writing contests Archives - Addicted to Writing

So I Didn’t Win That Writing Competition. So What?

Posted on August 20, 2012 Written by Pinar Tarhan

Image via scriptpipeline movie idea contest.

Obviously I wanted to win. It would have been terrific if I had. But I didn’t win my first competition. Should I just go to a bar and drown my sorrows? I think not. Here’s why:

I entered Script Pipeline’s Great Movie Idea contest this July and I didn’t win. I felt a little upset, but just a little. 5 minutes later I bounced back, having come up with this article idea, as well as having noted down the next competition deadline.

Let’s face it, there’s not much to feel sad about. While the chances of winning a screenplay (idea contest) is probably higher than winning the lottery, it is still not a very easy thing to do. Even after having come up with the best idea you could and having written the best treatment you could, as well as having followed the guidelines, you are at the mercy of the taste of the judges. And while there are some story elements and storytelling ways writers/editors agree on, there is still that bit that leaves it to luck: the taste of the judges.

I am not saying my idea would definitely result in a blockbuster, but directed in a certain way and marketed the right way, it wasn’t without potential. But I know that there were probably ideas that were more appealing, marketable or simply mind-blowing. I also know that having submitted an idea that was in the romantic comedy genre (although it was/is different from the typical ones.) might not have been that impressive.

Even I, writer and fan of romantic dramas/comedies, happen to prefer compelling thrillers, good action with great humor – and wish I could have come up with legal thrillers in John Grisham style, or sci-fi action pieces like Equilibrium, The Island or Gattaca. I l also would have loved to come up with something like The Man from the Earth (a sci-fi/drama genius with the lowest budget, really good acting and awesome idea), Law Abiding Citizen (an edgy action/thriller) or obviously, Braveheart (the wonderful epic combination of history and fiction, drama and romance, action –with the touch of great one-liners and the rare but effective comic relief.) You get the idea.

And while I was content with my treatment, it was my first (that was submitted) and no doubt could be massively improved.

I still love my idea. I will be pursuing agents and contest, while getting better at explaining my ideas, finding loglines and writing treatments.

So I still have a long way to go. But I also need to find an agent/company/director/judges…etc. that have similar tastes to mine. To give examples from successful novelists, Grisham was rejected. So was J.K.Rowling. The list goes on forever, although those two are my favorite examples. To give examples from screenwriters, Allan Loeb (Just Go With It, Wall Street Money Never Sleeps…) got rejected for about 3 years. Maybe not all of his stories ended up as movie wonders, I was entertained by many of them. And did I mention he has been constantly selling since 2007?

So I didn’t win. It is not the end of the world. In fact, it is the start of a brand new one. So many things to work on, so much research to do, so little time. And I will be writing. And improving. And submitting…

Inspiration Caught This Freelance Writer Big Time

Posted on June 7, 2012 Written by Pinar Tarhan

inspiration-moment, writing inspiration, inspiration for writers — Image via copyblogger.com

I can’t believe my last post was a month ago. I’m so sorry about that. But I have a valid excuse: I was listening to my own advice (I’m a big fan of practicing what I preach.) Inspiration and motivation were chasing me at record speed so I willingly surrendered. I’m not saying that I didn’t get any valuable ideas to share here. I did. But I wanted to keep a really good record of every idea and goal so I jotted down a lot, changed my mind a couple of times about which contests to enter, wrote my drafts and I’m back. And I promise not to stay away for so long again.

Inspiration-struck Me:

– I have had these two fun screenplay ideas (actually I’d written the first drafts a long time ago) for ages but there was no way I’d be able to format them in time for the Big Break Contest organized by *Final Draft (a screenwriting software I’ve been happily using whose review I’ll post soon).

But Big Break’s *extended deadline is 15^th June, they want the full script and the awards are nothing short of amazing. But my two scripts need adjustments in many areas, and there is no way they will be fit for a contest until the deadline.

Then I realized that I could enter the Script Pipeline’s Great Idea contest, where you are allowed to write anything from a logline to a treatment of 3-5 pages.

So guess what? Currently I’m writing 2 treatments and editing them. I’ll then submit & keep my fingers crossed. And even though I don’t get to be a finalist, I’ll have two very clear ideas on how I want to outline the story, and relive the events and my characters. Of course I won’t be sitting on these screenplays afterwards.

– I have some upcoming fun and useful writing posts.

– I have some wonderful movie post (for my entertainment blog) ideas, based on the romantic in me. It’s all Forget Me Not’s fault really. I can no longer delay those posts, such as the most romantic & original marriage proposal in a movie.

– My favorite TV shows are either over or on a seasonal break- which incidentally is on its way to be another post here. Oh yes, it is perfectly writing-relevant, trust me.

– I’m planning a two week trip to Norway and Sweden which motivated me further to pitch and research more efficiently.

Not only is it a specific deadline challenge, but also its blows to the budget will provide more incentive to increase my freelance income. Not just because I will spend a lot, but I’ll want to go on a travelling spree again very soon.

Yes, I confess, I am addicted to traveling, nearly as much as I’m addicted to writing and entertainment.

There’s more, but let that be another post.

How has your writing been going?

Please note that extended deadlines typically mean increased entrance fees.
The links in these posts aren’t affiliate links, just the direct links to the contest information pages.

Entering a Writing Contest for the First Time Ever

Posted on March 31, 2012 Written by Pinar Tarhan

Confession: I am a writing contest virgin. In fact, just a couple of days ago I was going to publish a list post about why I didn’t like writing contests. But then I read about a writing contest that eliminated the most annoying thing(s) on the list, so I decided to give this contest my best shot.

First let me tell you about what I don’t like about writing contests, and then tell you about the one I liked enough to enter.

1) There are fees. Yes, I know this is very typical, and in a way, reasonable but I don’t write short fiction or poetry. There aren’t that many contests about novels and screenplays. Some fees are reasonable, but some are just ridiculous.

2) There are limitations to who can enter. Many writing contests are open to residents of a certain city, country or at best- a continent. So even if there are a lot of contests taking place for all kinds of writing, not everyone can enter all of them.

3) They don’t accept entries online by e-mail- which in this day and age is one of my biggest pet peeves. Online entry forms or e-mail submissions aren’t just easy for the writers, it is practical for the judges (and the environment) as well.

4) The deadlines aren’t reasonable (for me.) If I’m 40 pages into a novel and they only want completed manuscripts, I won’t be able to make it.

I’ve read about many competitions and their rules, including the ones organized by Writer’s Digest, whose website, magazine and store are among my favorite writing resources. But when it came to the competitions, I just couldn’t see the ones that appealed to me – until a short while ago.

The Writer’s Digest Contest – Deadline: May 1, 2012

The contest has many categories including spiritual writing, personal essay, magazine writing and movie/TV script writing. You pay $25 for your first entry- and if you make your multiple entries during the same transaction, you pay $15 for the others.

I might submit more than once piece for one category, depending on I can finish everything before the deadline. But fingers crossed for my first time. I’m looking forward to it.

What were your first times like?