Interview with Kerby Kunstler Caudill, Runner Up in the WOW! Q4 2024 Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest

 

Congratulations to Kerby Kunstler Caudill from Culver City, California for her award-winning story, "Counting," and to all of the other contestants and winners of the WOW! Women on Writing Quarter 4 2024 Essay Contest!

Today, I'm excited to interview Kerby about her award-winning essay.

Interview by Crystal J. Casavant-Otto

WOW: Welcome, Kerby! Thank you for being here with me today - I'm sure our WOW! readers are excited as I am to learn more about Kerby and Counting! Readers - if you haven't already, pop over and read Counting and then return here for this fun interview! Don't rush - we will wait! And of course - here's a little more about Kerby:

Kerby's Bio:

Although born in Ashland, Oregon with family roots in New York, Kerby Kunstler Caudill has spent most of her life in Southern California. She earned a BA in Film Studies from the University of California at Irvine and an MA in education from Cal State Long Beach. After 20 years in education, she put pen to paper for more than just grading tests. For several years she workshopped her memoir Oma & Me and YA Novels Elle and You First, with author Francesca Lia Block and is currently in a workshop with author/composer Dale Trumbore. 

Her work has been published in The Good Life Review, Months to Years, Lit Angels, MUTHA Magazine, and Dorothy Parker’s Ashes. As an empty nester, she currently works at an afterschool enrichment program called Lighthouse in South Central Los Angeles, copy edits the online magazine Lit Angels and the book Time by Design by Dr. Dawna Ballard, and reads for Hippocampus Magazine. When not petting her dogs, or futzing with her plants, she is chipping away at her third novel, Facing Reality. 

 Visit her website at www.kerbycaudill.com and connect with her on Instagram @kerbnerd.

Now that everyone has had a chance to read your fabulous submission - let's get down to it, shall we?

Thank you Kerby for submitting - can you tell us what your intended take-away was when you sent this portion of your memoir out into the world? What did you want readers to get from this?

Kerby: Thank you for publishing Counting! The take-away of this abridged chapter (and my entire memoir) is to have compassion and acceptance for those who may not be where you are: whether it be their physical or cognitive ability, mental health, or level of self awareness. People overlooked my sister, or worse, outright bullied her, yet she was the compass that guided my life. I grew up resenting my role as a third parent. I didn't consider what my parents were going through - caring for our family while under emotional and financial duress. Looking back, we were all trying our best to hold on; to sanity, to love, and to each other. We all need more of that.

WOW: Boy does that speak to me and my mama heart right now - thank you for your honesty! As a mom, I'm so busy caring for everyone that I don't always think about how my older children are feeling. I hope they know they have my support, but the support of others is important too. Where do you go for support? Who helps you and how when you feel like you need a shoulder?

Kerby:  To be honest, as the perpetual caretaker I rarely accept care from others, but my husband Jeff and daughter Melody support me, gas me up and are rooting for me and my writing career. When I had to quit teaching due to medical concerns, my husband didn’t bat an eyelash and just wanted what was best for me. I am lucky to have an assemblage of friends who are surrogate siblings, many you will see in my memoir! Women in my writer’s groups have also been invaluable, especially Dale Trumbore.

WOW: I can definitely feel the caretaker in your writing - speaking of nurturing and caretaking; what would your current self like to say to a younger a version of yourself? 

Kerby: Oh, my sweet, dear younger self, you lonely child. Heed your teachers’ advice and take your writing seriously—SOONER. Get an MFA in writing instead of an MA in education. Have confidence in yourself and your good heart and know that you deserve love, regardless of achievements, accolades, or acts of service.

WOW: Sounds like great advice for young Kerby and all the young writers out there! You have an impressive bio - sounds like you are busy writing - what is your latest/current project?

Kerby: Thank you! I am currently trying to whip up inspiration to finish my fourth book Facing Reality which is a fun romance novel about Naomi, whose daughter convinces her to go on a vacation years after her husband died of Covid. When Naomi gets off the plane, she realizes she was set up to be on a reality dating show. Of course, she falls in love with one of the producers who then ruins her reputation in the edit—but true love prevails against all odds. 

WOW: That sounds like a fun read and who doesn't want a break from reality for a nice vacation? One last question before we part ways (for now, not forever as I like to say): what advice do you have for other caretakers and/or writers when it comes to stress, turbulent times, etc... you mentioned covid which let's talk about stress right? Give us your tips!

Kerby: Since October 7, 2023, life has changed for me and many of my fellow Jews on a molecular level. The upcoming election doesn’t help my emotional state as our democracy and women’s rights hang in the balance. I’d love to say I exercise, eat healthy, meditate and find peace within. What I actually do is: my own version of prayer, take breaks from reading the news, visit friends, spend time with family, eat chocolate covered raisons or Oreos by the handful, cuddle with my dogs, play all the NYT word games and a hell of a lot of Candy Crush. 

Thank you so much for this interview! Again, I am honored to be a part of this publication and group of women writers.

WOW: Thank YOU Kerby - I certainly enjoyed our chat and hope to help you once your novel is complete - I have a feeling we will be working together again soon!

Hugs! 

*

Interviewed by Crystal J. Casavant-Otto who just keeps on keeping on and can be found blogging and sharing on social media hashtag #raisingkidsandcattle #shelovesgodandsheridesgoodhorses #thankfulgratefulblessed 

 Check out the latest Contests: 

www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php

Read More »

Leave a Comment author interview, Creative Nonfiction, essay, kjerby kunstler caudill, nonfiction, writing contest

Interview with Jennifer Gallo Gaites, First Place Winner in the Q4 2023 Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest

Jennifer Gallo Gaites is a writer from Fair Haven, NJ where she lives with her husband and three children. She writes mostly about family life and is working on a memoir in essays about the ever-shifting identity of motherhood. This essay will appear in HeartWood Literary Magazine's Issue 16, and her work has been published in Hippocampus and Literary Mama. She is a writing instructor at Project Write Now in Red Bank, NJ.

interview by Marcia Peterson

WOW: Congratulations on winning first place in our Q4 2023 Creative Nonfiction essay competition! What inspired you to write your essay, “{ }nesting?” Clever use of the brackets, by the way.

Jennifer: Thank you! I was so excited by the news. I really liked this essay when I wrote it, but as time went on (and I received a number of rejections) I started to have doubts about it. I was thrilled it eventually found a home at HeartWood Literary Magazine. After the contest winners were announced, when the WOW! editors shared their feedback, I was so happy to hear that the essay resonated with other women.

