Finding Something Friday on Pumping up Your Writing

It’s been quite the summer, hasn’t it? But Labor Day’s right around the corner. It’s time to shake the sand out of your books and brains and hunker down for some serious, labor-intensive writing.

On the other hand, there’s no reason why we can’t have a little fun along the way. I mean, all work and no play makes Cathy C. Hall a whiny (not to mention, annoying) writer. Winning contests makes Cathy C. Hall a happy (not to mention, richer) writer.

That’s why I always check out the Writer Mama Back-to-School Giveaway. Thirty days of giving away thirty books. Good, old Christina Katz (and she knows I mean that in a lovely way!) has rounded up some great stuff to pump up your writing. And all you have to do to win is comment on her blog. Easy-weezy.

And then, while cleaning out the old Inbox today, I found an email re: Fanstory. Technically, I find emails about Fanstory alot. But today, I actually read a little something something about this site. And I thought that for writers who might need a little extra incentive, Fanstory could be just the ticket.

You have to join to participate in the contests, but you can try them out with a free trial membership. And then you can get involved in all sorts of fun stuff going on over there. Here’s the thing: financially investing in yourself, whether it’s a class, a conference, an organization, or a site like Fanstory, says you’re making a committment. A committed writer will become a better writer. Guaranteed.

Now, put your little floaties away till next summer and pump up your writing instead!

Finding Something Friday: Contests! Book Giveaway! Cathy-on-a-Stick!

No time for chit-chat; it’s straight to finding something…

First up, take a look at Writer’s Journal Romance Contest here. Back in the day, I sent a story in to Write To Win!, an ongoing prompt contest. I didn’t win, and of course, I had that typical wet-writer-behind-the-ears reaction. I could not believe that some judge would pass up the awesomeness of Cathy C. Hall’s stories.

Ahem. Looking at one of those stories recently made me cringe. Cringe. Since then, I’ve had a chance to re-assess the Cathy C. Hall writing awesomeness and adjust accordingly. So, maybe I’ll try Writer’s Journal again. Maybe not the romance contest (deadline July 30th), but there’s always some contest going on there (see the Contest Calendar here).

Now, if romance isn’t your thing, you can check out the White County Creative Writers contests, ’cause there’s a mess of writing contests to try. I have a favorite children’s story to send, but honestly, the fees are so reasonable, I might send a mystery, too. Or a Love Bytes poem (not that loves bites around here, she said, as the beneficent Mr. Hall walked by). And thanks to Donna at the Book Pub for giving me the heads up about this contest.

What else? Oh, yes! Chynna Laird’s I’m Not Weird, I Have SPD, is over at Finders & Keepers today for Peek-a-Book. She shared some great writing tips for getting into the world of a child, especially when that child has a special need. And she published through POD, and gives tips about that experience. So if you have questions for Chynna, or would like to win her book for someone special you know, drop in and leave a comment.

You might want to drop in on Cathy-on-a-Stick sometime today, too, for her latest shenanigans. You know, I should enter her in a contest. Best Pic-on-a-Stick, anyone?