Thanks for finding my post! Usually my IWSG post goes to the top, but it's Pitch Wars time and well, Pitch Wars Rules ALL.
Speaking of online pitch contests, oh, the insecurity! And don't think insecurity is limited to only the writers pitching. I'm only a few steps ahead of those submitting, industry-wise. My role as a mentor is to share what I know and to help a writer craft his or her query and manuscript to pitch to agents. Even having done my share of contests, I still feel anxious when I pitch an idea or send a manuscript to my agent. Still intimidating when she sends it out to editors. The rejections still sting. I may have a bit more experience, but the intimidation and insecurity about whether my work is ready, and whether someone else will like it, is still there.
Kind of a bummer--you think that would go away, right?
We're all trying to see our stories find a platform beyond our laptops. The best part about these contests is the shared experience. The IWSG group is a great one too--I've seen more seasoned writers in the Facebook group give great advice and support to newer writers. No matter where you find your writing community--online forums, groups, contests, or in person, we need each other.
Make sure to visit a sampling of the IWSG blogs Linked Here and the #IWSG tag on twitter.
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Hadn't heard of Pitch Wars before--what a great idea. So good of all of you to share your experiences with others.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's pretty great. I swear no one's paying me to say that :) The woman who created it, Brenda Drake, for one she manages this huge contest all on her own time apart from writing books and family life. She hosted a number of contests when she realized that writers needed more help than just polishing a query and a first page. This is coaching for 2 months to polish the whole manuscript.
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
I've never tried Pitch Wars. I may do it sometime but not now. I'm not ready. I think it's great that you're a mentor, though. Sharing our experience and offering other writers help/advice is what it's all about. :)
ReplyDeleteHere's to writers helping writers! How else are we ever going to learn? ;)
ReplyDeleteMy guess is we never truly get over the insecurity of putting ourselves out there. Those you are mentoring will be lucky to have you though!
ReplyDeleteThough I wish the anxiety would lessen, I think it is important to keep us striving for more or better results. If we were so confident in our skill, we'd stop working to improve it. Have fun with Pitch Wars!
ReplyDeleteAny type of genuine community is helpful to writers. I saw some post the other day, perhaps in the FB group, that books are not a solitary activity... or something like that. It really does take a community to grow and develope a writer and in a good story. Think there will alwys a bit of insecurity within us, otherwise we'll grow cocky and our work and or platform will suffer.
ReplyDeleteI've only recently become part of some writer groups on Facebook. I like having a variety of writers to connect with. I agree, the insecurity can be positive at times, to an extent. It keeps us humble.
DeleteI've heard the term Pitch Wars, but don't know much about it.
ReplyDeleteI've read posts by seasoned writers who have released a string of novels. They say that the insecurity doesn't really go away. But you can learn to manage it.
Happy IWSG Day!
Thanks for participating in Pitch Wars! I'm not doing it this year because I'm not confident in any of my sorta completed drafts, but maybe next year! It's unfortunate that the insecurity never goes away :( but I figured as much *sigh*
ReplyDeleteThere are always other contests, and there's always the regular path of querying. I think it's good to recognize you're not ready yet.
DeleteI wrote almost exactly the same post after a pitch wars like a year and a half ago. The contests are so great for building community. Way to put yourself out there!
ReplyDeleteI would hope that the feeling would go away, but I guess it doesn't. I suppose if you ever get to the point where it doesn't bother you, then perhaps you wouldn't feel the need to put out your best work. Fear keeps us all on our toes.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check out Pitch Wars.
That's a good point. I think writers who keep seeking to learn write better and better books.
DeleteI think event he most seasoned writers have insecurities about their writing. I've written two novels and a novella series and I'm way insecure. Just take what you know and do your best. What you have won't be for everyone, but if you believe in your book, keep going forward. Go You!!!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteYou have just given me a great piece of information. Pitch contests? Hadn't heard of them but now that I know and when my manuscript is ready, I will definitely look into them. I've heard so much about pitching and how hard it is, and how it can unsettled writers, especially new writers. So I'm looking at my manuscript and the promotion possibilities for it before I even think about pitching it.
