Competition Bug Bears!

Don’t you just hate it when competition entries aren’t acknowledged?

Taking time out from novel writing, to pen a few short stories, is proving to be a good exercise for writers block. Instead of leaving those little babies in my folder I’ve been giving them wings and sending them off to competitions.

Now, most of the time you get an acknowledgement in some form or another but recently I entered a very interesting one. The task involved continuing on the story from the point the posted piece stopped. I read and re-read the piece, did some research (wanted to show that I made a huge effort) and wrote my addition with great enthusiasm. It was a short piece but a great opportunity to showcase my talent and ability.

Five hundred words were typed with gusto, pasted to an email and sent. Then I waited and waited and nothing. (Not that I sat looking at the computer like a moron for a week, but you know what I mean) Not even an automated response email to acknowledge receipt. The only hint that it ended up somewhere, is that the email didn’t bounce back. It leaves me with no way of knowing if they received it.

I appreciate that owing to a large amount of entries to these competitions they can’t make individual replies to everyone, but surely an automated response to let me know it was received isn’t too much to ask.

So, do I resend and risk looking like stalker or do I leave it and count my losses?

Oh what to do?

Editing Dilemma Part 2

Well here’s the update, I decided to hold onto my manuscript because I got a rush of editing inspiration. This came after a rejection ((boo hoo) I admit though, I sent it out a tad too soon) but it turned out to be ‘nice’ rejection because the agent took the time to give me some very constructive feedback (thank you again nice agent).

I applied the advice combined with other bits I’ve received and something just clicked.  I also seemed to have left it long enough before revisiting, therefore approaching it with fresh eyes. I am currently a third of the way through but I’m enjoying the editing this time. 

So, maybe when it’s complete it could be good practice to put some distance and still give it to said trusted writing colleague (refer to previous blog post). With less sleepless nights (because my characters have quietened and I’m making less additions and corrections in my head at night instead of trying to sleep) there is less chance of getting arrested for breaking his door down to get my manuscript back or I could just hide it in the attic, but would I be tempted to peek.

Oh what to do?