How to #Win a #ShortStory Contest!

How to Win a Spot in the IWSG Anthology Contest
by Gwen Gardner

I’m always impressed by the quality of writing in the Insecure Writers Support Group anthologies. To me, it’s a prestigious compilation of stories by respected members of this growing community of writers. When I won top spot in the third anthology, Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime, I was sure someone made a mistake. I mean, I write cozy mysteries. Cozies are gentle reads. They are clean, low key, and low action. Any violence happens off stage and sex is never mentioned.

So how did a cozy mystery story win the top spot in the anthology? First, I went back to the basics that every writer knows: hook, strong verbs and dialogue, quirky characters with flaws, a grounded setting, show rather than tell, and edit, edit, edit. We all know the drill.

I always knew the competition was tough. That much was apparent once I’d read all the stories in Tick Tock. But now that I’m a judge of the next IWSG anthology, it’s become even more apparent. The margin of excellence is so narrow between the remaining competitors that it’s nearly impossible to choose a favorite. As a judge, how do I pick my top three favorites when they all deserve to win? What is that extra something you can do that gives you the winning edge?

Go back to the guidelines:

1. Keep your eye on the theme and genre. In Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime, the theme was time/clock and the genre mystery/crime/thriller. When I won, the title I submitted to the contest was, A Stitch in Crime. It’s a play on the old saying, “A Stitch in Time”. So you can see I used both the time theme (through a play on words) and the genre (crime) in the title.
2. Continue the theme throughout your story. In my story, time was running short to reunite a little girl with the nun who raised her.
3. Come full circle by tying the ending of the story to the beginning. In the beginning of my story, my main character was learning how to cross-stitch. Towards the end of the story, a cross-stitch panel ends up being the clue that solves the mystery.

I hope these tips help. For myself, I continue to study the writing craft, and I’m always reminding myself of the basics. Over on my Pinterest page, I have over 2000 pins separated into 37 different sections that are chock full of everything writing related, from inspirational quotes by famous authors to detailed how-tos on the craft. Check it out!

How do you stay up on the writing craft?

Any tips or tricks you use?

Gwen Gardner’s story, A Stitch in Crime, won the feature spot in the IWSG Anthology #3. She writes clean, cozy, lighthearted mysteries with a strong ghostly element. Since ghosts feature prominently in her books, she has a secret desire to meet one face to face – but will run screaming for the hills if she ever does.

She thinks there’s nothing better than a good mystery (being an excellent armchair detective herself), unless it’s throwing a ghost or two into the mix just to “liven” things up. Don’t worry, though. Ghosts may be difficult to keep in line, but they’re harmless—mostly. And it turns out they’re pretty good sleuths, too.

Gwen adores travel and experiencing the cultures and foods of different countries. She is always up for an adventure and anything involving chocolate – not necessarily in that order.

Website  Blog  Twitter  Facebook  Pinterest

Wanted: More Heroes!

Heroes Wanted!

by Tyrean Martinson

I think anyone living in the world today would have a tough time missing the rise of superheroes, heroes, and anti-heroes in film, media, and fiction. Every story must have a protagonist, but lately, it seems as if every story must have a HERO.

Why do we love heroes so much?

Because we need them. According to an article by Psychology Today, heroes “improve our lives.” In fact, the article goes on to state that heroes help elevate us, heal us, nourish our relationships, show us how to transform our lives, and show us how to become heroes ourselves.

Whether we love everyday heroes (civil rights defenders, first responders, those who serve in the military, the kind of person who stops to help someone load their groceries into the car in the rain), or we love superheroes (Captain America, Thor, Wonder Woman), or we love anti-heroes (Captain Jack Sparrow, Hamlet, the Guardians of the Galaxy), they help us see moments of good in the world, they help us see that our troubles can be overcome, and they inspire us to become heroes in our own lives.

And, there are many types of heroes to choose from, going beyond Joseph Campbell’s archetype of the hero. I searched hero types online and found “6 Types of Heroes You Need in Your Story,” along with “Romantic Heroes,” and huge lists of hero types from various websites focused on comic book and fantasy fiction.

