7 Tips to Winning a Writing Contest
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Okay, Okay. This is what it's come down to. It's Friday night, and instead of being the wild and crazy woman I used to be, I am not spending the evening with my equally wild and crazy women friends and going out on the town. No, we are not checking out the guys and hoping to dance to something with a disco beat.
Instead, we have turned into old married ladies. In fact, I am multitasking my evening by washing dishes, doing laundry, watching TV with hubby, and reading/hopping Hubs.
What has this world come to?
Winning a writing contest means turning in an entry that stands way out in front of the competition. Whether you are new to writing contests or are a regular contest participant, there are tips which successful winners do follow. Winning writers will always please the contest judges, so what’s in it for you if you decide to enter?
If your entry is chosen by the judges, prizes will vary. Winning a writing contest may mean free publishing in a well-known magazine or having your writing added to a collection of poetry or short stories. Besides cash prizes, winning writers can receive various prizes which include selected products from books to clothing, entrance to writers’ conferences, and travel trips to various destinations around the world.
Some writers have a knack for winning writing contests, and as you build your experience, you can develop your own winning style, too. Here are 7 easy steps to guide you to winning writing contests:
Write to please the judges.
Although people pleasing is known as a negative trait found in people, writing to please the writing contest’s judges should be your goal whenever you work on your written entry. The judges decide whether your writing deserves recognition or a prize, so as you write your entry, make sure your writing is unique enough to catch the judges’ attention. Follow the rules concerning content, length and deadlines.
Write to please and benefit the sponsors of the writing contest.
Read the contest instructions carefully and find out what is expected from the entrants. If a winery wanted you to write about certain types of wines, it wouldn't hurt to mention some of their top products. If you were writing about a department store, would you care to mention a little about their best selling handbags and shoes which could only be found at these stores? Study the subject of the writing contest and don't be shy about adding information which would benefit the sponsor and draw attention to what is offered by the company.
Edit your work to the point of perfection. Think about it as you craft your masterpiece. Your work does not need to have any kind of errors because one error can mean the difference between a winning and a losing entry.
Luck is only part of winning the writing contest.
Don’t jinx yourself and announce to the world that you are working on an award-winning essay. Instead, study the contest rules and get your contest entry together. Winning a writing contest does not come free or easy. Keep your writing goals a secret and focus on winning. When you do win, you are free to announce that you were chosen. At that time, you can shout all you want about your win.
Show some credibility.
Honesty is the best policy when writing a contest essay. Try making your entry personal enough for anyone to relate to.
This is not the time to fabricate a tall tale or make up some entertaining fiction. Real stories and life experience do add up. Judges can relate to real life stories, so make your story personal as well as interesting. Yours will be a story that will be enjoyed over and over by different audiences.
Follow those rules.
Write your draft, and when you’re done, edit the word count. Don’t go over or under the desired length of words. If the contests ask for 100 words, write 100 words or a little less and don't go into extremes.
Don’t turn in your entry at the last minute.
Take the time to write your entry and avoid turning it in at the last minute. Judges can tell when work is hastily done. Make use of your time and carefully check you work for any errors.
These same rules work for other writing contests.
Writing conferences vary from several hours to several weeks, and they are expensive. There are stories of writers meeting future agents, editors and publishers here and pitching novels, but most of the time, writing conferences is a way for people in the writing industry to socialize.
Writing conferences are tax deductible. Although they do offer seminars, classes and events where you can meet and socialize, conferences are more of a fun and casual event than a serious, working event.
Check with your writers’ group or with those running the writing conferences. There are scholarships for those who cannot afford their registration fees or are up to the challenge of writing a winning essay.
Writing contests sponsored by seminars and conferences could be worth your while. Write that winning entry using the steps above. You may find yourself as a winner and happily packing to attend the upcoming seminar or writers’ conference. By winning this competition,
your entry has guaranteed you a space, and the fees you may need to pay are food, transportation and lodging. Your writing skills have helped you eliminate a major fee.
