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Tuesday, August 21, 2007
The People Who You Meet
One of the things I love best about reading short stories is the people
I meet. Characters that come alive off the page and seem to live a life of their own. I'm reminded of this every time I judge
a contest--the sheer pleasure of the "good read."
Already I'm encountering some real "characters"--pun intended. I've been
transported to settings that haunt me. I've been back in time to the days of the Civil War and listened in on a conversation
aboard an alien starship. And that's just for starters.
Where else will this contest bring me? Who else will I meet? Only the day's
reading will tell.
Your stories will tell.
Monday, August 13, 2007
What's that Knocking at Your Door?
Opportunity. That's right.
Here at The Write Helper, we're offering you an opportunity to sharpen your
writing skills and compete against other writers from around the country. Our latest contest has received 40 entries, and
that's an opportunity if you haven't noticed. Entering a contest with a smaller pool of writers can help you, the beginning
or intermediate writer, get your foot in the door.
So seize the day! Shine up your best story and send it in, postmarked by
August 15. You might just see your name on the winners' list.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Judging Has Begun
August is here, and the judging for our Amazing Story Contest has begun.
Look for results by the end of the month. Until then, I thought I might jot down a few of my favorite short stories and
the authors responsible. Try finding one or more of them online for a good read.
Meanwhile, back to your stories!
"A Small, Good Thing" by Raymond Carver
"A Stone Boy" by Gina Berriault
"Waiting for the Evening News" by Tim Gautreaux.
"A Perfect Day for Bananafish" by J.D. Salinger.
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Only 1 day left to enter our Amazing Story Fiction Contest with new, easy guidelines and longer word length. Only 45 entries received as of 7/31!
Results are in for our Novel Beginnings 1st Chapter Contest! Congratulations to the winners.
Check out
our Past Winners for more great reads!
Need an editor?
Have
you written a story but are unsure what to do next? Do you find grammar and punctuation confusing? Let us fuss over your writing!
We will polish your work so that you communicate effectively, accurately, and creatively. For
more information, see our competitive rates.
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"Two
saxophone cases sat on the table. I rushed over and ran my fingers over the case that was clearly the more expensive. When
I lifted the cover, I gasped and my mouth went dry. I'd never seen anything so beautiful. The gold-lacquered saxophone, nested
in a plush velvet lining, shimmered like a rare jewel. I ached to own it and to run my fingers over the mother-of-pearl finger
pads whenever I wanted to. It was a dream. Would it come true?" [...] Read "The Saxophone" by George Thomas, winner of our 2010 Dead of Winter Nonfiction Contest.
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So why get a critique?
Every day we pay for small, trivial things, like a soda out of the vending machine at work or
a candy bar in line at the grocery store. A magazine or a manicure. A cup of coffee through the drive-thru.
But how much do we invest in enriching our lives?
Developing a talent that's been dormant for a long time? Realizing a dream, like seeing our name in print?
Why
get a critique? I say, why not?
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