Just to name a handful here, there are: Every Man/Woman Heroes, Prodigy Heroes, Un-Heroes and Anti-Heroes (not the same), Misfit Heroes, Perfect Heroes, Best Friend Heroes, Charmer Heroes, Swashbuckler Heroes, Rebel/Bad Boy Heroes, Lost Soul Heroes, Warrior Heroes, Grizzled Old-Timer Heroes, Orphan Heroes, Wanderer Heroes, Jester/Fool Heroes, Tragic Heroes, Martyr Heroes, Sovereign Heroes, Caregiver Heroes, Explorer Heroes, Magician Heroes, and Creator Heroes.

On November 12th, we lost a great Creator Hero from real life: Stan Lee, the creator of Spider-Man, Black Panther, The Incredible Hulk, X-Men, and The Avengers. His life’s work and legacy has inspired artists, creators, and storytellers all over the globe, and entertained millions of people. He will be missed.

courtesy IMDB

As a kid, I needed to see how Bruce Banner struggled with his Incredible Hulk anger. As a teen, I needed to see how the X-men dealt with prejudice on a daily basis. And, as trope-filled and cheesy as it may sound to many today, I still need to hear, “With great power comes great responsibility,” from Uncle Ben and Spider-Man. It still rings true for me and I’m so thankful Stan Lee created these flawed heroes.

I used to be embarrassed because I was just a comic book writer while other people were building bridges or going on to medical careers. And then I began to realize: entertainment is one of the most important things in people’s lives. Without it they might go off the deep end. I feel that if you’re able to entertain people, you’re doing a good thing.--Stan Lee, The Washington Post.

Each of us has unique strengths and abilities to share with the world. We each have heroic potential. A hero doesn’t have to work alone. A hero can collaborate with other heroes to create a better world, to show the way to a better future.

So, what kinds of heroes do you love to read about or see on film?
If you are a creator, what kinds of heroes do you like to write about?
What kind of hero are you?


Daydreamer, writer, teacher, believer, Tyrean Martinson lives near the Puget Sound with her husband and daughters. With her B.A. in Ed. and English, she teaches writing classes to home-school teens and she writes speculative, contemporary, poetry, experimental hint fiction, and writing books.

Tyrean is currently writing about heroes who are both blessed and cursed with super-powers. She has written about fantasy heroes, sci-fi heroes, and real-life heroes. She strives to be a teacher-hero and a creator-hero in real life. Her short story, “Of Words and Swords” won a spot in the Hero Lost: Mysteries of Death and Life IWSG anthology.

To read the flash fiction story that started Tyrean’s journey into a super-powered world, check out “Seedling” for FREE on Smashwords, Nook, Apple, Google, Kobo, and Overdrive.

Connect with Tyrean here:

Blog | Twitter | Facebook

If you’re looking to read about a number of different heroes, check out the IWSG Fiction Anthologies.

Heroes Lost

Of Words and Swords by Tyrean Martinson

5 Reasons to Write Short Stories and Flash Fiction

5 Reasons This Novelist Writes Short Stories and Flash Fiction
by Rebecca Douglass

1. If I can learn to say it, and say it well, in 1000 words (or 3000, or 5000), I will have learned something that will strengthen all my prose. A word limit forces a writer to think about each word, as well as how each sentence is put together, and whether each sentence contributes to the story. Even a 5000 word short, let alone a 500-word flash, has no room for meandering thought-processes, repetition, or dead-end plot threads. The form forces me to plot tightly and edit carefully, and we all need practice at that (and since the stories are short, I can get more practice!). Each length tests me in different ways, which is why I practice with everything from #Fi50 (50 word shorts) to 5000-word stories.
2. Short fiction allows me to play with genre. I’m not interested in writing a horror novel, or a whole book of Weird West or slightly racy romance. But 1000 words? Sure, why not? And so I learn how to do a little different kind of writing, discover a new genre (seriously, following genre mash-up prompts has introduced me to a number of genres, or at least sub-genres, I never heard of), and improve my skills.
3. Short fiction is easy to submit for publication. Lots of places publish short fiction, like our own IWSG Anthologies! Almost all of them take on-line submissions, and most give a quick response, which means I can submit the story elsewhere (or take a long hard look at why it’s getting rejected) without a long wait.
4. Short stories help me out of slumps and back into my novel. When life is too busy or overwhelming, it’s hard to keep up work on a large, unwieldy piece of fiction. Sometimes my writing time gets fragmented and greatly reduced while I deal with other things. But I can draft a bit of flash fiction in an hour or two, and come back to edit it the next time I have an hour. Because finishing anything is a big boost, it helps to tackle some projects I know I can complete quickly, before the next eruption of chaos.
5. Getting a short story published rocks! I was totally over the moon when my story was selected for Tick Tock: A Stitch in Crime, the 2017 IWSG Anthology. That was a huge psychological boost. But it doesn’t end there, because having short stories out there makes me and my novels more “discoverable.” So maybe, just maybe, writing short fiction can help me sell novels.

