The 2008 Challenge

I’ve thought long and hard about this first post of the year. How can I both inspire and motivate my fellow unpublished writers?

Personally I like a challenge, which is of course why I enter contests.

In order to assist you on the road to a publishing contract in 2008 I am going to start off the year with a contest--actually three contests for romance novelists.

· The first contest prize is a box of Godiva chocolate to the writer who enters the most romance writing contests from January 1, through April 30, 2008. Proof of entry is a copy of a cancelled check, PayPal receipt or similar. There will be one winner.

· The second contest has no beginning, but ends August 31st and requires evidence of a manuscript completed in 2008 (not necessarily begun in 2008). The winner of a random drawing will receive $50 to assist their manuscript entry into the 2008 Golden Heart competition. This contest may be entered once per completed manuscript; however, there will be only one winner.

· The third contest has no beginning but ends December 31st and is a double header. Simply submit a complete (not a partial) manuscript to an editor or agent in 2008, send me proof, and you will be entered in a random drawing for one of two prizes: a box of Godiva chocolate or $50 to offset your writing expenses for the year. One entry per unique manuscript submitted to an editor or agent. There will be two winners.


And now for a little writerly inspiration to get you going...

“Writers write. Everyone else makes excuses.” --Jack Bickham

“Half of getting what you want is knowing what you have to give up to get it.”
-- Bill Phillips.

“If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn't brood. I'd type a little faster.” --Isaac Asimov

“Do or do not. There is no try.” --Yoda

I hope today is the beginning of a productive and successful 12 months, or 52 weeks, or 365 days, or 8,765 hours.

How ever you divide it, the 2008 clock has already begun ticking, so print a copy of this challenge, post it near your computer and get writing!


Happy New Year!

Tina Russo


All entries should be through my private email address tina@tinarusso.com, with 2008 Challenge in the email subject line. The Seekers are in no way responsible for any issues arising from this blog post. Fellow Seekers are eligible to enter if they are unpublished. Tina Russo is in no way responsible for any entries which are lost in cyberspace or any other telecommunication screw-ups.