Getting into the Writing Mood
June 30, 2010 by Mary Anne
Filed under From My Desk To Yours
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©2007 ©2010 Mary Anne Hahn
How often do you sit down at your keyboard, stare at the screen, and
think, “I’m just not in the mood to write today?” Or maybe you
don’t admit that to yourself, but instead use the time you’ve set
aside to check your e-mail, read about the latest celebrity or political
scandal, or play solitaire (Spider Solitaire is my personal current favorite)
…until you realize your writing time has evaporated and you need to be
somewhere else.
If you’re either smiling or grimacing in recognition of this
scenario, you’re not alone. Sometimes it is joyously easy for us
writers to write. But at other times, maybe even most of the time,
it’s—well, it’s work.
And if you’re freelancing, there’s no boss (other than you) to set
your goals and deadlines, no one giving you annual performance
appraisals, no one disciplining you when you fail to measure up.
You might get the occasional question from a friend or relative
(“Have you written anything new lately?” or “Are you still
writing?”), but that’s hardly life-threatening. You might
experience a twinge of guilt or remorse. Maybe you even lie and
say, “Yeah, of course I’m still writing.” But the truth is, you
haven’t been in the mood, and you and your conscience know it.
What is it about writing, especially for us part-time or aspiring
freelancers, that leads us to believe we can let ourselves off the
hook so easily? On the one hand, we claim that’s what we want to do
and be more than anything in the world—to write, to be a writer.
Yet, is that really true? If so, why aren’t we making time to write
every single day? Even when—-especially when-—we’re not in the mood?
Here’s what I think. Other than the fact that we’re postponing our
own writing goals and dreams, which should be important enough in
themselves, there are really no immediate consequences to putting off
our stints at the keyboard. If we simply stopped showing up at our
day jobs just because we weren’t in the mood, we’d lose it. If we
stopped preparing meals for our children because we just didn’t feel like cooking,
someone would eventually notify Social Services. But if we go a day, a week,
heck, even a year without writing, who besides ourselves would care?
We need to start looking at our writing goals much the same way we
do any other obligation in our lives, as something that must, not
should, be done. Like arriving to work on time or doing the laundry
regularly, we need to schedule our writing time and just do it,
regardless of the mood we’re in. Why? Because, unlike doing
laundry or showing up at your day job, sticking with your writing
and getting published brings the most extraordinary sense of
accomplishment and fulfillment—-something we can point at and
say, “Look, I did that!” And it’s a feeling we can recreate many
times over, the more we devote ourselves to our writing.
So if, like me, you really, really, really want to be a writer,
this is what I want you to do—join me, and commit to writing for a
minimum of 15 minutes a day, or one hour and forty five minutes a
week. Minimum. It doesn’t matter what you write, or how many
words, at least not at first. Just make it a part of your daily
routine, like taking a shower or brushing your teeth. I think
you’ll find the time spent writing even more invigorating and
refreshing.
P.S. If you’ve been struggling with the dreaded writer’s block,
I’ve found a way you can eliminate it, once and for all…
http://budurl.com/blockCD
Monday Miscellany for June 28, 2010
June 27, 2010 by Mary Anne
Filed under Writing Contest News
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Hello:
I have an announcement to share with you from a fellow WriteSuccess subscriber:
Have you ever wanted to attend one of those fabulous writing retreats but can’t afford to? Create one for yourself.
I created my own Cheap Retreat and here is an excerpt from the brochure.
Come to the fabulous wine county for a weekend of sipping local wine, nibbling artisan cheese and writing lyrical prose. The bed and breakfast is located in a quite suburb within walking distance of restaurants and bars. The backyard is peaceful between the hours of 10 to 3 when the neighborhood children are in school. Maid service and meals is provided by a staff that looks uncannily similar to you, the guest.
Dress code is casual; teeth brushing, optional; make up, forbidden.
The most important feature of a Cheap Retreat is solitude. You can create your own retreat with a little organization and some protected time.
If you’d like more help, I’m offering 100 free copies of Cheap Retreat (since complimentary is part of the whole Cheap Retreat gestalt). Email me, bramkamp@yahoo.com for your copy.
Catharine Bramkamp is a writing coach and the author of Don’t Write Like You Talk, also available on Amazon. www.YourBookStartsHere.com
Hope everyone’s week gets off to a great start! Here’s to your writing success.