Write why you want to attend the seminar or the conference. Explain what you would do with your knowledge learned at these events. I recently attended a seminar which was a two-day lecture given by a well-known book and magazine publisher and creative director. The cost of the seminar was $250, and I had that fee waived by writing one of six winning entries.
Why did I win? I think a lot of reasons why the judges chose my writing was that it had to do with the confidence I had when I wrote my winning piece. I explained that this seminar would benefit me because I would learn from this particular seminar and I would utilize this knowledge upon my return. This was not a promise I made up because I now writing articles and interviews for a newsletter associated with the seminar and the conference.
Make good on your promises. Judges can catch the honesty in your writing.
Last year, I also won an online poetry contest. I am not a poet, and I had to push myself to enter the contest. I was paid for the poem, and my work was featured in a collection of Christmas poetry and stories. I bought this book to be added to my writing portfolio. Unfortunately, something went wrong at the printers, and copies were not completed until after the New Year. I had planned on buying a few copies to give as Christmas gifts to friends and family, but the printing press was not cooperating due to an error. I at least have a copy with my poem and byline. I could always use this prize as a clip.
A Note From Arlene: The publishing industry is constantly changing. As a writer, you set your pace, set those writing goals, and accomplish what you set out to do. As far as the money goes, any writer will tell you that they earn their money any way they can. There are so many ways to publish your work, and HubPages is an introduction to online writing. I have written Hubs on Hubs and tips on writing. Check them out. I have been writing since I was five, but out of all the things I do in life, I always come back to the writing. If you consider yourself a writer, keep the passion alive and please continue to write.
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Interesting to learn more about this opportunity to write. Your perspective is balanced and helpful!
tip number one is very useful because when we write, we pour ourselves into it that we only want to put the things we want to write. good reminder. should always be in hindsight. i have no plans of joining the contest yet. but good to note what tips i need to consider...(,")
Why, thank you so much, catspirit. You sure read fast because I just published this! Anyway, I get the poetry prize in a book I have to pay for and entrance to a conference. My brother, who has done writing contests for years and years, has gone to Whistler, Las Vegas, Italy, etc. on his writing contest winnings. Not to mention other prizes concerning products like Dickey jeans and all this other stuff. Last year, he went to Berlin on a trip for two. And to London to watch the Blue Man Group. If he can do it, so can you. I'm not that patient when it comes to the writing and entering process, but I do jump up and down when I win. I am more the type of winner to appear on The Price is Right. They would love me for my enthusiasm. I am also a ham.
Thank you, Roberta! Always happy to hear from you. I prefer to try my hand at writing for scholarships to seminars and conferences. As you probably know, they do give out scholarships to fiber arts conferences. I would love to perfect my skills in spinning and weaving. Classes at these conferences average $250 for a weekend. Unfortunately, you have to be careful about choosing your instructors. That "name" instructor who owns a shop, teaches and writes could also show up and do nothing but chit chat. I've had friends walk out of those seminars. If I paid for one, I couldn't afford to make that kind of mistake. Beginners like me must do the research before laying the money down. Scholarships do help because you can afford the rest of expenses and pay for gas,food,lodging and materials. It all adds up.
Thank you for your comments and insights, anj. Writing for judges is pretty much the same as writing for an editor. You have to be more creative because you are only given hints of what a judge wants out of you. I've locked horns with editors, but since they controlled my pay check, guess what? I had to write to please them and find some other project for me. Now, I write for me. I am my most favorite boss and I make sure I pamper myself with perks. Helps me keep up with my writing. Thanks, again!
The judges in the upcoming contest in November are fellow poets, short story writers, and photographers on this site instead of the HP staff. As such, this is great because the judges know what it is like to be a creative writer/photographer.