By the way, I love the last line of your article, "We need each other," So true.
Shalom,
Pat Garcia
The advantage of pitch contests is feedback you get from those involved, and the community formed around them, mainly on twitter. I did the contest circuit to prepare for querying, and then ended up with an agent through one. There is always the option to query agents directly though. You don't need to do these contests; some manuscripts fare better in them. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteKeep at it. I landed a publisher through #pitmad :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from Elements of Writing
Awesome! Did you know Brenda Drake started #pitmad? She's the one who dreamed up Pitch Wars and Pitch Madness and Writer's Voice. She runs 'em all!
DeleteI love all the pitch-athons. They are a great way to learn and to connect with agents and editors. I'm off to check out your pitch post.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy the contests too. I've learned something from every one I've entered. I'm always encouraged when I hear veteran writers, like Jane Yolen, still gets nervous about submitting and getting rejections. It's just part of the business. It's great that you're paying it forward by mentoring! I'm sure you'll learn a lot as well.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of Pitch Wars. Sounds like good practice for editor/agent appointments and writing blurbs.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely. Something I've learned from contests--these online ones and contests through RWA chapters--is the practice of following rules, submission guidelines, and putting together professional work, really helps now that I'm working with an agent. Agents get flooded with queries, and many report that almost half of the requests they get for representation are for genres they don't represent. That's like applying for a job you have no qualifications for. Maybe a stab in the dark, but sounds to me like a waste of time.
DeleteI entered pitch wars once without luck. Stephanie, I believe, as writer's the insecurities rarely end. One month we're flying high and the next we're down in the dumps. And rejections always hurt, but lately I don't go into a depressive state. Good Luck being a Mentor!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe contest has gotten so big! So many writers submitting. My hope is to send a little feedback to each person who submits to me. I have a co-mentor this time around which will be help. And yes, rejections always are a bummer.
DeleteYou're a mentor - what an honor! I bet you learn just as much as those who pitch to you.
ReplyDeletePitch Wars sounds terrifying, but I bet it is a really good learning experience.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteSorry to delete, my response went under the wrong comment. I suppose the public platform of Pitch Wars can be terrifying, but it's like a baby step to querying. Sending an entry to another writer geared up to help you vs. sending to an agency or publishing house who simply rejects. Or if you're lucky, they request pages.
DeleteI'm glad I'm not the only one who struggles with sending work out. I'm not sure I'm quite ready for Pitch Wars. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteI am still insecure about pitching projects or sending in manuscripts to my agent and its been some time now. I think its good that it doesn't go away. It keeps me on my toes and not complacent. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post. So true about being on sub. People think getting an agent is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, and they have no idea how much hard work and painful rejections are still down the road. Good luck on your subs!
ReplyDeleteYay for Pitch Wars! I'm excited to enter this year! And I can totally see your point—even once you have an agent, the rejections and the insecurity don't necessarily stop. We'll always have that fear when we put our work out there. Great post! :)
ReplyDeleteMy post looks like it got eaten. Good luck with your entry this year! I hope you have a positive experience no matter how it plays out.
DeleteWe are a sensitive bunch, but that makes us good writers too.
ReplyDeleteIWSG is really an amazing group. I love being a part of it.
Heather
I love pitch wars. I think it is such good practice for all of us no matter where we are in our writing careers. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteThat's what I love about the writing community. How willing we are to help others out. I think it's because we all love books, so we want everyone's story to be the best one possible so they can hold their book in their hands one day and have thousands of adoring fans. =)
ReplyDeleteYou have a lot going on! Both on this blog and in your writing life. That's a good thing. I recently heard about an author who has had great success, especially in the YA world, who was bemoaning recent rejections and frustrations. It's always there. You might have success, but still need to work really hard to get the next book published, or watch mediocre book sales. But, that can't stop you. Keep pursuing the dream.
ReplyDelete(Thanks for visiting my blog while I was on vacation.)
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