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WRITING KID
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The zine for future writers today.
Volume 7, Issue 15 - July 29, 2007
Publisher/Editor: C. Hope Clark Mailto: HopeClark1@aol.com -or-
Hope@FundsforWriters.com Published
biweekly and free for the asking. Spread it around. FundsforWriters/Writing Kid make no warranty as to the
accuracy of the contests, awards, etc. but we do try to
check them out in advance to the best of our ability. --- The FundsforWriters Family - Send a blank email to subscribe: 30604-subscribe@zinester.com (larger markets)
94631-subscribe@zinester.com (small markets)
63495-subscribe@zinester.com (young writer) **************************************************** WHO I AM (NOTES FROM THE EDITOR) **************************************************** We need guest articles.
Have you considered writing a
guest article for WritingKid? Are you a student, a parent,
a teacher? All are eligible. Just make sure the topic
touches upon writing. Those under 16 receive the book of
their choice. Those over 16 receive $10-$20. Send any
submissions to hope@fundsforwriters.com and label it
SUBMISSION TO WRITINGKID. ======== Three Fun Ways to Get to Know Your Character BY Mindy Hardiwick
In her essay, "People I Have Known," Katherine Paterson
says: "Characters are people, not models you put together
with an erector set. You don't build people, you get to
know them." When I wrote my young adult novel, Girl on a Thin Wire, I
had
to get to know my main character, Jasmine. She needed to
jump off the page as a real person, and not a flat,
stereotypical character. In order to create a strong character,
I had to learn what Jasmine loved, hated, feared, wanted, and
needed. Why? Because the answers to these questions would help
me find character motivation and this motivation is what would
drive my novel. I had to ask what did Jasmine want? What
obstacles did my character encounter? How did her fears block
her? How did she overcome these obstacles? I had to know my
character as if she was my best friend. When you are setting off on a journey with a new character,
sometimes it can be overwhelming. Where do you begin? The
following exercises might help you
get to know your character
a bit better. 1). Collage A Character's Room: What does your character's bedroom look like? Does your
character have a patchwork quilt bedspread made by Great
Aunt Lucy, or a red and blue racecar painted on a wall by Dad? Gather a collection of magazines with home themes. Old
magazine can sometimes be found at libraries for a very
cheap cost. Clip and pull images from the magazine and create an imaginary
bedroom for your character. Paste the images on a piece of white
paper. Hang near your writing space and start writing! 2). Secrets Try this exercise and ask your character the following questions.
You'll be amazed at the answers! What secret would you never tell anyone? What
secret would you tell your best friend? What's in your pocket? What's in the back of your closet? What's in your nightstand? What don't you want anyone one to know about? 3). Magic Art Items Gather a few magazines such as National Geographic or Smithsonian.
Cut and paste three or four items of art such as pottery, glass,
jewelry, or paintings to a three by five-index card. When you are feeling stuck for ideas, pull out one of the art cards.
Respond to the following.
You have been handed this item. The item has magic powers. What are
the magic powers? Why were you given this item? Who wants this item
besides you? Write the scene between the two of you. BIO
Mindy Hardwick is a children's writer and
educator. She has
published articles and short stories for kids. Mindy works as a
writer-in-residence at Lake Stevens High School and Denney
Juvenile Justice Center. She offers an on-line story writing
workshops for youth. You can find out more about her at
www.mindyhardwick.com ===== Good luck!!! And always keep writing. Hope PS
We cover elementary to college teens. Each week we
carry 10 or so opportunities for all ages. Read each
market closely. Some cover a wide range and others
address a very small age group. Always read the directions!
=====
Our archives for past WritingKid newsletters are at:
http://archives.zinester.com/63495 *******************************************************
1.
CAROLE MARSH MYSTERY CONTEST
http://www.gallopade.com/
http://www.gallopade.com/client/client_pages/ContestRules.cfm
---
Sometime soon, a school class from somewhere in the United
States will be selected to STAR in an all-new Carole Marsh
Mystery! A teacher and students will be featured in The
Creepy Crawly Classroom Mystery. Author Carole Marsh came
up with the idea for a mystery starring a teacher and a
classroom of kids after doing school visits. The contest
is easy: teachers and students submit an essay and a photo
telling and showing
why they’d make great characters in a
mystery. But what about writing a mystery starring possibly
one adult and thirty kids? “Hmm,” admits the author, “it’s
a mystery to me how I’ll pull that off, but I’m sure it can
be done and it will be fun and exciting!” The Creepy Crawly
Classroom Mystery will be published and distributed all
across the United States in the spring of 2008 with the
winner being named by the end of 2007. The winning class
will also receive an author visit by Carole Marsh and a
FREE set of mysteries for their class. Deadline December
1, 2007.
===== 2.
WRITER'S DIGEST CONTEST
http://www.writersdigest.com/contests/your_assignment_kids_display.asp?id=266
---
One entry per person please. You must be 13 or younger to enter.
And you must include your parent's or legal guardian's e-mail
address so we can verify consent to enter this contest. Your
entry, including title, must be 75 words or fewer. Your entry
must be e-mailed on or before 8/10/2007. Each winner's first
name/last initial, age and entry will be published online.
The winner will receive a certificate of achievement from the
editors of Writer's Digest magazine, a copy of the latest issue
and a $15 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble bookstore. The
Honorable Mentions will receive certificates of achievement, a
copy of the latest issue, and a $5 gift certificate to Barnes &
Noble bookstore. Your Assignment:
Two Weeks' Notice Your favorite book character has decided that a change is in
order and has resigned his position as [fill in the blank].
Why did he decide to quit? What will she do next? Tell your
character's story as creatively as possible without exceeding
75 words. ===== 3.
