Why do you, or don't you, take part in writing contests?

[defaux]

I participate in the contests regularly - in fact, I deliberately do so at every opportunity, both here and over on dotcom. For me, it forms part of my discipline. Between the two I get 2 short stories and 2 flash pieces (plus the 4th, and an occasional attempt at poetry or whatever else might be going on.) That means it pushes me to output roughly one piece of fiction per week. = Habit, deadlines, exercising the writing muscles regularly. Like marathon training, I ran 5k every day, and gradually worked my way up, not just going out to run 42k cold.

I enjoy the challenge of the prompts, particularly when it pushes me into something that I wouldn't choose. It encourages me to try to create inspiration from the ether, rather than simply waiting (hoping) for it to strike. I often combine the contest prompts with a personal growth challenge from my own coaching process, like try this one in a different POV, or a new genre or whatever, to stretch the skills into something I haven't yet attempted. Sometimes I discover things I unexpectedly like.

It is a low stakes environment that allows me to try out new and different things (characters, genres, styles, voice, etc.) on an unsuspecting audience (sorry, not sorry) without concern for them not working out. It's an avenue for learning and growth. I really enjoy reading everyone's interpretations of the prompt, seeing how they have composed their ideas, and what they have done better than I - then asking myself, how can I do this differently, better, next time?

And yes, it builds the portfolio. I now have some 30 odd stories written over the past 6 months, of which the best may be selected for submitting to publication (a goal for this year). All of this is my self-prescribed pathway towards completing and hopefully one day publishing the novel which is responsible for getting me started. I also have at least a couple more concepts for novels that derive from short pieces I wrote, and possible world building texture or context where I might fit some of this ideas together or within an existing novel concept. So it is all progression, of a kind. At least I hope it is.

And let's not forget the bling. Winning is certainly nice validation, but a lot of the time I'm happy to receive a single vote as evidence that I have not completely failed. Of course there are many talented writers competing, and it's actually validating just to be in the same company. Not being abjectly laughed out of the club does something passively positive for my impostor syndrome.

Oh and @Homer Potvin I concur. I don't see anyone having an issue if you wished to participate.

 

[Homer Potvin]

Qaddafi medals

I think I just shit myself laughing... might be the first Qaddafi reference in WF history.

 

[Naomasa298]

I enjoy the challenge of the prompts, particularly when it pushes me into something that I wouldn't choose. It encourages me to try to create inspiration from the ether, rather than simply waiting (hoping) for it to strike. I often combine the contest prompts with a personal growth challenge from my own coaching process, like try this one in a different POV, or a new genre or whatever, to stretch the skills into something I haven't yet attempted. Sometimes I discover things I unexpectedly like.

I like that. I write personal development pieces too, to try out things I've never tried, although I tend not to do it in contests. I can't sustain that level of output over such a long period though, I still have to take my time.

I reckon, the hardest thing to accept is that, when you produce a piece like that and you don't win, or get lots of praise, you think it failed. I think you'll agree with me that, that's not true. Sometimes, it needs refinement, but other times, it just didn't land with that audience.

 

[defaux]

I reckon, the hardest thing to accept is that, when you produce a piece like that and you don't win, or get lots of praise, you think it failed. I think you'll agree with me that, that's not true. Sometimes, it needs refinement, but other times, it just didn't land with that audience.

You are certainly correct. My comment about failing is probably more self-deprecating than anything. It can certainly feel like that when you allow the votes to be the entirety of feedback you absorb. But, an entry can still be good and not draw votes, when there is another entry that is simply excellent that pulls the votes for that month. Some folks do leave comments as well, at least for ones they liked, which can be encouraging.

Personally, I would love there to be more in the way of discussion around the entries and results, particularly given this is my chosen primary exhibit of work - not necessarily workshop level, but a simple feedback covering what worked and what didn't. Still, I understand that is not everyone's idea of a good time. I usually try to leave a small comment on for each entry, though I'm uncertain whether even a surface level or critique would be welcome in this context. And therein likely lies the problem.

It's fine if this is deemed not the venue for such discussion, I recognise that turning the contest into another workshop might be detrimental. For me it would add value, for others it might become more intimidating. But I'm also unsure the etiquette around popping over to the workshop and asking for feedback on a contest entry.

 

[Naomasa298]

Personally, I would love there to be more in the way of discussion around the entries and results, particularly given this is my chosen primary exhibit of work - not necessarily workshop level, but a simple feedback covering what worked and what didn't. Still, I understand that is not everyone's idea of a good time. I usually try to leave a small comment on for each entry, though I'm uncertain whether even a surface level or critique would be welcome in this context. And therein likely lies the problem.

I don't think we're supposed to do that here, because not everyone wants feedback on their entry. If they do, they can post it in the workshop. I guess there must have been some issues on the OG. That was the policy there, anyway, so I assume it's continuing here. I do agree though, I reckon it's a good idea, but I'm not gonna argue with the forum policy. I dunno, maybe people could specify if they don't want feedback or discussion on it.

