Sunday, June 6, 2010

Easy Come Easy Go

What I'm reading right now: Dexter in the Dark by Jeff Lindsay

If you're a fan of the show, the novels take a somewhat different approach.
It's interesting to make the comparison.   



~*~

Well, easy go, anyway.


What scenario would prompt this photo?
  


 Let's consider the possibilities, shall we?

A) Investing in British Petroleum?
B) Twilight: The Twilight Years starring Helen Mirren and Clint Eastwood? 

C) Selling timeshares in the Eyjafjallajökull region of Iceland?
D) Entering the 79th Annual Writer's Digest Competition?

Although you may argue for all of the above, the most correct answer is D: Entering the 79th Annual Writer's Digest Competition (in fact, given the strength of the series, the talent of those actors, and the diehard fans, B, might be the most incorrect.) I submitted three pieces this year, in three categories, at a total cost of $65.00 in entry fees. (But check out that cuticle!)

I believe this was the first writing contest I ever attempted, years before I took a serious approach to writing (and before I knew enough to know what I was getting into) and I believe it is the stand alone writing contest that has received more of my entries than any other, not sure why that is. Perhaps it seems to be such the coup that it's worth the entry fees? In all honesty, I have spent as much on less honorable pursuits, so why not?

The all-time leader for me is the League of Utah Writers' annual Round Up competiton. I put that in a different category because that is combined with a weekend of workshops and panel discussions. There, I've had a taste of success. This will be my fourth year The deadline for submissions is June 15th, so if you've not submitted yet, get on it!

Back to the photo that inspired this post. I have no idea what the odds are for the Writer's Digest competition, but I imagine they are staggering. Again, perhaps I keep submitting my work to their contests because the reward would be that much greater. Each year I feel as though I've submitted some quality work and each year I feel like my work is better than the previous years'. Likely there are others with that same thought who've been writing for a lot longer than I have; it could be a long wait. Maybe one day I'll break through, who knows. Not trying is no by default.

To maintain balance in the universe, here's a bit inspiration from this year's LDStorymakers conference:










4 comments:

The Damsel In Dis Dress said...

Crap. You posted that video. (Where did you get it?) It made SO CRAZY the first time. Now what will happen when I can watch it at will?

Scared.

The Damsel In Dis Dress said...

er. That was supposed to say it made ME so crazy.

"It made so crazy" is crazy.

Chris Todd Miller said...

Damsel,

Where are WE going? WE'RE going crazy, baby. My brain added the "me" in your first comment; I didn't even notice it was missing. At least we'll be in good company.

Found the video under: 2010 LDStorymaker Becoming Legendary Presentation

Marion Jensen said...

You guys have inspired me. I prepared the first three chapters of Almost Super for submission to LUW. It's a long shot, I'm sure, and I wish the group could have given me feedback on the entire thing, but we'll see what happens.

Good luck!


Get Follow Me Buttons