Having some ALC cold feet?

So, you're thinking about entering ALC. Or just have an idea that seems fun, but actually entering it isn't even an option. But why not, really? What's stopping you?

"I'm afraid of how it will be received"

Let me tell you this - I'm *terrified* of how every entry of mine would be received when submitting it. Will anyone get it? Will they find syllable, grammar or factual mistakes? Has anyone else had the exact same idea? etc. etc., but I enter anyway. After all, so many other MBers have entered lyrics that gave me so much joy, despite probably being terrified too - so I can only attempt to return the favour.

"I'm afraid of bad results or not making the final"

ALC isn't ESC! With a few exceptions, participants read all the semis, so your lyric doesn't need to make the final to be seen, or remembered. Most lyrics will stay in the semis, but many of those that had, became MB or chat classics - from early ones such as Sense A Two to more recent ones such as Marburg Virus. If you have a fun idea, it will probably be loved and remembered - even if some Syllable Nazi like myself might vote it down on technicalities, only to regret it later.

"I'm not a native English speaker"

Well, neither am I (or Jonas, or Frank, or others who have done well). And neither are most voters, who will probably not judge your entry to higher standards than their own. And many will be happy to not have to use the dictionary to understand every other word in your lyric - so not being overly proficient is sometimes an advantage.

"I don't have a lot of time"

You're right - time is probably the key factor in doing well. But as long as you gave your lyric some kind of effort, it will be appreciated. Trust me - it's very easy to tell those lyrics that were done in 5 minutes with no effort or care whatsoever, and if you're reading this letter as far as here, your entry isn't going to be one of those.

"Harrow might not allow me to enter an 18-minute video, multi-formatted HTML with pyro, LED and live animals"

OK, if that's the kind of idea you have, maybe you shouldn't enter.

So dive into your ideas and let the rest of us enjoy them too! If you need help on how to execute them, some tips given in previous years (e.g. http://www.partyvision.co.uk/alc2011/mf.html ) can get you started.

Yami :)

Submit Your Entries NOW!
Deadline: Saturday 22nd Junealcforyouandme@gmail.com