Writing contests. Yay or Nay?

  • Writing contests. Yay or Nay?

    If you are thinking of entering writing contests, it’s important to research to determine if a contest is legitimate and reputable.

    But, how to find reputable contests?

    Go to trusted sources.

    Research websites, blogs, and social media by people you know and trust.

    Anne R. Allen, a trusted source, blogs about writing:

     “Writing Contests are Important: How To Tell the Good Ones from the Scams”

     “Beware Bogus Writing Contests! Look for These 8 Red Flags.”

    C. Hope Clark’s  Funds for Writers newsletter is a great source for announcements of vetted contests, and a handbook of writing contests.

    Writer Beware, the publishing industry watchdog group.

    If entering contests is in your writing budget, here’s something to consider:

    B. Lynn Goodwin, founder of Writer Advice: posted:

    “Too often writers submit to agents and editors without having any credentials, but winning a writing competition—especially a well-known one—gives you immediate credibility and something to add to your writing resume.”  —Brian Klems, writer, speaker, freelance editor, husband, softball player, perennial fantasy sports underachiever, Huffington Post contributor

    Reputable Resources for contests:

    The Redwood Branch of The California Writers Club hosts several contests a year.

    The current contest, the 2022 Poetry Anthology deadline is soon . . .

    November 15, 2021 at 9 pm (PST)

    Reedsy, online author services in the self-publishing industry, posts contest information.

    Post your writing contest experience on my Writers Forum Facebook Page, under this post.

    #amwriting #justwrite #writingcontests

    Marlene C

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  • Explore Characters . . . Prompt #557

    Create a character, or develop a character.

    ~ The character could be you . . . when you were younger, or looking ahead, you in the future.

    ~ Someone you know, dead or alive.

    ~ A fictional character you created.

    Give your character a name: 

    Younger Me.

    Older Me.

    Someone you know.

    Your fictional character.

    Woman in 1940s.

    Man on a Mission.

    Person in a foreign country.

    Get up and walk around your space, looking at things, touching things, as if you were that character. Look through the eyes of the character you are writing about. Say, or think, the name of your character as you walk around.

    Walk in your character’s shoes.

    Spend 3-5 minutes on this.

    When you return to your chair, respond to the prompt from your character’s point of view.

    Use one of these prompts as a springboard to write about a character of your choice.

    What did your character see that interested them?

    What does your character want to know more about?

    Write from your character’s point of view:

    I think . . .

    I suppose . . . I remember

    Thank you to B. Lynn Goodwin for the inspiration for this prompt.

    Marlene C

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  • Writer Advice wants your flash fiction

     “Flash Fiction is a story of 750-words or less that has a protagonist, a conflict, a setting, excellent use of language, and an ending that we didn’t predict when we read the first line. We enjoy stories with a discovery, complex characters, lovely language, and a tone that rings true.” — Writer Advice

    B. Lynn Goodwin, founder and proprietor of Writer Advice, suggests a winning formula is “A protagonist we care about, a distinctive voice, and a clear impact. Setting helps. So does conflict and resolution. We enjoy stories with a discovery, a surprise, and a tone that rings true.”

    I like Lynn’s attitude: “If the story feels squeezed at 750-words, don’t force it. There are plenty of journals where you can send your longer pieces.” 

    DEADLINE:  March 2, 2020. Early submissions strongly encouraged.

    PRIZES: First Place earns $150; Second Place earns $75; Third Place earns $40; Honorable Mentions will also be listed.

    Contest details

    Marlene C

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  • Writer Advice: Flash Fiction Contest

    Lynn B. Goodwin is the creator and producer of Writer Advice.

    Writer Advice’s Flash Fiction Contest 2019 Submission Information

     Writer Advice seeks flash fiction of 750 words or less.

    “Open our eyes. Help us see the world as your characters do.”

    Finalists receive responses from all judges.

    Everyone receives a detailed response from award-winning author B. Lynn Goodwin.

    What is Flash Fiction? 

    For Writer Advice, it is a story of 750-words or less that has a protagonist, a conflict, a setting, excellent use of language, and an ending that we didn’t predict when we read the first line. We enjoy stories with a discovery, complex characters, lovely language, and a tone that rings true. 

    PRIZES: First Place earns $150; Second Place earns $75; Third Place earns $40; Honorable Mentions will also be listed.

     Submission Details

     The contest closes on June 1, 2019. 

    Marlene C

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  • Enter Writer Advice Contest And Receive Feedback.

    If you want your writing to be published, you have to submit.

    If you want to be a better writer, you need feedback.

    You can get both when submitting to Writer Advice contests.

    B. Lynn GoodwinB. Lynn Goodwin, founder of Writer Advice, reads every manuscript submitted. She will give you excellent feedback, tell you what’s working and identify anything that trips her up.

    I first met Lynn in a writing workshop in Berkeley, CA, summer of 2007. I admired her writing then and admire her editing skills now.

    Lynn’s tips on how to win a contest:

    Entice. Grab attention. Make the reader want to know more. Give reasons for the reader to care.

    Due by September 1: Scintillating Starts:  Middle Grade, Young Adult, or New Adult novels. 1000 words or less. Fee: $15. First prize: $160. Second prize. $50.

    Due by December 1: Scintillating Starts: Fiction, memoir, or creative non-fiction. 1000 words or less. Fee: $15. First prize: $160. Second prize. $50.

    Click on Contest Guidelines for complete rules for submitting to Writer Advice contests.

    Marlene C

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  • You are the person you are intended to be . . .

