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| Rebecca Alexander |
I was wondering if anyone else was going to have a go at the other Mslexia competitions for the rest of the year? I’m not a short story writer, so I didn’t try the short story competition, but the poetry deadline is coming up, and I know there are several poets out there.
I have had poetry published, but I’ve never put a pamphlet together before, so I’m trying to fit a little poetry in between edits and rewrites. One of my weak points is titles: books, poems and the collection. I’m also finding the process of arranging the poems almost as difficult as editing them. They broadly tell of the relationship of three sisters. I am the middle one, the other two have both died. Poetry is so much harder work than fiction!
I’m also wondering whether to have a go at the children’s book competition. I wrote most of a kids’ book for my MA, and although it has a huge problem—the main character is less visible than the smaller characters around her—it could be rewritten, if I had time. My youngest child has been involved from the outset and is pushing me to finish it, but this year is already one third gone, and the summer will be busy.
So, I was wondering if anyone else is entering one of the above competitions, would they be interested in sharing the process and swapping work for critiquing? As my writing has improved, I’ve left some of my beta readers behind, and I find a critical eye over a poem will pull out the weak word or awkward phrase much better than I could. I realise we could be seen as competitors, but this group feels more like a collaborative team. If anyone is interested, feel free to email me. And of course, if anyone is entering any competitions, the very best of luck!
Children’s novel competition: 10 September
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