Susanna Leonard Hill is having a contest. You should check her out. I love her site.
So I decided to enter her contest, so sit back, grab the lines and enjoy!
Swinging Around the Christmas TreeSwinging around the Christmas tree
The squirrel swung from branch to branch.
No one saw him huddled inside
For outside was cold and damp.
He fell asleep on the warm ride home snuggled against the trunk
For when he opened up his eyes
His home was brightly funk.
He swung around the Christmas tree
A delight from branch to branch
As each ornament he past
They made a funny clank.
Until he made it to the top
The angel smiling down,
He felt a warmth like none before and hugged her
Home at last.
Ever notice how many contest there are out on the world wide web of blogging and writers circles? Have you ever felt like you just
have to enter each and every one of them? I mean how can you not, right? This is your chance to show the world how good you are. Even better is that some of these contests you get to have your work critiqued by other readers so you know before you fill out that official entry form that your work is in top notch shape right?
Wrong. Wait, just like querying make sure your work is the best it can be.
Or at least that is what I'm starting to believe. Don't misunderstand me, it's not that I'm against these contests. I'm all for them, and I think they are great, tons of fun to. I love meeting new people during them as well. Especially when the everyone is helping each other out by critiquing them first. And yes, I still feel this way even though I haven't won any. For me though lately I just feel like they are taking up to much of my time and not giving me a chance to hand in my best work, which is what I want to do. So I'm bowing out of contests for a little while. Let me explain.
First: You find the contest, Oh but it doesn't open for another week. Book mark page or jot down note so I don't forget to enter.
Second: You select your work, or work on the pitch, or story, or what ever needs to be handed in for the contest.
Third: Post your entry on your blog so others can critique. Make sure you visit other blogs and critique others work.
Four: Make changes to entry taking into account critique notes from other entries.
Five: Fill out official Contest entry form
Six: Start it all over again.
All this while trying to write, do research on querying and send out queries, and start a new WIP. And don't even talk to me about every day things that I need to get done. Right now it's just to much. I'd love to enter some more contests, but I just don't have the time right now. I wish you all luck, and when things slow down I plan on being back in Contest mode like everyone else.
Until then,
Work hard and good luck! I'll be cheering you on from the side lines.
I got a few requests from agents from competitions - but I still don't think they were worth the time I put into them.
I also think that especially the ones where you can comment on the first 250 words - those were only MILDLY helpful. I think what happens on those more often than not is someone would hack a piece to shreds, and then everyone else would just follow suit. It just doesn't seem all that helpful.
I left you an award on my blog. :)
Yeah - you've got to be careful. Sometimes there can be so many contests that you don't get anything else done. I have to pick and choose. I wish I could them all - but I can't. One day, I'd love to do a pitch/query or something where an agent is involved. I think if you're work is ready, those are smart to do, but ... like you said... MAKE SURE ITS READY!