Mary Anne
Multiple Categories
Spring 2010 Story Contest
Send your short shorts, short stories, essays, memoirs, photo essays, graphic stories, any form of literary nonfiction or excerpts from longer works of both fiction and nonfiction. Entries must consist of no more than 15,000 words.
Prizes: 1st – $3,250, 2nd – $1,500, 3rd – $750 and ten finalists will receive $100 each. All entries will be considered for publication.
Deadline: July 31, 2010
Fees: $20 – Includes three months of complimentary access to Narrative Backstage.
http://www.narrativemagazine.com/node/86956
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Southern Illinois Writers Guild 2010 Writing Contest
You may submit fiction, nonfiction or poetry. Nonfiction may include biographies, memoirs, articles or essays on any topic.
Prizes: 1st Place $100; 2nd Place $50; 3rd Place $25. Prizes per category & winners receive publication.
Deadline: August 1, 2010
Fees: $5 per entry
http://www.jalc.edu/activities/siwg/contest.html
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BookRix Summer Nights Writing Contest
Share your summer nights stories, whether real or not. All genres are welcome. There are no word count or page limits.
Prizes: 1st – $800, 2nd – $500, 3rd – $300. 10 Amazon Gift Cards (each worth $20) will be raffled among all readers who have voted on at least one contest book.
Deadline: July 7, 2010
Fees: None
http://www.bookrix.com/precontest.html?show=BX_1275918723
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Fiction
Purple Dragonfly Book Awards
Awards are open to books published during the 2006-2010 calendar year. There are a total of 19 award categories that you may submit your entry to.
Prizes: 1st – $300, One hour of marketing consultation from Five Star Publications and $100 worth of Five Star Publications’ titles. 2nd – $75 per category
Deadline: July 14, 2010
Fees: $50
http://www.fivestarpublications.com/dragonfly/rules.html
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Operation First Novel 2010
Submitted books must be a complete novel of at least 75,000 words and no more than 100,000 words.
Prizes: $20,000 and publication
Deadline: Membership deadline – September 15, 2010. Entry deadline – October 1, 2010
Fees: None
http://www.christianwritersguild.com/FAQSoperationfirstnovel.asp
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“Scare The Dickens Out of Us” Short Story Contest 2010
Submit a ghost story consisting of 5,000 words or less. One entry per person.
Prizes: 1st: $1000.00 and a trophy. 2nd: $500.00 and a ribbon. 3rd: $250.00 and a ribbon.
Deadline: Postmark July 1 – October 1, 2010
Fees: $20
http://www.clarklibraryfriends.com/
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“Scare The Dickens Out of Us” Junior Short Story Contest 2010
Submit a ghost story consisting of 5,000 words or less. One entry per person. Entrants must be age 12-18.
Prizes: 1st: $250.00 and a trophy.
Deadline: Postmark July 1 – October 1, 2010
Fees: $5
http://www.clarklibraryfriends.com/
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The Silver Quill Society Short Story Contest
Multiple submissions are accepted. Entries must contain no more than 3,000 words.
Prizes: 1st – $50, 2nd – $25, 3rd – $15, 1st Honorable Mention $10
Deadline: September 25, 2010
Fees: $5
http://www.storyteller1.upcsites.org/page/page/3773128.htm
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Nonfiction/Essay
Affordable Insurance Options Essay Contest
The contest is open to anyone who has a true story to tell about how any type of insurance policy made a big impact on their lives and financial well being.
Prizes: 1st – $200, 2nd – $100, 3rd – $50
Deadline: December 13, 2010
Fees: None
http://www.affordableinsuranceoptionsonline.com/essay-contest/
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The Third-Annual Life Lessons Contest
Finish this sentence: “I never thought I’d. . .” Submit your story consisting of less than 1,500 words.
Prizes: $3000, round-trip tickets for two to New York City, hotel accommodations for two nights, tickets to a Broadway play, and a lunch with Real Simple editors.
Deadline: September 24, 2010
Fees: None
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Glamour’s “My Real-Life Story Essay Contest”
Submissions should be on the topic of “My Real-Life Story” and contain between 2,500 and 3,500 words.
Prizes: 1st – $5,000 and possible publication
Deadline: September 15, 2010
Fees: None
http://www.glamour.com/magazine/essay-2010-contestrules
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HeyMorocco’s Summer 2010 Morocco Travel Essay Contest
Submissions can be a travel essay or journal entry. Essay topics are Morocco travel, art or culture.