So if you submitted a Hub for the contest and tagged it as CONTEST, would it be returned to you as one of your Hubs after the contest is over?
i like that. you are your favorite boss. i am just starting my hub that is why i need all the guidance. i don't want this to turn into another blog that i just left standing. when i started "hubbing" i just couldn't stop. although i signed up 11 months ago, i only have been serious with it a few weeks now. i am not a writer. i write for my own pleasure. but i fancy sometimes being a professional writer. long way to go... (,")
Yes, it is one of your own hubs after the contest is over. Every hub on hubpages belongs to you.
anj, I am retired and no longer know what it's like to answer to an alarm, force my sausage legs into pantyhose or answer to the Boss Man or Boss Lady cracking her whip. My last job spoiled me because I made the decisions and if I did it right, I didn't have to deal with my boss and the boss who was over him. Any mistakes I made were on me. Every writer is different. Writing is a lifelong learning experience, and everyone goes at it at their own speed. I finally got back into the writing after I got serious about reading. They go together.
Thanks, Flora! I only checked out the HubPages contest writing info today. Was wondering about that . . .
talk about pleasure.... AMEN! for reading. gosh, i love reading so much. you know what, i always carry a book with me (even to my bedside). any book sensible or not. the weird thing is, when i visit a bookstore, i get so high. yeah. even if i don't buy, just checking out what's new and in store. and cant sleep whenever i have something i like that i cant afford. that is torture...(,")
Arlene,
Thanks for the great hub. I will definitely come back when i feel am ready for a contest.
Arlene...I was happy when I saw you post this hub as I knew I would get the straight dope from you. Excellent information and pleasingly presented. It sucks that your holiday plans got hosed by the printing press...ain't that the way of life? I'm glad you still have the clip though!
As always great hub with great advice. "Unique" is a hard quality to pin down but you are definitely right! Voted up.
Simply said, well said, and useful and interesting.
Keep us updated with "secret tips". Nice work really.
Big hub respect from Serbia.
I am currently writing a short story for a contest. I appreciate your advice, thank you!
anj, gotta love those books! With Borders closed in nearby Roseville (outside of Sacramento), it is so awful to drive past that big, empty building. I hang out at my local B&N, now. There are mom and pop places, but they are miles from the suburbs. I don't have to buy anything, either. I stay for hours and check the goods. I also fondle yarn at the yarn shops. These places are where I spend my time--especially on rainy days.
anj, gotta love those books! With Borders closed in nearby Roseville (outside of Sacramento), it is so awful to drive past that big, empty building. I hang out at my local B&N, now. There are mom and pop places, but they are miles from the suburbs. I don't have to buy anything, either. I stay for hours and check the goods. I also fondle yarn at the yarn shops. These places are where I spend my time--especially on rainy days.
ronhi: Thank you! Yes! Try writing for contests when you are ready. As long as you enjoy this type of writing, go ahead and do it. Your enthusiasm will show in your writing. Who knows? Maybe you'll write a piece that the judges absolutely cannot ignore!
ThoughtSandwiches: Thank you!!! I have that book somewhere. It is so skinny and doesn't have a cover to catch your eye, but it does have the poem with my byline. Would you believe it was a poem about midnight mass? I quit going to Catholic church services when I was 15, but the theme you had to write about was Christmas Eve and church services. So I gritted my teeth and remembered what it was like to attend mass when I was a kid. Doesn't matter. My eyes would always glaze over--no matter what church service I was attending. Weddings, funerals, holidays--it's all the same with me. Yes, I was so disappointed when that book was published so late. I would have preferred the prizes my brother has won. He has gone to Canada, the United States and Europe on his writing contest winnings. Some people have the knack for it, and he's been doing this for years. These contest sponsors are quite generous. I know a byline was not involved in all of this, but as far as the winners go, they didn't have to put in a dime for the hotel,travel and some entertainment. It was paid for. All you had to supply was your fun money for food and whatever travel expenses you racked up on your own. Amazing!
Thank you, tillsontitan! Yes, "unique" can cover a lot of ground. Most of the time, you won't know who those judges are, so the best you can do is see it from their POV. What they want from you. In high school, my pottery teacher told us to use the word "interesting" when commenting on someone's pot. To him, the word meant "Aw, this pot is awful, but I'm gonna say it is interesting to be nice." But interesting was the word to use because you didn't want to hurt creative artist's feelings. I think I would say that "unique" is a safe word for getting the judges' attention with your excellent writing? Since you don't know the judges or the competition, the focus is on you and what you can bring to the party. Aim for that piece which turns those judges' heads. It's like going to a potluck with your special creation. Everyone wants to follow you around and get a piece of the dish you're bringing. They love your specialty so much that you go home with an empty serving plate. Oh, what a feeling!
