We are having fun. The judging has begun!
Retrieving Mail
Opening our California Writers Club mail box, I see the familiar yellow card. This means there’s too much mail for the tiny box; I must ring the bell to the back door where I’ll receive the box of entries for our contest.
At the door there’s a frail elderly woman holding on to the wall with one hand, a cane in her other. She pushes the bell and waits. “I don’t know where they are,” she says to me. “I’ve been pushing this bell for awhile now.”
I see her body shakes slightly with the tension and work of standing. My memory flashes back a couple of years ago to my dad at ninety, fighting off Parkinson ’s disease while maintaining his dignity. He, too had trouble standing and walking.
“I guess they’re taking their time,” I say. It becomes clear that no one is coming. The woman shakes more. I’m concerned now. Her gnarled hand grabs the flat wall. I know this is not enough support for her.
I remember trying to convince Dad a cane wasn’t enough support for him either. He needed a walker. But it wasn’t until after a fall and a decree from his doctor that he obeyed.
“I’ll tell the worker at the front desk,” I say.
“Excuse me,” I tell the woman weighing a package for a customer. “But there’s an elderly woman with a cane who can’t stand long, and we’ve rung the door’s bell several times and no one is answering.”
Ms. Postal Worker sighs. She’s not swayed by my plea. “Ring it again!”
I go back and pound on the door.
“They must be listening to music,” I tell the woman who clutches the wall.
No answer from behind the door. Next, I pound so loudly the entire block must be able to hear me.
“Your tax dollars at work,” I say.
The elderly woman smiles through her obvious difficulties.
Back to Ms. Postal Worker who grimaces at the sight of me. “I pounded and no one came.”
Ms. Postal Worker’s eyes flash. She rolls her eyes and stomps off toward the back.
At last the door opens.
I tell myself that Ms. Postal Worker has had a bad day. That she really wants to write instead of tend a scale and cash register. She didn’t really mean to take it out on me.
And I watch the elderly woman walk away. She uses her cane while hugging the wall with the other. Next she grabs the counter for support.
How long until she falls? I hope she has support around her for when she does. Does she have a someone to be there when she falls?
With our writing, we all need support. Seek out others who like to write and form a writing group. Attend writing workshops where you can meet like-minded people.
If you receive a critique, don’t react with quickly with anger. Relax. Think about it and don’t let your pride get in your way. You never know, but the person who gave you suggestions might have some good points. They may help you make your writing better. Write as often as you can. With practice, you’ll learn to make a good foundation which makes our writing the strongest it can be.
California Writers Club Young Writers Contest Tidbits:
*A big thank you to the teachers who encourage participation in our contest and who have students write in their classrooms! You know who you are.
*Students:
*You don’t have to send each entry in a separate envelope. (Now you know this for next year.) As long as you put enough postage on it, you can send all of your entries in one large envelope. It doesn’t matter to us and you’ll save yourself time and postage.
*You don’t have to fill out two entry forms for each entry. Just one form per entry. A few people put one entry per copy. Just more work for YOU.
*If you send your entries in large envelopes, placing a regular stamp on them isn’t enough. Check the postage rates online or take them to the post office.
It’s that time of the year again. Time for me to make a run down to Alamo and check the California Writers Club mailbox. At this moment, I have a small stack I’m flipping through and organizing into piles of poems, personal narratives/essays and short stories. Each year I think we’ll have fewer manuscripts, but it does seem like everyone waits until the last few days to submit.
So this means procrastination is a common characteristic of writers? Or perhaps we’re all perfectionists and love revision. If that’s the case, revise away. But just know that April 1 means the post office needs to mark them April 1 and you can only trust the post office so far.
Although I don’t have time to read each entry as I organize them, I do cheat a bit and scan the first page as I flip through them. I’m impressed when one of the poems makes me laugh out loud. I run outside to read it to my husband. He gets a kick out of it too. I have no idea if it will win or not, but we’re enjoying this poet’s work and my bet is in some way it’s going to be published at some point.
Other poems make me think, picture the image, or pause. That is good.
With the short stories and essays, if I HAVE to turn page one, this means that piece has promise.
One trick for all writers could be this: make the editor or judge turn the page to finish a sentence or an exceptionally well-written paragraph. If you have a good hook, chances are, your reader will keep on reading and that is EXACTLY what you want your reader to do.
