Back to Writing

The end of the school year is fast approaching, and with it comes the opportunity for uninterrupted daily writing time.

I'm one of those people who need structure to remain productive. So before the first day of summer break arrives, I set goals and make a plan. Nothing super detailed, mind you. But each day has blocks of time for writing, gardening, house chores, activities with kids, etc. I have found if I don't do this, the summer slips by and my to-do list remains untouched. Before I know it, I'm back in school, and the list is stuffed in the drawer for another summer break.

My first writing goal this summer is to complete a 1st draft of my current novel. I'm a need-a-deadline kinda gal, so I'm entering "The 1st Annual Complete Your Draft Contest!!" The contest officially begins June 1st. The goal for novelists is to write at least 25k new words by the end of the month. Contest information is listed below. Thanks, Anne Marie, for posting this on Verla Kay!

My second writing goal is to submit a manuscript for an editor/agent critique at a writer's conference this September. SCBWI Mid-South has posted their conference brochure online. It will be held in Nashville, and the faculty list is:

Kaylan Adair, Associate Editor, Candlewick Press
Patrick Collins, Creative Director, Henry Holt
Caroline B. Cooney, Award-winning Author
Shelli Johannes-Wells, Marketing Expert
Cheryl Klein, Senior Editor, Arthur A. Levine Books (Scholastic imprint)
Michael Stearns, Agent, Firebrand Literary Agency

The Northern Ohio SCBWI group also holds a fall conference, usually in the Cleveland area, the 1st weekend of September. They have not posted conference information yet, but it should be coming soon.

If any of you know of any upcoming conferences within 5 hours of Cincinnati, please let me know!


The 1st Annual
Complete Your Draft Contest!!

Contest is brought to you by Les Trois Graces in association with Tuesday Night Chatters.

Rules*:

1. Contest is open to any writer at any stage (first-timer, agented-but-not-yet-published, or published authors; also hobbyists, etc.) to encourage the completion of a first draft or writing project.
   
2. Contest is open internationally.
   
3. Contest officially begins June 1, 2009 and will end at 23:59 (your local time as time-stamped by your e-mail provider) June 30, 2009.
   
4. Contest requires a .txt document be sent to LTGcontests [at] gmail [dot] com for word count confirmation. Once counted, the document will be deleted. This will be done twice. Once when you sign up and again on June 30th.
   
5. To be included, please leave a comment on this post (let me know where you heard about it too). Everyone signed up on this post is in! Send your .txt document to the address above no more than 24 hours after commenting (or viewing this entry).
   
6. Those who sign up as novelists must write at least 25k new words, which is half of what NaNoWriMo requires in a month. Those that sign up as poets must write at least 1k new words. Please feel free to contact me, as this is open to discussion based on your project!

* By signing up, you agree to these rules. Rules may be subject to change at any time, but notice will be given 24 hours in advance. No monetary compensation is required for joining the contest.

Prizes**:

1. Prizes will be awarded no later than July 14, 2009 (Bastille Day!).
   
2. Prizes include†:
   
   • $10 iTunes gift card
     
   • $20 amazon.com gift card
     
   • One chapter critique by on ANY project of winner's choosing
     
   • Custom designed web banner by the amazingly talented ! (Please visit her website and check out her soon-to-be released book, Harmonic Feedback!
   
   
3. All winners will be entered into a random drawing for above prizes.
   
4. Contest winners will be announced no later than July 4, 2009.

** Contest organizer is not responsible for lost or misdirected mail. Prizes will be sent by e-mail or ground mail, depending on item. Neither signing up, nor completing a draft will guarantee that a prize will be awarded.
† Contest organizer is still waiting to hear about a couple other possible prizes. Please check back throughout the month for details!

Extras:

1. Points will be awarded for the following:
   
   • Spreading the word on your blog, discussion board, or website.
     
   • Getting a friend to sign up and successfully complete their draft.
     
   • Donating a prize.
   
   
2. Points can be traded in if word count is not met by June 30th.

Have fun! Write, write, write! Good luck. :D