I’ve become interested in the lyric essay, because I think it allows for an exploration of a few ideas at once. And it’s how I find my mind works lately…in kind of a meandering, uncertain way. This essay started as a funny look at my hair falling out—at what seems like an alarming rate–as I get older. Everyone I talked to said, “Oh, it’s normal.” But then I started thinking, “Well, what’s normal? Because none of this feels normal!” In some ways, I think I’ve felt that way through every stage of life. I’m lucky to have a lot of really cool, strong women around me, and I love talking to them about the different phases of life and how things change. And the idea of what we hold onto, and what we let go (willingly or not) is always on my mind lately. As for the brackets, I had a vague recollection of the empty set in math, but definitely had to look up the definition. I was psyched when it seemed to fit the piece.

WOW: As a busy mom, how do you find time to write? What works best for you?

Jennifer: It took me a long time to establish a writing habit. I used to just kind of have it on my to-do list…and, like everything else on that list, I kept pushing it off. We’ve all heard the advice to schedule our writing the way we would any other appointment. Following that advice has helped me establish a discipline. Now I look at my week and see which days I can write for only a short time, and which days I can sit in the chair for a few hours. I've noticed that if I don’t stick to my schedule, I feel out of sorts.

WOW: A good reminder about scheduling  writing appointments into the week! You mention in your bio that you’re working on a memoir in essays “about the ever-shifting identity of motherhood.” Can you tell us anything about it, and what your essay/memoir writing journey has been like so far?

Jennifer: Yes! Big, sweeping memoirs are fascinating, but I’m also drawn to stories about the smaller moments in life. When the kids were young, I felt like those early years of motherhood would last forever–it’s all-consuming. At some point, of course, we all realize how quickly it goes. Each stage of life feels like a process of re-discovering who we are. In terms of my writing journey, I’ve been fortunate to be part of an online book writing group. That has created accountability for me, and forced me to establish a regular writing practice. We not only set deadlines, check in with each other, and read each other's work, but we share the ups and downs of the creative process and submitting work.

WOW: Is there a particular memoir you think everyone needs to read, or a recent favorite?

Jennifer: There are so many great memoirs out. Since I’m drawn to essay collections, some of my favorites are Abigail Thomas’ Safekeeping, Ross Gay’s The Book of Delights, and Beth Ann Fennelly’s Heating & Cooling. I’m not sure if it’s technically a memoir, but I absolutely loved John Green’s The Anthropocene Reviewed.

WOW: I read Ross Gay's book a few months ago, and he's coming out with The Book of (More) Delights soon. Also John Green fan here; I went with one of my daughters to his Turtles All the Way Down multimedia event tour a few years ago, which was a great time. Thanks so much for chatting with us today, Jennifer. Before you go, can you share a favorite writing tip or piece of advice with our readers?

Jennifer: I’ve started to appreciate that writing begets writing. So, even if I’m short on time and can devote only half an hour in the morning, chances are I’ll continue to think about whatever I’m working on throughout the day…my brain keeps marinating and circling. Suddenly these little scraps of ideas will appear, and I can try to work them into something.

***

Read More »

Leave a Comment Contestant interview, Creative Nonfiction, essay, first place winner, Jennifer Gallo Gaites, Marcia Peterson, motherhood, Q4 2023 CNF Essay Contest, writer inspiration, writing advice

Interview with Charity Tahmaseb: Q3 2023 Creative Nonfiction Contest Runner Up

Charity Tahmaseb has slung corn on the cob for Green Giant and jumped out of airplanes (but not at the same time). She’s worn both Girl Scout and Army green. These days, she writes stories, both short and long, and works as a technical writer for a software company. She has a fondness for coffee, ghosts, and things fantastical. She blogs occasionally at writingwrongs.blog. 

interview by Marcia Peterson

WOW: Congratulations on your top ten win in our Q3 2023 Creative Nonfiction essay competition! What prompted you to enter the contest?

Charity: Thank you! I love the WOW contests, both flash fiction and creative nonfiction ones. They’re easy and fun to enter. Perhaps best of all is being able to submit previously published pieces. Those markets are rare, and I really appreciate that WOW allows that.

I’ve primarily written fiction, but I’m starting to explore creative nonfiction and memoir. Being able to enter the WOW essay contest helps me gauge whether these experiences of mine resonate with a larger audience. Flash—whether fiction or nonfiction—is a great way to test the waters, not only to see if a piece lands but how I feel about it landing.

WOW: I loved your entry, “Field Manual for Waiting” and felt like I was there with you in both situations. What inspired you to write this piece?

Charity: I’m not sure I can articulate why I wrote this particular piece, which might be why I needed to write it in the first place.

Something about these two events, which took place more than thirty years apart, became linked in my mind, and I’m hoping to explore this connection in longer works. I might even tackle a memoir, although this idea scares me a little—or, honestly, a lot.

WOW: Are you working on any writing projects right now? What’s next for you?

Charity: Well, there is that possible memoir. I’m still pondering that since what works in a short piece like “Field Manual for Waiting” might get tedious in a longer format. But this is definitely one of those slow projects that simmers on the back burner while I’m busy doing other things. It will let me know when it wants to be written.

The other project I’m working on is a supernatural suspense series about a small group of people protecting the world from a supernatural force that only they can perceive. It’s also about:

A woman with nothing to hide—except the truth—meets a man with nothing to lose—except his heart. And he’s just arrived in town to fire her.

So, yes, it might have a slow-burn romance as well. It’s one of those stories that’s also been simmering in my mind for a while.

WOW:  Sounds like a fun premise! Switching gears, you mention a fondness for ghosts and things fantastical. Can you tell us about that?

Charity: I do have a fondness for ghosts, and I think it’s linked to my fondness for history. (Because don’t all ghosts have a history?) I don’t watch much television, but I am guilty of binge-watching the UK version of Ghosts. I haven’t entirely warmed up to the US version, but I love the UK one. It’s silly, irreverent, and then, when you least expect it, surprisingly poignant.

One thing I like about fantasy and paranormal is it’s a way of grappling with issues—large and small, moral and ethical—in an engaging format. Come for the exciting story; stay for the thoughtful subtext.

WOW: Thanks so much for chatting with us today, Charity. Before you go, can you share a favorite writing tip or piece of advice?

