Wednesday, June 5, 2013

So You Didn't Final In the Contest?

Ah, spring and early summer. The time of year when fiction writers hold their breath and watch their phones in anticipation of hearing the good news--your contest entry made it to the final round!


There are so many great contests, and many aspiring inspirational fiction writers enter ACFW's Genesis contest or My Book Therapy's Frasier contest. Romance writers get giddy over RWA's Golden Heart contest. All of these offer bragging rights and the chance for your entry to be judged by top editors and agents.

But with prestige come few finalists and hundreds of non-finalists. I want to hug everyone who doesn't get the phone call. Wrap my arms around them and tell them a few secrets.

Yes, I know things. I've been on this aspiring writer merry-go-round for a while now.

While I haven't entered very many contests, I've come away with enough golden nuggets that have improved my books to make each contest worth it.

For everyone who took a leap and entered a prestigious contest this year and didn't go on to the final round, I'm sharing some hard-earned wisdom with you.

1. Something about the experience will improve your writing.

You might find it on a scoresheet. You might not. A long time ago I received feedback that made me wonder if the judge had read someone else's entry--it had nothing to do with my book! But it improved my writing because it helped me trust myself. Some advice resonates with us. We should only take advice we understand and agree with.

2. Not everyone is on a fast-track to publishing, and it does NOT reflect your talent.

I wish I could tell you why some people seem to board the lightning-fast plane to contest wins, agent contracts, and overall buzz from their peers. I applaud them. But I want YOU to know it doesn't matter.

For every overnight success story, there are roughly five hundred slow-and-tortuous stories. Yes, I made that statistic up, but honestly, you need to know most writers lose contests, face many rejections, and take five steps back for every step forward. Ask around. You'll see.

There is no expiration date on your dream. Yes, it stinks to get our hopes up only to have them smashed. This is an extremely competitive business. Take the hard knocks now, ask yourself how much you want this, and continue to improve your skills.

3. When you go through enough trials on your way to publication, something wild happens.

You get humble, you get confident, you get good at writing, and you realize you'll put up with a lot of misery to grasp that golden ring.

Don't believe me? It's easy to continue on a journey when all the lights are green, and everyone is waving you in to the finish line. It's hard when light after light is red, and no one realizes you're even on the road. I wonder how many writers who entered the Genesis contest five years ago are still writing?

When you've faced a devastating rejection on your wedding anniversary, a cruddy contest result on your son's birthday, or a rough pitch session at an expensive conference--you get humble.

When you write and revise and study the writing craft, listen to your critique partners, and pay attention to the industry--you get confident.

When you do all this day after day, refusing to give up, you get good. Really good.

When you do all this year after year, you understand publishing itself won't make your life perfect. It won't be a picnic. You might have a strained relationship with your first editor. The sales of your debut might stink. Hey, you'll get some bad reviews, your family could mock your book, you might not get that second contract. And guess what? You'll still put your butt in the chair and keep going.

Why? Because you've done it for years. You'll remember all the rusty nails you stepped on to get to that point. What's a few more? This is your job. Your career. One you sacrificed for, cried over, poured sweat, blood, tears on and maybe even lost some of your sanity.

But here's the thing. After all the trials you went through on your way to that first contract, maybe, just maybe, you'll land the editor of your dreams. You'll get the second, third, and fourth contract. Your sales will rock. You'll still get some bad reviews. But you won't care, because you're living your dream.

So, you didn't final in the contest...

You're going to do fine. Just wait and see.

If you entered a contest recently and did not final, please feel free to e-mail me (jill(at)jillkemerer(dot)com) if you're struggling. I'd love to help you through this

Have a wonderful day!

20 comments:

  1. Great nuggets, Jill. Contests can take you on an emotional roller coaster, but you usually come away with something good from the experience. You're so sweet to encourage everyone today!

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    1. I agree, Cindy! We can take away something positive even when the results aren't what we want. :)

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  2. Love your encourager's heart, Jill! Not finaling is always hard, and definitely stings at first. But I think even more than trusting myself, I'm learning to trust God. He's got this, even when I feel like He doesn't. And His timing is perfect. My job? To keep on truckin'. :)

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    1. It's true, Lindsay. God is in control. What a relief, right? :)

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  3. Jill, this post is FABULOUS! I love your encouraging spirit and I know so many writers will leave here today with renewed hope. Thank you!

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    1. Thanks, Jessica. When I started querying and entering contests, I didn't realize how many people are actively trying to get published. It might have saved me some grief!

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  4. This was SUCH an encouragement!! I'm going to bookmark this and save it for when I get those results.

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    1. Wonderful, Jennifer! We see lots of good news and happy announcements online, but we don't see (for GOOD reason!!) the failures, disappointments, and set-backs so many writers experience. :)

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  5. Such good, good words here, Jill. And this is my favorite line: "There is no expiration date on your dream." So true in writing. So true in so many areas of life. I believe God puts dreams on our hearts for a reason...and however he decides to see those dreams to fruition, we honor him when we keep working at it!

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    1. God does put dreams in our hearts for a reason. It took me a while to realize this dream of mine was like a direct line to God. I don't think it was ever about selfish ambition, but it took me a long time to come to that point. God wanted me. All of me. And He got it!

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  6. What an encouraging post, Jill. Contest finals are fun and provide sought-after validation, but there are blessings to be had for those of us who don't final as well.

    Having had some 40+ non-finaling entries to date, I've learned to look for the positives in them. The biggest one for me in my pre-pubbed days was receiving the judge's feedback. I learned heaps from my generous judges and am so grateful to them.

    Now that I'm published, I like to think of my non-finaling entries as opportunities to get my book in front of avid romance readers, librarians, and book sellers who might not have read it otherwise. Never know who might judge a book, like it, and spread the word.

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    1. Good points, Keli--especially about entering contests for published works. A great way to find new readers!

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  7. Jill, you're right, it's bittersweet to read hurrah's for friends online and know you didn't final. You rejoice for them at the same time mourning your private disappointment. One (of the many) thing I loved about what you said is that it's through the times of not finaling, and learning, that confidence grows. This is such an important part of a writer's character.

    LOVED this post, my friend!

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    1. Thanks, Jeanne! It would be nice if everyone could gain confidence by successes, but it's just not realistic. The good together with the bad gives a writer valuable growth. :)

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  8. From one Jill to another, you're one in a million! That was a heartfelt and encouraging post.

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    1. What a nice compliment, Jill! Thank you very much!

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  9. Great, encouraging post, Jill! The publishing biz is hard - before and after publication, and learning how to move forward even when you don't get the hoped-for results is a great character building tool. Thanks for posting this! Susie May

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    1. Thanks so much, Susie. You have helped hundreds of writers grow in their writing and their confidence. I really admire you and what you do. Thank you SO much for taking time out of your extremely busy life to stop by. :)

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  10. Jill, you are such a generous encourager. Your words bless so many, including me!

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    1. Thanks, Amanda. I hate seeing anyone down, and I want so badly for them to know they aren't alone. We're in this together!

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