Monday, July 15, 2013

Great Writing Advice from Elizabeth Strout

I loved the interview with Elizabeth Strout {you can read my review of her book Abide With Me here} in the August 2013 issue of The Writer magazine. Here's a quote from the interview that really stuck with me:

What advice do you have for beginning and early-stage writers?

Elizabeth Strout: "I know the frustration which never goes away. You want so much to sit down and get it right. You have to learn to tolerate the frustration. You have to be patient and just keep writing. You're only going to learn it by doing it and by reading. You read and you write, and you read and you write. That's the hard part for beginning writers: having to accept that it may be a very long process. Also, you have to be willing to expose yourself -- to put your true emotions in your work."

What books are your reading and loving this summer?

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Opportunities for Teen Writers

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YC TEEN ESSAY CONTEST
http://www.ycteenmag.org/contests/ycteen.html
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You must be between the ages of 14 and 19 to enter. All essays must be true stories written by you. This is a non-fiction essay contest. If you win, your story will be published on our website and in our print issue. First prize $150. Second prize $75. Third prize $50. Same for ages 15-18.

CONTEST QUESTION #219
Deadline: September 27, 2013
Describe a personal achievement that you are particularly proud of, and why. Be sure to discuss the challenges you faced in pursuing this achievement, and how you dealt with them. How did you change as a result of this experience?


SHORTHAND
http://diasporadialogues.com/youthsite/zine/2013/03/11/mar-2013/
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Shorthand is looking for young Canadian writers between the ages of 16-25 to submit work for publication on-line in their New Voices special section. The deadline is the 15th of the month prior to publication. (Example: October 15th for a November publication) Writing must be in English from a resident of Canada, original, never published or produced, 2,500 words or less for fiction or non-fiction and 75 lines or less for poems (up to 3 poems can be submitted). Plays must be short or a one-scene excerpt.