You’re going to want to enter this contest.
If you read this blog at all, you know I’m a big fan of R. R. Haywood’s Undead series and that I love hanging out in his Living Army Facebook group. It’s a lively place with lots of motley characters who all have a love of the written word either as readers or as writers.
About six months ago, Haywood held a *Write A Chapter* Contest. He provided a prologue and then asked contestants to add 500 words to it. The one who made the best use of those 500 words was the winner.
Guess who won. Go ahead. Guess.
Yep. That was this girl (double thumb point).
Now, I’ve won some pretty big writing contests in the past. Heck, something I wrote was nominated for an NAACP Image Award in 2010. We didn't actually WIN, but that’s not the point.
The POINT is … on second thought I don’t know what the point is, I just like to drop the Image Award nomination thing in conversation now and then.
No, seriously, the point is, winning the first *Write A Chapter* Contest was huge for me. It meant one of my favorite authors liked something I wrote. It also started a dialogue between Haywood and I that continues today. Super. Cool.
But the biggest thing that came out of winning the *Write A Chapter* Contest is that I get to help judge the NEXT *Write A Chapter* Contest!
He’s doing it again. I asked him why.
“Because it’s sexy.” Rich tried to take the words back but then thought better of it. “Actually, writing is sexy isn’t it? I mean, seeing new raw stuff is very cool. A contest opens up for lots of people to have a go and be brave enough to submit their work in a contained environment. Last time, it prompted several people to start writing properly.”
I completely agree. I’m thrilled to be part of the judging this time and Rich and I are looking forward to reading what folks bring to the page.
If you’re not already, request to be a member of The Living Army Facebook page. Once in, read the prologue and then write your 500 word contribution. When the words are as good as you can make them, post them to The Living Army group.
The prizes this time are amazing. You’ll get a beautiful canvas certificate … like the one pictured here … which is mine… that’s my name … right there. PROOF that I won. You’ll also get a signed copy of R. R. Haywood’s Extracted and a signed copy of my urban fantasy, The Bonding Spell. And finally, a big, fat $50 Amazon e-certificate! That’s a nice prize package.
So, go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/570360923122124/
If you’re not already, request membership first. Then read the rules, get your fingers on the keyboard and send us your entry. Deadline is, Friday, April 21 so don’t procrastinate.
M. L. Doyle has served in the U.S. Army at home and abroad for more than two decades as both a soldier and civilian. Mary is the author of The Desert Goddess series, an urban fantasy romp consisting of The Bonding Spell and The Bonding Blade. She has also penned The Master Sergeant Harper mystery series which has earned numerous awards including an IPPY, a Lyra Award and the Carrie McCray Literary Award. Mary is the co-author of two memoirs; A Promise Fulfilled; the story of a Wife and Mother, Soldier and General Officer (Jan. 201) and the memoir, I’m Still Standing: From Captive U.S. Soldier to Free Citizen—My Journey Home (Touchstone, 2010), which was nominated for an NAACP Image award. Mary's work has been published by The Goodman Project, The War Horse, The WWrite Blog and The Wrath-Bearing Tree, an online magazine for which she serves as a fiction editor. A Minneapolis, Minnesota native, Mary current lives in Baltimore. You can reach her at her website at mldoyleauthor.com.
4 comments on “R. R. Haywood's *Write A Chapter* Contest”
Didn’t know you won last year—Congrats!
You deserve it.
Congrats on your win! Sounds like a great contest.
Coooooool. Congrats on winning last year, Mary!
Coooooool. Congrats on winning last year, Mary!