Tip # 101 More on the writing life
Writing contests are abundant. There are thousands in North America, more across the Pacific, and a whole lot more in Europe and Asia. Most of these publishing entities have web sites wherein they advertise their monthly, quarterly and annual contests.
If you dont know what writing contests to enter, just type writing contests on any search engine and youll get all the information you need: type of writing (mystery, non-fiction, poetry, novellas, flash fiction, etc), prize money, entry fee (if any), deadline and format required.
If you started a story but never got around to finishing it, fish it out of your hard drive and finish it. Dont let the fear of rejection make you procrastinate. What if its not good enough? What if Im a lousy writer?
Heed this advice from Jeff Hermann (Writers Guide to Book Editors, Publishers and Literary Agents, 2000): In my experience, the most insurmountable walls are the ones in your heads. No rejection is fatal until the writer walks away from the battle leaving the written work behind, undefended and unwanted.
To us, this means doing instead of just thinking.
Procrastination Assessment Scale
Lingering in the cafeteria to make small talk is a glaring form of procrastinating.
If your boyfriend is in the same class, thats fine, but dont let that distract you so that the relationship encroaches on academic work. Deal with the problem. If your salary is your sole means of support, then time your departure in such a way that you have another job waiting for you. The reverend Jesuit, the Chief Rabbi, and the Holy Iman whatever religion you were born or converted into never procrastinate in getting that much needed spiritual guidance. |