A passion of Pen Dames is to help other writers by sharing tips and insights we have learned along the way. We hope you will find the pointers beneficial to your writing process.
Katherine Eddinger Smits
Have you ever considered judging a writing contest? I regularly judge for
the Florida Writers Association Royal Palm Literary Awards. When I was invited
to judge, I felt honored but unsure of my qualifications. However, I decided to
give it a try, and I’m so happy I did! Here are some compelling reasons why you
should consider it too:
1. Giving Back to the Writing
Community
Every writer benefits from the support of others—whether through writing
associations, critique groups, or informal networking. A rising tide lifts all
boats, and by helping fellow writers, we strengthen the literary community as a
whole. Judging a contest is a meaningful way to give back, offering aspiring
authors valuable feedback that can improve their work.
2. Sharpening Your Own Writing Skills
It’s easier to recognize strengths and weaknesses in someone else’s
writing than in our own. By evaluating multiple entries, you become more aware
of what makes a story effective—or where it falls short. Contest rubrics
require judges to analyze elements such as plot, pacing, character development,
and premise with precision. Providing constructive, example-based critiques is
challenging but invaluable. With every evaluation, you deepen your
understanding of the craft, sometimes more than in formal writing classes.
3. Enhancing Your Writing Credentials
Adding “Contest Judge” to your resume or bio is a valuable distinction.
It demonstrates industry involvement, a strong grasp of storytelling mechanics,
and the ability to critically assess writing. For editors, agents, and
publishers, this experience is just as noteworthy as publication credits.
4. Expanding Industry Connections
Judging contests introduces you to fellow authors, contest organizers,
and industry professionals. These connections can lead to new opportunities,
such as speaking engagements, panel invitations, or collaborative projects. The
more you engage in the literary world, the more doors open.
5. Learning What Makes a Story Stand
Out
When you evaluate multiple submissions side by side, patterns emerge. You
start to see what captures attention and what makes an entry fall flat. This
perspective is invaluable when preparing your own submissions, helping you
craft stories that resonate with readers and judges alike.
6. Boosting Confidence in Critical
Analysis
Assessing contest entries strengthens your ability to evaluate writing
objectively. As you practice giving clear, constructive feedback, you’ll gain
confidence in critiquing your own work with the same discerning eye.
7. Finding Inspiration
for Your Own Writing
Exposure to different storytelling techniques, genres, and voices can
spark fresh ideas. Sometimes, a unique premise or an interesting narrative
choice in someone else’s work might inspire a new approach in your own
projects.
Judging a contest isn’t just about helping others—it’s about growing as a
writer and becoming more engaged in the literary world. If you ever get the
opportunity, take it. You might be surprised at how much you gain from the
experience!
Barbara Cairns
Did you know that as creative people, we are known as
ambiverts? That means that unlike most people who are either introverts or
extroverts, we combine both personality types, being both expressive and
withdrawn, sociable and quiet. We are fortunate to be not only creative right
brain thinkers, but also analytical and logical left brain thinkers.
Our common characteristics include the following:
curiosity, playfulness, open mindedness, flexibility, independence, risk
taking, sensitivity, intuition, attention to detail, ambition, objectivity, and
perhaps most of all, passion.
Albert Einstein stated that “Creativity is intelligence
having fun.” But, we writers know that it can also be challenging, ambiguous,
and often discouraging. We must be motivated and have self-confidence. It takes
a great deal of effort and persistence to maintain creativity.
Creativity comes in many forms. Whether it’s painting,
writing, playing a musical instrument, it’s the ability to produce original
ideas, themes or techniques that are useful and adaptable.
Being creative is good for our brains. We all know that
lots of things are good for brain training such as reading, working puzzles,
getting enough exercise and sleep and eating healthy foods. But the arts also should
be added to that list. Writing, playing a musical instrument, drawing,
painting, dancing…all these creative activities can benefit us. Practicing or
just enjoying the arts can change your brain and your behavior. Those changes can
improve both mental and emotional health.
