ACFW Genesis Contest, A Learning Experience
March 4, 2011
This week, I submitted my ACFW Genesis contest entry, and now I’m crossing my fingers so hard they’re cramping. Maybe I’ll win, probably I won’t, but either way, I’ve learned a great deal through the effort.
What I Learned from the ACFW Genesis Contest:
- Critiques make all the difference – Even when I think my work has reached the flawless stage, my critique partners find errors that I never would’ve seen . . . usually many of them.
- Deadlines are the bomb – Since I waited until the last minute, I’ve had a tiny glimpse of what it’s like to write under a deadline. I’ve learned I can survive under those conditions.
- Genesis Contest entrants are nice people – Most critiques and advice came from other contest entrants. They’re not a ruthlessly competitive bunch over there at ACFW. It’s all about giving and receiving knowledge so that everyone can better their writing.
- No matter how well I do in the contest, I’ve already won - Just from the submission process, I’ve improved my writing, learned a few formatting tips, made contacts that will help me in the future, and had tons of fun.
- I still want to win, though – Don’t get me wrong, placing in the contest would outshine the previous bullet.
16 Comments
leave one →
I totally agree. Deadlines are the bomb! Good luck! I’ll have my fingers crossed for you.
Thanks, Dina. I had no idea deadlines would be so much fun. I thought I’d freeze up!
Great post. It’s so true that you learn a lot just through the process of writing and submitting. I tend to be one of those who writes a piece and thinks it’s ready to go. While what’s really the case is that’s just the first draft. I always have to keep that in mind so I remember there will be lots of edits and critiques along the way, all of which really make the piece better.
It’s frustrating that I never feel like my work is finished. I could keep editing forever and ever.
Good for you for entering! And everything you say is so very true. The four years I entered Genesis were HUGE in my writing journey. I finaled but never won. Yet through it all I learned tons and made some great friends.
At first I imagined that I would enter Genesis when my work was “really ready,” but really ready keeps changing. Now I know the truth. Genesis is a tool to get me closer to ready. Thank you for your comment. It’s encouraging to hear from you.
VV,
Congratulations! It feels amazing, doesn’t it? About a month ago, I entered my first FICTION short story contest, ever. While I’ve written journalistically, and even earned two AP awards, I haven’t written a creative short story since senior year of high school. I didn’t win, but you know what? Just like you said, I did win. I won because I completed the story, poured my heart into it, and turned it in. That, in itself, was an accomplishment–and it felt gooooood. So, I know exactly what you mean. My suggestion is to keep pushing your story to be published in a literary journal somewhere else, should you not win (but I’m hoping you will!). I know I’m going to take mine and do the same. Once it’s published officially, I’ll post it to my blog!
Keep me updated, lady. I’m lovin’ this networking thing we’re all doing.
Shari
Shari,
Thank you for the encouragement. It means a lot coming form someone as accomplished as you.
VV
Great reminders, VV, that the ‘journey’ is often the most important win for any of us — whether it’s writing contests, setting personal goals, or just living life. And, yes … any writer who says she doesn’t need critiques is fooling herself. Even the Stephen Kings of the world have readers (if I recall, his wife)! So, so important. Good luck, and I hope you win!
Ha. When I first started writing, I was certain that I didn’t truly need critiques. Maybe just for a few typos and misplaced adverbs. (I’ve come a l-o-n-g way.)
I’m just about to submit two short stories (one a fictional piece, one a memoir piece) off to two separate contests. I can’t wait for the feedback. Yes, I want to win, but like you said, “No matter how well I do in the contest, I’ve already won.”
Good for you, Mandi! I’m so glad you entered those contests, and I hope you win.
Congratulations and good luck!! I am attending the Orange County Christian Writers conference this April, and I thought about entering their writing contests. I’m still scared. I put it off, justifying it by my lack of time and numerous children. But really, if I’d wanted to, I could have made time. I hope you win!
Melissa, I know what you mean. It’s SO easy to put it off, but once I get started, it’s hard to stop working on it. Thanks!
Good luck, V.V. — can’t wait to hear how it goes. And, deadlines? Are they ONLY way for me.
Thanks Amanda! Have a great weekend!