Thursday, August 7, 2014

The Value in Entering Writing Contests

by Lynn H. Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn

I’ve been writing with an eye toward publication for five years and I’ve entered several contests. Contests are great for feedback, critique, and even to help you get your name in front of an agent or an editor.

They can also be demoralizing. You put all that time and energy into your submission and you get nowhere. Believe me, I’ve been there.

But I am more convinced than ever that when it comes to contests, no matter where you place, you win.

I’ll use my personal contest timeline to explain.


Conference Contest (2010) - I entered my first 45 pages into a contest at the Blue Ridge MountainsChristian Writers Conference. Didn’t place.

Operation First Novel (2009, 2010, 2011) - Yes, I entered the same novel three times. (I’m thick). The first two times didn’t include any feedback, so I had no way of knowing how I’d done, but the third time? Well, let’s just say those results convinced me to put that story in a drawer.

The Frasier Contest (2013) - The Frasier required the submission of your first scene and a synopsis. It didn’t matter that I didn’t have anything close to a complete manuscript, so I went for it.

I was a Bronze Medalist! The feedback included phrases like, “This writer is ready for publication” (I may have highlighted that one) and it encouraged me to press forward with this new story. I wrote quite a bit over the next few months. I’d gotten to the 30K mark when the next contest appeared on the horizon.

The Search for the Killer Voice (2014) from Love Inspired Suspense - Here’s where it gets really interesting. This contest was set up in four stages.
Stage 1 - First page
Stage 2 - Synopsis
Stage 3 - First 3 chapters
Stage 4 - Full manuscript

The most important thing for you to know is that when the contest was announced in February, my home was in chaos. We’d had water damage during the winter from a burst pipe. The entire contents of my downstairs were sitting in a pod in my driveway and my kitchen appliances and cabinets were in my garage. We were walking around on subfloor and had folding chairs in the living room.

Not the ideal time to enter a writing contest.

If I hadn’t entered those other contests…if I hadn’t had a first page, and a synopsis, and a few decent chapters…I would have seen this contest and thought, well, maybe next year.

But I had a first page, and a synopsis, and a few decent chapters. I had even, three different times, sent in a full manuscript. So even though it made no sense, I hit send.

And on July 23rd, I got the call.

Love Inspired Suspense 
bought my book!

I know not all contests have happy endings, but if you’ve got an opportunity to put your work out there, to get some feedback, to experience what it’s like to write on a deadline—TAKE IT!

You never know where last year’s contest fail will lead.

It might help you finally put that book in the drawer and start something new.

It might fill you with the confidence to keep plugging away at your WIP.

It might even give you the courage to take on something daunting and overwhelming, because it’s not the first time you’ve walked that path.

So how about you? Are you afraid to enter a contest? Has a bad contest experience kept you from getting back in the game? Have you entered contests and been encouraged? Let’s talk about it in the comments.

Don’t forget to join the conversation!

TWEETABLES
The value of writing contests - @LynnHBlackburn shares the journey from entries to publication on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Yes, a writing contest can lead to publication - @LynnHBlackburn shares her journey on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Lynn Huggins Blackburn has been telling herself stories since she was five and finally started writing them down. She blogs about faith, family, and her writing journey on her blog Out of the Boat. Lynn is a member of the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild and the Word Weavers, Greenville. She lives in South Carolina where she hangs out with three lively children, one fabulous man, and a cast of imaginary characters who find their way onto the pages of her about to be published novel. She drinks a lot of coffee.

22 comments:

  1. GREAT advice, Lynn! Can't wait to hold that book in my hands next year!

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    1. Lynette, I'm as excited as you to hold the book in my hand! Blessings, E

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    2. Y'all are both too kind. :-) I'll probably be driving all over town showing them off :-)

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  2. Congratulations, Lynn! Contests are definitely a great way to get your work out there. Sometimes the feedback can be confusing, but it's taking that step that prepares you for the next step! So happy for your sale!

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    1. Tammy - thanks for stopping by in the middle of your revisions. Can't wait to read all the #KillerVoices books.

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  3. Lynn, contests have definitely given me the push when I needed it! Thanks for sharing your experience, Blessings, E

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    1. Thanks for letting me crash here each month. :-) I never would have made it to the finals if you hadn't been praying me through!

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  4. I LOVE your story! I can't wait to read your book!!!!

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    1. Vonda, we can both say, "We knew her when!"

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    2. Thanks, Vonda! You and Edie deserve so much credit for this. I never would have had the nerve to do this without your encouragement and support!

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  5. Lynn, great post. I loved seeing the progression. And congrats on the upcoming release.

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    1. Vie, it really helps to see how all the contests worked together to help Lynn grow and gain the confidence she needed to succeed. Blessings, E

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  6. Very encouraging .I didn't know the story behind publishing your story. Thanks for sharing it!

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    1. Ellen, it is encouraging - and a challenge to the rest of us to keep moving forward. Blessings, E

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  7. Oh, Lynn, How fun to read your story ... all the way to "The Call!" I can't wait to read your novel!!

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  8. I just published my first book this June and decided to enter the cover in the Bookgoodies contest. I was notified Monday that my cover is a finalist in the nonfiction category! I agree that you win something no matter where you place. A big part of bringing good things into your life is the courage to risk being disappointed.

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  9. This was just what I needed. I haven't written a word since my last contest entry because I didn't even get an honorable mention. Rejection hurts, but I'm no wimp, and need to put on my big girl panties and get moving. Thank you.

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  10. This was a good article and great motivation. I was literally just wondering yesterday whether or not to enter some of my past published articles and devotionals in a contest if there are some for those typse of writing. This has encouraged me to explore. Thanks for sharing!

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