Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Unsure about submitting your writing?

Every author has doubts about submitting their work, whether for publication, or in a writing competition like our YA Mystery Short Story Competition Mystery Times Ten

You worry, 'It's not good enough. Who am I kidding, I have no talent!' or  'No one will want to read this!' or even 'What if they absolutely hate it?'

You think, 'It needs more editing, I'm not happy with the fill in the blank (beginning, middle, ending).'

At a certain point you have to stop tinkering, tweaking, messing with your work and bravely send it out into the world. Don't get me wrong, I firmly believe in writing followed by rewriting, editing and more rewriting and editing. One thing is certain though: If you never send it out, it will never have a chance to get published. Of course it can't get rejected either as long as it stays on your computer or desk and nice and safe and unseen.

That's when you have to look yourself in the mirror and ask - Do I want to be known as a writer? or a wanna-be?

If you don't want to listen to me, then I offer up these words of encouragement from one of your fellow writers, Karen Simmonds, a recent double winner in the WOW! (Women-On-Writing) Spring 2010 Flash Fiction Contest. Here's a snippet from the WOW! site:

WOW: Karen, congratulations on your double victory in WOW!'s Spring 2010 Flash Fiction Contest. Not only did you nab Runner-Up honors for Fly Girl, you also earned an Honorable Mention for another of your stories, The Costume Party. That's simply awesome! Based on your experience, what advice would you offer to writers who are considering entering a writing contest?
Karen: "Take that step! I kept my writing under wraps for years. It can be tough to know when something is ready, but sometimes you just have to let go and not work a piece to death. Sending your story out into the world can be very exciting. Keep challenging yourself, learn as you go, but don't hide it away."
 
Now what are you waiting for? Enter your YA Mystery Short Story in our competition today! 

*To read the rest of Karen's interview on the WOW! site, CLICK HERE


 
 

4 comments:

Crafty Green Poet said...

this is excellent advice. My problem has often been lack of organisation. But over the last month I've sent off two magazine submissions (with one acceptance so far) and three competition entries. I'm working on another competition entry. I really beleive that sending work out is a very important part of the writing process

Kat Mortensen said...

I'm one of those reluctant writers who tends to keep things under wraps; I don't know if its fear of rejection or just laziness. I put things on my blog because its so convenient. When I HAVE sent things out, I'm always optimistic, but guardedly so; I expect to be told it's not what they want, so I'm not too disappointed. Perhaps it's a self-fulfilling prophecy.

I really need to start reassessing this whole notion of putting my work out there - beyond the blogs!

Kat

Kat Mortensen said...

P.S. I hate when I type "its" instead of "it's" (as above).

The Book Team said...

We encourage all authors to complete the circle - write, edit, rewrite, edit, submit. It is only when you put your work out there that you truly become a "writer".
Oh, and don't forget to check our submission guidelines, your work may be just what we are looking for!