Writing Contests

Today was a very good day for me. I won second place in a writing contest from my home chapter, VIC-RWA.
This was a huge stepping stone for me and validation that what I’m writing is worth reading. I think as authors, whether pre-published or not, this is something we all fight with.
I mean, I know my characters are incredible and my Mom says they’re great, but what about strangers, what do they think?
This is why I think entering contests are so important.

1)Feedback- Even if you don’t manage to final in a contest that you’ve entered, you will still receive constructive criticism from at least two, most often three authors. Quite often these are published, PAN members of Romance Writers of America, invaluable.

2)Finaling- If your work finals, awesome, congratulations pat yourself on the back because you deserve it. 🙂 Finaling means your work goes before a panel of agents, editors and published authors- a real honor. This gives you the inside track straight to the finish line, (if there’s a God )

3)Validation- Now you have many different eyes on your baby. Scary? You bet it is, but it’s also exciting, gratifying and satisfying.

I think this is a necessary step on the road to publication, both for your manuscripts sake, and for your own.
So don’t be frightened, jump in with both feet and enjoy the ride. 🙂