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Printed From: NYC Midnight : Creative Writing & Screenwriting
Category: GENERAL DISCUSSION
Forum Name: Creative Writing Corner
Forum Description: Discuss NYC Midnight Creative Writing Competitions or Creative Writing in general.
URL: https://forums.nycmidnight.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=18818
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Topic: other competitions
Posted By: barnabypage
Subject: other competitions
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2018 at 8:17pm
What other competitions do people recommend to pass the time between NYC Midnight events?

I'm interested in slightly longer-form work (say about 2000-2500 words) - no strong genre-specific preferences, though I tend to write in the broad areas of horror/SF/alt.hist/general drama.

Not particularly interested in prizes or publishing. :)



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Replies:
Posted By: sootfoot5
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2018 at 9:02pm
not particularly interested in prizes or publishing?  Why do you want a contest? 

Why not do nano?


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Posted By: chrissie0707
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2018 at 9:10pm
NaNoWriMo is a great suggestion. I plan on writing the draft of my first original novel this November. 

Even if you don't have one sizeable project to dedicate 50,000 words to, there are always sprints you could do, or set a weekend wordcount goal. 


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Posted By: barnabypage
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2018 at 9:17pm
Originally posted by sootfoot5 sootfoot5 wrote:

not particularly interested in prizes or publishing?  Why do you want a contest? 


Because the discipline of having to do a certain thing in a certain time is great (for me), and the feedback is always interesting.


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Posted By: Vernacula
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2018 at 9:36pm
Can someone explain how to "do" Nano? I always fail on day one and just go get coffee instead. I'm not great at self discipline.


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Posted By: manifestlynot
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2018 at 10:18pm
Originally posted by Vernacula Vernacula wrote:

Can someone explain how to "do" Nano? I always fail on day one and just go get coffee instead. I'm not great at self discipline.

Same question! I’ve got some long-form ideas but I need the accountability that NYCM’s deadlines provide.


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Posted By: chrissie0707
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2018 at 10:22pm
Originally posted by Vernacula Vernacula wrote:

Can someone explain how to "do" Nano? I always fail on day one and just go get coffee instead. I'm not great at self discipline.

It comes out to about 1667 words per day. Which sounds like A LOT. I've "won" Nano twice in the past three years, and it really does take discipline, and making writing your priority for an entire month. I always do best when I get a jump on the word count early on in the first few days, because things are obviously gonna come up. I found a local group who met up once per week to write for a few hours and do word sprints, and that was a huge help. 


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Posted By: regannoelle
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2018 at 10:23pm
Originally posted by Vernacula Vernacula wrote:

Can someone explain how to "do" Nano? I always fail on day one and just go get coffee instead. I'm not great at self discipline.
I’ve done NANO for the past few years, and here’s my best word of advice. Don’t be hard on yourself. For me, forced writing is bad writing, and there’s no sense in wasting hours writing thousands of words that you’ll scrap later on because you hate them all. November is the busiest month for me - I have my birthday, my brother’s birthday, my cousin’s birthday, my grandma’s birthday, thanksgiving, an annual family trip, and usually at least three exams to prep for. It is PACKED. My solution for balancing life with NANO is to set a daily writing goal, but also ensure room in your schedule to catch up. For example, I always tried to structure my weekends/free time in a way that would allow me to write double what I normally would’ve in order to make up for any days I may have gone a bit under. Structure is important, and so is having a good support system. I always like to tell my family I’ll be mentally gone for the whole month and promise to make up any lack of social time with them in the next month. 
The most important thing to note and the biggest thing NANO taught me is not caring if you put something on paper that isn’t perfect. So often I get caught up in a bubble of fear if the words that I’m writing aren’t fitting together perfectly right off the bat. Yet, perfection isn’t the goal for NANO. Instead it’s killing off your procrastination! It’s writing, even when it’s hard or you have no ideas or it’s not perfect as it’s spilling onto the pages. You have time to edit later - spend the month writing a story that you love and have fun doing it! NANO is also a very experimental time for me - I try our new genres or new writing techniques, and I am unafraid to experiment because NANO doesn’t leave you time to be afraid. 
Lastly, accept that even if you don’t meet your goal word count, you tried. Trying and being a few words shy of your goal is so much better than not trying at all out of fear that you won’t reach that big magic number. I hope this ramble was helpful, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask!


