Writing Contests: Be open to surprises. Last December, our SCBWI local chapter had a writing contest where the story had to include kites (which is the logo for SCBWI). There was a deadline and I waited until the last minute because I was so busy with the holidays and family. The word count was only 500 words so I knew that if I sat down and really, really focused, I could do it. Well, I made the deadline. At our annual Christmas chapter’s party, the winners were announced. I won first place! That was one very nice surprise. That’s how I started my writing career, entering writing contests. I am still doing it because it’s FUN! You can do it too. Good luck!  By the way, the title of my entry was, “A Kite is a Story; A Story is a Kite.” Google for writing contests. They’re out there.

Today I attended our SCBWI chapter’s session on Nonfiction Narrative Picture Books. I was very interested in this topic because that is one of the projects I am working on right now. I’ve done the research, written the story, but still had a few questions about how to address some of the historical facts in the story. I received the guidance I needed and will now go forward.

SCBWI-SWTX Book Session

Short-short: A complete short story of 1,500 words or less.—Writer’s Digest Weekly Planner