Thank you, Boris! Some people have a knack for contest writing. Others like me have to work at it. Do try it sometime to see if it's for you. So far, I've seen essays and catchy phrases as ways to win. I've only done essays. I'm lost when it comes to catchy phrases and when word limits are set for that. I don't think that fast.
Thank you, Kate! And there's that cute kitty, again! I hope you are enjoying the contest. My brother is always leaving me notes about contest deadlines. The last one was Real Simple magazine's from last month. The prize-winning essay was a $3,000 cash prize and other things like having lunch with the editors and trips to New York City tourist destinations. 7,500+ writers entered that contest last year, but only one winner was going to be selected. I pass. I thought I'd have better chances donating to my husband's weekly California Lotto ticket habit.
Hi Arlene...so...where does your brother find all these contest deadline? Is there a book? A poem? A list? I would like to do some free traveling.
Hey, ThoughtSandwiches! Let me shoot him an email and get back to you on this one. He is probably spending his Hump Day twirling around in his chair. You know those desk jockey who are in charge of other desk jockeys. They twirl around while everyone else works. But, you've given me an idea for another Hub, no??? Hahahahaha. I do wonder myself. There are magazines out there with titles like "Writing Contests". I found mine at the local B&N. I tossed the magazine last week because I had my issue for a year. Didn't do a thing. I do like reading about the winners, though. Thank you! I'm on it and will pick his brains. I will get back to you.
Good tips. I always find i'm a little short on luck--my excuse, anyway. Sometimes, I find that the judges' personal likes/dislikes also come into play. Great read.
angin, thank you for your comments! I am picky about contest writing. Way too picky. It's all a risk to me. More of a risk that other types of writing. Most of the time, I am too lazy to even try. There are writing contests that pay little, but their exposure (in a published collection) is good enough to get you noticed by an agent. Some writers start that way or add these written prizes to their portfolios. I am lucky to get up by 9 a.m. and get moving. Too many interests and not enough of a balance. That's me!
Hey Arlene, what is the best way to find a writing contest - then I can put this wonderful hub to work for me! Great hub!
homesteadbound, you are on a roll with the writing, so I am going to write a Hub on this one. ThoughtSandwiches was wondering the same thing. I am waiting for a reply from my #1 source this evening to add to my gathered info. Trust me. I am curious, too. But if you're close to a Barnes and Noble (the only big chain of bookstores left around here) bookseller, there are writers' magazines which are devoted only to contests. They also have tips on writing in those magazines to fatten them up a little. That's one place to start. I am part of a local spinning, weaving and basket making guild, and the Guild members go to conferences all over the United States and Europe. Much too pricey for me and my pension, so if I am very interested in a nearby conference, I am on the prowl for a scholarship sponsored by the conference. The same with any writers' group. They have information on writers' conferences, so check out the writers' conferences long before they are held for scholarship information. Make sure if they require you to be a member or not. All they usually ask is for an essay on why you want to attend. For instance, Lake Tahoe is two hours from my hometown of Sacramento, but every summer, there's a writers' conference in the gorgeous woods of Squaw Valley, home of one of those Winter Olympics. The sponsors plan this conference about a year before the conference is held, so you have to keep up with them and find out about their essay competition. If you win their scholarship, you get to surround yourself with writers, poets and book publishing people for a week in July. Classes, lectures and events give you so many chances to rub elbows with the greats and not-so-greats in the publishing industry. Author Amy Tan is one of the draws here because she has been a conference participant for years. I don't remember if boarding is included in the prize. I am sure it was at least a grand to attend if you paid the fees yourself, and since Tahoe is a world-renown resort city, it would be that much to stay in town and commute to Squaw Valley. So, with your inquiry (inquiring minds want to know) and Thought Sandwiches's earlier question, I will follow up on this and let you know. In the meantime, if you are in contest mode, Cindy, give it a try. Win or lose, if you enjoy the challenge, who knows how far you'll go?