Another trick: write a first page filled with either tension and active verbs, and/or bring a character to life in a quirky or very real way. Be as specific as possible.
My favorite time is when all of these entries are organized and I can flip through and read a couple here and there before I give them to the awaiting judges. Once they are enjoying the submissions, then I start reading my own stories to judge.
Things you may not know about this contest:
* There are two judges for each grade and category. When the two judges can’t make up their minds or agree, they will call in a third or more to break the tie.
*All judges take their jobs very seriously. We’ve had judges wheedle, bargain, list reasons, and beg for the entry they want to win.
*Honorable mentions are awarded. Sometimes, if you are very, very lucky, a judge MIGHT comment on your piece. Consider this to be VERY high praise indeed. This is just like in the publishing world, when an editor scrawls something on your manuscript. The author will be smiling for weeks!
*The judges all finish their jobs at different times. They are all volunteers. None of us get paid for any of this. When they tell me their choices I immediately post the winners names on this site, AFTER I have called them. Once I’ve notified everyone, then letters are sent out to the winners. After THAT is under control, EVERYONE receives a letter of some sort.
*BE PATIENT. The judging doesn’t happen over night, nor do the letters get sent right away. Never fear. You WILL hear. It takes me a TON of time to do the honorable mentions and get everything ELSE in my life done too. I still have my own writing assignments to write, dinner to make, and a few speaking engagements here and there.
*When am I thrilled? When I see someone enter the contest again. I don’t know who you are, but I do remember some of the names now and then and smile when I see that you continue to write year after year. THIS is the mark of a true writer.
It’s March 28. Get off of the Internet NOW. You still have time to send in your latest entry! Go for it!
Attention Contra Costa County Middle School Students! Today is March 20 and your short stories, poems and personal narratives are due POSTMARKED on April 1. The best part about this contest is NO ONE TELLS YOU WHAT YOU SHOULD WRITE! There is no theme. You don’t have to write about what you did on your summer vacation, who your role model is, or why you love broccoli. You can write about whatever YOU choose! AND you can enter as many times as you like! In as many categories. Just follow the guidelines.
In addition to the prizes listed, we award many honorable mentions. Go for it! What do you have to lose? Have fun writing!
California Writers Club Young Writers Contest Guidelines 2011
California Writers Club, Mt. Diablo Branch, Contra Costa County
YOUNG WRITERS CONTEST
Honoring a New Generation of California Writers
See mtdiablowriters.org for contest information
PLEASE PRINT
Name______________________________________________________
Home Address_________________________________________________
Number & Street City Zip
Home Phone_____________________E-mail Address________________
School_____________________________________________________
Grade_______________________
First and Last Name of your English (Creative Writing)
Teacher________________________________________
Manuscript Title__________________________________
MANUSCRIPT CATEGORIES (please check one):
_____ Short Story (up to 5 pages typed, double-spaced)
_____ Poem (up to 30 lines, can be single or double-spaced)
_____ Personal Narrative/Essay (up to 3 pages, typed, double-spaced)
Mail submissions to: Young Writers Contest, California Writers Club, PO Box 606, Alamo, CA 94507
DON’T MISS OUT: Only entries that follow the guidelines EXACTLY will be considered!
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ CONTEST GUIDELINES:
1. Contest open to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students who live in or attend school in Contra Costa County.
2. Submit 2 copies of your manuscript. Do not include artwork or a cover. Your manuscript must be typed or computer generated at 12 point, double-spaced. No staples. Paper clips only.
3. Put your name in the upper left-hand corner of each page. Number each page. Put manuscript title on the first page.
4. Multiple entries are welcome. Each entry must be accompanied by a separate application form (above) or 3×5 card noting: name; home address; home phone; school; grade; e-mail address; teacher; manuscript title; and category.
5. Deadline: Manuscripts must be postmarked by April 1, 2011. Winners will be announced when judging is complete.
6. INDIVIDUAL SUBMISSIONS BY STUDENTS PREFERRED. TEACHERS: PLEASE ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO SUBMIT THEIR STORIES AND POEMS THEMSELVES.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
PRIZES: Winning short stories and poems from each grade level will receive $100 for first prize, $50 for second prize and $25 for third prize. The Betty Tenney Essay Award of $100 will be given to the best personal narrative/essay in each grade. Second and third place prizes may be awarded in this category at the judges’ discretion. Prizes will be presented to winners on May 21, 2011, at a lunch banquet. A published author will speak. Parents are welcome.
