This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our encouragement or insecurities on the first Wednesday of the month, to join the group or find out more click here.
oOo
I’ve been having too much fun over the season to think about writing failures, lack of published works, or insecurity.
Don’t get me wrong. I’ve been writing. Working on my Nano project and adding words every day. Submitting when allowed and carrying on as if all is well.
I did get a favorable mention from the Writers and Illustrators of the Future contest and will get a certificate for my wall of fame. I’ll almost do anything to make myself feel special. Don’t judge me. Use my idea and keep a record of your success. It can be very important on gloomy not-so-secure days.
If you want to try the contest here’s some info for you. First, its free. Second, you need to be pretty new in the field of writing. So if you still consider yourself a new writer and write fantasy or scifi then go the link above to check out the rules. The reason I encourage you to try is simple. You’ll get exposure. You may win a great prize.
Like what you ask? Try $5000 on for size. That’s right 5000 bucks. That’s the grand prize for the year, and I did mention its free?
I wish you luck. I’ve tried twice. I know. That’s the sad part. Not that I lost, but that I still qualify. But it is also the good news, because I still have a shot at the winnings. If I’m going to lose I’d rather it be to someone I know. Brush off your work and get submitting. Hope to see you round the winning circle.
Next time’s the charm. 🙂
elements of emaginette 
Congrats on your results in the contest! FREE to enter is amazing. Good luck with completing your NANO project. What genre? Happy New Year!
Thanks. I feel pretty special and can’t wait for my certificate.
The Nano project was going to be paranormal, but has made a turn towards… I’m not sure.
It’s about the turbulence a family endures when a grandmother has lost her child to drug abuse and is frightened that her granddaughter is following her mother’s footsteps.
I like that premise.
Congrats on the mention and I don’t think it is silly at all to recognize your successes no matter how big or small they are, they all count!
Thanks. It helps when I wonder why I bother with writing at all. 🙂
I totally agree. Showcase your achievements! They’ll pick up back up when you fall. Good for you, and congrats on Nano. That alone is a great achievement!
Congratulations on the mention! That’s awesome. Good luck with your NaNo project.
Thanks.
No judgments here. It’s a good idea to praise yourself when you are doing well and looking back when you are feeling like you aren’t doing well. Congrats on the mention (:
Thanks. It gets me through. 🙂
I tried so many contests in the past–never won. It became disheartening. Now I just talk to my writers group.
I get that. The first time I tried a contest I didn’t even have a group. It was my first big step. 🙂
Congrats! Good luck to all who try the contest.
And I hope lots do. Its lonely over here. 🙂
Good luck 😃
Thanks I’ll need it. 🙂
Hey, a favorable mention still puts you up there with other good writers. Congratulations. The contest sounds intriguing, but I’m not sure I’m cut out for short stories. I’ll keep it in mind, though.
Or pass it on. Maybe some of your students want to give it a try. 🙂
Very cool link. I looked at this one a few years ago, I think. At the time I really stank at writing short stories and could only get my head around novels. These days I’m the total opposite. What I wouldn’t give to have a working time machine. (Again.) Congrats on the mention! Way to go!
Working time machine? Nice idea that I may have to run with. 🙂
wow, and there’s no entry fee… contests are so subjective though, what gets me the most is not that I never win, but I almost never like the winning entries, which makes me think that I’m obviously clueless as to what is a winning story and what is not … which is probably why I never win, hehe … happy new year Anna!! 🙂
oh and congratulations on the honorable mention, that’s huge!!! woo-hoo!
It felt pretty big to me 🙂
Happy New Year and obviously the judges had no taste. 🙂
I’ve done contest before. They’re great learning platforms. Don’t know it I’m up for another one. Pretty cool that you’ve done so well. It gives a boost in confidence. Thanks for the links. 🙂
Sia McKye Over Coffee
I didn’t expect to do so well. I’m pretty pleased too. 🙂
Congrats on your favorable mention! That’s definitely something to celebrate. Thanks for the contest link. I’ll go check it out. Good luck with your writing projects in 2015!
Thanks. I’m thinking slow and steady 🙂
Congrats! That is something to be proud of. We should celebrate every success (even tiny ones) to the fullest because they don’t come every day. Thanks for sharing the link. I’m going to check it out.
You see into the crux of it and I’m glad. 🙂
Anna,
Congrats on the award. Keep trucking girl. And thanks for the tip on the contest. I too (sadly) still qualify. And I’ve been writing for many years – although only seriously this past few months. I’ve decided to really try and either I will make it or not. That’s what matters, I think.
Blessed be, Anne
Blessed it be. And hope to see you there 🙂
Em, how did I NOT know about that honorable mention?!?!?!? Holy Schnitz, woman! Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m not new enough for them, so poo poo. Best of luck to all those attempting this year, though!
Hugs!
Thanks Terri. I find it hard to brag among the sisters. They (and I include you) are so accomplished. 🙂
Congrats on the award! That’s one way to start the year right. Good for you!
A FREE contest? Cool! Will check it out. Thanks for sharing.
Good luck. I hope one of us wins. 🙂
Love this post. I’m just like you–will do anything to make myself feel good and motivated. Even a printed letter to the editor makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something! ;). Thanks for visiting my blog. Wishing you great accomplishments in 2015. And believe it or not…sometimes the journey is more fun than ‘being’ there!
I believe its in the journey. *sigh*
I like your quote “Next time is the charm.” A great to look at it. I keep a submission log and even though there are several more rejections, I see the progress in my work, the courage to submit and feel success in those moments, too. Thanks for stopping by my blog today.
I like the submission log idea — stealing it 🙂
Congrats on the mention! I’m not sure if indie writers still qualify for the contest.
