Are you doing any fun writing? Sometimes you get caught up in paying assignments or the slog of editing and creative writing gets tucked away in a corner waiting for that mysterious moment when we have "extra time". Good luck finding that extra time! Despairing that your creative writing is being ignored? Give yourself a creative writing assignment! contests are a great way to do that.
In January, I participated in my first Writers Weekly Short Story contest. It was scary because I didn't know what to expect and fun because my every member of my household knew that Saturday was my short story day. So peaceful!
This is a great way to ease into contests because you've got just 24 hours -- no chance to forget about the deadline. There is a $5 fee but I think it's worth it - there are many prizes(cash, books and even a publishing package for the Grand Prize winner). The Spring contest is April 5 (a Saturday and the perfect excuse not to do your weekly cleaning!) and if you want a fun creative writing jumpstart, why not enter? In addition to the theme and word count, they also send you some tips to increase your chances of snagging a prize. For instance, they are so over stories with a main character who is a writer!
The deadline for the second First Line contest is approaching - May 1. So you have plenty of time to weave a story that starts with the first line:
No one really knows why restoration stopped on the abandoned St. Julian hotel, where commoners and kings once came to relax in luxury.
No fee to enter this contest and you have lots of leeway: word count can be between 300 and 5000 words. I have no idea what I'm writing yet! But I'm leaning toward star crossed lovers who meet at the relic of an old hotel. Visit their website to learn more about how to enter HERE.
You should also get the WOW Women on Writing contests on your calendar. Because I work for WOW(check out my posts on the blog The Muffin), I can't enter but I have read some winning entries and they are amazing. I'd love to see your name in the winners' list. They have four flash fiction and four creative nonfiction essay contests each year. Only a $10 fee and 20 prizes per contest! Learn more HERE.
If you know of any great contests, feel free to share in the comments.
NEWS: Guess what? That Writers Weekly contest I mention at the beginnning of this post? I received an Honorable Mention and got to pick a writing related book from their backlist. Yay!
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