As Hartnell College poetry professor and editor of the Hartnel College Homestead Review and the Henry Miller Library pubication Ping Pong, our October guest, Maria Garcia Teutsch is exceptionally qualified to serve as poetry judge for CCW's annual writing contests. Maria helped bring the Central Coast Writers branch contest vision to reality in the early years and has helped guide our efforts ever since. The growing popularity of our branch contest as evidenced by the increasing number of entries received proves that she's put us on the right track. From her contest judging experience, Maria has gained insight and intuition about what sets a winning entry apart from the rest. But it's not an easy job.
"Contest judging is subjective!", Maria advises, and as such it is imperative that entrants do a little homework before entering a writing contest. Among an impressive list of winning tactics and strategies, Maria urged potential contest entrants to read previous winning entries of contests they're considering entering to get a feel for the tone and tenor of the judges apprent preferences. Though seemingly obvious, Maria also stressed the importance of reading, understanding, and following contest rules. CCW members and guests at our October meeting will stand a vastly improved chance of winning the next contest they enter because of Maria's good advice.
During his introductory remarks, CCW contest chair Mike Thomas, also shown at right, made an excellent point observing that contests provide more than simply the chance to win money. Involvement in contests helps keep us, as writers, on our toes, Mike advises, and provides to many a much needed deadline to work toward. Mike also pointed out that every time we submit anything anywhere, we are in a very real sense entering a contest.
Thank you, Maria, for sharing your time and talents with us, for helping inspire us to enter to win, and for your continued efforts on behalf of CCW and its annual writing contest. |
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