Most of you know I write paranormal romance, which is a mix of genres, but I like to add romantic suspense to the mix. Then you have your light and dark paranormals with. When it comes down to it, I guess my books are "mutts", but that's okay with me.
Melissa mentioned growing up with pure breds, well I don't believe we every had a pure bred anything (unless you count the parakeets). Growing up my mom let me drag home every stray dog and cat that came my way. Most were in need of medical care or starving, so we fed them, loved them and found them homes or kept them until they died or ran off. I still remember the first dog we had "Nasty". Mom found him in a mud puddle when he was only a few weeks old. It was very cold and she always guessed the mother had died or left him behind. She fed him with a baby doll bottle until he could eat regular food. As he grew, he began to look like a cross between a wolf and a golden retriever. Of course we don't know what kind of dog he was, but he was loyal and fierce. Keeping my one year old self constant company ( and out of trouble. I was a little demon spawn at that age *wink*) Mutts are great. I think that extends to books too. So you want to mix 'em up? Go for it. What ever the result, its bound to be interesting.
On another note, I'll be guest blogging about Christmastime at "Dishin' it Out" Sunday with Ginger http://mizging.blogspot.com/ . I'm also celebrating the December 7th release of Earth Enchanted with a contest. For more info go to http://brynnacurrybriannaroarkebooks.webs.com/ and check out the "contests" tab.
Be blessed,
Beth
Showing posts with label writing contests. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing contests. Show all posts
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Contests
Contests are a great thing for one reason and one reason only: they get you writing.
I belong to a writers group online called Backspace. There’s usually a contest a month over there and I’m in one right now. There’s no cash prize, no free subscriptions, not even a tee shirt that says, “I won a contest and all I got was this lousy tee shirt.” But what they do offer is free critiques. Everyone enters anonymously, and all who enter must comment about what worked, what didn’t, and then later vote on the stories they liked best.
It’s a terrific system and it gets you thinking about your writing. You see the story through other’s eyes and it’s done with complete respect, although don’t be shocked if someone says, “this didn’t work for me.” You need to listen to why it didn’t work and then apply to the piece and make it better.
Contests can also pull you out of your comfort zone. Often there are certain criteria to be met that you may not have used in your traditional stories. Perhaps you like to write in third person, and the guidelines require a first-person story or vice-versa. Or maybe you write about vampires and they want a ghost story. There’s one contest I like called “the first line” where everyone writes a story using the same first line. Great concept.
If you win or not isn’t the point of contests. I’ve used several contest entries that didn’t win to polish and submit to other markets, often with success. So consider entering just for the sake of building a portfolio, flexing your writing muscles, and the sheer pleasure of it.
I belong to a writers group online called Backspace. There’s usually a contest a month over there and I’m in one right now. There’s no cash prize, no free subscriptions, not even a tee shirt that says, “I won a contest and all I got was this lousy tee shirt.” But what they do offer is free critiques. Everyone enters anonymously, and all who enter must comment about what worked, what didn’t, and then later vote on the stories they liked best.
It’s a terrific system and it gets you thinking about your writing. You see the story through other’s eyes and it’s done with complete respect, although don’t be shocked if someone says, “this didn’t work for me.” You need to listen to why it didn’t work and then apply to the piece and make it better.
Contests can also pull you out of your comfort zone. Often there are certain criteria to be met that you may not have used in your traditional stories. Perhaps you like to write in third person, and the guidelines require a first-person story or vice-versa. Or maybe you write about vampires and they want a ghost story. There’s one contest I like called “the first line” where everyone writes a story using the same first line. Great concept.
If you win or not isn’t the point of contests. I’ve used several contest entries that didn’t win to polish and submit to other markets, often with success. So consider entering just for the sake of building a portfolio, flexing your writing muscles, and the sheer pleasure of it.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Conferences...Contests
I've been told conferences are a great way for writers to meet other writers, editors and agents in the business. With a nine to five, three kids, and a husband who is legalled disabled, traveling just isn't something I can do, not to mention the expense. I've never been to a conference, so I'll share my ideas of networking instead of conforming to the group topic this week.
Contests are a great way to get your work out there and get feedback from readers, agents and editors. Working in the capacity of a reader and an unpublished writer, I often volunteer to judge writing contests. By reading those entries, seeing how they are judged, I learn what mistakes not to make. It's so much easier to pick out the pov switches in someone elses work that in your own. Looking at other's work with a critical, but honest eye always gives me a fresh perspective on my writing. Then there's the benefit of reading untried stories and hearing new voices emerge.
My son asked me what I was working on the other day and I replied, "a dream". Of course he thought I was nuts, so I explained that the words on the screen were a tiny grain of sand in the writer's imagination. One she had wrapped carefully with experiences, heart, love, sacrifice and hope that one day she'd see her creation in the form of a brilliant pearl for others to enjoy. For the few moments I hold those words in my virtual hands, I see these things. Each one is unique and it's my job to examine that pearl in the light, see where it's lacking, and hand it back to the author gently so she can polish it to a shine. Some of those dreams soar and its my pleasure to help them fly.
Have a Happy Holidays everyone, no matter which you celebrate. May peace, joy, and love be yours throughout the coming year.
Beth
Contests are a great way to get your work out there and get feedback from readers, agents and editors. Working in the capacity of a reader and an unpublished writer, I often volunteer to judge writing contests. By reading those entries, seeing how they are judged, I learn what mistakes not to make. It's so much easier to pick out the pov switches in someone elses work that in your own. Looking at other's work with a critical, but honest eye always gives me a fresh perspective on my writing. Then there's the benefit of reading untried stories and hearing new voices emerge.
My son asked me what I was working on the other day and I replied, "a dream". Of course he thought I was nuts, so I explained that the words on the screen were a tiny grain of sand in the writer's imagination. One she had wrapped carefully with experiences, heart, love, sacrifice and hope that one day she'd see her creation in the form of a brilliant pearl for others to enjoy. For the few moments I hold those words in my virtual hands, I see these things. Each one is unique and it's my job to examine that pearl in the light, see where it's lacking, and hand it back to the author gently so she can polish it to a shine. Some of those dreams soar and its my pleasure to help them fly.
Have a Happy Holidays everyone, no matter which you celebrate. May peace, joy, and love be yours throughout the coming year.
Beth
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