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S46E7 – A Look at Writing Contest Judging

It helps to be pretty thick-skinned if you’re going to enter contests. But anyone who writes for more than pure personal satisfaction knows that rejection is part of the deal. – Amy Cook

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S46E6 – The “Don’ts” of Writing Contests

Don’t read success stories, you will only get a message. Read failure stories, you will get some ideas to get success. – Abdul Kalam

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S46E5 – Formatting for a Writing Contest

It’s important to note that guidelines may vary a little based on who you talk to or what you read, but by following the ones stated… you will make sure your manuscript looks clean, easy to read, and won’t get rejected because of sloppy formatting. – Brian A Klems

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S46E4 – Editing for a Short Story Contest

Many writers are paralyzed by the thought that they are competing with everybody else who is trying to write and presumably doing it better…. Forget the competition and go at your own pace. Your only contest is with yourself. – William Zinsser

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S46E3 – Writing for Short Story Contests

Write your story as it needs to be written. Write it honestly, and tell it as best you can. I’m not sure that there are any other rules. Not ones that matter. – Neil Gaiman

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S46E1 – Different Types of Writing Contests

Writers often wrestle with the written word alone, but competitions can be a way to connect with a larger community. After all, stories can benefit others, and judges of writing contests want to celebrate success. – Audrey Wick

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S45E3 – The Job of a Line Editor

Words. Words. I play with words, hoping that some combination, even a chance combination, will say what I want. – Doris Lessing

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Extended Archives: When a Story Meanders

If you want to captivate your readers, a good beginning is essential. Even more so, however, is the story needs to continue to hold them. When the plot meanders and wanders from place to place without much direction or motivation for the characters. When you look at each scene, consider what purpose it has for…

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S44E9 – The Denouement and Epilogue

When you close the book, does the story end? No! That’s such a bland way to read. Every story goes on forever in our imaginations, and its characters live on. – Mizuki Nomura

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S44E7 – During Act III: The Exterior Plot

Act 3 is the whole book in miniature. There’s a beginning, middle, and end. Rising action, climax, and falling action. – Jeff Gerke

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