I mentioned recently that I was entering the NYC Midnight Microfiction contest, wherein writers have to write no more than 100 words for a story the organization assigns rand0mized genres, actions, and single words for.
Well, the results came in, and I was in the top 20 of my group, so advance to round 2.
I’ve had a fair bit of success with stories and scripts entered into various contests, which is always gratifying. Getting positive feedback on your work–particularly creative work, and really particularly creative work you hope to have some real-world success with–is easy enough when it comes to family and friends. But when you get that positive feedback from professional organizations running contests, people who one would assume know their stuff, affirmation is that much sweeter. It confirms that you’ve got what it takes to stand out in a crowd vying for the same goals, which of course nicely stokes the fire to keep producing more.
Confidence and momentum gained from this kind of acknowledgement are invaluable in overcoming creative drifting and procrastination.
Let’s see how it helps me with round 2.
After several weeks of waiting after the deadline for these results, the turnaround is quick for the start of the next one. The new round of genre, action and word are sent out 48 hours after these results are announced, and the new entries will be due exactly 24 hours from there.
Looking forward to it.
Onward!