Why You Should Consider Entering a Writing Competition… or Two

By Kristine Charles

September brings with it many things.

Spring. Footy finals. My birthday (yay!).








And the start of the Romance Writers of Australia competition season.

RWA rips in with the Ripping Start… (for which, full disclosure, I am the Contest Coordinator) but before you start moaning at me about dreaded third judges and why you have no time to enter competitions, here are three reasons why entering competitions is good for you.

Discipline and Deadlines

Entering a competition means you have to manage your work into the required format. Margins, spacing, number of words and section of work. You may have to prepare a synopsis to requirements (SHUDDER!) or write a short set-up to a specified word count. This is all designed – generally speaking – to replicate publisher submission requirements, and managing word processing software is a skill we all can master (if you haven’t – there are plenty of videos online to assist). These are important skills to have if you’re going to make it in the publishing world.

A contest also has a deadline. Submit by your deadline or you won’t be able to enter the competition. Simples. A little like meeting a contract deadline… right?





Fabulous Feedback

Yeah, yeah, we all know about the dreaded third judge. That one judge who just hated your work and completely tanked your average score. We’ve all met them.

But, in every cloud there’s a silver lining.

In entering a competition, you’ll generally (although not always) get feedback from a number of judges. And often even the feedback from the meanest of judges will leave you with at least one pearl of wisdom that makes your writing better.

You get to decide what feedback to take on board and what you sacrifice via burning to appease your writing muse – but getting feedback on your writing from people who don’t know you (and therefore won’t just say it’s AMAZING) can be useful.





As an aside, most competitions are always on the lookout for judges and, while you clearly can’t judge in a competition you have entered, volunteering to judge is a great way of dipping your toe into contest waters and seeing what they’re like. So, if you’re not quite ready to give a competition a go, consider volunteering as a judge first.

Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner

Yes, winner. Because you might win. And then you get to add ‘AWARD WINNER’ to your bio. Doesn’t that sound nice?

You also might not win, and that’s okay, because you gave it a shot. You’ve also done some work on your discipline, and you’ve got some fabulous feedback to consider.

So… which competitions will you enter this year? Let us know below.

Kristine Charles is the newest member of Breathless in the Bush and writes sexy tales where coffee (and red wine) is abundant, designer shoes and handbags are cheap, chocolate has no calories and men always put the toilet seat down. Find her at www.wordsbykristinecharles.com or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.






I love to love… coffee.

I love to laugh… at dad jokes and gutter humour.

I love to learn… about the many ways to tell a story.

Online Writing Courses or Classroom-based Sessions?

by Marilyn Forsyth

Image courtesy of giphy

Wherever you are on the journey from aspiring writer to established author, you'll know the importance of continually striving to improve your writing.


I’m an emerging author, constantly on the lookout for courses that deal with different aspects of the writing craft/business, not just for that ‘professional training’ aspect, but because there’s a sense of personal fulfilment in completing them that I really enjoy. Over the last few years, I’ve enrolled in a number of both online and classroom-based courses. Here are a few of my thoughts.

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Online courses are, apparently, on the rise, and it’s easy to understand why. They offer flexibility and convenience for those of us who work day jobs and/or have family commitments. You can work at your own level and pace at a time that suits you. However, from my experience, you really do need to schedule a time to work on assignments (and make sure that you schedule enough time).




I dropped out of one course I did with Margie Lawson’s Writer’s Academy when ‘life’ intervened; I wasn’t in the right headspace and just couldn’t keep up. (Bye-bye $100 bucks!) Having said that, though, no one can predict life dramas, and the other two courses I did with Lawson’s Academy were absolutely brilliant. The assignment feedback from each of the mentors, and other enrollees, was invaluable.

Another couple of suggestions:

Image courtesy of giphy

✻Keep copies of all assignments you submit

✼Organise those Assignment files in a way that suits you (and work it out beforehand)

✼If you have a tendency towards procrastination, or have motivation that ebbs and flows, an online course is probably not for you

✻Also, ensure that your computer is working well – nothing is more frustrating than dealing with technology issues when you’re on limited time.


The Romance Writer’s of Australia OWLs (Online Writing Lessons) are fantastic. (Check out the schedule for 2019 here.) I’ve done a couple and found them very worthwhile. They cover a huge range of topics and are very reasonably priced at $55 for RWA members ($88 for non-members). Our writing group completed Cathleen Ross’s very practical Self-publishing for Beginners, which enabled us to publish our Christmas Anthology.


One thing I have found difficult with online courses is that there is (usually) no instant clarification of concerns. Being able to read back over lectures (or Pause/Rewind on videos) is helpful, as is the presence of a chat room, but this is where classroom-based courses come into their own.

Learning in a group is fun!

There’s nothing quite like being in a ‘real’ room with other like-minded people, discussing a topic you’re all enthusiastic about. The spontaneity of discussion that comes with being in a face-to-face group provides so many fabulous learning opportunities.




There’s also something about being in a classroom that enables you to keep your attention focused (so much more effectively than watching a video or reading through a lecture on your own at home – or is that just me?? 😕).

