Home
>
Writing
>
Increase Your Chances Of Winning Writing Contests

Increase Your Chances Of Winning Writing Contests

Winning writing contests can provide several advantages to writers. For starters it's a great way to get your name in print and in front of potential readers. It can also provide professional credits for your writing portfolio, and prize rewards to augment your income.

Just participating can get new writers into a writing regiment, grow confidence, and provide practice, practice, practice.

Whatever your reason for entering a writing contest just be realistic about your expectations. The odds of winning are not terrific, but there are certainly plenty of things you can do to improve those odds, and stack them in your favor...

Start with flair! Introduce a complicating situation, an unsolved problem - make the reader want to know how your story or article is going to turn out. If the first page, and more specifically, the first paragraph, doesn't make the judges want to read more, you are in trouble. Judges will generally weed out losing entries by discarding those where the first page does not compel them to read on.

Your story should be unique. A well written entry with originality will stand out. Find an original angle or unusual twist, create offbeat characters, or use an unusual setting. The judges are looking for something new, not the same old storylines - so give them a reason to notice your work.

Make your characters believable. Whether fictional or non-fictional, your characters should be authentic. Their dialogue should be relevant and move the story along. They should talk as you and I, not stilted or awkward, but natural.and convincingly.

Your entry should have a beginning, middle and end - with a clear central theme that is followed throughout the story or article. You should be able to define your theme in one sentence. ie: "My story/article is about..."

Deliver a positive ending. That doesn't mean it has to be happy and upbeat, but it should be openly and plainly expressed and have a positive meaning to it.

Before submitting your entry proofread (or have someone else do this for you). Check for errors in spelling, grammar, sentence construction, and story structure. Neatness is also of the utmost importance. Your entry should identify you as professional and capable, whether you have been published before or not.

Enter your story or article as soon as possible - well before the closing deadline. Many judges read entries as they come in and early submissions will certainly have them more engaged than they will be after they have already read hundreds of submissions.

Follow the rules! Read submission guidelines carefully and make sure your entry complies in every way. If your entry breaks the rules set forth by the contest it will not be looked at further, so don't put yourself in that position. Read carefully and submit according to the guidelines - or you lose before that great story is even read!

Increase the odds! If the guidelines state that more than one entry is acceptable, by all means increase your odds of attracting a judges eye and enter as many times as allowed.

A good short story or article can simply be entertaining or it can affect or stir the reader, perhaps change perceptions or provide understanding. Contest judges are looking for stories that involve the reader - make them think, laugh or even cry.

Diane Thomas is the editor of ebook crossroads.com specializing in resources for writers, publishers and promoters of eBooks and Audio Books. She publishes a monthly ezine, the eBook Crossroads Insider, offering articles, tips, contests, free downloads and much more!

Subscribe to the ebook crossroads.com.

limo prices to midway Harrods Creek .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare

In The News:

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says DNA tests pose privacy risks like shared genetic information, inaccuracies and hard data deletion.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says this enormous airship revolutionizes cargo transport by flying to remote areas.

Understanding the language of the internet can help you protect your personal information from bad actors. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains.

Woven City is Toyota's experimental city that is a fully functional environment for people to live, work and play while doing research.

The line between spam and scams is thin. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson details his tips for identifying and avoiding phone scams, robocalls and unwanted solicitations.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents

Kurt the CyberGuy takes you through the steps to easily set your preferred web browser whether you're using a Mac, Windows PC, iPhone or Android.

Google, Instagram, Facebook and weather apps can track your location and use that data to serve you ads; here's what you can do to protect your privacy.

A new debate has emerged about whether airlines should charge passengers based on their weight to help reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says Hipshipper, which is used by eBay, Shopify and Amazon sellers, exposed millions of shipping labels.

Boxabl’s Baby Box is a 120-square-foot foldable home that can be set up in 60 minutes and has off-grid features. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says it's designed to maximize functionality.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Major IoT data breach: Mars Hydro database with 2.7 billion records exposed. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says the breach is a reminder of the risks that come with using IoT devices.

Unitree H1 robots dance at gala, blending AI and tradition. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson examines the convergence of cutting-edge technology and traditional culture.

For the first time ever, SpaceX launched a rocket into space from Florida and landed the booster the Bahamas, allowing for future polar-orbit spaceflight missions.

Attackers use caller ID spoofing and AI voices to steal money. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson provides seven ways to protect yourself.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about the Genesis GV60 MIV, an electric rescue EV with snow tracks for extreme missions.

Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson helps you ensure a smooth online experience with a reliable, secure home network setup.

Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about Vollebak’s Shielding Suit, which blocks EM radiation, infrared and tracking for privacy.

Even Apple products are vulnerable to cybercriminals, and a new report suggests the owners of Mac products will have to be more vigilant this year.

An inflatable six-person tiny house from a firm called 2001 looks like a space station with its inflatable dome that is transportable and eco-friendly.

Scams cost Americans an estimated $159 billion every year and average about $3,500 in losses per victim. The CyberGuy has advice to protect yourself.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents

Zeekr and Waymo are joining forces for the world's first mass-produced autonomous vehicle, combining an electric vehicle with self-driving technology.

A humanoid robot training center has opened in Shanghai, a big step in China's efforts to become a global leader in robotics and artificial intelligence.