8 reasons why entering competitions is so important for emerging writers

There are many writing competitions out there and I believe it is vitally important for new and emerging writers to enter them regularly. Why? Well, let me tell you...

1. Competitions teach you to work to a deadline

This is a skill you will need if you want to be a writer. There's no point being brilliant if it takes you forever to finish a paragraph because no one will ever get to read it. Set goals for your word counts and really try to stick to them.

2. Competitions often have word limits

Word limits can be frustrating but they teach you to make sure that every single word earns its place in your story. You may have to start the action in a different way than you originally wanted just to save on the word count but more often than not your story will be stronger for the cut. Make sure you stick to the prescribed word limit for competitions though, most will immediately disqualify your entry if you go over.

3. Competitions stretch you as a writer

Many competitions have themes or a phrase that you must incorporate into your entry. A theme that you wouldn't normally deal with might give you an idea for a new full length manuscript in the future or a different style of writing than you would normally go for.

4. Feedback

Some competitions offer feedback as part of your entry. One such competition is the CYA Competition (for YA and children's writing) http://www.cyaconference.com/program/competition/aspiring-unpublished/. At the conclusion of the competition entrants are emailed the judges score sheets which include comments and suggestions for improving your story. So, you might win, you might not but at the very least you'll have some industry feedback to improve your writing for next time.

5. Exposure

Entering competitions exposes your work to new people. Judges are often published writers, publishers or industry insiders who know what they are talking about.

6. Writing Resume Credits

If you win or are shortlisted for a writing competition it is an entry you can record on your writing resume. When you submit a manuscript to a publisher or agent you will be asked what your writing history is. If you have some competition wins or anthology entries to your name it will look like you are dedicated to becoming a published writer.

7. Having your work published

Some competitions include the winners (or top 10 entries) in an anthology that is published at their expense. You are usually sent a copy for yourself but can purchase additional copies for friends and family.

8. Endorsement of your work

Writing can be a frustrating and lonely occupation sometimes so it's nice to have your work acknowledged by a third party who doesn't know you or worry about hurting your feelings. If they picked you as the winner, it's because your work is genuinely the best.

How do you find these competitions?

• Join your local or state Writers' Centre and they will email you opportunities and competitions
• Google
• Industry newsletters e.g. Buzz Words http://www.buzzwordsmagazine.com/

I recently was placed on the shortlist for the 2016 Varuna Publisher Introduction Program. http://www.varuna.com.au/varuna/index.php/programs/varunanews/item/508-pip16-shortlist

The winner is announced in April. I was lucky enough to win a PIP in 2014 and it was an amazing experience to work with Stephen Measday and spend a week at Varuna. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Keep writing. Sally x

The importance of membership and subscription to industry newsletters and magazines

When I first started writing I felt guilty about spending money on anything but in particular on memberships and subscriptions until I realised that they are not only interesting but essential for your growth as a writer. If your passion was collecting coins or snow skiing you'd be investing in pieces or equipment so this is no different.

Benefits of joining your local writers' centre could include:

• Receiving a newsletter which usually contains information about courses, lectures, writing competitions.
• Gives you a chance to meet like-minded people and possible critique partners (maybe even a new great friend or two!).
• Facilitates writing and critique groups.
• Invitations to industry events and book launches.
• Some writers' centres even publish anthologies of members work which is great for your writing resume.
• Provide opportunities for volunteering your time on events or projects sponsored by the centre.

Similarly subscribing to industry magazines is also important. One that I love is the Buzz Words Magazine which is for writers of young adult and children's stories. It contains industry news, competitions, articles, book reviews, industry updates etc. It is delivered as a pdf twice a month to your inbox. It costs $48 for 23 issues and is very informative, keeps you motivated and aware of any competitions you could enter. For more information or a free sample copy see the website http://www.buzzwordsmagazine.com/p/about-buzz-words.html

Happy Writing.

Interesting posts for aspiring authors...

Hi everyone, I hope you are enjoying the long weekend. It's very cold and windy here on the South Coast of NSW. Perfect writing weather!
 
I have been busy concentrating on two writing projects and having a lovely weekend catching up with things on my to-do list. It feels great to put a line through each task as it is completed. Shame I keep thinking up a heap more... Anyway here's some links to a few interesting articles and blogs I've read lately.
 
