New Writers:
After spending the last four years facilitating 12 writing contests, I have a simple, yet effective method for giving your piece the best shot possible. This applies to any writing or book contest you find to submit to. Honestly, it applies to many things in life!
Read and follow written instructions.
Of course, many of you are thinking, “Well, duh, Tenesha!”
But my experience has taught me that this is in no way a simple matter for people. I’ve even had similar issues with clients who will schedule a consultation with me because they can’t find a link or a button on KDP, their own website, or some other page. Yet, within the first 10 seconds of them sharing their screen, the thing they were looking for is staring us in the face. They’re surprised and embarrassed that they have reached out for help and now their problem is “solved” even though I’ve not said or done anything. 😀
As much as I’d love to believe it, I am not, in fact, a magical being.
What these people are looking for didn’t decide to show itself just because I was on the call. It had been there the entire time.
Whether it’s a contest, using a new app, or anything else in life: slow down, take your time, and read what’s in front of you.
The great thing about having text instructions is that you can read and re-read as needed to find what you’re looking for. You don’t have to rely on your memory as you would with a fleeting audio recording like a radio commercial or a video like a television commercial. Take advantage of the ability to review the written material.
Don’t let your rushing or not paying attention be the reason that you have to spend time getting assistance unnecessarily (especially if it’s help you have to pay for).
Don’t let your rushing or not paying attention be the reason that your awesome work is disqualified from a competition.
It’s okay to be thorough. Read instructions two or three times. Slow down and read line-by-line.
If you struggle with English due to it being a second language, or you have conditions like dyslexia that make reading more difficult, there are many text-to-speech and translation options available for your web browser or smartphone. You can have your computer or phone read a webpage out loud to you. You can also have an app translate content into your native tongue to help you confirm that you understand what’s been written. Things don’t always translate precisely, but between reading it in English and then reading it in your native language, you’ll have a better shot at understanding instructions or contest guidelines.
NOTE: Though we’re only a week into it, this year’s NOC has gone well with NO disqualifications of any entries so far (just in case you were wondering if this post was triggered by a recent event!).
