Panel of Winning Writers

                                                          Panel of Winning Writers

Saturday Writers Meeting 4/30/2016

     So today we had a panel of speakers that were published in the previous anthology.  The panel consisted of authors that were published more than four times in the anthology and that had won more than 50% of the contests they entered.  The group included: (from right to left pictured below) Nicki Jacobsmeyer, Jennifer McCullough, Doug Osgood, Sherry McMurphy, and Brad Watson.  They shared with us where they were from, how they were inspired, what their writing techniques were and various other questions that were asked from the audience.

winning writers panel

     One question was what was the process of getting from the prompt to having a story for the contest.  Various answers included:  1.  Write a story, and then weave into the story something to do with the prompt.  The story doesn’t have to be entirely about the prompt, it only needs to be at least mentioned within the story at some point.  2. Find a jumping off point.  If need be, ask various people to write down five random words and see if that inspires a story.  3. Brainstorm.  Type the prompt into google and visit pages google suggests for ideas about the topic. 

     On how they write: 1. Write, then rewrite, then rewrite, then rewrite again as often as needed until either the story is ready or until you are out of time and have to stop editing and turn it in, 2. Read the topic, then let it percolate in the brain.  As ideas come, write them down in your phone on a note app or in an actual notebook, 3. Sit and grind.  Turn on music, sit at your table, desk, and grind out the story.  Write even if you don’t feel like writing, 4. Read the news or newspapers.  News is filled with tragedy, tension, incredible stories, 5. Submerge.  If writing about a period of time (historic) or nonfiction, find a book about that and read it to help get you into the mode or zone of that period of time.  Watch a documentary. 

     Other suggestions and ideas that were offered:  1. keep stories that did not win the contest.  You can rewrite, edit, and/or resubmit another time if it matches another contest prompt or weave the new prompt into that story, 2. Submit a broad spectrum of stories, one in a more sappy tone, one more mainstream, one with more paranormal/other worldly feel, 3. Just write.  Get the story down then change it as needed. 

     Say it out load.  Read your story, print it out if you need to and read it out loud to someone or to yourself.  The written word sounds different from the vocal word.  You may find errors you “read over” when you are not reading aloud, and you may realize it doesn’t sound right and be able to edit the story accordingly. 

      Some people make pinterest boards for their character.  The pin what they might wear, what they like to eat, etc.  It can make the character more real to the writer, and thus to the end reader. 

     I hope this helps in your writing process and helps you win future contests.  so don't be afraid.  JUST WRITE.  Just do it.  Don't hold back.  Find a process that works for you.  As Katherine Paterson stated, “There are no guarantees of success, much less of quality. If you don’t dare to be a mediocre writer, you’ll never be a writer at all.” 

― Katherine Paterson, Stories of My Life

Get writing!!!  Thanks for tuning in.  Have a great day!

(To get your copy of last years anthology, amazon has it listed now! Saturday Writers 2015 Anthology)