 

[Luxuria]

I think you worry far too much about that. Readers aren't really going to bat an eyelid about historical incest. If you want to write a story about Oedipus and his mum, we all know it, and it simply doesn't land as "incest". It lands as "mythology". Real, historical cases will land as "history". Watch HBO/BBC's Rome. Octavian (Augustus) is seduced by his sister, and that was primetime TV. The only pushback you ever really get is nationalist pushback when you say something "disrespectful" towards one country's cherished historical figure, like, I dunno, turn Vera Lynn into a transgender dominatrix or something

Okay, thank you. Then, I will try and participate in the Writing Contests, when I can. (I have already thought of a few of the prompts.) And okay, cool. Good to know you all are a chill group.

I've seen the mythological Gemini twins in a same-sex incestuous relationship.

I have heard of that being a thing. Makes sense to me, but not my personal favorite Greek Myth Pairing.

I can't speak for them, obviously, but what seems to bother the mods most is explicit erotica, doesn't matter if it's Zeus and Hera, or Peter and Jane. You can always PM them and ask, or send them the story to see if it breaks the rules. I suspect you'd be surprised.

More or less. It's more about being overly gratuitous than anything else. Sex, violence, suicide, and incest are all fine subject matter within reason, but don't make it a masturbatory thing, like you're jacking off while writing it. Can't help you if you don't the difference between tasteful literature and self-indulgent fantasy.

@Naomasa298 - I understand and I think my fear is that I will post something and get insta-banned, because I didn't read the room. I won't be posting any erotica or anything, but I would like the mods to just let me know if something I write goes too far. Which, from what I said, I doubt it will. But I just love this community so much that I don't want to accidentally get kicked out.

@Homer Potvin - No, it's not at all 'erotic'. I can promise you that. But good to know. I will try and use my own judgement. And haha, you're right. You'd be no help there. Hah.

Essentially, anything that breaks forum rules is probably self-serving garbage anyway. Aside from erotica which is intentionally pornographic and gratuitous.

Okay, good to know! Because I hope my stuff doesn't come off as self-servicing garbage. Haha.

 

[Set2Stun]

I never imagined I'd become a flash/short story writer. I began my journey by writing my first novel - but it turned out I still needed to get a lot more words down on the page before I'd actually become good at writing. The contests really helped me with this. Great practice, and something to keep one's sword sharp while working on all the querying-related nonsense for the novels.

I'm glad I went down this path on the old site for so many reasons. The main benefit these days is to have writing credits that I can proudly list in my queries and on my author bios and sites. Have to imagine I'm getting a boost, whether it's a potential customer of my book, or someone evaluating a query or submission - "Oh, this dude got published by Nature Magazine and Sci Phi Journal? He's definitely a pro."

It wasn't easy to get to that point of course. Took me a good long while to secure my first contest win, and after the voting I'd often go right to the workshop to find out how I could've tightened up my story. I know it's different for everybody, but I can't recommend participating in the contests enough !

 

[ps102]

I used to be very active in 2023 myself. I can't check because the old forum is dead, but I think I maintained a 14-month participation streak from late 2022 to early 2024. But my activity lessened since then until it dwindled to nothingness. I've not participated in a single contest since the creation of the new forum.

There are reasons. I talked about this a lot in the old forum, though almost not at all here. Basically, my self-esteem is non-existent. I have to fight constant thoughts of self-belittlement. I didn't just stop participating in contests, I stopped writing altogether. Aside from some things here and there, I basically did no writing in 2024.

Thankfully, the Tavern forum RPG got me writing again in 2025. Since I had nothing else, I put all of my attention on it, and have had immense fun. It has been super nice to be excited about a story again. I still dislike my writing but I try to overlook it. We're near the end now and I'm excited to see how it all turns out.

I do miss the forum contests. The great prompts made me write some genuinely nice stories. And during that 14-month streak, I did learn a lot about my own writing skills by competing against others who were a gazillion times better than me. It was actually a great highlight of my writing life. I remember I couldn't shut up about it back then. I'd often vouch just how great these were for those starting it out, and how much they helped me. And those few times I did win after so much effort? It was pretty glorious for low-confidence me to win.

My beliefs are the same now as they were then. If you want to improve yourself, join the contests and combine it with good use of the workshop. You will seriously learn a lot.

I'm not quite ready to enter again. But I would like to soon... maybe after the RPG finishes. I've learned that I can only really focus on so much at a time thanks to my autism. At least, I should get back to voting. By coincedence, I did actually read this month's entries to the short story contest and found myself genuinely surprised by a certain one.

 

[Homer Potvin]

I don't think we're supposed to do that here, because not everyone wants feedback on their entry. If they do, they can post it in the workshop. I guess there must have been some issues on the OG. That was the policy there, anyway, so I assume it's continuing here. I do agree though, I reckon it's a good idea, but I'm not gonna argue with the forum policy. I dunno, maybe people could specify if they don't want feedback or discussion on it.