Prizes: 1st – $125, 2nd – $75, 3rd – $50
Deadline: August 31, 2010
Fees: None
http://heymorocco.com/Blog/tabid/61/EntryId/6/-Summer-2010-Morocco-Travel-Essay-Contest.aspx
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The Angel Animals Network 2010 True Story Contest
Send your story about about animals helping children, parents, and families deal with difficult situations and circumstances or temporary tough periods.
Prizes: 1st: $250, 2nd-6th: $25. All winners considered for publication.
Deadline: September 15, 2010
Fees: None
http://www.angelanimals.net/contestrules.html
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Poetry
Southern Illinois Writers Guild 2010 Writing Contest
Poetry of any style or topic may be submitted.
Prizes: 1st Place $100; 2nd Place $50; 3rd Place $25.
Deadline: August 1, 2010
Fees: $5 per entry
http://www.jalc.edu/activities/siwg/contest.html
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2010 Rattle Poetry Prize
Send no more than four poems per entry. There is no line-limit; poems can be any length.
Prizes: 1st prize: $5,000 plus TEN $100 Honorable Mentions
Deadline: August 1, 2010
Fees: $18
http://www.rattle.com/rpp/hardguide.htm
Monday Miscellany for June 21, 2010
June 20, 2010 by Mary Anne
Filed under Writing Contest News
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Hello, and happy Monday to you. For those of you in the northern hemisphere, welcome to the official start of summer.
Have you found that today’s technology has helped or hindered your ability to make a living as a writer? I see both sides of that coin.
One the one hand, it puts research on almost any topic just a few keystrokes and a click or two of the mouse away. It has launched new markets for us to pursue and put global clients and markets within reach of any writer with a computer. We can interview, or be interviewed by, someone a half a world away for next to nothing.
On the other hand, it has created a marketplace flooded with people who can string a few words together (and even many who can’t) proclaiming to be freelance writers. The ability for prospective clients to hire writers anywhere in the world has created an uneven playing field for those writers who live in areas where the cost of living is higher. Last but not least, the distractions provided by technology are every bit as great as its streamlined tools and research capabilities.
Which side do you tend to feel has a greater impact on your writing career? Or do you have a third view?
Well, thanks to current technology, I was able to both find the writing contests below and share them with you.
Here’s to your writing success.
Mary Anne
Multiple Categories
The 2011 Mississippi Review Prize
Fiction entries should be 1000-5000 words, poetry entries should be three poems totaling 10 pages or less. There is no limit on the number of entries you may submit.
Prizes: 1st: $1000
Deadline: October 1, 2010
Fees: $15 – Includes copy of prize issue.
http://www.mississippireview.com/contest.html
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18th Annual SiWC Writing Contest
Short stories: 3,500 – 5,000 words. Non-fiction: maximum length 1,500 words. Poetry: one poem per submission: 40 lines max. SIWC Writing For Young People Award: short stories, maximum length 1,500 words.
Prizes: 1st: $1000 and anthology (per category). Honorable Mention(s) $150 each.
Deadline: September 10, 2010
Fees: $15 per submission
http://www.siwc.ca/contest/2010
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Birdsong Micropress Winter 2010 Poetry + Prose Contest
Submit up to three pages of poetry, or 1500 words of double-spaced prose.
Prizes: 1st: $50, publication in birdsong #14, 10 complimentary copies and a featured spot in the Brooklyn reading series in mid-December. (per category)
Deadline: October 10, 2010
Fees: None
http://birdsongmag.com/contest/
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Memoir (and) Competition
Prose limit: 10,000 words maximum. Poetry limit: 5 poems maximum. Graphic memoir limit: Must fit on no more than twenty 7” x 10” pages. Narrative photography limit: Up to 5 images.
Prizes: Prose or Poetry – 1st: $500, 2nd: $250, 3rd: $100 Graphic Memoir – $100 Photography – $100
Deadline: August 16, 2010
Fees: None
http://memoirjournal.squarespace.com/contest-details/
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Non-fiction/Essay
Creative Nonfiction Immortality Competition
Essays must be unpublished, 5,000 words or less and written on the subject of Immortality.