Charity: One thing I do when I get stuck is to write about writing. Honestly, I often resist this particular exercise, thinking I don’t really need to do it. I’m always wrong, by the way. Longhand works well for me, but I don’t think it’s necessary. And, sometimes, I switch to my laptop because the dam opens, and suddenly, I have all the words.

I think this could also work for writers who dictate their stories—they could talk about writing into a recording device or with a friend. Acknowledging that there’s a barrier is one of the best ways of dismantling it.

***

Read More »

Leave a Comment Charity Tahmaseb, Contestant interview, essay, Marcia Peterson, Q3 2023 CNF Essay Contest, writer inspiration

Interview with Bethany Jarmul, Q2 2023 Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest First Place Winner

Bethany Jarmul is a writer, editor, and poet. Her work has appeared in more than 50 literary magazines and been nominated for Best of the Net and Best Spiritual Literature. Bethany enjoys chai lattes, nature walks, and memoirs. Originally from West Virginia, she lives near Pittsburgh with her husband and two young children. She’s currently working on two nonfiction chapbooks (one about growing up in West Virginia and one about motherhood) and a prose poem chapbook. Bethany also offers affordable editing services for writers. Connect with her at bethanyjarmul.com or on Twitter: @BethanyJarmul.

interview by Marcia Peterson

WOW: Congratulations on winning first place in our Q2 2023 Creative Nonfiction contest! What inspired you to write your essay, “Cloudy?”

Bethany: Thank you so much! It's such an honor. Three things led to this essay. The first was what I was thinking and feeling at the time, wrestling with what it meant to be a stay-at-home mom and what kind of mother, what kind of person I wanted to be. When I have that internal wrestling feeling, that's usually a great starting place for an essay.

The second thing was a suggestion that my husband gave me. I like to write about nature, or even scientific phenomena as part of my writing. My husband is an engineer with a curious mind, so when I'm not sure what I want to write about I sometimes ask him: "What's something that you're curious about or that you think is amazing right now?" When I asked him this time he said: "Clouds. How a cloud can weigh thousands of pounds, more than a car, and yet hangs in the air above our heads." I agreed with him—incredible!

The third thing was taking Chelsey Clammer's class (I don't recall the name) about doing fun research as part of writing essays. I used to think of research as something that's boring, but I can honestly say that research has become fun for me.

WOW:  Research sounds fun to me too. I think you're referring to Chelsey's Curiosity and Creative Nonfiction class (which next starts on May 22nd). How did your essay develop, both in your initial thinking about it and in the revision process?

Bethany: I started with these two ideas—wrestling with motherhood/identity and exploring cloud science. I wrote out the main scenes and figured out a narrative arc for the piece, but while I was doing that I was also researching clouds and collecting the most interesting parts of the research. At some point, I realized I needed an organizing structure for this collage-type essay. The different types of clouds seemed like the perfect idea. I weaved the science facts and my personal narrative together, then broke it into the sections with the cloud-type titles. The very last thing I added was actually the first section of the piece—I realized I needed to introduce my mother and our relationship earlier. I'm very happy with how it turned out in the end.

WOW:  You're great at the hermit crab essay format, and the piece is a a nuanced look at motherhood, self and acceptance. Well done! What is your writing process like? Please describe a typical day.

Bethany: I love that you asked this question because I would like to dispel the myth that writers get up in the morning, sit down with coffee, and write for 8 hours. That just doesn't happen for most people.

My "full-time job" is being the primary caregiver for my 3-year-old son and 18-month-old daughter. I also have a part-time work-from-home job doing editing, and I often do freelance editing gigs and (sometimes) get paid for my creative writing. (Such as winning this contest... thank you very much!)

My typical day goes something like this:
Wake up, get everyone dressed & breakfast, answer emails & edit something, take my son to preschool, put my daughter down for a nap, write furiously, feed my daughter lunch, edit something, pick up my son from preschool, edit while doling out snacks, vacuum, cook dinner, spend time with hubby & kids, put the kids to bed, submit work to literary magazines and/or read something. Go to sleep.

WOW:  In your bio, you mention that you enjoy memoirs. Is there a particular memoir you think everyone needs to read, or a recent favorite?

Bethany: The memoir that made me fall in love with memoirs was when I read Jeannette Walls' The Glass Castle as a teenager. I grew up in West Virginia, and part of her book takes place there, which was part of the draw—but mostly, I was just struck by how this incredible story was a true story. I've read dozens and dozens of memoirs since then, and honestly, I can't get enough.

 
What I love most about memoirs—whether full-length books or micro memoirs—is how one human shares a little piece of themselves with readers. The vulnerability, the exploration of truth, of finding the things that bind us together as humans even as our stories are all unique. I also love creative nonfiction that reads like poetry—with intense attention given to language.

WOW:  Thanks so much for chatting with us today, Bethany. Before you go, can you share a favorite writing tip or piece of advice with our readers?

Bethany:  

1. Invest in your writing craft.
Take classes, read craft books, get feedback from a skilled editor. (I offer affordable editing services, more info on my website.)
2. Find community.
Join a writing group (or two), participate in the writing community by connecting on social media, going to readings, buying books and supporting other writers
3. Write, edit, submit, repeat.
If you're looking for where to submit your writing, check out Chill Subs!

****

For more information about our quarterly Flash Fiction and Creative Nonfiction Essay contests, visit our contest page here.

Read More »

Leave a Comment Bethany Jarmul, Contestant interview, Creative Nonfiction, essay, first place winner, hermit crab form, Marcia Peterson, Q2 2023 CNF Contest

Interview with Marion Karian: 2022 Q2 Creative Nonfiction Contest Runner Up

Congratulations to Marion Karian and Cabinets of Curiosity and all the winners of our 2022 Quarter 2 Creative Non-Fiction Essay Contest!

 

Marion Karian is a registered nurse who retired in 2015 from an organization she founded in 1976 to serve infants and children with special needs and their families. She spent 40 years writing grants to support this work. In retirement she writes creative non-fiction. Her current project is telling stories of her family from the more than 2,000 letters her parents exchanged during World War II. She lives with her husband of 54 years on the banks of the San Joaquin River in Fresno, California. She has been published in The Mindful Word, Saveur, and The Fresno Bee. 

If you haven't done so already, check out Marion's talent in writing with the touching story Cabinets of Curiosity and then return here for a chat with this amazing author. 

WOW!: Congratulations again on placing in the Q2 Creative Nonfiction Contest! I thoroughly enjoyed reading Cabinets of Curiosity and I'm sure everyone else will as well! What was your hope as a take-away from Cabinets of Curiosity? 