I've got this one book marked. I'm too tired to think straight and will be in class for the next 3 days. Iwill get back to it. Thanks so much.
Cool! I'll probably have my Hub written and published by then. Or earlier. Thanks to you and Thought Sandwiches for the Hub idea.
Great hub - I never enter the contest because I don't need them to otivate me to write and I don't see writing as a competition, I also have noticed that the same people tend to win a lot - I guess it because they follow the rules and write good quality hubs.
Thanks for the writing tips though
Manthy
Manthy, thank you for your comments and insights. My brother and I both are writers because we aren't good when it comes to math. So that automatically shuts down a lot of careers. I need to be shoved in order to participate in a contest. If there are way too many entrants, I will automatically back out. Who reads these things? Do they end up drawing them out of a hat? I am too lazy. But if there is a chance at a scholarship to an expensive seminar or a conference, I may get off my butt and give it a try. But not too often. Yes, I do like winning, but I'm not that competitive. Like you, I'm satisfied to just write on my own.
Excellent - writing is a skill that we can continue to develop over our lifetimes. Entering writing contests and writing to the judges may push us outside of our comfort zone, which is a great opportunity for growth. Hope you enter the HP contest next month. Best, Steph
steph: Thank you! I am so lazy. You know I should take advantage of November because I am retired and don't get up until 9 a.m. You'd think I was a supermodel or something. Hahahaha. Thank you for your encouragement. I do know you have to write the Hub and tag it as contest material? Then it returns as yours after the competition. Food for thought--like your recent yummy crockpot recipe. Thanks so much.
Thanks for sharing these tips! I found them at just the right time too :)
I'm not a huge fan of contests. I have better luck with raffles. I do hope you give it a try. I am told that your entries become part of your Hub portfolio after the competition, anyway. I don't have the skills in layout,yet. My copy doesn't "pop" the way I want it to, so it's something I have to work on.
AVP, picking up on your (most recent?) comment of two weeks ago, it sounds like you are ripe for the series I started recently on advanced layout skills for the various capsules. Although that might sound somewhat self-promotional (OK, it is), it's background for what I really want to say.
Between this excellent advice on prose and my hub on advanced techniques for the photo capsule, all we lack is how to write outstanding poetry. Then we will have prepped all contestants for the Hubpatron-of-the-Arts contest.
My own strengths are editing and research, not creative writing.
Howard, just checked out your profile and need to read your hubs TODAY. I truly need help when it comes to the layout of my capsules. I struggle all of the time because all I want to do is write, but HubPages does allow us to display our writing and photographs in the best possible way. I have no tech skills. I have to read over and over again and hope I get it right. Thank you for commenting on my Hub and mentioning your Hubs. You must have been reading my mind. I do need help in the layout department with the contest going on--starting TODAY! I am also trying to figure out if I need to give NaNoWriMo a try. That also begins TODAY. Thank you for steering me towards your Hubs, and I will be checking them out and probably bookmarking them, too.
Thanks for sharing the nice hub with us. The main factor is the keywords(main point words) and how much time you are using that.If you can do it cleverly your hub will come on the first.
Thanks for sharing.Really nice hub.
Motti and Bander
Thank you, Motti and Bander! And I hope you turned in some entries by now (wink, wink). You never know where a writing /poetry/photography contest will take you. I turned in an entry this evening. Now, I have time to go out for a late night Taco Bell run before working on my next creation. I'm not brave enough for the annual McRib.
I really enjoyed this hub. I thought the intro was awesome! Very good tips and I can see the points you made make good sense to follow.
Thank you so much, Michael! I tried writing contests, but compared to my brother and other writing contest winners like him, I don't have the knack for it. I thought the best thing I could do was pump him for information and share his tips for winning. I hope you'll give writing contests a shot and see if it's for you.
catspirit Level 2 Commenter 7 months ago
As I am preparing to enter a writing contest, I found this hub to be extremely helpful. thank you