There are many ways to get noticed as a writer today. Competitions are one of the most effective of all of them. The main benefit I see is that they help you to write.

Let’s face it, how many times have we all sat down to pen some prose and life interrupts us. Probably most of us. One sure way to overcome the interruptions is to enter some writing contests. The deadlines alone will help to keep you focused. Yes, life will still surely interrupt, however, this time you will return to your goal faster.

Another benefit is when you win. Most of the time you will be published in a boom or magazine and this will, of course, help you with publishing credits. It also will give you valuable contacts you may be able to use to help you boost your career in the future.

Let’s say you don’t win. Are there still benefits for entering? Yes, there are. First and foremost, you will have accomplished a huge goal which will in turn help you to accomplish more of them in the future.

Sometimes entering the contest is the hardest or scariest part. Once you have done it a few times it becomes familiar to you and you have overcome a major roadblock to your success..

Another benefit is that you will receive trustworthy analysis of your writing from professionals in the field. You will learn your weaknesses and how to overcome them, as well as your strengths and talents. If you use this information to hone your craft and exercise your gifts you will find that your writing, and how you feel about it, improve very quickly.

There are many popular and smaller writing competitions to choose from today. You have ones centered around particular genres, and others around self-published works. Either will help you in the long run.

And now, sadly, a word of warning . Although there are lot of good ones to choose from today, there are many that are simply scams. Be sure to research each competition looking to see if their website lists their last year’s winners. This is a small step but it can save you a lot of wasted time and money.

Now, without further pause, go and look up writing competitions online in the genre you currently write in. Don’t hesitate, strike while the iron is hot as they say. Go and do it. You will be glad you did.




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