Marion:  The main take-away from Cabinets of Curiosity is the impact one’s curiosity about the past can have on understanding the present. I find this particularly true when I remain curious about those who have been important figures in shaping who I am and how I respond to the world. In exploring what has gone before me, I discover things about myself. Through wondering and pondering, and even raw research, my connections between past and present are deepened. My grandfather had a huge impact on my life—even though he died when I was six years old—I seek to know more about why that is. I have few direct memories of him, but through studying his scholarly writings, some old letters, and even the small leather case he carried in which he kept sermon notes, thoughts, and poetry that held special meaning for him, I am getting to know him. Studying the things he treasured and left behind quietly reveal to me the reasons I hold him in such esteem. 

WOW!: It sounds like you have certainly received the great gift of supportive people in your younger years - who is your current support? 

Marion: Without a doubt my husband of 54 years is my biggest source of support. He supported my journey through my work with children and families and the creation of what became a large organization. He cheered me on, filled in at home, and tolerated the times when I was preoccupied with the challenges of my work. When I retired and struggled to transition into a new way of living, he supported me in creating a writing life. We also sought experiences that we could participate in together. During the first five years of our retirement we went on five medical (humanitarian) missions to Armenia (each two weeks in length). We worked with the people there, sharing our respective skills with them in ways that we believed helped them and also held great meaning for each of us. Unfortunately, these missions ended with the pandemic. 

WOW!: It's so heartwarming to hear of the love and support of your amazing husband (photo of the two of you below) and congratulations on your recent 'honeymoon'! Does journaling play a role in your in your life and your writing and how about contests, is this your first contest submission? Tell us more about the area of both journaling and contests for you?

Marion:  I do not journal regularly. When I retired, I began taking writing classes at our local university (Cal State Fresno) through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. The positive feedback I received through these classes gave me the courage to enroll in the intensive two-week CSU Summer Arts program at Fresno State. This is where the world of writing opened to me. The guest artists who I met there inspired me, and their feedback encouraged me to keep writing. Learning with other writers with much more experience helped me gradually begin to see myself as a “writer”. From Summer Arts I learned about WOW! Women on Writing and began taking courses online. When the pandemic hit and we were locked down, I took course after course through WOW! These courses helped me fill the endless hours available to me during our long quarantine. This is where Cabinets of Curiosity had its origin. On a whim I decided to enter the contest. I had never considered entering a writing contest, but I figured that at the very least I would get feedback on my essay and that would be helpful. Sending my essay off felt a bit like sending off the many grant proposals I wrote in my pre-retirement life: filled with hope. I started a writing group with a few writers from the very first OSHER class I took at Fresno State. This group has met monthly for five years and has kept me connected with five other women who love sharing the stories of our lives through a different prompt each month. This group has been an important part of my writing life as they keep me writing. I do best when I have deadlines (a la grants!) and, with my group, every month I have one! 

WOW!: You certainly keep yourself busy Marion - so that begs me to ask what's next for you?

Marion: I have inherited nearly 2,000 letters that my parents exchanged during World War II when my father was in the Marines. They were separated from each other for most of the 40 month he served. I was born during that time, and the letters tell their story, but they also tell mine. I recently finished reading them all and placing them in chronological order in binders that stretch out nearly 8 feet in length. I am beginning to extract the stories they contain. As with Cabinets of Curiosity, delving into the past through these important relationships, I am learning about my parents and the world they lived in, and in doing that I am also discovering things about myself. 11. Advice for others? Keep writing! Keep reading! Take classes with teachers who provide direct feedback on your writing. Surround yourself with other writers of all levels. There are so many opportunities for learning. 

Strangely, the pandemic has opened many doors through Zoom and the abundance of other media that connect teachers, writers, and people who share common interest and are willing to provide feedback. 

WOW!: Thank you so much for taking time to chat with me today - you are such an inspiration! I look forward to hearing from you again in the future! 

Interviewed by Crystal Otto who just keeps on keeping on!

Check out the latest Contests:

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php

Read More »

1 comment author interview, cabinets of curiosity, creative non-fiction, crystal casavant, crystal otto, essay, interview, marion karian, non-fiction, Runner up, writing contest

INTERVIEW WITH Bethany Jarmul, FIRST PLACE WINNER OF Q2 2022 creative Nonfiction Essay CONTEST

Bethany Jarmul is a writer, editor, and work-from-home mom. She has worked as a magazine writer, a copywriter, and in various management roles. But leaving her full-time job in 2019 allowed Bethany to focus her time on her greatest passions—raising her kids and writing compelling, creative essays, stories, and poems. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in Literary Mama, Scribes*MICRO*Fiction, Sky Island Journal, and Allium, A Journal of Poetry & Prose among others. She grew up in the hills of West Virginia and lives in the suburbs of Pittsburgh with her husband and two kids. She loves drinking chai lattes, reading memoirs, and taking nature walks. She’s new to Twitter and would love for you to follow her: @BethanyJarmul.

interview by Marcia Peterson

WOW: Congratulations on winning first place in our Q2 2022 Creative Nonfiction essay competition, and placing as a runner up with another piece as well! What prompted you to enter the contest?

Bethany: Thank you! I've been a fan of WOW for more than a year now. I was just starting to get serious about pursuing creative writing when I took a course through WOW in February of 2021. I have kept up with the social media, blog, contests, and courses ever since. I'd been dreaming of seeing my photo up there on the website as a contest winner, and decided I was finally ready to submit.

WOW: I loved both of your entries, "The Pause Button" and "Grocery List for My Parents' Visit." Can you tell us about the inspiration for these essays? Did you have the idea of the pause button as a symbolic image to start, or did that come as you began to write? And for the second piece, did you begin with the idea of using the list within an essay format?

Bethany: Both these essays began in the course that I took through WOW—Chelsey Clammer's "Not What But How." I continued to work on the essays after the class ended, then they sat on my laptop for a while while I was struggling through a difficult pregnancy.

For "The Pause Button," the events in that essay took place on Valentine's Day of 2021, which was during when I was taking Chelsey's class. When I found out I was pregnant and my husband came home and gave me flowers, I thought "this could be a movie!" But I didn't feel like a character in a romantic movie should feel. I felt conflicted, confused. It seemed like perfect material for an essay. The idea of ending with the pause button came to me as I was writing the essay and exploring the movie idea.

