AND THEN WHAT?
Last month I wrote boldly about taking up the gauntlet, and I challenged myself to write a tercet. I 
admit it was hard, and I promise the first draft will never ever see daylight again! I took the advice of Alison Chisholm, though. In her publication called ‘The Poet’s Workbook’, she says:
‘It’s always good idea to rest your draft before beginning the revision process. If you can allow a week or two before looking at it again you will …….. be able to view it with a more critical eye.’
Well, it did take a week or two before I could bear to look at it again. But when I did, I was just about ready to face it. And I think I did manage to improve it, a bit. I want to work on it again, though.
Alison’s advice is very good for creative writers of every kind. That’s why, if you’re going to enter a competition, it’s worth starting early. Then you’ve got plenty of time to put it away, take it out later, and if necessary, revise, revise, revise.
My next challenge is to write a feel-good list poem.
Wish me luck!
NEED A CHALLENGE?
Try these:
Lancashire Author’s Association Flash Fiction Competition
A story in exactly 100 words
Prize: £100
Entry fee £3/£2 members
Closing date 31 Oct
www.lancashireauthorsassociation.co.uk
Go to the open competition page
McKitterick Prize
For the first novel by a writer over 40
Prize: £4000
Free entry
Closing date: 31 Oct
Women in Comedy Festival Comp
For everyone, not just women!
Three minute comedy sketches or monologues; short stories up to 1000 words
Prizes: £50 in each category
Entry Fee: £3, £2 in each subsequent category
Closing date: 14 Oct
Cannon Poets Sonnet or not
For 14-line poems that in some way reflect the sonnet form, or not
Prizes: £450; £200; £100
Entry fee: £4, subsequent entries £2.50
Closing date 31 Oct