As a writer, you might have considered entering writing challenges and contests to showcase your skills, get feedback, and win prizes. But are they worth your time and effort? In this article, we will explore some of the benefits and drawbacks of participating in these opportunities, and how to choose the ones that suit your goals and style.
Writing challenges and contests can offer you several advantages as a writer. They can help you improve your craft, by giving you a specific topic, genre, or format to work on, and by exposing you to different styles and perspectives from other writers. They can also motivate you to write regularly, by setting deadlines and expectations, and by rewarding your achievements. Additionally, they can provide you with exposure, recognition, and networking opportunities, by connecting you with editors, publishers, agents, and readers, and by showcasing your work on various platforms and publications.
Competing against others, even just on a friendly and anonymous basis, can help you raise your standards and improve your skills, while testing your longer-term commitment to the writing craft. Winning can provide a valuable added credential for purposes of beefing up your bio, expanding your professional contacts, and as ammo for your marketing of your work.
However, writing challenges and contests also have some potential pitfalls that you should be aware of. They can be stressful, time-consuming, and costly, depending on the rules, fees, and requirements of each one. They can also be discouraging, competitive, and unfair, depending on the quality, diversity, and feedback of the judges, organizers, and participants. Moreover, they can limit your creativity, ownership, and rights, by imposing restrictions, conditions, and obligations on your work, such as exclusivity, copyright, or editorial control.
The best way to deal with such possible drawbacks is to enter a contest, see how it turns out for you and for the actual winners, judge from experience the emotional microclimate of that particular contest, and then learn from this and decide what to do next. You should sample a variety of different contests over time, and you should NOT be discouraged by any that are unpleasant or hostile -- just drop them and move on.
Given the benefits and drawbacks of writing challenges and contests, how can you decide which ones to enter? Here are some tips to help you make an informed and strategic choice. First, research the reputation, credibility, and legitimacy of the challenge or contest, by checking the source, sponsors, testimonials, and reviews. Second, read the guidelines, rules, and terms carefully, and make sure you understand and agree with them. Third, assess your goals, skills, and preferences, and select the ones that match your interests, strengths, and aspirations. Fourth, plan your time, budget, and resources, and prioritize the ones that offer the best value, quality, and feedback.
Once you have chosen the writing challenges and contests that you want to enter, how can you prepare for them? Here are some steps to help you increase your chances of success. First, study the topic, genre, or format of the challenge or contest, and familiarize yourself with the expectations, criteria, and examples. Second, brainstorm, outline, and draft your work, and revise it until you are satisfied with the content, structure, and style. Third, proofread, edit, and polish your work, and check for errors, inconsistencies, and improvements. Fourth, submit your work according to the instructions, and keep a copy for yourself.
Finally, how can you learn from writing challenges and contests? Here are some ways to make the most of your experience. First, celebrate your participation, regardless of the outcome, and acknowledge your effort, growth, and achievement. Second, seek and receive feedback, both positive and constructive, from the judges, organizers, and other writers, and use it to improve your craft. Third, evaluate your performance, by comparing your work with the winners, the finalists, and your own expectations, and identify your strengths and weaknesses . Fourth, apply your learning to your future projects, by incorporating the skills, insights, and lessons that you gained from the challenge or contest.