JUMPSTART YOUR WRITING WITH WRITING CONTESTS

   Last month, I talked about the power of conferences to revitalize your writing and boost your muse. Today, the topic will be on how writing contests can do the same thing. Are you feeling stuck on your project? Stumped for story ideas? Hit a creative brick wall? Writing contests can be the jumper cables to your stalled creative engine. And they're fun! Here are a few to get you started:

1. REDWOOD WRITERS PROMPT CONTEST

Write a 1,000 word fictional tale based on this photo prompt:

For Submission guidelines and contest rules, see the flyer below or visit the Redwood Writer's Club website. 

2. THE WRITER MAGAZINE "THE DARKEST HOUR" SHORT STORY CONTEST

Write a 2,000 word fictional short story using any nuance, definition, or understanding of the word "dark." Enter at The Writer.

3. THE STORY SHARES WRITING CONTEST

Registered users must submit a story between 1,000 and 10,000 words ("Qualifying Story") and designate the story under one of the following categories: 1) Diversity, 2) Historical Fiction, 3) Fantasy, 4) Horror/Suspense or 5) Teens by Teens. For contest info. and submission guidelines, visit Story Shares.

Check out these other lists of writing contests:

Funds for Writers

The Write Life 

Poets and Writers

Good luck! And may the Muse be with you.