I’ve heard good things about Writing NSW courses, with top-notch presenters from among our best-known Aussie authors. The wonderful Anne Gracie has a one-day course in May, Romancing the Page.







The Australian Writer’s Centre (North Sydney) offers both online and classroom-based courses. I have no experience with their online courses, but the classroom-based Blogging for Beginners was the starting point for our Breathless Blog. I’m also very excited to say that I’ll be attending History, Mystery and Magic in March, a two-day course with Kate Forsyth.

Can’t wait!

Last, but not least, Daily Writing Tips has an interesting review of James Patterson's Masterclass here.


Do you invest in your writing by doing courses? Do you prefer online or classroom-based sessions? Do you have any writing-related courses you’d particularly recommend?

Love to Love the sound of rain (it's been so damn hot this summer!).

Image courtesy of giphy

Love to Laugh at puns at Nerdy FunPun.

Love to Learn all about History, Mystery and Magic with Kate Forsyth.

Google+ for Writers Part 2: Engaging Your Audience

with Dee Scully

Regardless of what genre you write or what business you are in there are five essential steps to successfully engaging with your Google+ audience.  

1.  Pictures/Graphics

In the world of social media, books…or rather posts are judged by their cover. With Google+, viewers often have dozens of posts to read, most of which will be skimmed. You need a great visual to snag a viewer's attention. (Of course, you need awesome content to keep that attention, but that’s a whole other blog post!) A great picture will entice Google+ers to stop and read your post. Google+ even allows you the option of using animated graphics!

2.  Linking

Once you have that all-important visual, you need to get viewers to link into your blog or website and you need to make it easy for them to do! After all, this is the 21^st century—no one wants to go searching for a new post…there are too many other posts with easy access links to click into! Utilize the LINK ATTACHMENT to ensure easy access to your blog or website.

3.  Key Words

So your graphics weren’t the best and you didn’t utilize the link attachment. What’s left to grab a viewer’s attention? Key words. The first 40-50 words of your Google+ post should not only summarize your article but should also spell out in black and white text why a viewer should click into your link and read your blog/website content. Having said that, often viewers won’t read beyond the first line, so I prefer to make that first line all about them e.g. ‘Wanna win a red kimono? Visit the Breathless blog and leave a relevant comment for your chance to win.’

4.  Circles & Communities

Image courtesy of Nanette Nielsen & Flickr.

Tailor your key words/first lines for specific circles and communities. This article, Google+ for Writers, can be tailored to market to writers of any genre…Google+ for Romance Writers or Google+ for Suspense Writers, but beware: some communities don’t allow marketing and you could get booted from their community if you don’t adhere to their particular policies.

Also, remember to click the ‘Also send emails from you to Circles.’ This lets those in your contacts know a new post has gone up and helps when there is a time element to your post e.g. "Leave a comment by Friday for your chance to win a gift pack."

5.  Content and Posting Regularly

You want viewers to be attracted to your visuals, click into your links, read your content, and return often.  If your marketing is spectacular but your posts are abysmal (or even just ok) viewers will not return. It’s just like writing a book. You’re only as good as your last one. If you missed the mark with your most recent post, viewers won’t be swayed by pretty graphics and easy links again. Make sure everything you put out is your best work. 

Dee Scully Romance Author

Post regularly. People come to expect your weekly Google+ posts. If you skip a week or two, attentions will wander to the next best thing…and you’ll have to start all over again.

  

Do you adhere to all five steps?  Is there any one step you don't fully utilise?  Why/Why not?

I love to love...helping other newbie writers connect with a larger audience via Google+!

I love to learn...new ways to use Google+!

I love to laugh...at all the silly mistakes I've made marketing myself and my writing!

Check back for Dee Scully’s Google+ for Writers Part 3:  Optimizing Your Profile.

5 Quotes from the RWA Get Fresh Conference 2015

with Marilyn Forsyth


It’s just over a month since the RWA ‘Get Fresh’ Conference, and would you believe it, I’m still digesting all the wonderful advice from so many fantastic speakers. I’m sure everyone who attended would have had their light bulb moments. Here are mine: five quotes (some paraphrased) that struck a chord with me.


‘Romance writers are makers of reader delight.’ C. S. Pacat.

Image courtesy of Giphy

What a lovely way to put it, C. S. (and great speech, by the way). The topic of ‘Love’ has been inspiring writers since…well, forever! And there’s a reason why Romance is the leading genre in fiction sales: its readers know the comfort and pure joy that a happy ending can bring. We owe it to our readers to write heart-warming, empowering stories with strong heroines whose self-worth is enriched by falling in love with the right man. Long live love!



‘Every secondary character thinks they’re the lead in their own story.’ Rachel Bailey.
 

Stereotypes are fine for cartoons but not for novels.

Thank you, Rachel, for such an important reminder. By ensuring all our characters are well-rounded, we create truly believable stories; stories readers will become invested in because they’re about ‘real’ people—people as genuine as their own friends and family, with the same motivations, the same flaws and the same desires. I have a tendency to let my secondary characters either fade into the background (usually because they’re not firmly fixed in my mind) or go on to steal a starring role (because they’re non-stereotypical and completely fascinating, dammit!). Achieving a balance with those secondary characters has just become my current aim in my wip.


