I recently completed a short story for the Bridport Prize, titled “Home and Dead With Strangers.” This experience has reaffirmed my belief in the power of deadlines and competition prompts to motivate and sharpen my writing focus.
I stumbled across this one on instagram I think, almost immediately after writing about writing completions in this blog here. It spurred me to write a short story and while I rushed it a bit since the deadline was fast approaching, I was glad that I found the prize, wrote something and entered (with 2 whole hours to go I might add).
There are many competitions to choose from, catering to different genres and writing styles. Some require an entry fee, while others are free. It’s worth exploring the options and finding competitions that resonate with you – or simply finding one with a wide enough description so you can submit something you’ve already written.
For me, the act of writing for the Bridport Prize was a victory in itself. It forced me to carve out time (even on a tight deadline with so much else going on) for my writing, provided a clear focus, and ultimately resulted in a story I’m proudish of. There is no chance that “Home and Dead With Strangers” wins and yet really it wasn’t the point for me. It spurred me to write something.
So, if you’re looking for a way to jumpstart your writing, consider diving into the world of writing competitions. The benefits far outweigh any doubts or fears you might have.
Happy writing!