    “Do not obsess about flaws and shortcomings. You are the person you are intended to be . . . You were put here for a reason. No one else has your unique talents. No one else sees the world through your eyes and experiences. Be yourself and share with others. No one can tell your story but you.”   B. Lynn Goodwin, “Celebrate Your Uniqueness.” Originally posted in Inspire Me Today, January 2, 2014

    bookshawlNote from Marlene: Do not obsess about whether or not you are a writer. If you have something you want to write about . . . simply pull out a chair, sit down and . . . Just write!

    Lynn Goodwin is the owner of Writer Advice, www.writeradvice.com, which is currently holding its 10th Flash Prose Contest (deadline 4/21/15). She’s the author of You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers, and a YA called Talent, which Eternal Press will be publishing this year. Her short pieces have been published in local and regional publications.

    Lynn will be on a panel of editors at Writers Forum in Petaluma, California on May 21, 2015.

    Marlene C

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  • You cannot change the past nor control the future.

    “Live in the present, since you cannot change the past or control the future.” — B. Lynn Goodwin

    Marlene’s Musings: Good advice for anyone, especially writers. Just do your best to be the most authentic writer you can be. Your truth and your genuineness will come out in your writing. Your poignancy, your humor, your unique “you-ness” will bring a freshness and honesty to your writing.

    Be your best self . . . who else can you be?

    Except from “Celebrate Your Uniqueness,” by B. Lynn Goodwin

    B. Lynn GoodwinB. Lynn Goodwin is the owner of Writer Advice, www.writeradvice.com, which is currently holding its 10th Flash Prose Contest. She’s the author of You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers, and a YA called Talent, which Eternal Press will be publishing this year. Her short pieces have been published in local and regional publications.

    Lynn will be on a panel of editors at Writers Forum in Petaluma, California on May 21, 2015.

    Marlene C

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  • WriterAdvice seeks flash fiction, memoir and creative non-fiction

    WriterAdvice  seeks flash fiction, memoir, and creative non-fiction, 750 words or less. “Enlighten, dazzle, and delight us.” Finalists receive responses from all judges.

    DEADLINE:  April 21, 2015

    PRIZES: First Place earns $200; Second Place earns $100; Third Place earns $50; Honorable Mentions will also be published.

    FOR BEST RESULTS:  Include your name, contact information, and title in the cover letter, but only include your title in the submission so it remains anonymous.

    Indicate if the submission is fiction, non-fiction or memoir in the cover letter.

    Double-space your submission, 14-point font that is easy to read.  Times New Roman, Cambria, and Ariel all spring to mind.

    Submissions are read as blind submissions so put both your name and your title in your cover letter but leave them off your manuscript.

    SUBMISSIONS: All entries should be submitted through Submittable. Click here for the Submission Details.

    You may enter UP TO THREE stories, but each is a separate submission with a separate fee of $15.

    Names of all winners will be announced in the summer issue of WriterAdvice.

    B. Lynn GoodwinE-mail questions, but not submissions to editor B. Lynn Goodwin at Lgood67334@comcast.net

    Marlene C

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  • Your Story Is Buried Treasure.

    Chest box“Writing is therapeutic. It saves lives. Your truths are eager to come out. Let them spill onto the page, and see what doors writing opens for you. Your story is buried treasure.

    One of the simplest, most private places to write is in a journal. It allows you to vent, delve into issues, and untangle messes. It lets you analyze or celebrate. It allows you to finish a thought without interruption. The journal validates your right to be who you are.” — B. Lynn Goodwin, “Celebrate Your Uniqueness” in Inspire Me Today.

    B. Lynn Goodwin is the owner of Writer Advice, which is currently holding its 10th Flash Prose Contest. She’s the author of You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers, and a YA called Talent, which Eternal Press will be publishing this year. Her short pieces have been published in local and regional publications.

    Lynn will be on a panel of editors at Writers Forum in Petaluma, California on May 21, 2015.

    Marlene C

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  • Writer Advice introduces a new project

    Writer Advice introduces a new project:

    Communicate an important message to a child, parent, spouse, lover, neighbor, fictitious character, or real literary agent.

    Write a letter that fits a category below:

    •     Letter to a parent, child, spouse, or other family member
    •     Letter to a lover
    •     Letter to a neighbor
    •     Letter to a civil servant or other service provider
    •     Letter from a character to you or to another character
    •     Letter to a potential agent or publisher

    Express yourself, hone your voice, find new subjects for your writing, share issues, share your thoughts and voice with the world.
    B. Lynn Goodwin (Writer Advice) will let you know the message she gets from your letter and the impression she receives of you as the author of the letter. You may be determined, confused, frustrated, wise, or inspiring.

    Letters only please. Keep them short. Less is more. Suggested length is 50-500 words.

    Deadline: July 18, 2014

    Submission fee = $15.   If your letter is shared on Writer Advice, you will receive a $45 prize.

    Click here for submission information.

    Journaling for CaregiversB. Lynn Goodwin is the owner of Writer Advice and the author of You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers, available on Amazon. Her stories and articles have been published in Voices of Caregivers; Hip Mama; the Oakland Tribune; the Contra Costa Times; the Danville Weekly; Staying Sane When You’re Dieting; Small Press Review; Dramatics Magazine; Thickjam.com, Friction Literary Journal, and The Sun. She’ll have a piece in Writing After Retirement: Tips by Successful Retired Writers and a different piece in Small Miracles from Beyond: Dreams, Visions and Signs that Link Us to the Other Side. She’s just signed a contract for her Young Adult novel, Talent, and offers manuscript consultations through Writer Advice.

     

    Marlene C

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