Why Should I Enter Writing Contests?
By Andrea Merrell I congratulated my friend after she won her fourth writing contest, but her response was not what I expected. “That’s it for me,” she said. “Sure, it’s nice to win, but what’s the point? Look at all the extra time and effort I’ve put in. Where’s the benefit? It’s certainly not getting me published.” I felt bad for my friend, a talented writer with a lot to offer. At first, she looked at winning contests as another feather in her cap, as she put it. Another notch on her belt, giving her bragging rights—and hopefully leading to publication opportunities. When it didn’t happen as she planned, she decided to give up. So, what is the point of entering contests? And should we even bother? As someone who has won a few awards over the years, I would like to offer what I believe are some worthwhile benefits. AFFIRMATION We all need a boost. To be affirmed. To have someone tell us our words have value. ENCOURAGEMENT Being a winner gives us the encouragement t