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Posted By: chrissie0707
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2018 at 10:24pm
Originally posted by manifestlynot manifestlynot wrote:

Originally posted by Vernacula Vernacula wrote:

Can someone explain how to "do" Nano? I always fail on day one and just go get coffee instead. I'm not great at self discipline.

Same question! I’ve got some long-form ideas but I need the accountability that NYCM’s deadlines provide.

There's a word counter on the NaNoWriMo site. That's always my accountability meter. It shows you where you should be to be on target to hit 50k words, and you put in your word count as you go. 


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Posted By: regannoelle
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2018 at 10:28pm
Originally posted by chrissie0707 chrissie0707 wrote:

Originally posted by Vernacula Vernacula wrote:

Can someone explain how to "do" Nano? I always fail on day one and just go get coffee instead. I'm not great at self discipline.

It comes out to about 1667 words per day. Which sounds like A LOT. I've "won" Nano twice in the past three years, and it really does take discipline, and making writing your priority for an entire month. I always do best when I get a jump on the word count early on in the first few days, because things are obviously gonna come up. I found a local group who met up once per week to write for a few hours and do word sprints, and that was a huge help. 
I second this! Finding a local / online group can be a huge help, because at the moments that you’re struggling to hold if together and you feel like there’s no way to crank out those last few thousand words, they know exactly how you feel. They can also help ou with any kinks you may be running in to, and I’ve found my group is especially helpful with my accountability.


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Posted By: catrad
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2018 at 10:30pm
I do nano every year.  It's a way of not letting other things take priority over writing.  So I try to find time to write throughout the day.  I might spend my lunch hour at work typing something that I e-mail to myself and then cut and paste into my novel.  It might be stolen minutes in the morning before work.  Or an hour after everyone else goes to bed.  Being able to say I have to write, makes it easier to be self-disciplined.  Over the last 4 years I've been working on a series and each Nano I write another in the series.  This cheat works for me because I already know my characters. Also, like here, there are forums, and so you can get prompts, engage in word wars, etc.  Little things to help motivate you.



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Posted By: sootfoot5
Date Posted: 13 Sep 2018 at 11:55pm
Originally posted by chrissie0707 chrissie0707 wrote:

NaNoWriMo is a great suggestion. I plan on writing the draft of my first original novel this November. 

Even if you don't have one sizeable project to dedicate 50,000 words to, there are always sprints you could do, or set a weekend wordcount goal. 


Most comps don’t give this kind of feedback. What you need is a writing group. 


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Posted By: Vernacula
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2018 at 1:44am
Thanks so much for the tips! It's more inertia than fear that stops me. That and inability to choose and stick with a project. What is the simplest nanoprep materials/program out there to get organized so it's super simple to just get started day one?


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Posted By: sootfoot5
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2018 at 2:03am
Originally posted by Vernacula Vernacula wrote:

Thanks so much for the tips! It's more inertia than fear that stops me. That and inability to choose and stick with a project. What is the simplest nanoprep materials/program out there to get organized so it's super simple to just get started day one?

Buying a coffee machine with a timer function, so it is ready when you wake up. 


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Posted By: Vernacula
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2018 at 2:30am
Originally posted by sootfoot5 sootfoot5 wrote:

Originally posted by Vernacula Vernacula wrote:

Thanks so much for the tips! It's more inertia than fear that stops me. That and inability to choose and stick with a project. What is the simplest nanoprep materials/program out there to get organized so it's super simple to just get started day one?

Buying a coffee machine with a timer function, so it is ready when you wake up. 


Drat. Looks like I'm skipping again this year. Best of luck to everyone else! LOL


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Posted By: Bookworm33
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2018 at 9:25am
Originally posted by Vernacula Vernacula wrote:

Can someone explain how to "do" Nano? I always fail on day one and just go get coffee instead. I'm not great at self discipline.
The most important thing I discovered when doing Nano the year I "won" was that if you miss a day's word count, immediately make it up the next day! I had to skip several Sundays, and always did at least double on Monday to get back on schedule. I never could have caught up if I hadn't made myself accountable right away!

