creative writing contests

creative writing contests

The Benefits of Participating in Creative Writing Contests

1. Introduction

Writing not only can help people succeed, it can bring them satisfaction and fulfillment. In many ways, self-expression through the written word is a form of therapy. Writing can clear one’s mind and organize their thoughts. Often people will write about their personal experiences and feelings. This kind of writing can be a very positive experience and can lead to personal growth and understanding. Whether it’s a student trying to find a job or an adult wanting a career change, improvement on one’s writing skills can open many doors. From this, it is apparent that finding ways to better one’s writing can be a highly profitable endeavor.

Writers are not born; they are made. Through writing, we can develop and nurture the art of expression and persuasion. This in turn can lead to jobs, grants, or promotions. Writing is not limited to those who wish to pursue a career in the field. It can be an invaluable asset to students in all aspects of their education. Through writing one can increase their ability to communicate and can learn how to better present an argument. An English teacher once told me that “students who write, succeed”. This belief is based on the premise that people who can articulate themselves have a better chance of getting what they want. This increase in competence and confidence can have immeasurable effects on one’s future.

An estimated 95% of people write, whether it be for business or pleasure. In the past year, over 70% of corporations and other organizations have sponsored creative-writing contests. It is clear that writing is an important part of our society. It is used in all aspects of our lives and is a crucial tool for success.

2. Enhancing Writing Skills

Despite the fact that many contest entries are never revised and simply stored away, the creative thinking involved in the writing of the piece is still beneficial to the writer. Most contests have guidelines that require a specific genre (such as short story, poetry, etc.) and a specific theme or topic. The limitations open doors to new ideas, new stories, and new styles of writing that the author may have never attempted otherwise. An adventurous leap into uncharted territory is just what some writers need to break out of a writing rut. The writing experience gained from the contest attempt is still a step forward, regardless of any contest wins.

First and foremost, participating in writing contests will ultimately help improve one’s writing skills. With every contest entered, writers have the opportunity to receive feedback from a variety of sources. Contest judges often provide detailed feedback on entries, citing the piece’s strengths and weaknesses. It is not uncommon for a writer to revise their contest entry to submit for publication consideration, taking into account the feedback received. Also, many contests have entry fees which could be lucrative if a writer is successful in contest wins. Prizes range from small cash awards to publication of winning entries. Even if a writer does not win, the feedback received can be an excellent learning experience.

3. Gaining Recognition and Exposure

In addition to the awarding of cash prizes, submitting stories to writing contests may also be an opportunity for the writer to get noticed and earn recognition for their talents. As with the opportunity to gain exposure through publication, writers can increase their chances of recognition and earning accolades for their work. Getting noticed may lead to further opportunities to get published, or even better, win a literary agent or publishing contract. This can be particularly true for genre fiction. For example, winning a contest may result in a sci-fi story being published in a magazine, or a romance story being published in a romance ‘zine. The ultimate goal of many fiction writers is to get their work published and reach as large an audience as possible. Writing contests can jumpstart a career. Exposing the writer to a large audience is the other side of the coin with publication and recognition. Many contests publish and post all of their entries and the winners frequently have their stories printed in magazines and collections. Exposure can also lead to a loyal following and some new fans, which is always good for the ego. Even if a writer does not win or get selected as a finalist, the feedback from judges and other entrants can be invaluable in terms of how to write a story, targeting a specific readership and how to win or place in future contests.

4. Building a Writing Portfolio

Necessity Getting your pieces done and gone with is a tricky and perilous business. When submitting for a contest, not only are you driven to clean up your work (so that it looks as good on paper as it does in your head), but you are also driven to seek out those publications that best fit your work. Too many writers spoil their pieces by sending them off to the first publication that will take them. Experienced writers know that most decent pieces have a home somewhere, a publication that will love your work as much as you do, but finding that place takes time and it takes a variety of well-polished written pieces. Getting Effective work Anyone vying to succeed in a writing career, whether it be feature journalism, non-fiction, fiction, or poetry, will be forced at one time or another to present a portfolio of their work. English professors, journalists, grant and proposal writers, advertising copywriters, and those in the field of academia are all required to show a body of work for review or position advancement. What better way to show ease and skill in a variety of written genres than doing well in a writing contest? And after your success in locating the publication best suited for your contest piece, don’t forget to send that editor a query informing them of your contest win. It’s always good to keep interested work on file.

5. Unlocking Opportunities for Future Success

To the twin sisters, composing a poem and submission of it to a contest hosted by the United Nations was small potatoes. In their minds there wasn’t an easier possible way to discuss the issues of world peace and disarmament, so inkland paper were fostered to the production of an international relations discussion that was no happier than an exchange of philosophies over a bottomless bowl of spaghetti. However, the contest seemed to like the idea and invited the U.N. discussion holding twins to be a part of something much bigger. It was an all-expenses paid trip to an international symposium at Georgetown University and an opportunity to make a presentation in front of distinguished diplomats, ambassadors, and United Nations officials. This event would become an experience that the U.N. student discussants would never forget. Now we must ask what has this anecdote done for you? What it has done is shown that creative writers and contest entrants are no strangers to opportunities. Step S leads to step B, and for those who think abstract and generate creative ideas, there is no telling where these ideas can take them.

When two former students of mine graduated from high school, they visited me to recount a fascinating conversation with their principal. The principal informed the high-achieving twin girls that they had developed a winning profile, which included the unique characteristic of being born together. Due to their ability to stand out and create a lasting impression, the principal gave them a book entitled Winning Scholarships for College, which would be of great value as they pursued higher education. Ultimately, the principal’s words were right. The twin sisters unknowingly had a knack for tapping into lucrative resources that would provide them with lucrative returns.