‘If you must write, put writing first.’ Patricia McLinn.
 

My heatmap: Day one

Oh, Patricia, how right you are. So many distractions to stop us from writing! Day jobs, social media, family commitments, must-not-miss television series, the Internet, that spare room you’ve been meaning to declutter since Nanna disappeared in there last week, and on it goes. The thing is, all those distractions do need to be dealt with (especially finding Nan :)).

Once again I believe it’s a matter of balance. I have a family and an everyday life to be lived, but my writing time must also be sacrosanct. According to my Productivity Heatmap (see below for a link), I’m an afternoon person, so writing between 12 - 4 pm will leave my mornings free to do all the other real-world stuff. I’ll let you know how I go.







‘Find your true audience. Connect and engage through conversations, by asking questions, by contributing ideas, by sharing content i.e. provide entertainment and only promote occasionally.’ Angela Ackerman.

Angela went on to give some fabulous suggestions on how to find readers, which I will definitely be following up on. What I liked about this quote was the importance Angela placed on making a genuine connection with potential readers, rather than being just a ‘buy my book’ author. Great advice from a hugely successful author.


‘You’ll go home tomorrow and collapse like roadkill.’ Mary Jo Putney.

 
I’m including this because it made me laugh (and it was true). Love ya, Mary Jo!

 

So, what were your light bulb moments from the Conference? I’d love to hear what you learned.
 
Love to Love Sue Brockhoff, Annabel Blay and Kate James of Harlequin Mira for making me feel so welcome.

Love to Laugh at photos of animals caught by surprise. For more click on this link.








Love to Learn how to be more productive. Go to www.productiveflourishing.com click on ‘free planners’ and you’ll find a Productive Heatmap. Basically, over a week or so, you colour-code your productivity from hour to hour. Supposedly it helps you find your best time to write. (Hope it works!)

Miranda's Musings

What's made the biggest difference in my romance reading?

But first... Thank you, lovely readers, for visiting with us during this exciting BLOGIVERSARY week! I'm gifting one Amazon $US20 gift voucher for a comment posted below, selected randomly by putting all commenters' names in a hat and pulling one out. Ooh, quick, what are you waiting for? So DO comment, and come back tomorrow when I will post the winner. Good luck!
(Check the comments box below to find out yesterday's Treasure Hunt winner.)

So... what has made the biggest difference in my reading?
Easy. THE INTERNET. I grew up pre-internet (yes, I'm that old, le gasp), and information about romance books wasn't easily found. My best find was the upcoming books listed in the back of the Mills & Boon romances. Or hitting op shops and fetes (my purse was smaller then). The library's always been trumps, bless their cotton socks. Any of this sound familiar?

When I found Romance Writers of Australia I nearly wept for joy. And, I met famous authors. I had some severe cases of writer worship happening ... (ahem, this still happens). Join, everyone, join, or find your sister organisation (eg. Romance Writers of America, Romance Writers of New Zealand). The conferences and publications are awesome. You meet authors and get free books. Meet authors! Get free books! Make friends!

From RWA I found RT Book Reviews, which was
then called Romantic Times, and my bliss expanded. I subscribed instantly; a whole new world of information about the romance genre opened up. Not only were there reviews about every romance you could want, other genres and industry trends, but the magazine linked me into a community of international romance readers.

I loved finding websites such as All About Romance and joining a Yahoo romance readers' list. I discovered subgenres within romance (who knew?). I read my way through the early days of the paranormals, and charted the huge change in historicals from bodice rippers (a thing of the distant past) to fantastic I-Can-Save-Myself-Heroines. Cue fave film Ever After...

The Australian Romance Readers Association is also tremendous to belong to. I came home from their last conference with a huge load of books and great new friends. What a terrific way to spend a weekend; and there was much laughing and fun involved. I love ARRA's Facebook page, their monthly newsletter, and the way people enjoy themselves with everything about reading romance.

I'm now so spoilt for choice in my reading. I can choose a 'book' book or an ebook. I can choose chick lit, inspirational, contemporary, historical, paranormal, romantic suspense, whatever! I can find backlists and the order of a series (eg. via Fantastic Fiction, or author websites). If it's on the internet, you can find it. Fabulous.

Tell me, what's made the biggest difference in your romance reading over the years? Anything like my journey? Can't wait to hear from you.

Love from Miranda. xx

I love to love... the fun we're having with the Blogiversary!

I love to laugh... at how easy it is today to find romance books to read.

I love to learn... other people's stories about their reading journeys. Please tell all?

Picture Credits:
Romance Writers of Australia from: www.romanceaustralia.com
RT Book Reviews from: RT Daily Blog | RT Book Reviews www.rtbookreviews.com
 Ever After from: Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998) - IMDb www.imdb.com
Australian Romance Readers Association from: https://www.youtube.com/user/ARRAinc