TEACHERS: We are striving to encourage individual creativity and expression. Do not send entire class assignments. Teachers of winning students will be invited to attend the May 21 banquet.
The Berkeley Branch of California Writers Club’s fifth grade writing contest entries are due March 15, 2011. For guidelines see:
http://calwritersclub.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/cwc-25thannualfifthgradestorycontest2011-final.pdf
I just read a lovely, fantastic, fabulous book called AN ALTAR IN THE WORLD by Barbara Brown Taylor. It’s a book for adults who are looking to deepen their spirituality, but everything she says applies to writing.
“There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.” Louis L’Amour
This quote from the western author headed one of Taylor’s chapters. It’s true of our soul work as well as our writing. If you are entering our California Writers Club Young Writers Contest, or you’re writing a book for a publisher, or crafting a poem for your self, after you put down your pen or print out your copy and feel pleased with yourself for finishing your draft, put your creative work away for a while.
What? You mean you don’t mail it to the California Writers Club, or send it to your publisher, or frame it for your wall right away?
No. Don’t. Refrain yourself. Please.
Take your dog for a walk. Read a book. Watch a really good movie. Eat ice cream.
“But Mom, my writing teacher told me I’m supposed to eat ice cream! Really!”
(Yes, you can use me as an excuse. Go ahead. But then you’ll know I want you to use your senses to write about that experience.)
Why should you put it away and not send out your newly written work? Because if you give yourself the gift of time, you will look at your work with fresh eyes another day. No piece is done the first time one writes it. You can always make it better. If you think you are done you are teasing yourself.
If you don’t know where to “slow-down-the-moment” give it to a good writing friend, read it at your writing group, show it to your teacher and ask for some comments on how you can make it more immediate.
Is your short story seven pages instead of the required five? Yes, it can be whittled down to five. You may think it can’t be done but you can do it!
Someone once said, “I’ve written you a long letter. It would be shorter but I didn’t have the time.” I can’t recall who it was. But it takes time and a lot of thought to make every word count. Does each word need to be there? Can you use one good word instead of five less distinctive ones?
This is from Barbara Brown Taylor:
“Reverence requires a certain pace. It requires a willingness to take detours, even side trips, which are not part of the original plan.”
Paying attention takes time and effort.
Taylor suggests taking twenty minutes for paying attention. But if you can’t do that, try five.
” . . . With any luck you will soon begin to see the souls in pebbles, ants, small mounds of moss, and the acorns on its way to becoming an oak tree. You may feel some tenderness for the struggling mayfly the ants are carrying away. If you can see the water, you may take time to wonder where it comes from and where it is going. You may even feel the beating of your own heart . . .”
Exercise for you: Take five minutes of your day. Pay attention to one thing. It can be your pet. It can be a tree outside. Lie on your stomach. What are your feelings from head to toe as you touch the tree or your pet? What do you see? Smell? Hear?
Next, take time to write all of your thoughts and emotions down. Compare them to other things. You may find similes and metaphors pouring out of you now where in a classroom or in your office in front of your computer they would be stifled.
Enjoy your weekend by paying attention to the little details in your life.
Waiting in line? Think about the character standing next to you. What is he/she wearing? Perfume or after-shave? What does this person do all day long? Memorize the details and create a story in your head.
You will never be bored.
California Writers Club, Mt. Diablo Branch, Contra Costa County
YOUNG WRITERS CONTEST
Honoring a New Generation of California Writers
See mtdiablowriters.org for contest information
PLEASE PRINT
Name______________________________________________________
Home Address_________________________________________________
Number & Street City Zip
Home Phone_____________________E-mail Address________________
School_____________________________________________________
Grade_______________________
First and Last Name of your English (Creative Writing)
Teacher________________________________________
Manuscript Title__________________________________
MANUSCRIPT CATEGORIES (please check one):
_____ Short Story (up to 5 pages typed, double-spaced)
_____ Poem (up to 30 lines, can be single or double-spaced)
_____ Personal Narrative/Essay (up to 3 pages, typed, double-spaced)
Mail submissions to: Young Writers Contest, California Writers Club, PO Box 606, Alamo, CA 94507
DON’T MISS OUT: Only entries that follow the guidelines EXACTLY will be considered!
