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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.

Keeping up with the Highlights Fiction Contest 2010

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I’m ending 2009 with a great way to start 2010: The Highlights Fiction Contest!

With three (Yes, three!) prizes worth $1,000 each (Yes, $1,000!) AND no entry fee,  it’s crazy not to give this contest a try. Which is why every year, between January 1 and 31st, I write a story and send it to the folks at Highlights.

I haven’t won this contest yet, but the stories I’ve written for the Highlights Fiction Contest have won in other children’s fiction contests. So, technically, that’s a win, right? Which is why I’m starting my year, thinking about family stories (the theme for this year’s contest). As the saying goes, I’ve got a million of ’em.

I just have to clean them up a bit for the kiddies!

(Find all the details here, and read EVERYTHING! Including a couple of issues of Highlights Magazine for Kids!)

What Not to Do Wednesday Looks at New Year’s Resolutions

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Dear Grasshopper,

It’s that time of year again when one must pick oneself up by the chocolate-smeared reindeer slippers and give some thought to resolutions. What’s more, grasshopper, one must put those thoughts into something more than your holiday-befuddled brain. What one must do, I’m afraid, is write the goals and whatnot on paper. Or at least a sticky note. And write your resolutions with some sort of, um, resoluteness. And don’t leave out the particulars. Here’s what I mean:

DON’T say “I’ll become a better writer this year.” (Well, of course you can say that. But it will help tremendously if you actually do something.)

DON’T say “I’ll write the Great American Novel this year.” (Trust me when I tell you that a goal such as that doesn’t work. Unless you’re a Great American who happens to be a Great Writer.)

DON’T say “I’m going to make $20,000 as a writer this year.” (And for heaven’s sake, don’t say something like that around someone else, like, just to throw a “for instance” out there, the Beneficent Mr. Hall. Some people, like for instance, the Beneficent Mr. Hall, may think you have a business plan. However, if you have a monetary goal, one of those business plan thingies would come in mighty handy.)

I could go on, grasshopper, but I think you can see where this whole resolution thing is going. Besides, I’ve got my own very specific, scathingly brilliant goals to think up. (And write down.)