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CHAPTER LXXI 355 the idea contest, with its startling prize, is so attractive that writers are tempted to drop their regular work and concentrate upon the contest. Generally the current serial must be watched, which will take time, and the mind of tlie contestant is so filled with thoughts of the prize that regular work is neglected. The same amount of time and energy put into systematic work might lead to valuable results, but there is little to be gained from the plotting practice that is all directed toward one end, though many writers assert that this has been of value to them. 5. Even after the solution has been sent or the synopsis submit- ted the contest is not forgotten. The author worries and fumes and cannot properly concentrate upon his work. When the prize is awarded, then there is bitter disappointment and another drop in energy. Time and opportunity have been wasted against odds that expressed in figures would startle the contestant. 6. In at least one instance a serial, the story for which was de- sired, was actually in work when the advertisement for an idea ap- peared, but conceding that the contest is conducted fairly, let us examine these chances. Generally the scheme is worked with a string of newspapers throughout the country. Papers in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Baltimore and Washing- ton may cover the territory of which these cities are the centre, and the same holds good of other parts of the country. Let it be sup- posed that not more than fifty papers will be in the contest. The contest has been so framed that practically any person capable of reading the paper is encouraged to believe himself competent to enter for the prize. Perhaps there are ten thousand replies to each paper. This makes half a million responses. Each paper is supposed to send in only the best replies received. Suppose that of each lot .but fifty are sent to the company. The odds are 2500 to 1 against any particular script. It is not probable that all of these letters will be read. It may be that none of them will be read; the contest may have been decided in advance, but in the elimination you are one of twenty-five hundred. 7. If a prize is offered for the best script and not merely the best idea, there will be fewer contestants, but the elimination chances will be about the same, and it is probable that the examination will be more superficial, name being valued above merit in the quick reading. 8. In the form of contest in which a company offers prizes for the best scripts the object may be to get advertising and good scripts at the same time. Here the scripts are more apt to be read, and while you may not win a prize you may, perhaps, make a sale; for generally there is a clause that the company will buy such other scripts as it may want at its average prices. The saving on these average price scripts may yield the value of the prizes, and per- haps more, but you do stand a chance of making a sale, though