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ CONTEST GUIDELINES:
1. Contest open to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students who live in or attend school in Contra Costa County.
2. Submit 2 copies of your manuscript. Do not include artwork or a cover. Your manuscript must be typed or computer generated at 12 point, double-spaced. No staples. Paper clips only.
3. Put your name in the upper left-hand corner of each page. Number each page. Put manuscript title on the first page.
4. Multiple entries are welcome. Each entry must be accompanied by a separate application form (above) or 3×5 card noting: name; home address; home phone; school; grade; e-mail address; teacher; manuscript title; and category.
5. Deadline: Manuscripts must be postmarked by April 1, 2011. Winners will be announced when judging is complete.
6. INDIVIDUAL SUBMISSIONS BY STUDENTS PREFERRED. TEACHERS: PLEASE ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO SUBMIT THEIR STORIES AND POEMS THEMSELVES.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
PRIZES: Winning short stories and poems from each grade level will receive $100 for first prize, $50 for second prize and $25 for third prize. The Betty Tenney Essay Award of $100 will be given to the best personal narrative/essay in each grade. Second and third place prizes may be awarded in this category at the judges’ discretion. Prizes will be presented to winners on May 21, 2011, at a lunch banquet. A published author will speak. Parents are welcome.
TEACHERS: We are striving to encourage individual creativity and expression. Do not send entire class assignments. Teachers of winning students will be invited to attend the May 21 banquet.
Free Contra Costa Middle School Writing Workshops!
The Mt. Diablo Branch of the California Writers Club is sponsoring a program for published writers to lead free middle school workshops in poetry, short story, and personal narrative. A generous grant to the CWC will underwrite the program costs.
Contra Costa middle school teachers, administrators, and librarians are eligible to nominate their school to participate in the program.
Send an e-mail to: [email protected] to state why your school should be selected. Deadline for entries is December 15, 2010. The Mt. Diablo Branch, CWC Writers in the Schools program is intended to encourage young people in creative written self-expression.
The club sponsors an annual Young Writers Contest for middle school students, awarding cash prizes in poetry, short story, and personal narrative. The 2011 contest Information is also on the club website: www.mtdiablowriters.org
I was wondering, does a personal narrative have to be about something exciting that happened in your life? Can it be something not that exciting, but still something that happened to me? It is a personal narrative after all, and I know that the name says it all, but just to make sure that there are no huge rules about them.
****
A personal narrative could be about you looking at a butterfly and noticing something about that butterfly you never saw before and relating it to your life or the world in some way.
The best personal narratives I have ever read are NOT particularly exciting, but they touch our souls. A great narrative will be a special moment in time that has touched you and will touch the reader too.
Many personal narratives are not exciting at all. Just let the reader feel like she or he is experiencing the moment or episode along with you.
If you have any more questions feel free to ask.
Good luck with your narrative!
Visit some authors of the Mt. Diablo Branch California Writers Club in Contra Costa County, CA. They’ll answer YOUR QUESTIONS about writing. Want to learn how they found an agent? Discover how THEY got published? Have a persnikety problem regarding writing craft? Ask the experts for free!
PLUS if you are a middle school student, you can learn about all of these things AND how you can win $$$$$$$ in the current short story, personal narrative and poetry contest! Not sure you want to enter the contest but you want to write? Discover how YOU can take a FREE writing workshop!
Local Authors Book Signing Benefit at Pleasant Hill Barnes and Noble
On Saturday, November 27, 2010, published authors from the Mt. Diablo Branch of the California Writers Club will sign their books to benefit their annual Contra Costa middle school Young Writers Contest. The Barnes and Noble Bookstore at 552 Contra Costa Blvd., Pleasant Hill, will host the event from 11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
All Contra Costa middle school students, their parents and teachers are encouraged to attend and ask questions about the upcoming free writing workshops and contest.
A portion of in-store purchases will benefit the Young Writers Contest, supporting the art and craft of writing in all of the county’s public and private middle schools. Shoppers can buy personally autographed copies of adult mysteries, fiction, non-fiction, drama, young adult, and children’s books.
Local writers who will be signing their books include: Barbara Bentley, Nannette Carroll, Jon Cory, Lynn Goodwin ,Margaret Grace, Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff, and Nanette McGuinness.
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