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Writing for gold: Editor's Notes #360 March 09, 2022

Hello, Be generous, be delicate, and always pursue the prize. —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe In this issue: 1. Writing for gold 2. Tickled my funny bone 3. Interesting Web site 4. Writing prompt =========== 1. Writing for gold The Paralympics are in full swing, and this week I got an alert for a competition for self-publishing writers. Those events got me thinking about awards and prizes and their usefulness. What does it mean to win? What does it mean to compete? Here are my reflections on the topic: In order to win something, you have to meet an agreed-upon standard. You may exceed the standard, but you definitely have to meet it. Competing can give you an idea of how close you come to the standard of excellence in your field. Some people, maybe most, have a hard time separating judgement of their work from judgement of themselves as a person. If you are one of those people, competitions are probably not for you. Those who love to compete use competition to advance in their chosen field. Often NOT winning is better than winning in these cases because it’s facing weaknesses that make us better. Those who seek out the company of the giants in their field tend to be open to learning from them. Spending time (face-to-face or virtually) with the giants in your field can be instructive. The recognition of winning or placing in a legitimate competition gives you exposure you would not have otherwise and can lead to new heights. Think sales and new projects. In Interesting Web site below is a link to the Writer’s Digest competition that got me thinking about the value of writing awards. You may not have anything ready to submit right now, but this is the sort of thing you can put in your calendar for a subsequent year. =========== 2.Tickled my funny bone The guy who invented the door knocker got a no-bell prize. =========== 3. Interesting Web site The link below takes you to the page for the Writers Digest competition for self-publishing authors (and other self-publishing writers). If you enter, I’d love to know. And if you enter and win, well, I hope you’ll let me advertise your accomplishment here. https://www.writersdigest.com/writers-digest-competitions/self-published-book-awards =========== 4. Writing prompt Entering any contest (official or unofficial) opens one to gains and losses. What have you (or one of your characters) dared? Write a short piece about that. =========== Join Writer's Helper Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WritersHelperEditor Follow me on Twitter @AudreytheEditor Link on LinkedIn https://ca.linkedin.com/in/audreyowen (Email me first so I know how you know me.) =========== If you know a writer who would appreciate receiving Editor's Notes, forward this issue. If someone has passed this on to you, you can get your own free subscription by signing up at https://www.writershelper.com/newsletter.html

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