Yeah, there was an incident where somebody said something about a story in the voting discussion thread that the author didn't like. A spat ensued. Then there was exweedfarmer (I think), who won a contest but then proceeded to critique his own story as shite, implying that everyone who voted for him was stupid. Then there were a few other little incidents. We ended needing a terminal don't-say-shit-in-the-voting-discussion-thread policy. Very silly. That also came from a time when we needed to corral extraneous critiques from other areas into the Workshop, firmed up the critique requirements, and purge some of the forum abusers.

@big soft moose would remember more better than I. I think most of that happened before I was a mod.

 

[Naomasa298]

Then there was exweedfarmer (I think), who won a contest but then proceeded to critique his own story as shite,

I remember that.

 

[CatrionaGrace]

People are weird. Much better to become a meat popsicle.

 

[Luxuria]

Like with magazine rejections, the trick is to lay blame squarely on the readers...
More seriously, the slowest snail race in history that comprises the voting page allows you all the time you need to get over yourself. As far as content is concerned, dark and twisted might not score with everyone, but you might be surprised by tolerance levels. You could check a few scenes with mods to get a fuller sense of how close you are to the limit.

Yeah, this is what I need to work on. And okay I will test it out and I look forward to joining a few of the contests this year.

 

[Naomasa298]

People are weird. Much better to become a meat popsicle.

You mean, move to Canada?

 

[Naomasa298]

Yeah, this is what I need to work on. And okay I will test it out and I look forward to joining a few of the contests this year.

The only thing you should ask is "is it narratively justified?". In other words, is it necessary to the structure of the story, is it doing something other than gratifying the reader? Erotica, torture porn is largely there to gratify.

 

[Luxuria]

The only thing you should ask is "is it narratively justified?". In other words, is it necessary to the structure of the story, is it doing something other than gratifying the reader? Erotica, torture porn is largely there to gratify.

I mean, the narrative justification hinges most of the time on, "well, it historical and I don't want to do a disservice to the actual people or this is Mythological and I hate when other writers change things to make themselves more comfortable." And true, Erotica and Torture Porn are there to gratify.

 

[Naomasa298]

I mean, the narrative justification hinges most of the time on, "well, it historical and I don't want to do a disservice to the actual people or this is Mythological and I hate when other writers change things to make themselves more comfortable." And true, Erotica and Torture Porn are there to gratify.

That's not quite what I mean by narrative justification. Some real things happened, that we don't include in historical fiction because they simply don't ad anything to the story. For example, let's say... we show eight scenes of Hitler ordering an execution. It's like, ok, Hitler, bad man, we probably got that after three scenes, there's no need for the other five. But a scene of Hitler walking his dog might be working to show that "Hitler had things he cared about too" (although he did poison his dog Blondi, to test his suicide capsule). That justifies it, even if it's relatively quiet. Or Hitler trying to rape and seduce his niece isn't just a gratuitous moment if it serves to show one of the root causes of his sociopathic tendencies.

Adam mating with Eve to beget the human race is narratively justified. Adam discovering kinky sex with Eve probably isn't, but COULD be if, for example, it serves to sow sin in his descendants. Adam having a random romp in the bushes isn't.

Do you see what I mean?

 

[Luxuria]

(although he did poison his dog Blondi, to test his suicide capsule).

I can't believe I am saying this, but I feel bad for Blondi.

Adam mating with Eve to beget the human race is narratively justified. Adam discovering kinky sex with Eve probably isn't, but COULD be if, for example, it serves to sow sin in his descendants. Adam having a random romp in the bushes isn't.

I get it, kinda. But I think Adam having random romps or at least noting that he did, would make narrative sense if he was a sex addict. Which could be an interesting angle.

Do you see what I mean?

Yes and no?

 

[Naomasa298]

I get it, kinda. But I think Adam having random romps or at least noting that he did, would make narrative sense if he was a sex addict.

Exactly. If that's how you're writing Adam, then it is. That's narrative justification.

 

[Luxuria]

Exactly. If that's how you're writing Adam, then it is. That's narrative justification.

Okay, that makes sense now. Thanks!

 

[big soft moose]

Yeah, there was an incident where somebody said something about a story in the voting discussion thread that the author didn't like. A spat ensued. Then there was exweedfarmer (I think), who won a contest but then proceeded to critique his own story as shite, implying that everyone who voted for him was stupid. Then there were a few other little incidents. We ended needing a terminal don't-say-shit-in-the-voting-discussion-thread policy. Very silly. That also came from a time when we needed to corral extraneous critiques from other areas into the Workshop, firmed up the critique requirements, and purge some of the forum abusers.

@big soft moose would remember more better than I. I think most of that happened before I was a mod.

There were several such incidents over the years, the underlying problem was a small group of members who had a very high opinion of their own work and worth and set themselves up as arbiters of what was 'good writing' ... one of them while arguing with me about why he shouldnt be banned proclaimed that we should be grateful to him for donating his writing to the site... shortly after that i banned him. (all said clique left or were banned in the end)

in ref of EWF he also had a huge tantrum about how the contests were rigged which was why his work never won... I can't help feeling that his ahh work might have been the common denominating factor in that