FINDING THE WRITING CONTEST FOR YOU
YOU wrote, rewrote, despaired; washed your hair, dishes, and curtains; binged on Netflix, got back to your desk; revised, gave up, and wrote again. And now you have finally created something you feel ready to send to a contest. But where do you find out about these opportunities, and which ones do you pursue?
I’ve realized that the process of finding and applying to contests works better if you start with some big-picture thinking. Begin by asking yourself: What kind of writing life do you think you want to have? What types of stories, language, and forms move you, and where does that kind of writing thrive? Envision your dream scenario for your writing career. Think of other possible outcomes that would also make you happy. What attracts you to those possibilities? Given these wishes, what do you want to prioritize in looking for writing contests? (For example, do you want to find venues that will encourage you to experiment? Do you want to stay close to