You can also do a "Nano Rebel" challenge--lots of people just write short stories until they fill their word count. As long as you reach 50,000 words of "something", it doesn't matter if it's all in the same story!


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Posted By: Noel Alcoba
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2018 at 9:39am
A fun one is the 3-day Novel contest, going on it's 41st year.  Happens over the Labor Day Weekend.  Because of the 72 hour time frame the novels average between 90 and 120 pages, 20-25k words, so they're more like novellas. First prize is a publishing contract for your entry.

What the contest does is it kills your inner editor and makes you KEEP WRITING.  It's about the best cure for writer's block (for those of you who believe writer's block exists).  And one the quickest ways to come up with a first draft for something you could expand later.

I had maybe five years worth of ideas, unfinished chapters, and paragraphs I'd write and re-write for months without moving forward.  So I entered for the first time last year just to force myself to start and finish something.  What came out was a wacky train of thought speculative political satire thing filled with typos, tangents, and a plot hole here or there. It was an emotional rollercoaster fueled by bottomless pots of coffee. But in the end I actually finished something.  After going through the physical and mental fatigue of nonstop scribbling I couldn't see myself doing it again.  But I did, two weekends ago.


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Posted By: Jhill
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2018 at 1:16pm
I often recommend the Yeah Write super challenges. They do a contest every quarter: 2 fiction and 2 nonfic. They are flash, so only 1000 words, which might be too short for your goals. I like that they are professional, judging is very consistent, and the turnaround time is fast. You receive results & comments in 2 weeks rather than 2 months. Unfortunately, there isn't a forum like this for posting/discussing the stories, but otherwise I like it a lot.


Posted By: Noel Alcoba
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2018 at 1:43pm
Originally posted by Jhill Jhill wrote:

I often recommend the Yeah Write super challenges. They do a contest every quarter: 2 fiction and 2 nonfic. They are flash, so only 1000 words, which might be too short for your goals. I like that they are professional, judging is very consistent, and the turnaround time is fast. You receive results & comments in 2 weeks rather than 2 months. Unfortunately, there isn't a forum like this for posting/discussing the stories, but otherwise I like it a lot.

About how many people participate?


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Posted By: hanalyst
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2018 at 2:59pm
I did NaNo a few years ago and credit meetups and wine with my ability to finish. Mostly wine. (Seriously, it doesn't work for me unless I shut down my constant need to edit as I write.) I ended up with something less-than-cohesive at the end, but it was still a great feeling. I'd do it again for sure, just with a premeditated outline.

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Posted By: bleustick
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2018 at 5:01pm
Originally posted by Noel Alcoba Noel Alcoba wrote:

A fun one is the 3-day Novel contest, going on it's 41st year.  Happens over the Labor Day Weekend.  Because of the 72 hour time frame the novels average between 90 and 120 pages, 20-25k words, so they're more like novellas. First prize is a publishing contract for your entry.

I just discovered that one this year! Unfortunately only a day before Labor Day weekend, so not in time to participate, but it looks awesome. Definitely catching it next year.

I am participating in not only round 2 of NYCM's FFC this weekend, but also Writer Weekly's https://24hourshortstorycontest.com/" rel="nofollow - 24 Hour Short Story Contest . So we'll see how that fun bit of madness goes ConfusedLOL. I also am participating in NaNoWriMo this year, which is always awesome.


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Posted By: Noel Alcoba
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2018 at 5:07pm
Originally posted by bleustick bleustick wrote:

Originally posted by Noel Alcoba Noel Alcoba wrote:

A fun one is the 3-day Novel contest, going on it's 41st year.  Happens over the Labor Day Weekend.  Because of the 72 hour time frame the novels average between 90 and 120 pages, 20-25k words, so they're more like novellas. First prize is a publishing contract for your entry.

I just discovered that one this year! Unfortunately only a day before Labor Day weekend, so not in time to participate, but it looks awesome. Definitely catching it next year.

