Five Top Tips From A Writing Competition Judge
By: Simon Whaley
Tags: Winning Tips, Writing Competition, Writing Tips, Writing, Creative Writing

Five Top Tips From A Writing Competition Judge

Photo by Ariel on Unsplash

Writing competitions are a great way to hone your writing skills, give you a deadline to work towards, while also offering the opportunity to win a prize.

But, as someone who’s judged national and international writing competitions (as well as organized and managed a few), there are some basic mistakes many writers make. Increase your chances of success by following my top five tips.

Read the rules

Seriously. I know this is basic, and I shouldn’t have to say it, but I am always dumbfounded by the number of writers who cannot read the rules. If it says maximum word count 2,000 words, do not send your 5,000-word story. It breaks the rules. (Yes, it happens.) Do not send your 3,000-word story. It breaks the rules. (Yes, it happens.) Do not send your 2,010-word story. It breaks the rules. (Seriously, this is a writing competition. Can you really not cut those last ten words?)

Many competitions charge an entry fee, and the rules (if you read them) often say the competition will not refund your money if your entry breaks any rules. So, if you will not read the rules, why not just send the competition organizers the money and forget about your submission? It amounts to the same thing.

Research the judge

When you enter a competition, your goal is to entertain the judge(s) with your excellent writing skills.

We all have our personal preferences, likes, and dislikes, though. Different things entertain different people. It’s what makes us human. While your writing skills come into the judgment, what you write about plays a major part in whether or not a judge likes it.

So, if you’re considering entering a competition, do a bit of research first. Find out who is judging the competition and then find what they like. What do they write? Read some of their material.

I’m not keen on science fiction or fantasy material. I’m not apologizing for it, that’s just how my mind works. So if I’m judging a short story competition and the theme is open, while there’s nothing in the rules to stop you from entering your SciFi/Fantasy piece, consider whether the competition I’m judging is the right place for your entry. A quick look at my website will show you what I enjoy writing (and, therefore, reading).

It’s a competition

Remember, you are entering a writing competition. I am not just judging your writing and story-telling skills. I’m judging your writing and story-telling skills against those of all the other entrants, too.

That’s why a submission might fail to be placed in one competition, yet win first prize in another. Different competition, different entries.

Your story might be absolutely amazing and beat hundreds of other entries, yet be placed fourth in the competition by the judge. Unfortunately, on this occasion, there were three slightly more amazing stories that knocked yours into fourth place. Whereas in another competition, your amazing story may just be the most amazing story of the bunch and win first place.

Just like the Olympics, you’re competing against other writers. But you’re only competing with those particular submissions in that specific competition.

Don’t kill everyone off

I can’t tell you how many times this happens with fiction. The main character dies. Yes, it’s emotional. Yes, the writing might be brilliant, but… When your story is one of 200 where the main character has died, and I’ve read the other 199, the last thing I want to read is yet another story where the main character dies. Remember, you’re entering a competition. (See tip 3.) The entries that become memorable, the ones that stay in my head and I suddenly find myself thinking about them when I’m driving, or out for a walk, or doing the weekly shopping, are the ones that differ from what every other writer is doing.

What this means is, when you’re planning/plotting your submission, don’t go with the first idea. Don’t go with the second. Instead, try to come up with a third or a fourth solution to the main character’s problem. Most other entrants will go with their first or second ideas.

Think about viewpoint. Have you chosen the best viewpoint to tell this story? What happens to the story if you tell it from someone else’s perspective? (Someone who doesn’t die, for example.)

Remember the judge — for they are the reader you’re trying to please. How do you want them to feel at the end of your story?

Mix it up a bit

Many writers make more than one submission to a competition. (Some competitions actively encourage this through discounted entry fees for multiple submissions.) If you’re going to do this, then send completely different submissions. Don’t send three tales with a twist. If the judge hates stories with a twist, then that’s all three entries wasted. Send one tale with a twist, one science fiction, and one romance, for example. You’re increasing your chances of submitting something the judge will like! Remember, it’s a competition!

Good luck!