The thing about contests/awards is they're judged by people at the peaks of their careers who have seen and/or done basically everything. It's hard to impress t

The thing about contests/awards is they're judged by people at the peaks of their careers who have seen and/or done basically everything. It's hard to impress them. So the easy stuff is cool and fun to both see and make, but also doesn't surprise the judges. Example: photography contests. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcxcGBbLIwk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcxcGBbLIwk The cool, pretty, easy to access photos aren't surprising to someone who's seen it all. Anyone with enough money and time can take those photos, just as anyone with enough time and little concern for popularity can sit there and write something that surprises the people who give out writing awards.