About the Author 

After a lifetime of reading, and a decade or more of slinging books at the library and herding cats with the PTA, Rebecca began to turn her experiences into books of her own, publishing her first in 2012.  Despite the unlimited distractions provided by raising sons to the point of leaving home, she has managed to pen a total of 7.9 books (the 8th is due out soon).

For those who enjoy murder and mayhem with a sense of humor, Rebecca’s Pismawallops PTA mysteries. If you prefer tall tales and even less of a grip on reality, visit Skunk Corners in The Ninja Librarian and the sequels Return to Skunk Corners and The Problem of Peggy. For those who’ve always thought that fantasy was a bit too high-minded, a stumble through rescues and escapes with Halitor the Hero should set you straight.

Rebecca writes so many different kinds of books because she has a rich lifetime of experience that requires expression. She also has a short attention span—squirrel!

Connect with Rebecca here:

Email: rebecca.douglass@ninjalibrarian.com
Website ~ Facebook ~ Author Page
Smashwords Page ~ Goodreads

Tick Tock: A Stitch In Crime

The Tide Waits by Rebecca M. Douglass

10 Ways to Fit in Writing

10 Ways to Fit in Writing -- When You Have a Day Job
by Christine Clemetson

What do you do when you want to write full-time, but you have a day job that takes you to work forty plus hours a week? And you have a family, a house, and all the responsibilities in between. Phew! Right?

It takes perseverance to keep writing and submitting when time is limited. Here are ten quick ideas to get your words in:

1. Use the Notes app on your phone to jot down character traits during the day.
2. Write a story idea over morning coffee.
3. Use a voice recorder app to get ideas down during a morning run or walking the dog.
4. Listen to writing podcasts on your work commute to learn craft and stir up creative juices.
5. Solve plot problems while waiting in line at the store, gas station, etc.
6. At lunch time, bring a notebook or laptop to a bench outside or a local park.
7. Think up scene ideas during the afternoon break.
8. While dinner is in the oven, create a character’s goal/motivation/conflict.
9. Write in the car while your kids are at soccer practice.
10. Use the weekends or your days off  to transcribe all those notes into your manuscript.

One more … Thinking about your characters or plot is writing!

BONUS STEP: When you’re busy at work and tired, and can’t imagine writing when you get home, visualize your love for writing. Imagine your published book in your hands. Feel it with your fingers clutching the pages. Close your eyes and smell the paper. Put a stickie note up on your bathroom mirror with your favorite motivational quote!   Use those images to keep your dream right in front of you. You got this!


About the author...
Christine Clemetson was born to write stories. She can’t even remember a time when she wasn’t listening to the whispers of characters telling her their stories. She just had to put them down on paper, otherwise, how would we find out how they lived –or how they died for that matter?

Besides Laura Ingalls Wilder, Nancy Drew was Christine's ultimate hero growing up in the small beach town of Point Pleasant, NJ. When Nancy, Bess, and George got together for the latest adventure, she stayed with them until it was solved—even if it took the whole morning on my beach towel.

Soon Christine realized her own stories couldn’t wait any longer. Through reading and writing, she found her niche writing scary stories–the ones that send you under the covers! If you’re a reader, writer, or love everything in between, please join Christine for some fun topics. And most of all, get inspired!

Connect with Christine here:

Email: cdclemetson@aol.com

Blog ~ Twitter: @cdclemetson ~ Facebook

Tick Tock: A Stitch In Crime

Center Lane by Christine Clemetson

A Short Story - A Snapshot of Life

What I like about short stories is they’re short, of course, and you have a nice, tidy story wrapped up in less than an hour. Most short stories take about a half hour to read, some more, some less. What it boils down to is a snapshot of someone’s life. The timeline of the story is typically short, as well. Sometimes, the action takes place in a few minutes. Other times, a few days go by. It teaches us, as writers, to think about time, and how it adds intensity to the story.

