Here are some questions to ask yourself:

1.When did you first discover that you wanted to be a writer? 2.Where were you? 3.What experience led you to make decision to write?

If writers become aware that they are dreaming solely of fame and fortune when reflecting on question "why do I write," than it may be time to search deeper within themselves to learn if writing is indeed what they are meant to do.

When we answer these questions and become more tuned into our needs, we can begin to reflect on what sustains and feeds our writer’s soul.

Every writer has his or her own unique way of keeping writing fuels burning. For some, it is simply a matter of maintaining a writing schedule and habitually sticking with it like brushing their teeth or eating a meal at a specific time. For others, it is important to be in company of writers, whether it’s a few writer friends, a group or a seminar.

There is no secret to maintaining your momentum as a writer. Whatever works for you will be best choice.

The key to writing well is a deeper understanding of ourselves, what motivates us and what fuels our writing. When you find yourself struggling with written word, reflect on what it means to be a writer and you will be back in zone in no time.

Copyright 2003, Lisa Collazo LCSW

http://www.writewhatyouknow.com

4.Email results. Competitions who take on-line entries really have not excuse for not sending out full results and web links to winning entries to every competitor that has entered this way.

5.Announcement date. If none of above seem to be mentioned in contest details and you still fancy your chances, look for a date when results will be available and contact organiser for winners. If no date is included forget it. There are plenty of other competitions around that will give you better value for money. Here’s a few to start you in right direction.

The Battle of Bards poetry contest is one that certainly puts you on your mettle as it doesn’t reveal lineage or theme until day of competition. You then get just 24 hours to pen your missive! Feed back comes in form of all entrants receiving a shortlisters and adjudicator’s report, full results plus top three entries are posted on website. http://www.writelink.co.uk/Competitions/Battle_of_the_Bards/battle_of_the_bards.html

The Weekender Challenge runs on similar lines except this is for fiction. Again word count and theme are not revealed until beginning of contest but two days are allowed for this one. Past entries are archived on site so you can get a good idea of standard that you are up against. Feed back is a full results listing, shortlisters report and adjudicator’s report which are also archived on site and sent to every entrant. http://www.writelink.co.uk/Competitions/Weekender_Challenge/weekender_challenge.html

Subscribing to some of on-line writers ezines is definitely a good idea as these will often list on-line competitions which usually offer feed back.

WriteLink produces Competition News, a quarterly newsletter devoted to quality competition listings. This is free and includes full contact details which makes it handy for those shy of using on-line payment systems. You’ll find sign up box at bottom of Competition page. http://www.writelink.co.uk/Competitions/competitions.html

First Writer has a very extensive database of writing contests which you can search by date and genre. There is a small charge for this, but definitely worth it if you enter a lot of competitions and want to save time searching web. http://www.firstwriter.com/

Competitions Bulletin is a print magazine which is updated monthly. It’s been running for a long time and again worth considering if you intend entering a lot of competitions. http://www.cherrybite.co.uk/writers_comps/w-cinfo.html

Good luck and remember …you can’t win if you don’t enter!