Well, I did it. I submitted the first 25 pages of my novel to a contest - the Chicago North chapter of Romance Writer's of America's Fire and Ice contest.
Whew!
The contest gave me a deadline to work toward. I sent my draft to a couple of writers who provided very helpful feedback. Then I revised, edited, tweaked, fretted and reworked until I felt it was at least acceptable. I must have read the contest rules and guidelines a hundred times to make sure I followed all directions and completed everything.
No matter what happens with it, even if it's nothing, I feel like I accomplished a goal. The first two chapters are stronger and work better to set up the rest of the story. Plus, I got great constructive feedback from my test readers. That was worth it!
I also just registered for their Spring Fling Writer's Conference in April (the contest winners will be announced at their ending dinner). I haven't attended a conference like this yet; what I went to last year focused more on authors promoting their books rather than writing workshops.
And I signed up to pitch to 3 agents. I have a lot of work to do before April! If I'm not ready by then, I'll just attend the event and cancel any appointment with book agents.
For those of you who write, do you submit to contests? Is it always this nerve wracking or just the first time? What conferences have you been to?
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On Translation
1 day ago
I'm going to Spring Fling too!!!! I'm so excited!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear this! I was just saying to my husband I hope I can find someone I know beforehand who's going. I just followed you on twitter :)
ReplyDeleteHave you been before?
I have not gone before! This will be my first writing conference and I'm nervous, excited and just happy I will get to meet some new people! I was really hoping someone from the blogosphere would be there, so this is awesome that you are going!
ReplyDelete