The one super power that all published writers have by Alison Tait
http://allisontait.com/2015/05/the-one-superpower-that-all-published-writers-have/?utm_content=buffer6bc64&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
 
8 Secrets to kick start your writing by Karen Tyrrell. You may have heard these tips before but it's good to remind yourself of the basics now and again. http://www.karentyrrell.com/

Here's some happy writing tips from Gabrielle Wang http://gabriellewang.com/happy-writing-tips/

Natasha Lester, author of several adult fiction books tells us about a day in the life of a writer and how she uses her time most productively. While you are there have a look around Natasha's blog, she's had some interesting articles lately about what happens when you get a manuscript accepted and wether or not you need an agent. http://www.natashalester.com.au/2015/06/04/a-day-in-the-life/
 
For more news on what children's and YA authors are up to check out Sandy Fussell's OZKYAI blog which scoops up articles from various authors and illustrators. http://www.scoop.it/t/australian-children-s-authors

And to finish off a quote from Dr Suess... “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”

 

Happy Writing.

How to write a novel, 15 minutes at a time

Library made of lego

How to write a novel, 15 minutes at a time

People often say to me 'I don't know how you do it'. They are talking about my writing of course. Sometimes I agree with them (and tell them I need more sleep) but I truly believe  that if you really want to do something enough you will make the time for it.

I'm no different to someone who needs to lose 50 kilos, start a new business or decides to run in a marathon. You have to chop your goal into small pieces. Achievable goals will help you work your way up to the big picture.

I usually write in small chunks of time, usually early in the morning and late at night (when the kids are asleep and not interrupting me with 'Muuuuuuummmmm!'). I take my laptop on holidays, I often take it to work and write in my lunch break or while I'm waiting for my son to finish a sports lesson. I carry a notebook with me at all times.

Everyone is busy. We're all rushing around telling each other how busy we are and yes jobs, kids, partners, household chores, appointments, haircuts, visiting our families, attending Christenings and those pesky work events all take up our time but if your goal is worth dreaming about it's worth fitting it in.

Check out this article for some great advice on writing in small chunks of time http://thewritelife.com/how-to-write-a-novel-15-minutes/. For some of us that's all we can manage, but it's better than nothing. As Mia Freedman once said, 'You can edit bad words but you can’t edit no words.'

Good luck everyone.

Follow me on Twitter @SallyPHall         

Rediscovering the Library

Beautiful beach days in NSW Summer

I recently cut my work days from full time to four days a week. I now have a day at home to write! Yay, right? It is pretty amazing and I'm so lucky to be able to do it. However, it does have a few drawbacks. The main one being a loss of income for a day a week. My pay took a reasonable hit (ahh derr... I knew it would) so in an effort to make up for the shortfall I have introduced a few cost saving measures.

1. I have been doing the family grocery shopping at Aldi on Tuesday's straight after work. I love Aldi! I should be paid a retainer for telling everyone how good Aldi is as I do it on a regular basis. They have the best cheese, it's quick as there's no looking up an enormous aisle to see which particular brand of tinned tomatoes is on special, they use recycled bags and best of all they sell cans of Sugar Free V!

Shopping at Aldi saves me something in the order of at least $100-$150 a week. Also doing it on a set day means I am organised. I look what we actually need and having food in the fridge means I am not tempted to buy take away which was previously a regular occurrence because there was never any meat defrosted.

2. I have re-discovered the library. I used to take the kids to the library every week when they were little but not so much lately, instead I was buying books for myself which is great for the industry but not so good for my budget. I still buy books for gifts all the time but for my own reading pleasure I have been visiting the library every fortnight.

For those of you who haven't been to a library lately let me tell you they are amazing. They have magazines, CD's, DVD's, audio books and millions of regular books. I have been borrowing magazines and a heap of books. I have reserved books that weren't in and picked up things I wouldn't normally read. My horizons are expanding because the books are free and best of all if I don't really like it I don't read it. That's right. It was free so I'm not going to persevere with it like I would with a book I paid for.

3. I am planning more activities that are free or don't cost a lot of money e.g. taking my kids to the beach. We go when the flags are out and I take one of my library books with me. Win Win!

Check out Aldi here.