It is the story of creative turmoil that crafting a story for a contest can unleash. We hope for a rush of inspiration when we think about the thrill of possibilities of the prospect of recognition, and it can tantalise the creative embers to flame. But amidst those smouldering embers, one may fall under the smothering ash of doubt.
There is the odd time that I will figuratively take pen to paper and weave a tale to satisfy the parameters of a writing contest. Unlike a moth to a flame, I am not as drawn to contest writing. My outlook is less about the promise of perceived validation, and instead, I see these opportunities to hone my talents by working within assigned parameters for a story. While I have had the excitement of seeing my words in print, the element of sharing them is more about how they may resonate with a reader or the collegial atmosphere of working with other writers. Once a month, I get the prompt for the Furious Fiction Challenge, which got me thinking about the role of contest writing in my craft. Last summer, I participated in one of the NYC Midnight contests, and while I did not make it to the final round, it forced me to work outside my comfort zone with tight deadlines in genres I had never written. I liked what I came up with in so little time, and it opened my perspectives on story writing, which is the lens through which I view these opportunities rather than the prospect of “winning.” Ultimately, I think one should look at the writing contest as a journey of inspiration rather than the prospect of accolades or prizes. It’s an opportunity for self-discovery, growth, and perhaps even a transformation of one’s writing. And, on that note, I will submit this month’s Furious Fiction Challenge!
