You know how I think of the most scathingly brilliant things in the shower? I just toweled off so fast, my hair is still dripping. BUT, I had to share my scathingly brilliant way to start 2011.
In checking my calendar of last year, I noticed an alarming trend. To wit, I start with a bang and fizzle out. So, I thought I’d capitalize on my Big Bang nature and bang out a couple of goals in the first few weeks!
Introducing the Big Bang B & N Followers Contest! Here’s how it works: You tell your followers about Cathy C. ‘s Hall of Fame and her brilliant contest. They scurry over here and follow me, telling me who sent them (and leaving contact information). One lucky NEW follower will win a $20 gift card from Barnes and Noble! And there’s more…the faithful follower who sent them ALSO wins a $20 gift card! YAY! I’m ending the contest on January 24th; new followers can post a comment on any post during that period, as long as they fill me in. So spread the word, my faithful friends and followers. I’m in a hurry to bang out my goal of getting over 100 followers. Because let’s face it. By May, I’ll be all “followers, schmollowers.”
If you’re like me, you start the year thinking of all the submissions that will fly out from your brain and into an editor’s hand. Except that your brain’s still in an eggnog-induced, turkey-overloaded fog. You need something short to get the old brain ball rolling. Here’s TWO competitions, with NO entry fee, that just happen to begin with B. Brilliant!
For fun and games, try the Binnacle Ultra-Short Competition. Even if you don’t win (Um, you should know that they get about a gazillion entries), you’ll jumpstart those sluggish neurons, working on your 150 word poem or prose. And lots of folks get Honorable Mentions. Why not you?
The Bevel Summers Prize for the Short, Short Story is accepting stories of 1,000 words till March 31, 2011. Now, I know it’s from Washington and Lee University and you’re thinking it’s all hoity-toidy (is that how you spell that?), but honestly. I know many of my followers are gifted short story writers who could win this competition and 250 bucks. So brush off your best short story and send it. I’m sending one of mine.
That’s how you get to be a better writer-and how you eventually get published. Oh, and don’t forget to send me your followers for a chance to win big bucks and bust my budget for the year. Now, let the New Year begin with a B-B-B-Bang-and let me go dry my hair.
P.S. Couldn’t start the year without a word from Cathy-on-a-Stick. She says, “Hey.”
Cathy C. Hall Writes 
Not only does your contest sound scathingly brilliant, but also….fantabulous!! I'll mention on my blog soon! Good Luck and you definitely deserve way more than 100 Followers!
Thanks, Becky! I know you have a TON of swell followers…you could easily be a winner, girl! (Though, really, you're already a winner in my book š
That's where I get my best ideas too … the shower … and when I'm on a long drive and can't write anything down!
Sounds like a plan. š I'll give your contest a shout out before the end of the week, and I'll be back to let you know it is Mission Accomplished. And thanks for the contest links!
Hi Cathy, Started off my knew year with a bang too. Check out my blog. Read back a couple posts for a good laugh too.Thanks for the tips; I sent something to Bevel today. Your blog is so fun and informative.
I know that was supposed to be NEW year.
I don't think I'm an official follower yet, so this sounds like a good time to sign up! Here's hoping you blast full steam ahead all the way to next December!
Hi Cathy,Talk about starting the year off with fireworks! (Originally I mistyped the word firewords then changed it, but I think firewords fits.) Thanks for all the awesome links.Donna
Okay, I'm counting on y'all!Kelly, I have one word for you: tape recorder. Okay, it's two words, but I know you know what I mean. :-)And Linda, I knew you meant "new." I'll go check out New Year things with you.Lisa, thanks so much! I know you're starting the year with a bang and I'm so THRILLED for you!Deb…um, WHAT? Sign up, girl! I'll laugh if you get the win. Would that mean I get the OTHER B & N card?Donna, I LOVE firewords. I think we can use that all year long. š And I'll see you in the winner's circle somewhere, I'm sure!
okey dokey, I'll spread the word of your blog contest on my blog. If you have a minute, go check out my New Year's post.
Thanks, Gail! Will do!
Hi, Cathy!My friend Lisa recommended your site to me. You've got a lot of fun and interesting stuff here, so I've decided to Follow you.(Hope I win! I love B&N!)