Prizes: Unknown
Deadline: August 6, 2010
Fees: None
http://www.creativenonfiction.org/thejournal/submittocnf.htm
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Creative Nonfiction Food Competition
Essays must be unpublished and consist of 5,000 words or less. Submissions must be true stories that incorporate or involve food.
Prizes: 1st: $1000, 2nd: $500
Deadline: September 3, 2010
Fees: $20
http://www.creativenonfiction.org/thejournal/submittocnf.htm
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Creative Nonfiction General Un-Themed Competition
Submissions should be typed, double-spaced, 5,000 words maximum.
Prizes: Typical payment of $10 per printed page.
Deadline: None
Fees: None
http://www.creativenonfiction.org/thejournal/submittocnf.htm
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Fiction
Instigatorzine Theme Contest
Submit your horror, thriller, suspense, and Halloween related stories. Word count should be 1,000 – 3,500 words.
Prizes: 1st: $100 American Express Gift Card, 2nd: $50 American Express Gift Card, 3rd: $25 American Express Gift Card. Publication also available for each winner.
Deadline: Deadline: August 25, 2010
Fees: $10
http://www.instigatorzine.com/contests.html
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The 2nd Annual Gemini Magazine Flash Fiction Contest
Submissions must contain less than 1,000 words.
Prizes: First: $1,000, Second: $100, Four Honorable Mentions. All winners receive publication in Gemini
Deadline: August 31, 2010
Fees: 1 story = $4, 2 stories = $7, 3 stories = $10, 4 stories = $13, 8 stories = $25
http://www.gemini-magazine.com/contest.html
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2010 Memphis Magazine Fiction Contest
Authors must live within 150 miles of Memphis. Stories should be between 3,000 and 4,500 words.
Prizes: 1st: $1000 and publication, 2nd & 3rd: $500
Deadline: August 1, 2010
Fees: $10
http://www.memphismagazine.com/gyrobase/Magazine/Page?oid=21607
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Wow! Women On Writing Quarterly Flash Fiction Contest
Submissions should contain between 250 and 750 words.
Prizes: 1st: $250, 2nd: $150, 3rd: $100. Places 1-7 receive $25 Amazon gift card, publication, subscription and more. 15 honorable mentions receive $20 Amazon gift card and more.
Deadline: August 31, 2010
Fee: $10
http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php
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Wells Festival of Literature International Short Story Competition
Stories should be between 1800 and 2,000 words in length. They may be on any subject.
Prizes: 1st: £500, 2nd: £200, 3rd: £100, Wyvern Prize – £100
Deadline: August 31, 2010
Fees: £4.00
http://www.wlitf.co.uk/storyrules.htm
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Second Annual NANO Prize
Submit your flash fiction piece, prose poem, or micro essay of 300 words or less.
Prizes: $500 and publication
Deadline: August 31, 2010
Fees: $15 for the first three pieces and $2 for each additional piece. Subscription to NANO Fiction included.
http://nanofiction.org/?page_id=88
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Screenwriting
23rd Annual Screenwriters Competition
Scripts must be between 90 minimum and 130 maximum pages in length. At least 75% of the locations in the script must be filmable in Nevada.
Prizes: Eligible for consideration to be pitched to production companies willing to read the winning script. Winner will also receive a one on one professional script consultation with an industry professional, complimentary posting of logline, synopsis and full script on InkTip.com, pair of VIP passes to the Las Vegas Film Festival.
Deadline: August 31, 2010
Fees: $25.00 per PDF entry or $50.00 per hard copy entry.
http://www.nevadafilm.com/screenwriters.php
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Poetry
The Ledge 2010 Poetry Chapbook Competition
Submit 16-28 pages of original poetry with title page, biographical note and acknowledgments, if any.
Prizes: $1,000 cash award and 25 copies of the published chapbook.
Deadline: October 31, 2010
Fees: $18 – Includes copy of winning chapbook.
http://www.theledgemagazine.com/print%202009%20Poetry%20Chapbook%20guidelines.html
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Prairie Fire Magazine 2010 Writing Contest
Submit 1, 2, or 3 poems, maximum 150 lines.
Prizes: 1st: $1250, 2nd: $500, 3rd: $250
Deadline: November 30, 2010
Fees: $32 – Includes subscription
http://www.prairiefire.ca/contests.html
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Sentinel Literature Festival Poetry Compe
