Comments on: Can Writing Contests Pave the Road to Publication?

By: ellie

ellie — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 13:27:17 +0000

great advice- I’m new to this so need LOTS of it. Please enter me in your contest. cheers! Ellie

By: Jaci Burton

Jaci Burton — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 13:27:03 +0000

I learned a lot by entering contests. It helped me learn to walk through the submission process of publishing, since I won a few contests and had some manuscripts requested.

One thing I learned was to be tough about criticism and not let it hurt me or make me stop writing. Another was to pay attention when two or three or more people said the same thing about a plot point or a character–then I couldn’t ignore it. It’s valuable advice that still works for me today.

I found contests incredibly valuable as a beginning writer.

By: ev

ev — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 09:37:12 +0000

I didn’t get on at all, but just in case- it’s not me that is the aspiring writer, but Daughter. does that qualify???

By: jessiegirl

jessiegirl — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:26:41 +0000

i’m an aspiring author, and i’d love to win this prize. (crosses finger, eyes and toes) I haven’t tried any contests, i’ve been chicken. That’s a new goal . . . to enter one contest before this time next year.

By: Corinne Davies

Corinne Davies — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:11:44 +0000

So far I have gotten up the nerve to enter one contest where I knew my story would be reviewd *shudder* I was a nervous wreck waiting to see what would happen next and then that particular section was cancelled due to a lack of entries. Such a let down! But I won’t be half as nervous next time *G*

By: Julie Leto

Julie Leto — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 03:28:12 +0000

You’re welcome, Tina. In the meantime, Leslie and I will try to turn our workshop into a series for our Saturdays here at Plotmonkeys.

By: Tina Martinesi

Tina Martinesi — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 02:56:53 +0000

OK, thanks Julie,
I think I understand what your suggesting and at this point I’m willing to try anything to keep the dialogue flowing because for the first time in a long time I’m really feeling confidant and excited about the story I’m working on.
As always, I am grateful for your advice and input, thank you

By: Patti

Patti — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 02:25:21 +0000

I was really bummed that I missed the conference this year. I would love to win!

Great post, btw! You have to pick and choose the contest that fits your manuscript. Don’t try and fit the contest.

I finaled (and eventually came in third) in the first writing contest I ever entered.

By: Julie Leto

Julie Leto — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 01:15:11 +0000

Oh, meant to add as a quick idea…the next scene you write, write ONLY dialogue. No tags. No description. No exposition or explanation. Dialogue only. See what comes of it, then go back and layer in the rest of what needs to be there. By relying solely on dialogue to move the story forward, you might find what you’re looking for.

By: Julie Leto

Julie Leto — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 01:13:53 +0000

Tina, it looks like Leslie and I are going to have to take out our dialogue workshop and give it here at Plotmonkeys!