I am participating in not only round 2 of NYCM's FFC this weekend, but also Writer Weekly's https://24hourshortstorycontest.com/" rel="nofollow - 24 Hour Short Story Contest . So we'll see how that fun bit of madness goes ConfusedLOL. I also am participating in NaNoWriMo this year, which is always awesome.

Doing TWICE the amount of something you LOVE doing?  Keep the coffee brewing.  You got this.


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Posted By: bleustick
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2018 at 5:16pm
Originally posted by Noel Alcoba Noel Alcoba wrote:

Doing TWICE the amount of something you LOVE doing?  Keep the coffee brewing.  You got this.

Exactly! I really can't get enough of it, so I'm pretty excited really. And contests help push me to actually COMMIT and MAKE THE TIME, with two kids underfoot and all. One of the best things somebody told me at Gen Con this year was that you CAN'T take on writing in your "free time" like a hobby when you want it to be your living. And that is what I struggle with right now.


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Posted By: Noel Alcoba
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2018 at 5:19pm
Originally posted by bleustick bleustick wrote:

Originally posted by Noel Alcoba Noel Alcoba wrote:

Doing TWICE the amount of something you LOVE doing?  Keep the coffee brewing.  You got this.

Exactly! I really can't get enough of it, so I'm pretty excited really. And contests help push me to actually COMMIT and MAKE THE TIME, with two kids underfoot and all. One of the best things somebody told me at Gen Con this year was that you CAN'T take on writing in your "free time" like a hobby when you want it to be your living. And that is what I struggle with right now.

Yeah, the 'free time' thing?  That's how I approached writing before.  After five years I found myself working on the same damn opening chapter.  Deadlines (and fees, even) make you commit.


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Posted By: TammyB
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2018 at 8:15pm
Originally posted by manifestlynot manifestlynot wrote:

Originally posted by Vernacula Vernacula wrote:

Can someone explain how to "do" Nano? I always fail on day one and just go get coffee instead. I'm not great at self discipline.

Same question! I’ve got some long-form ideas but I need the accountability that NYCM’s deadlines provide.

I’ve been doing Nanowrimo for over a decade. The best way to do the discipline is join your local region for accountability. Or get a few buddies to compete against. I’ve written encouragement, sent notes, made dares, the whole gamut with my local competitors. If you would like, I would be pleased to buddy you so I can push you. 


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Posted By: TammyB
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2018 at 8:18pm
Originally posted by Vernacula Vernacula wrote:

Originally posted by sootfoot5 sootfoot5 wrote:

Originally posted by Vernacula Vernacula wrote:

Thanks so much for the tips! It's more inertia than fear that stops me. That and inability to choose and stick with a project. What is the simplest nanoprep materials/program out there to get organized so it's super simple to just get started day one?

Buying a coffee machine with a timer function, so it is ready when you wake up. 


Drat. Looks like I'm skipping again this year. Best of luck to everyone else! LOL

Tag me, please! We can discuss things that you can do before Nanowrimo starts so you can be ready.


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FF18CH2 DOG-GONE MICROCHIP
WRITE ON!


Posted By: catrad
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2018 at 9:23pm
Ditto what Noel said about 3 Day.  Best weekend of the year.  I've been doing it for about 11 years.  Go to the 3 Day Novel website and sign up for e-mails so you get notified of early registration $35 v. $50 in past years.  Also make sure to visit the ABE 3 day forum, we stay active year round.  Most supportive writing group in the world! 


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Posted By: barnabypage
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2018 at 9:42pm
Originally posted by Jhill Jhill wrote:

I often recommend the Yeah Write super challenges. They do a contest every quarter: 2 fiction and 2 nonfic. They are flash, so only 1000 words, which might be too short for your goals. I like that they are professional, judging is very consistent, and the turnaround time is fast. You receive results & comments in 2 weeks rather than 2 months. Unfortunately, there isn't a forum like this for posting/discussing the stories, but otherwise I like it a lot.

Those do sound interesting - I'll definitely look into them - thanks!

As a matter of interest (and I know I'm being lazy here by not just Googling them), how does flash nonfic work? Is it an essay topic, in effect, or research-based?


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