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Cathy C. Hallhttps://cathychall.wordpress.com/I write, write, write. Then I rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. THEN I submit all those polished-up words out into the world and sell 'em. It's a plan that's worked pretty well.

What Not To Do Wednesday on Backing Up (Files)

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I had to add the (Files) part, ’cause honestly, there are some followers out there who might think I meant driving. And driving is not one of my um, strongpoints.

Backing up files was not one of my strongpoints, either. But after an epic crash, you could say I had a “crash” course in file-backing-up. I don’t like to dwell on those dark days, grasshopper. Anyway, we’re not talking about me today. We’re talking about you and your need to back up files.

There are online storage sites you can use to back up your files. Or you can use a flash drive. Assuming you can remember where your flash drive is. Or you can just email yourself important files. That’s what I do with my “pre-published” manuscripts.

I’ve probably explained all of this before, grasshopper, but it bears repeating. Because I just got a message from my new PC. Something to the effect of “Okay, Sister, you haven’t backed up your files. Don’t come crying to me when you lose every last word of your latest scathingly brilliant manuscript. All because you couldn’t take a lousy 30 seconds to back up files.”

Oh, PC. You really have a way with words.

Finding a Couple Contests for Children’s Writers

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Sure, you can find a ton of poetry contests, or essay contests, even novel contests. But for that sparkly children’s story? Not so much. But today, wheee! I found two. Pick one or try both. What have you got to lose? Um, besides the entry fee. (Sorry.)

The Carteret’s 19th Annual Writing Contest has a category for children and a deadline of March 9th. Yes, there’s an entry fee, but you also have a chance of winning three cash prizes. Check out the site here for more details.

The Annual Writers-Editors International Writing Competition also has a children’s category. You can send fiction or non-fiction, too.  Along with your entry fee. But again, you have a chance to win multiple cash awards. If you send your winning words in by the March 15th deadline. Check out details here.

And while we’re on the subject of contests, I’ll add my own little Wheee! I found my name here (at Georgia McBride’s blog). And while (Hmmm. Didn’t I just say that?) I haven’t won the Big Prize, I still feel pretty darn good about winning a wee weekly prize. Not that Merlin’s Harp is a wee prize. Not at all. But the contest is still running, and there are quite a few weekly winners. And the top winners go on to bigger and better and…okay, here’s the bottom line. You still have a few days left to send in your swell YA and win in this YA contest. (And you might want to read Georgia’s post with Dan Ehrenhaft, the Acquisitions Editor at Sourcebooks Fire. It’s a winner, too!)