Creative writing contests are a good place to start when you are looking to sell your fiction and believe me, there's a lot more at stake than just the prizes involved. In order to win with your creative writing, you must submit a well-crafted manuscript that conforms to the contest's chosen topic and guidelines, and you must complete that manuscript, in a timely fashion, so that it arrives at the contest headquarters before their entry deadline.

When I first began writing short stories, I found it hard to come up with story ideas. Actually, that isn't true. I had tons of story ideas. I just never thought any of them were good enough to submit to an editor. I was insecure and this insecurity stopped me from submitting my work for publication. I found that by entering writing contests, where a specific story idea, or writing prompt, was provided, I was able to let some of that insecurity go and focus my attention on the crafting of my stories, without worrying that my idea might not be good enough.

I was also better able to concentrate on my writing and most importantly, finish what I'd started. When left to my own stratagem, my mind would wander. I'd get other ideas and many times I would move on to another story before completing the one I was working on, leaving me with a pile of unfinished manuscripts, and nothing to submit anywhere. Writer's write, but simply writing won't get you published if you never actually finish any of your stories.

Working towards contest deadlines will also help to get you ready for the real world of publication where submission and revision deadlines abound. The minute you commit yourself to entering a contest, the clock starts ticking. Your manuscript has to be written, revised, sent out, and accepted by the contest sponsor before their final deadline in order to be considered for a prize. Keeping in mind that most contests receive hundreds of submissions, you don't want your hard work tossed aside simply because it arrived a day late.

Writing towards a deadline keeps you on track and moving forward with your writing which in turn will provide you with the greatest prize of all, a completed manuscript. Whether or not your story, or novel, actually takes top honors in the contest makes no difference at all because you've already won. You have a well-crafted, completely revised, ready-for-submission piece of writing that you can be proud to send out to any publisher.

If your creative writing does take a prize, or an honorable mention, in the contest then you've been doubly rewarded for all your hard work and effort.

Be cautious about which contests you decide to enter though. There are many reputable writing contests to be found but there are also a few dragons out there looking to burn you. Check into the contest's background, find out who will be judging it, look into how long it has been in existence, (new contests can be honorable too but be careful) and compare their entry fees to the prizes being offered. Paying a $20.00 entry fee to win only $50.00 just isn't worth it. As long as you don't enter any contests spewing foul odors, or false promises, you should be okay.

A good non-profit site to help you make your decision about which contests to enter is Preditors and Editors. They have warnings about fake contests that are only trying to sell you something along with bewares about publishers and agents who might be questionable.

Creative writing contests provide topics and deadlines.

You win automatically by completing your submission.

Remember, a non-winning entry can always be submitted to a paying publication after the contest has ended.