Thanks, Eric! I AM fun and interesting, mostly on Wednesdays. š
Hi Cathy, I haven't been here for a while, and can tell that I have been missing out. Lisa Richard Claro sent me your way, and I will sign up to be a follower. This is a great way to get more of those. It is like pulling teeth; I am now up to 34 after 2 years and 2 months.Take care,Kathy
Hi Kathy!Glad you came back! I think I signed on to follow you quite a while back, but I'll go check, just to make sure.I know what you mean, though. I LOVE making new blog friends, but there are so many wonderful blogs, it's hard to grab followers! Thanks so much for following me. Good luck!
Hi Cathy. I've visited before, but never signed on as a follower. Good luck on attaining your goal of 100 followers!Patwww.critteralley.blogspot.com
Whoops, forgot to mention that Donna from Donna's Book Pub sent me!
So nice to meet you! Donna from Donna's Book Pub sent me over, and I'm glad she did. š Great contest, thanks so much.Have a wonderful weekend,Karen
Hi Pat and Karen! Thanks for signing on- I've "seen" you before at Donna's blog. ;-)Good luck, and come back soon!
Hi Cathy,Just another fan from Pat's Critter Alley come to join the fun!
Hi Ryker! Thanks so much for the follow. Good luck and come back anytime!
Pat sent us!Hugz&Khysses,Khyra
Like that name, Khyra. Actually, I kinda like your whole name :-)Thanks for the follow! And hey to Mom!
Hi Kathy!Just 'popping in' from Critter Alley! You write a kewl blog…I have joined your followers in hopes of meetin a new friend and maybe learning sumthing new.xxx Oz
Cathy, I'm fashionably late to the party, but I posted your contest today on my blog. Best of luck reaching 100 Followers! š
Hi Cathy! I'm a new Follower and Becky P. sent me. š
Okay, I'm game my dear internet Stacy Post sent me over here. She bragged about you and your blog and told me money was involved…so how could I refuse. And to think that I recently sought followers to help get me over my stuck on 69 predicament, so let me hint that a follow back would be good for me too š just sayin
Stacy AND Becky, thanks for the plug! And Oz, Janel and Paige, welcome! Hope to see y'all around often!
What fun … dropped over from Stacy's blog … I'm not entering the contest, but I'm now a new follower!
Why, thanks, Kathryn! Glad you liked it here and hope to see you often!
I found my way here from Stacy Sue's blog. Sounds like you really are off to a great start for the new year.
Welcome, J.L.! Some days are greater than others…today I spent an hour looking for an editorial calendar EVERYWHERE. Then in the midst of searching for a poem, I came across the pdf in some random file on my older computer. I'm glad I found it, but I'm seriously wondering about my organizational skills! :-)Thanks for stopping in and following. I'll try to be better organized in the future. š
Hey there, I'm coming over from Shellshank Redemption. Here's to your New Year.
Hi Sally and welcome! I'll have to thank Madeline!
Okay, I just signed up. Can I say that Lisa sent me here? heehee.
Well, THERE you are! ;-)To Lisa? Why not?! Good luck to you both!
Great idea, Cathy! And thanks for the tip off on the two short fiction contests!
I'm following now! :)Take care,Gayle
Hi Gayle and Lisa-So good to see y'all! Hope you're having a wonderful 2011!
Cathy, what a great idea to get traffic on your blog! I will definitely share your contest. Hope you get lots of followers…and me, too! Happy New Year!
I'm not sure if I was a follower already, but it let me follow you, so I guess I wasn't? Anyway, I also tweeted about this. Good idea! :)Margomargodll@aol.comhttp://margodill.com/blog/
Linda and Margo, thanks SO much for spreading the word! Oh, and for following, too! š
I'm not sure I was a follower although I do stop by. I'll post about you on my blog too. Tell everyone to stop by and enter to win Matt Haig's The Radleys.JodiWords by Webbhttp://jodiwebb.com
Thanks, Jodi! Did I stop by for that? The vampire story? I'm off to check! š
Cathy, I finally got around to adding a link to your contest. http://thecharacterdepot.blogspot.com/2011/01/instead-of-my-scheduled-post-i-have-two.html I'm sure you'll get there. You're close.
Cthy–I've read your blog, but now I am an offical follower. (Donna, of Donna's Book Pub sent me.)I hope you achieve your goal soon. You're almost there!
Donna's Book Pub sent me on over, and I've become a follower too. Hope your January continues to sizzle!
Hi Cathy! I'm a new follower from Donna at Donna's Book Pub!umdmaurer(at)gmail(dot)com
Linda O'Connel tipped me off about your blog. Love the humor. I'll be back.
Oooooh, a flock of followers! Thanks, y'all and good luck!