There’s a list if you want to check it. Good Luck if you qualify 🙂
I’ll definitely check out that contest!
Any achievement is worth celebrating — and Honorable Mention is nothing to scoff at!
My words exactly 🙂
Happy IWSG day! Commenting through Facebook. Sometimes it’s a hassle making comments through my Blogger account. Congrats on the mention! And best of luck on your NaNo project.
cfitewrite.blogspot.com
Thanks for the link 🙂
Thanks. It’s been a slow process. 🙂
You know, that is a really good idea! I’m definitely going to keep track of my successes=)
It’s a place to look when your thinking out your next step. 🙂
That’s Wonderful news! Congratulations!
Thanks 🙂
Hi Anna, wow, congrats on getting so many comments on your blog! Wow!! As to your post, next time IS the charm. I’m sure you have a win in your near future so keep trying. As they say, the only difference between winners and losers, is the winners never give up!! 🙂 p.s. thanks for the info about the contest
My secret is I leave a link. I’ll be over later to check you out 🙂
Not silly at all! Writers don’t get much positive feedback, so all achievements should be celebrated. Congratulations on your mention! IMO, contests are an underutilized way of getting your work noticed. My soon-to-be-published manuscript first ended up in front of an acquiring editor because of a contest.
Well done, Anna!
VR Barkowski
I’m not afraid to try all avenues and I was kind of thinking someone might notice. Thanks 🙂
Nothing wrong with visual reminders–we all need that!
🙂
Great to hear you are submitting for contests. You can’t win unless you enter. Good luck getting your nano novel into shape.
I say that about the lottery. 🙂
Congrats on your win! It’s rare that a contest is free. I’ll have to check it out. I love that you have a “wall of fame.” I keep a “good news” file on my computer where I put any positive strokes or good things that happen along the way. It keeps you from getting the rejection blues. 🙂
Exactly my thinking 🙂
I love the idea of a wall of honor. Congrats!!
Thanks. 🙂
Congrats on the favorable mention. Keep up the great work.
I’ll try. 🙂
Way to go on the mention and certificate. Certificates are fun, no judgement here. 🙂
If only I wrote fantasy or sci-fi. Shucks!
Yeah, I had to stretch my boundaries a bit to make it work. 🙂
Congratulations. Thanks for the advice. I have enter two so far, but no wins yet. I will check out the info. Have a great year.
Juneta at Writer’s Gambit
Good Luck, fingers crossed for you 🙂
Wow congratulations on the favorable mention! That is super cool. And also thanks for sharing the link, I’m going to share it with a few sci-fi friends 🙂
Share away, the more the merrier 🙂
Three Cheers for your honorable mention. And you’ll get no judgment from me. That’s a great idea to have your accomplisments near as a tangible source of your work paying off, no matter the size of the pay off. Have a wonderful year.
It’s what gets me through. Thanks for dropping by 🙂
wow, that’s an impressive contest with a prize that size and being free to enter. There aren’t a lot of those around!
Exactly and its aimed at the newbie. 🙂
Congrats on the mention. That’s great.
Thanks. It feels good. 🙂
Congratulations on your mention and certificate! That’s nothing to scoff at. Have a great year, and keep entering!
I will for as long as they let me. 🙂
Unfortunately I’m not a new writer, but any contest that is free is a good one.
That’s how I see it. Pass it on to the newbies you know. We have to start somewhere. 🙂
Look at all your comments on this. Great connection. Thanks for spreading the word about a writing contest. Enjoy all your successes in the new year!
Play off the Page
I spend a lot of time visiting and my list keeps growing around the first of the month.
Glad to share. That’s what it’s about 🙂
That competition sounds like a great opportunity for fantasy/sci-fi writers.
Congrats on your mention and cerificate, Anna! 😀
Chat with you soon!
Thanks, looking forward to ti. 🙂
Wow! $5000 bucks! For that I’ll dust off my old stories and see what I can find! Look out, here I come!
Good luck. Fingers crossed for you 🙂
Congratulations on the mention! Keep up the good work.
Thanks, Sherry. I’ll try. 🙂
Congratulations on the mention, awesomeness! You are so right any little thing or big thing like a mention can lift our spirits on an insecurity filled day. That is an awesome contest, I wish I qualified.
I’ll let you know if I find more like this. You never know 🙂
That’s fantastic! Keep at it. I keep all the anthologies I’m published in within eye sight for those less-secure days. It really helps, doesn’t it?
Yes, it really, really helps 🙂
Congratulations on your favorable mention! I can imagine there must be tons of entrants to this contest so I think that is an awesome achievement. And you have a great idea for gloomy days, thanks for the reminder.
Thanks too for coming by my blog – I’m so glad to meet you!
It’s a pleasure. 🙂
Congrats. It’s always nice to get some recognition. I always look back to my awards and accomplishments to give myself a boost.
The do come in handy 🙂
Congratulations on the award, Anna! And thank you for mentioning this. I’ll definitely check it out! Thanks so much for visiting my IWSG post and commenting! I wish you the best in your writing (and adding to your wall of fame) in 2015!!
Cheers!
Jen
I’m glad to visit and share. It’s what we do 🙂
A favorable mention and a certificate is awesome! Best of luck!
Thanks, Cherie 🙂
I LIKE that idea, counting the successes instead of the non-successes. Thank you for that. I think I’ll give it a try. Happy New Year! Lisa @ celticadlx.blogspot.com
I’m glad. Anything to help the cause 🙂
Ooh, I might just have to look into this!
Do or might miss the big winnings :-0
Congratulations on the award! They all count, no matter how big or small. And good luck with the contest! 🙂
Thanks 🙂