There have been about 30 contests promoted on this site since I came here. I joined in June 2007 and I had never written a story in my life!
I very nervously submitted my first about a year later and I didn't get laughed out of court, but I still wasn't very confident. Then along came a contest for All Souls Day in October 2008. I had absolutely no intention of entering this contest, but a few of my friends told me I should have a go. I had all sorts of reasons not to do it, but mainly fear of rejection and a lack of confidence in my writing ability. To add to this I had computer problems and lost my first draft, so I didn't think I could get an entry up in time.

I all but gave up on the idea until I was struck by a bolt of lightning, or one of those cartoon lightbulbs went off in my head. I actually sat down and wrote my story in seven hours and sent it to a friend to vet. She came back and said it was good enough as it was so I posted Chinese Style (shameless plug! That story is still one of my personal favourites). I didn't win the contest but I got such positive feedback that I was encouraged to keep writing and to enter future contests. My confidence improved out of sight.

Well, I entered a number of them over the next three years and I didn't win any but I got favourable comments and more encouragement to continue. One thing I found was that I ENJOYED doing it! Eventually along came the Summer Romance contest in June 2011 and I submitted I'm Not Sure I Can Do This (another shameless plug). The judging was a bit different in that the result was decided by vote of the readership (kudos if you like)...and lo and behold....I WON! What this meant was that I was not necessarily the best or most skilled author who entered but most readers liked my story, so sometimes you just hit the right notes.

There have been many more contests since then and I haven't won any, but I do enter when I find the right mental buttons to press, And I still enjoy them. It's great to read what others write and there are real diamonds amongst the entries.

Now I'm encouraging all of you out there, new writers, old writers, in-between writers and especially those of you who haven't yet written or maybe only a first couple of efforts, to have a go. Especially those of you who have commented and maybe think "I could do that!"

The answer is "You Can!" If I could do it, so can you. As George W. Bush said, you don't have to be an A-student!

So! Another shameless plug. Please enter our 2024 New Year's Contest. I guarantee you will enjoy it. You will be amazed at the support you get, even if you don't win, and there's always next time.