Snoqualmie Valley writers of all ages can soon tap their creative muses for help in two contests — one local and the other national. The contests are open to both experienced and amateur authors.
The first contest, sponsored by Friends of the North Bend Library, is open to children in elementary, middle or high school. Participants who write a short story, play or poem before the deadline at 9 p.m. Nov. 30 are eligible to win a $50 gift card to Barnes & Noble.The contest allows each participant to submit up to five entries. Four judges — two librarians and two local students — will rate the work and name three winners — one from each school division.
“This creative writing contest gives students of all ages the opportunity to express themselves,” King County Library Services teen librarian Sarah Lynch said. “Write about your ideas, dreams, hopes, fears — anything that’s in your head can be put on paper. There are no limits on words, format or theme, so use your imagination and get writing.”
Mount Si High School language arts teacher Bill Dillon said he would recommend the contest to any student. Contests can change lives, he said, recounting the story of former student Derek Belt.
“I had a student in my freshman class who wasn’t sure if he could do anything or not as a writer,” Dillon said. “I encouraged him to write for a contest and he won.”
Now, Belt, a 2004 University of Washington graduate, is a contributing sports writer for The Seattle Times.
The other contest, National Novel Writing Month, targets people of all ages worldwide. Participants must write a 50,000-word novel during the month of November. Starting at midnight Nov. 1, 150,000 writers from more than 90 counties will begin constructing plots, settings and characters and interlacing writing concepts such as foreshadowing or pathetic fallacy into their writing until the 11:59 p.m. Nov. 30 deadline.
About 25 members from the local Sno Valley Writes! group are participating in the contest. The group will have a kick off at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at Sawdust Coffee Company at the factory stores, 461 S. Fork Ave. S.W., North Bend.
“There we’ll do some plot development exercises and other fun ice-breaking stuff and generally help folks get really revved up for it,” the group’s president, Casondra Brewster, said.
She has participated in the November Novel competition every year since 2005.
“The sense of accomplishment is just phenomenal,” she said. “Also, the deadline-driven adrenaline is great for actually getting writing done. For some, just the act of actually getting words on paper is magical. I’m addicted to that magic. And watching others create that magic is even more incredible.”
In 2008, 120,000 entered the contest and some of them went on to have their work published, including Sarah Gruen, who wrote “Water for Elephants,” a New York Times number-one best seller.
Participants “win” when they submit their work, though no prizes except bragging rights come with the contest.
Writers looking for inspiration for either contest can attend two local library workshops.
Those who need an extra push can visit the library to check out books on the art of writing, Lynch said.
Enter the National Novel Writing Month Contest:
- Writers can register for the novel-writing contest at www.nanowrimo.org.
- Sno Valley Writes! meets for weekly write-ins every Saturday from 12:30-3:30 p.m. at Mt Si Senior Center, 411 Main Ave. S. North Bend. E-mail [email protected].
Enter North Bend Library’s writing contest:
- Entries should have a title along with the author’s name, grade and phone number.
- Submit entries to North Bend Library, 115 E. 4th St., North Bend, or e-mails to King County Library Services teen librarian Sarah Lynch at [email protected].
Laura Geggel: 392-6434 ext. 221 or [email protected]. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
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