Enter Writing Contests

Beginning, emergent, and published writers should enter writing contests. No matter your experience, contests are a way to hone your skills. Beginning writers will benefit from attention to SPaG (spelling, punctuation and grammar rules). Emergent writers can focus on crafting an entry to meet the requirements of a specific contest. Published writers will produce the most polished work possible including elements of tension, conflict and character arc.

Why Enter?

Writers at all levels suffer from imposter syndrome. Entering a writing contest is a way to validate yourself as a writer. It’s a way of saying I can do this, I’m a writer, too. Contests come with expectations including quality, word count, and deadlines. As an entrant, you must produce a quality piece. That requires revisions, edits, and proofreading, all excellent skills for a writer. Sticking to required word counts will impact word choice and sentence structure. Let’s face it, deadlines drive completion of a project.

When Should You Enter?

Do you want an opportunity to produce a quality piece of work that will impress a judge? Even if you’re new to the writing game, a contest can be the motivation you need to keep your butt in chair, known as BIC in writing circles. If you wait to enter a contest until you think you have a winner, you’re missing the point. Entering contests is not about winning, it’s about improving your craft.

How?

When entering a writing contest always, always read and follow the guidelines. Word count, genre, theme, and formatting are not artistic choices open to interpretation. The contest judge uses these guidelines to evaluate your work. Following contest guidelines is good practice for submitting to publications and agents especially if your end goal is to publish articles or a manuscript.

In conclusion, entering writing contests will hone your skills, motivate BIC behavior, validate your identity as a writer, and provide valuable submission practice to further your writing journey.  Check out this site to enter writing contests.