"The Pause Button" was also a craft experiment for me. I pulled in some research and examples of change from nature with the chameleon and the butterfly. The essay also switches from first-person narrative to second-person after the break, which is something that I was newly exploring. The second-person narrative allowed me, as the writer, to distance myself from the story while also helping the reader feel the immediacy of the moment and imagine themselves experiencing what the narrator was experiencing.

For "Grocery List for My Parents' Visit," it was my first time writing a "hermit crab essay," which is an essay that takes on the form of something else, in this case—a grocery list. Writing in this unique form freed me to write about difficult things that I would have had a hard time writing about in a straightforward chronological essay. Plus, it's just fun to play around with form and structure. I've found that using a specific structure frees me from the overwhelming feeling of the endless possibilities, the blank page.

WOW:  As a busy mom, how do you find time to write? What works best for you?

Bethany: Yes, I have a toddler and an infant and work part-time from home. I don't have a quiet, clean place or a lot of time in which to write. But I decided to write anyway. I use whatever snippets of time I have, sometimes writing with a toddler on my lap or while nursing my infant. I watch a lot less TV and spend less time on social media, so that I can write and read more.

When I gave up my full-time job to stay home with my kids, at first, I felt like I was never going to accomplish anything else other than changing diapers. Eventually, I realized that for the first time in my adult life, my mind was free. I was busy and often physically exhausted, but my brain power could be harnessed toward writing in a way that wasn't possible when I was working full-time and mentally spent.

The other barrier to my writing was my mental health—anxiety and depression, especially during both of my pregnancies. I'm thankful for therapy, medication, and lots of prayers that have helped me get to a place where I feel confident enough to write again.

WOW:  We're glad you were able to find you way back to writing! Are you working on any writing projects right now? What’s next for you?

Bethany: I'm going to continue writing and publishing essays, some poems, and maybe a short story or two. I enjoy all writing, but creative nonfiction is definitely my favorite. I'd like to publish a book—a collection of essays or a memoir-in-essays. I'd say that's my five-year goal. Anyone interested in keeping up with me and my work can follow me on Twitter: @BethanyJarmul.

WOW: Thanks so much for chatting with us today, Bethany. Before you go, do you have any tips for our readers who may be thinking about entering writing contests?

Bethany: Do it! But read some books and take some classes first. This was my second time entering the WOW essay contest. The first time, my essay didn't even make it through the first round. I was a solid writer, but I didn't understand the essay form yet. I hadn't done my homework, and it showed.

What it takes to improve your writing—read, write, take classes, and find community. Joining a writing group and getting peer feedback on your work is so important. If you can't find one to join, create one.

If you are looking for some craft books on writing essays, here's some that I recommend:

You Can't Make This Stuff Up

Tell it Slant

Use Your Words: A Writing Guide for Mothers

The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Writing Flash Nonfiction

Getting to the Truth: The Craft and Practice of Creative Nonfiction

For classes, I recommend WOW's writing classes, of course, also Creative Nonfiction and Writing Workshops.

"A professional writer is an amateur who didn't quit.”– Richard Bach

****

For more information about our quarterly Flash Fiction and Creative Nonfiction Essay contests, visit our contest page here.

Read More »

Leave a Comment Bethany Jarmul, Chelsey Clammer, contest winner interview, essay, first place winner, Marcia Peterson, WOW class, WOW! Q2 2022 Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest, writer inspiration

Interview with Vanessa G. Foster, 2021 Q3 Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest Runner Up with "Broken Hearts and Broken Dishes"

 

Congratulations to Vanessa G. Foster and Broken Hearts and Broken Dishes and all the winners of our 2021 Quarter 3 Creative Non-Fiction Essay Contest!

Vanessa's Bio: Vanessa was a child of the sixties, came of age in the seventies, and lost everything in the eighties when she found herself married to a drug dealer and on the run from the FBI. Her harrowing story is fearlessly told in the compelling memoir, More Than Everything, published in 2013. An excerpt was featured in the Panther City Review literary journal in 2018.

 She participated in a Moth Story Slam shortly before the pandemic, and is ready for more on-stage storytelling opportunities. She recently started writing personal essays, and this is the first one she has let anyone but her critique partners read. It will be part of a new memoir. 

 Vanessa lives in Texas with her trophy husband and two rescue dogs. She is a licensed financial professional and helps clients with their investments by day. An unapologetic eavesdropper, she sometimes blogs (www.vgfoster.com) flash fiction stories based on something interesting she’s overheard.  

 

 If you haven't done so already, check out Vanessa's talent in writing with the touching story Broken Hearts and Broken Dishes and then return here for a chat with this talented author. 

WOW:  What is the take-away you'd like readers to gain from Broken Hearts and Broken Dishes? 

Vanessa:  Life is exquisite and exhilarating and hard and heartbreaking. In Broken Hearts and Broken Dishes, I’ve focused on two events from my childhood that were very different, but also all those things. Memories live isolated lives in our bodies, our hearts, and our minds. Let them come out and play together. See what happens. Often, what seems like a simple solitary memory, when explored deeper, can bring into focus a fuller understanding. Also, let’s protect the children in our lives from the harm of grown-up drama whenever possible. 

WOW: I need to hear that again - that was pretty powerful stuff Vanessa - 

Memories live isolated lives in our bodies, our hearts, and our minds. 

Let them come out and play together. See what happens. 

That's some good stuff - I'm going to remember that!

Who is your favorite author and why? 

Vanessa: It’s impossible to choose one favorite. Like most writers, I’m an avid reader, and I’ve always been drawn to dark memoirs as a way of connecting with others who’ve survived trauma and created art out of madness and pain. I’ve recently devoured everything I could find by Abigail Thomas. A Three Dog Life broke my heart and then put all the pieces back together again. She has a lovely, effortless way of finding beauty and grace in everyday moments that helps me do the same. Mary Karr and Jeannette Walls are also at the top of the list. As for fiction, Sue Monk Kidd is one of my heroes. 

WOW: I'm intrigued and will definitely be checking out Abigail Thomas - thank you! Do you have advice for your younger self when it comes to making decisions, believing in yourself, and/or writing? What would your current self say to the younger you? 

 Vanessa: I’d love nothing more than to go back in time and tell my younger self to relax! Also, to stop and breathe and follow her instincts. I have pretty good instincts and intuition, but it took many years to learn to trust my gut. When I was very young, I wanted to be an artist and a writer. I wish I’d had the gumption to not let go of that dream. It would have saved me decades of self-doubt and mis-direction. 

