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Yes, combining Inspiration and Gratitude makes perfect sense.
I am devoting this post to Writer-Mentors.
The Givers.
The ones throwing contests and clinics, holding out a hand to those traveling behind them.
Even though they are also writing, editing, revising, parenting, "spousing", teaching, and a million other things.
After writing three books I finally decided to work on my "Social Media Platform". Twitter, Facebook, and blogging connected me to other writers. Through them, I learned about the world of Contests and Clinics and Blog Hops. Oh, my.
I entered GUTGAA. Boy, did that make my head spin! Although I didn't make it to the agent round, I learned a lot and met some fabulous people. And I won a critique.
I still have NO idea how Deana Barnhart pulled off something that HUGE and COMPLICATED with such patience and grace. Clearly she's an organizational genius. Not to mention, a saint.
I entered a couple of Flash Fiction contests on the Writer Unboxed Facebook group
and on Suzanne Palmieri's blog.
Then there was Hook, Line and Sinker. I didn't make it past the first round there. But it was still fun.
Dee Romito at Writes For Apples not only knows about all the contests that are going on, she's involved in most of them, not only H,L&S, but also... Agent Trick or Treat.
Kimberly Chase and Brenda Drake (more on her later) were also part of Trick or Treat. Because of their spirit of generosity, the original twelve slots became THIRTEEN. And I squeaked in and got a request for a partial because of it. Yay!
Somewhere in there was this one. Thank you Jamie Corrigan !
Sharon Bayliss hooked me up with The Curiosity Quills Haunted Writing Clinic & Contest,
where I was mentored by the kind and insightful James Wymore. His help led to a request for a partial!
Through that contest and Sharon's Title Contest, where TENDRIL was one of the winners, I connected with Jessa Russo.
There's also this going on at Talynn Lynn's Ink in the Book blog.
Heather's kindness resulted in three runner-up 5-page critique prizes. Yup, I got me one of those.
I also did a couple of contests hosted by groups of YA writers
from the people at YAtopia
and another one from Oasis for YA which got me a crit of TENDRIL's first 250 words
And here are two more contests I'm looking forward to-
PitchWars - Brenda Drake strikes again! And brings a whole posse of helpful writers, editors, and agency interns along with her. Thirty-one awesome volunteers to be exact. Check her blog to see who they are.
Also coming up is #PitchMas Feaky Snucker 's Brainchild. I don't know what Feaky's real name is. I think she might be in some kind of Librarian Protection Program.
The best parts of all these contests? (aside from the occasional ms request)
New friendships, mentoring, helpful feedback.
If I'm ever in a position to extend the same kind of helping hand to fledgling writers, believe me, I will.
THANK YOU WRITER-GIVERS!
You are MY inspiration!
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