Why enter writing contests?

Writing contests are a good way to publication. Many of the contest offer publication as one of the prizes; however, a writer must be careful about choosing a writing contest. Therefore, before entering a writing contest, I suggest researching or investigating the contest before entering.

It takes time to research a contest, but the time spent is worth it because some of the contests are not what they appear. Some of these “contests” require an author to purchase the anthology his or her creative effort is published. So before entering a contest investigate the contest or just enter contests that you know are authentic.

Authors Spotlight Challenge Day 3

It is day three of the Authors Spotlight contest on writing.com. I have made six entries in the book "Snow in the Valley", which I use for that contest. That book is located in my port Prosperous Snow's Port.

I have not completed today's yet. So far this morning I completed three reviews for task two, which I copied and pasted into the book. I still have to do the conversation for task one, which is strictly dialogue.

These tasks are challenging and fun. The tasks push me to go beyond my limits. So far in this contests I have written a poem and a children's story in addition to doing interviews, reviewing and stating specific expectations for the contest.

Sometimes I feel a bit stressed because of the deadline. I must post each day's work by 9:00 PM Pacific Time, which is 12:00 AM Eastern Time. Working within a deadline is interesting and enjoyable. I do not have time to worry about anything but completing the writing to the best of my ability.

I have decided to expand on the children's story after the contest is over. Right now that story is close to a flash fiction piece. I want to make it a short story and possibility give it a different title. The present working title is "I'm Lost".

I also think I will expand the dialogue I write for today's Task One and make it a short story. The working title for this is "Twin Talk". I think I will make "Twin Talk" a science fiction story. There is no specific genre for it now, all though it does have the looks of a love story. However, since I do not write love stories I am going to make it science fiction story with a love story theme. The children's story started as a Fantasy and I am going to leave it in that genre.

Completed and Submitted

Kamál (Perfection), 14 Rahmat (Mercy), 165 BE – Monday, July 7, 2008 about 6:50 AM PDT

I completed and submitted the entry for July's Short Shots: Official Contest at writing.com. The title of the story is Incident in Mountain View State Park and its a science fiction story. The story inspiration was a photo of a brown bear and her cub.

The story is in Prosperous Snow's writing.com portfolio under the folder Contest Submissions. There are several other pieces in that folder as well. I am in the process of moving poems and stories to other folders. I am also going to update the Map of My Port. This is all going to take some time.

I had enough GPs in my Gift Points account to get a 2-month Premium membership. I am working toward a 12-month membership now. However, I decided since I had enough GPs for a 2-month membership, I would get that and them save GPs up to get a longer membership. I have wanted a premium membership for a long time now, so Saturday I decided to go for it. Well, I think that is all for now - Write On (as we say on writing.com).

Mixing and Matching the Themes

Fidal (Grace), 18 Sultan (Sovereignty), 164 B.E. - Tuesday, February 5, 2008 about 7:13 AM PST

I am going to start mixing the themes an putting them on different days. Perhaps even skipping one and putting something else in its place. I am going to use more prompts to write and demonstrate more poetry forms. Discuss different methods of writing on a prompt. All right, I got bored having a specific theme on a specific day. My muse bulked at having to work that way.

I think one thing I will do is mix and match the themes, if I am writing about a contest then I will do a short review of the web site where I found the contest. I enjoy contest because they all have something different to offer a writer. Some contests have themes, while others require specific forms. It is fun and exciting to come up with a poem or story that will be appropriate for a contest.

I Am a Member of Writing.com

'Idal (Justice), 5 Sultan (Sovereignty), 164 B.E. - Wednesday, January 23, 2008 about 4:47 PM PST

I joined writing.com on October 31, 2002. Since joining my writing has improved immensely due to the review I receive from and give to other members. However, this is not the only reason for the improvement. There are writing contests for poetry, flash fiction, short stories, and other types of writing. I enter these contest and have won some. I have also placed second, third or received honorable mention.

I joined writing.com on a whim in 2002 because I was surfing and came across the website. I could join as a free member and got a place to keep approximately ten items. Since then I have became an upgraded member, which means I can store 250 items in my portfolio. I am now considering moving from an upgraded membership to a premium membership because I need more room in my portfolio.

My handle on writing.com is Prosperous Snow. Please visit my port and see what I am working on or go to writing.com and log in as a guest. Read what other members are writing. Try out a free membership and see how you like the writing.com community.

My Rules for entering Writing Contests

Fidal (Grace), 4 Sultan (Sovereignty), 164 B.E. - Tuesday, January 22, 2008 about 4:45 PM PST

Today I thought I would post my personal rules for entering writing contest.

1. Read the rules carefully and take notes if necessary
2. When the piece is finish print a hardcopy of the poem, article or story and proof read the hardcopy
3. Keep a copy of the item you submit
4. Keep a record of where you have submitted and the results
5. Keep a copies of all e-mails and other correspondence about your submission

Those are the only rules I have right now. If there is anything I forgot or did not list that is important, I am sure someone will leave the information in a comment.

Contest Tuesday: Write Stuff Poetry Contest

Fidal (Grace), 9 Sharaf (Honor) 164 B.E. - Tuesday, January 8, 2008 about 9:51 AM PST

The theme for today is writing contests, specifically the Write Stuff Poetry Contest. This is a poetry contest for bloggers and the deadline for entries is January 11 at 5:00 PM Central Time. This time translates into 3:00 PM Pacific Time, 4:00 PM Mountain Time, and 6:00 PM Eastern Time. The theme for this contest is cold, bitter.

My blog post on Poetry Monday was my entry to this contest. I enjoyed writing that poem because it brought back memories of playing in the snow as a child. It also caused me to compare the way I react to cold now with the way I reacted to it as a child. I like poetry contest that make me think and bring back memories of my childhood.

Any one who enters the contest be sure to post the vote link at the bottom of your entry. Voting for the entries starts January 11 and last until January 15; since there is voting for this contest be sure to e-mail the link of your entry post to all your friends across the world. In addition, post the link in any other blogs you have and on any groups you are a member of.

The post to my poem entry is The Experience of Winter.