Creative energy is a reflection of who we are, the sum
total of all the bits and pieces we’ve collected throughout the years. Our
creative projects have evolved from filled notebooks, photos, audio files,
clippings, highlighted book passages, notes and articles, snippets from conversations,
images of art, advice from mentors, lessons from nature and spiritual
connections.
We can rejoice as creative people, knowing that we are
innovative, inventive, imaginative, talented, gifted, original, ingenious,
trailblazing, groundbreaking, and pioneering visionaries. According to
research, creativity involves “a complex interplay between spontaneous and
controlled thinking.”
Maya Angelou reminds us with this quote: “You can’t
use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” So, my fellow writers,
keep that creativity going!
A very wise and talented mentor, Loretta Rogers (part
of the Pen Dames!), once spoke of using television as a way to help with pacing
and plot. If I'm not mistaken, she suggested observing a show that's in the
genre you're writing. Isn't it inevitable that the scene ends for a commercial
at a suspenseful part? So you have to watch when the commercial is over.
Likewise, each scene and chapter in your book must end with the reader
wondering what's going to happen next.
Another example: I am in the process of working on a
Rom-Com. There are doctors and nurses in the story, so I have been
carefully watching the very funny comedy, Scrubs. I take
note of the sight gags, the one-liners, and the way the scene ends, usually
with something funny that makes you keep watching. It's very helpful. The
characters are complex, with history and their own unique quirks.
Thanks again, Loretta, for your suggestion--years ago!--and a shoutout to all the Pen Dames.
Flossie Benton Rogers
As loss elicits various reactions in real life, so
should it for the characters we write. Almost every character will have
suffered some degree of loss and grief, from small to overwhelming. Does time
actually heal all wounds or does dealing with loss bring about a constant
recalibration of a person and how he or she responds to life forever after? Does
a catastrophic loss suffered years ago change the way your character deals with
certain ordinary situations? Does it bring forth traits that weren’t in
evidence before or cause formerly observable traits to now be completely closed
off? Does your character’s behavior change according to various challenges met during
the course of the book or series?
Whether you approach such questions overtly in your
story or consider them as background and backdrop, how your character responds can
add layers of complexity and authenticity.
In my cozy mystery WIP, Pumpkin Patch Murder, the
heroine’s backstory includes the loss of her brother in war, compounded by the
death of her parents. Some of the changes to her behavior include a reluctance
to enter hospitals and an avoidance of her old hometown and the memories associated
with it. There are also hints of a lack of commitment and a tendency toward a rudderless
life. Her main interests are studying history and leading cemetery tours, but
her unusual ability to communicate with spirits has, thus far, provided little inner
satisfaction.
In the book she is challenged to return to her
hometown, take charge of a landmark tearoom under renovation, and use her unusual
ability to help solve a murder. I look forward to seeing how her response to
loss develops and changes during subsequent books in the series. How does grief
or loss affect the current focal character you’re writing or reading about?
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Not all writers are naturally drawn to
research, and some may find it tedious or uninspiring, especially if the topic
doesn't genuinely spark the writer’s interest.
However, authors must remember they are
writing for a wide range of audiences. Readers are smart. They can tell when a
writer has threaded accurate research throughout their story in a believable
way, or when a writer hasn’t researched at all. The trick is to be sure the
information doesn’t read as regurgitation from an encyclopedia.
No matter the genre, from Historical to
Sci-fi, Mystery to Romance, research is crucial to writing because
it ensures accuracy, inspires creativity, ultimately leading to more
compelling and impactful writing. Research also helps create more authentic and
believable characters, settings, and narratives.
Lastly, create a ‘research’ file. Save the
url’s for each researched topic. Creating such a file can be a valuable source,
and a time-saver when writing about previously used topics e.g. horses, weaponry,
certain countries, flora or fauna, and other relevant information.