WOW: That's a fabulous conversation we could all benefit from - great advice for the next generation too! Speaking of advice, what advice would you give to others (specifically female authors) when it comes to self-care? 

Vanessa: Women often lose themselves in relationships and marriage and motherhood. It’s so important not to bury our needs, but it’s often what comes naturally when taking care of others. I’d say to ask for help when you need it, and schedule alone time (put it on the calendar). Luxuriate in a bubble bath, go for a walk or a run, take a painting class. Do whatever makes you happy and don’t feel guilty about it. For female authors, carve out a space to write where you won’t be interrupted. Make it comfortable and pretty, and surround yourself with your favorite things. You deserve it. Then put your butt in the chair and write. 

 WOW: Preach on Sister - I need to hear that OFTEN! Thank you!

What’s next for you? What are your writing goals for the remainder of 2021 and beyond? 

Vanessa: I’m currently editing my second memoir…the first draft has been sitting on a shelf, percolating, for about five years. Writing is a slow, steady process for me. I wish I was faster, but this is who I am. Hopefully, I’ll have a honed manuscript ready to query by the end of the year. During the pandemic, I started writing essays, and have several that need polishing before I seek homes for them. I’ve also written about 60,000 words on a YA novel that I hope to finish soon, and have started another novel with a male POV. There are more ideas than time to write, and I get my best ideas from my very vivid dream life.

WOW: Thank you ever so much for sharing your essay, sage advice, and your laughter today - we look forward to reading more of your work! Congratulations again! 

  Interviewed by Crystal Otto who just keeps on keeping on!

Check out the latest Contests:

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php

Read More »

Leave a Comment author interview, broken hearts and broken dishes, essay, interview, Runner up, vanessa g foster, writing contest

INTERVIEW WITH KRISTA BEUCLER, 2021 Q3 CREATIVE NONFICTION ESSAY CONTEST RUNNER UP

Originally from Colorado, Krista Beucler received a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia. She was the Editor-in-Chief for Issue 7.2 of the Rappahannock Review, the literary journal published by the University of Mary Washington. Krista is a winner of the Julia Peterkin award for flash fiction, and her creative work has been published in From Whispers To Roars, and South 85 Journal, and Under the Sun. She can be found online on her website and on Instagram.

interview by Marcia Peterson

WOW: Congratulations on your top ten win in our Q3 2021 Creative Nonfiction essay competition! What prompted you to enter the contest?

Krista: I get your newsletter which is always so helpful with tips, markets accepting submissions, and your own competitions! I'd been tinkering with this shorter nonfiction piece for a while and thinking about looking for a home for it when I saw the call for the Q3 essay contest. I've read some of the wonderful winning essays and fiction pieces from WOW's other contest and thought my essay might be a good fit.

WOW: Your entry, “Pineapples” is of course about pineapples, but also online dating. What inspired you to write this particular piece?

Krista: I consider myself a fiction writer but lately I've been exploring creative nonfiction. My goal was to write an object lesson and when I thought of pineapples, one of the things that came to mind was this argument about pineapples on pizza that I have had more than once with Tinder matches. So I was wondering how I could explore these two things--pineapples and online dating--simultaneously.

WOW: What are you reading right now, and why did you choose to read it?

Krista: I'm rereading Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. Gaiman is one of my favorite authors and Neverwhere is a book I've read many times, but I like to reread it when I move somewhere new (as I've just moved to San Jose, CA). The first time I reread it, I had just moved to London, but I realized the story isn't just about London, it's about finding belonging and learning the secrets that come with really knowing and loving a place.

WOW: Can you tell us what projects are you currently working on? What can we plan on seeing from you in the future?

Krista: COVID has been a time of both low motivation and low inspiration for me. I am working on several short stories, a novella, a longer essay, and a novel but the writing has been very slow and plodding. Instead of trying to force myself to write, I've been more focused on polishing some pieces I have hidden away in files on my computer and really working on sending them out to literary magazines. My very first publication was only a year ago so I'm still trying to build momentum and get my work out there. You can find out more about my work on my website and Instagram.

WOW: Keep at it and best of luck to you! Thanks so much for chatting with us today, Krista. Before you go, do you have a favorite writing tip or piece of advice you can share?

Krista: I find it helps me to have a second creative pursuit other than writing. When I feel I need to stretch my creative muscles but words just won't come and I can't focus on editing, that's when I collage. Often it can help me get unstuck in my writing even though--or perhaps because--it has nothing to do with writing. I do feel it's important to note that you don't have to be good at drawing or painting or collaging or whatever creative outlet you choose, you just have to enjoy it.

****

For more information about our quarterly Flash Fiction and Creative Nonfiction Essay contests, visit our contest page here.

Read More »

Leave a Comment 2021 Q3 Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest, Contestant interview, essay, Krista Beucler, Marcia Peterson, Runner up, writer inspiration

Interview with Jeanie Ransom, 2021 Q3 Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest Runner Up with "How to Write a Perfect Sentence"

Congratulations to Jeanie Ransom and How to Write a Perfect Sentence and all the winners of our 2021 Quarter 3 Creative Non-Fiction Essay Contest!

Jeanie's Bio:  

Jeanie Ransom sold her first story to Seventeen magazine when she was seventeen. She’s written for numerous national and regional magazines and newspapers since, was an associate editor at a bed-and-breakfast magazine, worked as an advertising copywriter, and is the author of nine traditionally-published children’s books. In addition, Jeanie has been an elementary school counselor, a licensed professional counselor, and a Starbucks barista and Coffee Master. She’s participated in workshops at the Iowa Summer Writing Festival as well as taken several WOW! Women on Writing classes. Previous WOW! Contest entries have been in the Top Twenty or a finalist. Her flash-fiction story, “The Space Between,” was just accepted for publication by Flash Fiction Magazine. When she’s not traveling between her home in a western suburb of St. Louis, MO, and a cottage near the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula in northern Michigan, Jeanie likes to read, look for rocks, be on the water or walk in the woods with her husband and their two collies, Sadie and Sawyer.

 If you haven't done so already, check out Jeanie's talent in writing with the moving story How to Write a Perfect Sentence and then return here for a chat with this talented author.

WOW:    Thank you for writing this essay - what is the take-away you'd like readers to gain from How to Write a Perfect Sentence? 

