Wattpad brings you a guest post from Sarah Selecky, creator of the “Story Is A State of Mind” e-course on writing. “Story Is A State of Mind” is one of the sponsors of Wattpad’s Atty Awards poetry contest.
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Having second thoughts about entering that writing contest? Sarah offers some advice and encouragement:
I’ve entered (and lost) a lot of writing contests over the years, but there are two that I’ve never forgotten: one was judged by Aimee Bender, and one was judged by Margaret Atwood.
Why were they unforgettable?
Because they gave me the opportunity to write for a writer I loved. In order to submit to the contest, I had to write something that I was willing to show Aimee Bender. I had to write a story that I could show Margaret Atwood!
Good lord.
The Importance of Writing Contests? Continue below.
And that’s the real reason writing contests are so important. Yeah, there’s a shot of competition, and that turns some writers on. The prize might be a much-needed chunk of cash, feedback from a prestigious mentor, or a scholarship to a valuable writing program. Of course, the deadline is also good – it makes sure you get something written.
But the pressure of writing something and showing it to a writer you respect? That’s an electrolyte pack for your words.
It demands that you write something outstanding. It makes you push your limits. You sit down at your desk and get in the zone more easily than before (thank you, deadline). Then you write something unlike anything else you’ve written.
Because this time, someone important is going to read it. If you’re very lucky, your piece might even be a literary descendant of the judge’s work. And the contest gives you a chance to send it back to the source.
What if the judge doesn’t recognize it?
What if the judge does recognize it?
Scary!
So use your nervousness to your advantage. Instead of backing down and skipping the contest because it freaks you out, try this: feel intimidated while you’re writing.
This will help you take risks in your work that you won’t take if you’re feeling cozy and comfortable.
I didn’t win either one of those unforgettable contests. I don’t know if my stories even reached Aimee Bender or Margaret Atwood. But I do know that I made a breakthrough in each of the stories I sent out. I’m a better writer now because I took the risk.
Margaret Atwood is judging the Attys. She doesn’t do that sort of thing very often. My advice to you: go for it.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
The Atty Awards ends October 31st. Go ahead, submit your poetry!
