on CBC Radio One. The first challenge will appear two weeks before the Western semi-finals. You could win a Sony Reader digital book!

Last Word Draw (January 30 to March 1)

Take your time and write for the fun of it — without being judged! The Last Word draw invites you to express yourself on the subject of words. We'll ask you a different question each week during the submission period (5 in all). All you have to do is send in your well-crafted answers to get your name in the draw. You could win one of ten Canada Writes journals and pens!*Check out this year's winners here.