Entering My First Contest

I have officially entered my first writing contest.  Or at least, the first one I’m going to count, since I did enter some contests when I was a teenager.

I sent the first twenty-five pages of Lord of Underhill and a four page synopsis in for the Paranormal Romance category in the Toronto Romance Writer’s Catherine Contest.  I’m feeling pretty excited about that.

I won’t find out any results until the end of August.  It would be awesome if I made it to the finals but every entry gets a critique by three published authors.  That’s the part I’m looking forward to.  I’m sure it’ll be tough to experience.  It’s always tough to hear criticism on something you’re proud of and emotionally invested in.  But it will help me to become a better writer.  And that’s worth a few hours of angst.

Honest criticism is vital to become a professional writer.  So far, it’s the hardest part of becoming a professional writer for me.  It’s hard, but I recognize the necessity.  And if I’m honest, I have to admit they’re usually right in their criticisms and suggestions.

I’m learning to cope with my emotion surge quickly and I think I’m starting to become better at it.  Almost every writer talks about the difficulty of accepting rejection and criticism so I don’t think I’m alone in feeling that way.  But the professionals recognize the necessity and learn to cope with it.