Jeanie: Thank you for reading it! The essay grew out of frustration with my writing process. I find myself writing and rewriting the first few sentences so much – in essence, editing as I write rather than doing a rough draft – that I have trouble pushing through to finish a piece. I was tired of being paralyzed by perfectionism, of beating myself up because I wasn't as productive or prolific as I thought I should be. So, for this essay, I decided to just write what I was feeling, and oddly enough, the memory of my grandfather making me walk "the right way" when he took me to the zoo surfaced. It was an "aha" moment when I realized how early messages had affected the way I thought about myself. I feel like a lot of writers have a harsh inner critic that makes them doubt the quality and/or value of their work, and I hope that by sharing my story, they'll know they're not alone, and may want to explore where their inner critic came from. 

WOW:     That darn inner critic - you're right...I'd never talk to anyone else the way I talk to myself!

Where do you write? What does your space look like? 

Jeanie:  I divide my time between Missouri and Michigan, so my writing tools – computer, pens, journals, projects – are usually stashed in a backpack so I can write wherever I am. My favorite – and most productive – place to write is at a coffee shop or cafe. My writer friends and I call it "cafe writing," which is code for "no talking, just writing" for a set amount of time before taking a break. As far as what my writing space looks like, in Missouri I have a desk in my eldest son's old room, along with a couple of shelves filled with books on writing and books written by members of my critique group. On top of the desk is my mother's old typewriter, the kind that makes the satisfying "clackety-clack" when you type, a writing totem (mine is a small carved wooden owl my oldest son gave me), and a bowl of miniature dog biscuits for my two office "assistants," Sadie and Sawyer, both rough collies. At my cottage in Michigan, I tend to write in a spare bedroom with a big comfy leather chair in one corner, or go out on the deck. Sometimes my writing space is in the woods, on a fallen birch tree about fifty feet long. I guess I write here, there, and everywhere! 

WOW:     I love a cozy coffee shop - thanks for sharing some of your story - I love that you have your mother's old typewriter. That's so sweet! Speaking of family; who is your support - what have you found to be most supportive in your writing life as well as in life in general? 

Jeanie: My husband and three grown sons are my biggest cheerleaders, followed closely by my critique group, The Polished Pens. 

WOW:    Sounds like you have a great support system!

 What’s next for you? What are your writing goals for the remainder of 2021 and beyond? 

Jeanie: My plan is to continue writing essays, flash fiction, and micro memoirs. Ideally, I'd like to generate enough material for a book. I've also been doing some nature writing, though I'm not sure where that's going yet. My writing goals for the rest of 2021 include submitting more work to online and print literary journals and magazines. I just had a flash fiction story, "The Space Between," published by Flash Fiction Magazine, so I'm excited to see what I can do this year and beyond. 

 WOW:         YES! Congratulations!

You've worn many hats according to your bio - which job (so far) has been your favorite? 

Jeanie:  Hmmm, that's a great question! I believe that every job a person has – good or bad – teaches them something. Even if it's only to learn that you never, ever want to work in that field or industry again! For example, writing ad copy for radio stations and then at advertising agencies taught me how to write short and to meet tight deadlines, both of which came in handy when I started writing children's books years later. Working as an elementary school counselor gave me experience writing lessons and presenting them to students from kindergarten through third grade, which just so happened to be the target audience for the children's books I'd write and the school visits I'd eventually do. My favorite job was working as a radio station copywriter. I'd just graduated from college, and radio was a fun and exciting business to be in, especially for young people. I met my future husband, a DJ, at a radio station in Little Rock, Arkansas, so there's that, too! 

WOW:       Isn't that a tough one? You did great with your answer though!

 What role has journaling and/or writer's groups played in your writing life? 

Jeanie:   I kept a diary when I was growing up, and amazingly, I still have all of them! So I guess journaling came pretty naturally to me when I became an adult. I don't remember exactly when I started journaling on a pretty regular basis, but I know that over the past few years, journaling became an essential part of my self-care. I've tried "Morning Pages" and writing a certain amount every day, but I decided I didn't want to feel bad if I skipped a day or my word count fell short. That's not helpful! Now I journal on a regular basis, just not every day, and not a prescribed number of pages. Sometimes I'll fill two pages, or as many as seven. I just start writing whatever comes to mind, even if it's "I don't know what to write about," and continue until I feel like I'm done. I know that for me, especially during the pandemic, journaling was often the only writing I could manage for months at a time. It kept me grounded and ended up providing material for future essays. I've belonged to a writers' group for at least twenty-five years. Different members have come and gone, moved away or moved back, but the group has continued. There is nothing more important for a writer, in my opinion, than a good critique partner or group, whether it's online or in person. 

WOW:         Why do you enter contests? What would you like to tell other authors concerning contests and submitting their work? 

Jeanie:  At the start of the pandemic, I found myself unable to read a book or to write more than a few sentence fragments. To motivate myself to write and submit something, anything, I started entering contests. I'd taken a flash-fiction workshop at the Iowa Summer Writing Festival in 2019, and really enjoyed it. It was something totally different from writing children's books, which I'd been doing since 2000, and I think that's why I was able to switch gears. Once I started playing with flash fiction, I tried flash non-fiction and micro memoirs. Everything's under 1,000 words, so even as stuck as I was, I could manage to squeeze enough words out to write a whole story. I also returned to writing essays, something I hadn't done in decades, and submitting several to contests. I was familiar with WOW – Women on Writing – from taking an online class a few years ago, but I hadn't really paid much attention to the fact that they had contests until the pandemic. I decided to enter one, and was pleased to be a finalist, so I entered another one, and so on. I found WOW's contests to be affordable, easy to enter, and extremely well-run. While I still enter some contests, I'm really careful to do my research and choose wisely, which is what I'd advise anyone to do. I've started submitting more to online and print literary journals and magazines that don't charge a reading fee, and have found that taking online classes has helped me generate new material to submit, whether to a contest or for publication.

WOW: Thank you ever so much for sharing your essay, sage advice, and your laughter today - we look forward to reading more of your work! Congratulations again! 

  Interviewed by Crystal Otto who just keeps on keeping on!

Check out the latest Contests:

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php

Read More »

2 comments author interview, essay, how to write a perfect sentence, interview, jeanie ransom, Runner up, writing contest

WOW! Interview with Contest Runner Up Cassandra Crossing for "A Future, Bright and Free"

Congratulations to Cassandra Crossing and A Future, Bright and Free and all the winners of our 2021 Quarter 1 Creative Non-Fiction Essay Contest!

Cassandra’s Bio:

Cassandra immigrated to the US in hopes of a better life, yet she found heartaches and pain. She changed her name to fit in, yet even after many years, she’s viewed as a foreigner. But as in the movie, “The Cassandra Crossing,” they survived a catastrophe, she’s a survivor. She finds joy in nature and in the little things life offers.

