Syn’ers rejoice! My Ode To Writing Contests

It’s fitting to end my blog posts for the year with a story about giving and receiving.

I decided to give back to the writing association that has been so good to me by taking on the management of the Romance Writers of Australia synopsis writing competition this year. It turned out to be quite a daunting task, but what I received in return was the thrill of giving good news to the winner today, chosen by the final judge, super-agent Jennifer Schober of Spencerhill & Associates.

In managing this contest I learned a lot, made new friends, and witnessed the generosity of spirit from judges and other volunteers within RWA who keep a comprehensive contest program going.

My congratulations every Syn’er (Selling Synopsis entrant), no matter where you placed, for managing to condense your precious story (with all its good/fun/clever bits and twists) down to a few pages. (Never an easy thing to do.)

So Syn’ers – rejoice! I hope Santa is good to you this Christmas and gives me that long awaited book contract! (I’m tired of being good 😉

Here is a poem I wrote in honour of our RWA contest entrants, managers and judges.

My Ode to Writing Contests

Thanks from a contest manager brand new to the gig
Who discovered the role is complex and big
I tried my best to get it all right
Working all day and half the night.

It’s quite a job, this management task
I appreciate now just how much we ask
The amount of people, their effort and time
To not pay homage would be a crime.

As an entrant in future I’ll now always consider
The poor contest manager who is all a dither
Scores of entries, a hundred plus score sheets
All processed to ensure the deadline she meets.

She reads, adds up, records and wishes
That all entries were winners – there are no misses
But there can’t always be a happy ever after
Bringing tears and disappointment – no woo hoos and laughter.

A comment here, a remark there
Please know that contest managers care
We feel your joy, we know your pain
But without constructive criticism there is no gain.

So with the next contest you decide to enter
Think about the people at its centre
Improving your work is what’s in their heart
Understand that and it may ease the smart.

My responsibility is over and I’ve given something back
But volunteers is something RWA always seems to lack
So I’ll take it on again, the same role next year
Having done it once things now seem remarkably clear!

If you’re like me, done with contests and stuff
And you have a desire to help others get tough
Consider volunteering, join the contest crew
You might have to work hard but it’s a great thing to do.