ZUZU
http://www.zuzu.org/write.html
---
ZuZu is made great by the contribution of young artists,
photographers and writers just like YOU. The pages below offer
instant submission opportunities for your creative pleasure...
Write on! Please include your e-mail so we can tell you when
your stories will appear! Mystery Picture Like a good mystery? Here's your chance to
solve one... Courageous
Kids Are you involved in a project to help the world
a better place, or do you just want to voice an opinion, or
theory? Find the courage to speak up. My Neighborhood Tell us all about the place you live. My Collection Whether it's keychains or model trains, let us
know all about the why and how of your collection. ===== 4.
GIRLSPEAK
http://www.youngchicagoauthors.org/girlspeak/about/submit.htm
---
Girlspeak is a pro-women web-based literary and visual art
magazine that seeks to provide a platform for those who
identify as female. We showcase original works by girls 12-22
for a wide-reaching readership. Girlspeak is a safe, diverse,
tolerant and positive space. We aspire to enlighten our readers
about self-love, healthy lifestyles, activism through art and
awareness of the world around them. So what "stuff" can you send to Girlspeak? Anything that can
be showcased on the web. We want your original paintings,
drawings, scripts, screenplays, lyrics, prose, fiction, non-
fiction, plays, spoken word recordings, graffiti art, collages,
short stories, monologues, photographs - get the idea? ===== 5.
DRABBLECAST
http://web.mac.com/normsherman/iWeb/Site/Submission%20Guidelines.html
---
Flash fiction stories of an unusual nature narrated by
Norm Sherman.
Short and fun. Nuggets of happiness.
One-two thousand-word (more or less) flash fiction (yes,
we know “Drabble” usually refers to work of 100 words-
we aren’t strictly abiding to that definition- just make
em short and sweet.) We generally publish stories of a
fantasy/sci-fi nature that are often humorous or have
some bizarre and unexpected turn of events. Really dark,
heavy pieces that have lots of disturbing images or language
stand less of a chance of being published. The editors
reserve the right to negotiate prices- taking into account
length, compatibility, quality, etc. We offer anywhere
between $5- $20 for stories. (TEENS AND UP) ===== 6.
SARABANDE STUDENT POETRY COMPETITION
http://www.sarabandebooks.org/contest/student.html
---
First Prize: $500 cash, letterpress broadside of the winning
poem, and publication on Website. Full-time undergraduate
Kentucky college students only. Submit no more than three
poems, each typed on 8 1/2" x 11" paper. Each poem must fit
on one page in 12 point font. Include a copy of your student
ID or other proof of full-time attendance with the name of a
professor in your university's English Department. Deadline
November 1, 2007. ===== 7.
SEFTON WRITING COMPETITION
http://www.sefton.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=7590
---
NO ENTRY FEE for children 14 and under
ENTRY FEE ?2 per poem or story
The theme for this year's competition is
'Waiting' and
all forms of creative writing are eligible, from poems
and stories to essays and mini dramas - with prizes
totalling ?1,000. The closing date for entries is September
3 and the awards will be presented to winners at a special
event to be held at Southport Arts Centre on September 30. ===== 8.
THE NEW YORK TIMES COLLEGE ESSAY CONTEST
http://nytimes.com/marketing/collegeessay/
---
In the turbulent late '60s and early '70s, college campuses
played a major role in the culture and politics of the era.
Today, according to author and historian Rick Perlstein,
colleges have lost their central place in the broader society
and in the lives of undergraduates.
We invite all college
students to read "What's the Matter with College," Perlstein's
full article on the subject, and submit an essay of no more than
1,200 words in response. Is the college experience less
critical to the nation than it was a generation ago? We
invite you to join the debate. The winning essay will be published in the special Sept. 30
college issue of The Magazine and on NYTimes.com/Magazine.
Five runner-up essays will also be published on NYTimes.com/
Magazine. The winning essay will also be featured on mtvU,
MTV's 24-hour college network, as well as mtvU.com. Tune in
to mtvU or mtvU.com this month to see Rick Perlstein's
challenge to the national college audience. Submission Deadline August
6, 2007. ===== 9.
FUNNY PAPER CONTEST
http://www.funnypaper.info/
---
NO ENTRY FEE
$100 AWARD for poem judged best. Decision of judges is final.
All other entries published will receive a copy of The Funny
Paper. Any light, humorous or inspirational subject. 16 lines
maximum. Please limit entries to three poems for this contest. ===== 10.
SCIENCE FICTION POETRY ASSOCIATION CONTEST
http://www.sfpoetry.com/2007poetrycontest.html
---
NO ENTRY FEE NOTED
1st Prize: $80, SFPA web site publication, and a year's
membership (or extension) to the SFPA , and a copy of
Aberrant Dreams I, The Awakening,
and a set of MYTHIC
anthologies, (MYTHIC and MYTHIC 2) signed. 2nd Prize: $40, SFPA web site publication, and a year's
subscription to Tales of the Talisman, and a copy of Aberrant
Dreams I, The Awakening. 3rd Prize: $20, SFPA web site publication, and a year's
subscription to Dreams and Nightmares, and a copy of Aberrant
Dreams I, The Awakening. This year the chosen form will be the sonnet. The contest
will open for submissions on July 7, and stay open for
submissions through August 24—a total of 49 days.
=========================================================
Contact WritingKid (the Business Stuff) ========================================================== Receiving WritingKid is your choice. We hope
you stay but the
option is yours at all times. Unsubscribe instructions
are at the end of this letter. C. Hope Clark
Hope@FundsforWriters.com
HopeClark1@aol.com 140-A Amicks Ferry Road #4
Chapin, SC 29036 http://www.fundsforwriters.com
http://www.theshywriter.com Copyright 2000-2007, C. Hope Clark SUBSCRIBE: 63495-subscribe@zinester.com
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