CONTESTS
for
YOUNG WRITERS
A safe and FREE site where budding writers can submit work to a contest.
SMILIN' AT YOU FROM MY WRITING DESK

OTHER WRITING AWARDS RECEIVED:

For Newspaper Series, "Heart of the Future"

1997 First Place Connecticut Press Club Award

1998 First Place Connecticut Press Club Award


GETTING YOUR WORK PUBLISHED

Writers often think that they must find an illustrator for their picture book manuscript prior to sending it off to an editor. This is not the case. Publishing houses will assign an illustrator once a manuscript has been accepted. It is not unusual that the writer and illustrator never meet.

CONFERENCES

If you are interested in writing for children, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) is quite helpful, sponsoring local, regional and national events. The conferences are well known for quality breakout sessions which include editors, agents, published writers, and more as the presenters. To find a chapter near you click on the link at the right side of this page.

SETON HILL UNIVERSITY
WRITING POPULAR FICTION

A quality graduate program for writers balancing a career, parenthood, and a busy lifestyle.

WRITERS' TIPS

One’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes


My favorite word is a way to stretch my mind and make room for new ideas. That word is EXTRAPOLATE...taking the ordinary, giving it a twist and turning it into the extraordinary.



WRITING TIPS 2: CHARACTERIZATION

Can your main character carry an entire story on his/​her shoulders? Here are some questions to help build a character’s emotional traits.
1. What is his/​her overall goal in the story?
2. Who or what stands in the way of this goal being achieved?
3. What will happen if the main character does not achieve this goal?
4. What is the character’s greatest strength?
5. What is the character’s greatest weakness or flaw?
6. Who or what frightens the character?
7. Does the character have a secret?
8. Does the character have a dream?
9. Who or what does the character love?
10. Who or what does the character hate?

Pearly words…
“Motivation is the business of supplying your fictional character with plausible reasons for them to act as you would have them act in order for your stories to be dramatically effective.”
--Lawrence Block


This is a DOC file. ARCHIVES:
Writing Tips 1 (25.5KB)

Check in from time to time for more helpful hints.

Young writers, remember that an editor is the person who will help you build and improve your story until it is the best it can be. Your teacher is your editor. Check out the free contests for young writers in the top left side of this page.

Adult writers, if you are uncertain about your writing ability, then find a way to test the waters. Join a class through adult education. For six to eight weeks you will benefit from the knowledge shared there, have an opportunity to share your writing, and receive a critique without the worry of an academic commitment...or grade!