tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148211450188260716.post8976846274339508678..comments2023-08-23T04:00:57.631-07:00Comments on MANY GENRES, ONE CRAFT: MGOC Extra Essay: Entering Writing Contests - Why? by Kaye DacusMany Genres One Crafthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15314771455179691144noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148211450188260716.post-31629194328136755032011-02-02T15:13:48.965-08:002011-02-02T15:13:48.965-08:00After Heidi posted this, I went back and re-read t...After Heidi posted this, I went back and re-read the entire series . . . and it reminded me of why I made the decision last year (the second year I was eligible) NOT to enter my books into published-author contests. I didn't do it the first year with the right attitude, so when my master's thesis book didn't final for one major award (ACFW's Book of the Year), I had a really bad reaction (privately, of course). But then when it did final for an even bigger reward (the Christy---Christian publishing's equivalent to the RITA), I had another not-so-good (private) reaction, even though I knew I'd never win it (and I didn't). <br /><br />This year, I decided to leave contests up to others. I'm going to do what you're doing---focus on writing the best books I can. Because happy readers (and lots of them!) are the best award in the world!Kaye Dacushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04187774900100851982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5148211450188260716.post-55711012768154875482011-02-02T11:01:29.595-08:002011-02-02T11:01:29.595-08:00Totally agree with you, Kaye! I always question th...Totally agree with you, Kaye! I always question the underlying reason - having won a contest, and totally blowing others, I've seen it all. But I'm querying and submitting at the same time, and *FINISHING* the mss's too. That is the most important part about writing - even if it's not great, you ought to type THE END. That's the best reward. :-)Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10734148270217773194noreply@blogger.com