For all the people asking whether or not it is exactly a thousand words or only more or less than that, I think it is very plain from the content. For example:

> "Write 1,000 words about it"

> "you are writing the definitive 1,000 words for this photo. Make them count."

> "Does it have to be 1,000 words? Yes...Your entry must be exactly 1,000 words"

It also says that the prize is $1,000, and there's 1 picture - but I haven't seen anyone asking whether each of those is an upper or lower bound!

> Does it have to be 1,000 words?

> Yes. That’s what a picture is worth, after all.

Not to be pedantic but does this mean "1,000 words or fewer," "at least 1,000 words," or "exactly 1,000 words?"

I'm asking because with school assignments the number is usually a lower bound, but with writing contests it's often an upper bound (sometimes even a fuzzy limit).

I am partially worried of discovering that writing a 1000 words is actually much harder for me now than it was when I was 13.

Looking forward to some writing assignments. Like in school. Sometimes I miss that in my day to day job. Using just human intelligence. Or maybe "dog intelligence" ;-)

I used to exercise, by writing “mini-sagas.”

50 words exactly.

Got the idea from Dan Pink, although he didn’t invent it.

Sounds kind of like they are spending $1500 on an email list of people interested in creative writing, plus gaining writing samples.

This is an exceptionally boring picture to write about. You can of course be imaginative about anything, but seriously.