She writes from personal experience about love, despair, loss, and hope. Her work includes short stories, creative non-fiction essays, flash fiction, plays, and poetry. She’s also working on a few novels and novellas.

Her creative nonfiction “ Naked” won 2nd place in a WOW! Women on Writing essay contest and was published online in April 2020. “Why Are You Here?” won Runner Up status and was published online in 2019, while “Sorrow” (2019), “A Future Bright and Free” (2020), “Empowered” (2020), “Paying Attention” (2020), and her flash fictions “Allure” (2017), “The Cabin” (2019), and “The Scent of White Chrysanthemums” (2019) were finalists in contests by WOW! Women on Writing. An interview was published by them on January 5th, 2020. “The Cabin” also won Honorable Mention in 2020 by WOW!

Cassandra’s creative nonfiction essay, “Things That Matter,” her fiction “Parenting Advice,” and her plays “The Chair” and “Three Tickets for the Show” had been selected as finalists in several literary competitions in recent years.

Some of her fiction, “The Scent of White Chrysanthemums” and “Parenting Advice,” creative nonfiction, “Naked,” and poetry “Perception” received Pushcart Prize nominations in 2020 by Unlimited Literature Magazine, Ariel Publishing, and Ariel’s Dream Literary Journal.

Her work has appeared in online literary journals and magazines like The Scarlet Leaf Review, The Illinois State Poetry Society, WOW! Women on Writing, and more. She’s published in Spark Literary Journal, Unlimited Literature Magazine (UL-Mag), Beautiful Words by Ariel Publishing, LLC, and Ariel’s Dream Literary Journal in print and online. Her creative nonfiction essay, “Stone Flowers” is forthcoming in The Bookends Review in December 2020.

You can also find some of Cassandra’s work on her website: ccrossing888.wixsite.com/Cassandra, and support her writing on Patreon: www.patreon.com/CassandraCrossing.
Connect with her on Twitter @CassandraC888

   

If you haven't done so already, check out Cassandra's talent in writing with the touching story A Future, Bright and Free and then return here for a chat with this talented author.

 WOW: I love asking this question of successful writers - so I hope you don't mind my asking, but where do you write? What does your space look like?

Cassandra: I write anywhere and everywhere it seems. For example: at the airport, on vacation, on the plane flying, at the doctor’s office, in my car, waiting for my son at school, at the library, at the college cafeteria, in bed, in the kitchen, sitting outside on my mother’s stairs, anywhere I take my laptop, which is usually everywhere.

My favorite places in the summer and spring are my 8th-floor balcony with a view of the city’s skyline, on Evening Island at the Chicago Botanical Gardens, and by the pool at our home. What makes these places the best place is the beautiful, colorful, fragrant flowers surrounding me.

My favorite place in cold weather or on late nights is my living room. Where I’m surrounded by family pictures on the walls, memories, our three sweet cats, flowers, plants, and tranquil music.

From time to time, I write at my desk on the “BigMac” in my small office area. Usually, this happens when I’m working off of some critiques I’d received from WOW or one of the writing groups I belong to, and I’m using my laptop to display the suggestions.

When I’m at home, no matter where I sit, the common denominator is that my silk-furred calico cat will snuggle up purring in my lap, by my side, or at my shoulder.


WOW: Other than your calico cat of course - who is your support - what have you found to be most supportive in your writing life as well as in life in general?

Cassandra: My faith in God has been my highest support throughout my life. Journaling about the traumas, losses, heartaches I experience helps me understand myself, the purpose of these horrible events in my life, and how to use them for good. I came to realize that if I write and share, it gives these painful experiences a voice which transmutes their pain. If by my writings, I can help others to feel less hurt, less lost, less unworthy, and less alone, my struggles will have meaning. Then I don’t regret having to go through them. When I read Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life, I realized how my purpose lies in writing about these events that shaped me into the person I am today, one who has empathy and strength.

My son has been the most supportive in my writing life. He encourages me to keep going and tells me how impressed he is by my taking one little thing and making it into a rounded out story with meaning and value. He’s also the reason I kept going when I lost my daughter.

Members of the small writing group I started two years ago, the poetry group I joined a year and a half ago, the personal growth group I’m part of for nearly three years, and some of the members of a larger writing/critiquing group I attend for almost seven years have been most supportive of my writing and help me to grow as a person and a writer.


WOW:  So happy to hear you have so much support - it makes all the difference on the hard days. Now I need to ask: Is A Future, Bright and Free part of something larger you are working on? It reads like a small chapter of a larger work - if it is, when can we expect to read it? If it isn't - why not?

Cassandra: Over the years, I wanted to write a memoir about how I lost my daughter, about my abuse-filled childhood, about the struggles in my adult life, but it seemed too daunting of a task. Also, too painful. Instead of waiting to have the time and when I feel completely healed, I decided to write short essays. Focusing on one part, one kernel of the past at a time helps me to find the emotional strength to dig deep and explore the truth and hurt I’m writing about.

I’ve been working on putting these creative nonfiction essays together, along with my fiction and poetry, into collections, and I plan to have them published next year.

WOW:  Sounds like it's going to be a very exciting year for you, and your readers as well!

One last questions before we part ways for today: Do you often enter contests or is this a first? What would you like to tell other authors concerning contests and submitting their work?

Cassandra: Yes, I’ve been submitting my work to contests, literary magazines, and journals starting six years ago. At first, only sparingly, but in the last three years, I’ve increased my submissions as I gained more confidence in my writing after devouring any knowledge available about the craft.

Last year, I created a spreadsheet to keep track of my submissions since many organizations accept simultaneous submissions, but they want original, unpublished work. Also, I read Chelsey Clammer’s piece about submissions and rejections, and I wondered about my acceptance/rejection ratio.

It’s a numbers game, I’ve been told. The more you submit, the more chances you have to be accepted. A lot of the time, the deciding factor is based on the preference of the judge or editor.

I usually purchase the critique from WOW. It helps me see what I need to work on and what works already.

WOW:  Thank you ever so much for sharing your essay and your thoughts today - we look forward to reading more of your work! Congratulations again! 

  Interviewed by Crystal Otto who just keeps on keeping on!

Check out the latest Contests:

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php

Read More »

Leave a Comment a future bright and free, author interview, cassandra crossing, Contest, essay, essay contest, non fiction, writing contest