I might be thinking that way because my story, One More Minute, is in the Tick Tock: A Stitch in Time Anthology. Time was a necessary element in our stories. Still, as I think about the next contest theme, and prompt, my mind goes to the timeline. The story I want to tell will probably take place in less than week, maybe even a weekend.

Do you think about time when you write? A writing instructor talked to us about how important time is in a story. How do you feel when a character is constantly checking her watch? Do you feel tension when the character in your story is late for an appointment? What if someone is rushing into something, a building, a relationship, a decision?

perfect setting for a murder??

I dropped my rusty, old minivan off at a junkyard. My friend was on her way to pick me up, but I got delayed in the “office” (i.e. an RV parked at the entrance of the junkyard) and couldn’t go out to meet her. She started to worry about me, so she called my cellphone. I heard it ringing but couldn’t pick up because I was talking to the owner about the van and getting signatures on the title. It was past the time I said I’d be done. She called again. I quickly picked up and said, “I’m in the office,” and hung up.

When I finally came out of the RV/office, she had her hand on the phone ready to call 9-1-1. She said, “I didn’t know where you were.” I said, “I was in the office.”

“That wasn’t helpful,” she said. “The office could have been anywhere. I looked out over that field of old cars and thought, there’s a lot of evidence out there for murders.”

Now, that’s a great set-up for a mystery. A fictional one. I’m happy to say that I came out alive. We had a good laugh about it on our way to the gym, and I kept thinking:
Timing is everything in a story.

Mary Aalgaard

Mary Aalgaard writes theater reviews and supports the arts through her blog Play off the Page. She teaches youth theater workshops in the Brainerd Lakes area of Minnesota, writes articles for regional magazines, and works with both seniors and youth in multi-generational programs to enhance quality of life and build community.

Mary is also a freelance writer and blogger. Her words stretch across the globe through her blogs and articles. Her writing extends to plays as she works with both children and adults to create original dramas. She gives private piano, and writing lessons, and theatre workshops for kids at Central Lakes College.

Blog ~ Twitter: @MaryAalgaard ~ Facebook

Instagram ~ Website

Go. Create. Inspire!

Have You Read a Short Story Lately?

As a reader, I love delving into the world of a novel. It's even better when the story is part of a series as I can get to spend more time with the characters. That's one reason why I prefer TV shows over movies, but sometimes I want something shorter to read (or watch). In our fast-paced world, the short story definitely has a place.

Pros to Reading Short Stories

• They're short. Waiting for an appointment? Need something to entertain you during lunch? A short story is the perfect place to start. There are even short story vending machines in some places!
• Explore new authors. Reading the short stories in anthologies is a fantastic way to sample new-to-you authors.
• Explore new genres. We all have our favorite types of genres to read, but short stories are a great way to delve into a new genre.
• Satisfaction in reading a story. I'm not the fastest of readers, so I do feel a great deal of satisfaction when I finish reading a story and that occurs even faster with short stories.
• Instant gratification. Need to quench your thirst for reading. Short stories can do just that.

Con to Reading Short Stories

• They're short. You get excited about the characters and world, and then the story is over. But, hopefully, the author has more work for you to delve into. *crosses fingers*

So have you read a short story lately?

Welcome to the IWSG Anthology Website

All the IWSG Anthologies conveniently located in one blog!

This website has everything you need to know about all the IWSG Anthologies to date with room to grow for future anthologies. Here you will find:

• author bios and extra info
• story blurbs
• links to purchase
• interviews and informative posts
• links to past anthology websites
• news on upcoming anthologies and releases!

I want to thank my fellow overseers of this blog: Cherie Reich, Ellen Jacobson, Elizabeth Seckman, and L. Diane Wolfe. They're awesome!

Please contact us to:

• volunteer to write a post
• update/correct author info
• just to chat or offer suggestions

And to kick off our combined anthology website, we officially announce the opening for entries of the next IWSG Anthology Contest!

The 2018 Annual IWSG Anthology Contest
Word count: 3500-6000
Genre: Young Adult Romance
Theme: Masquerade
A Masquerade can be a false show or pretense, someone pretending to be someone they aren't. It can be a ball, a fancy dress party, it can be a mask. Open to interpretation.

Submissions accepted: September 5 - November 4, 2018

How to enter: Send your polished, formatted (Double spaced, no page numbers), previously unpublished story to: admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter IWSG group.

Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges--check them out at the IWSG website, announced today (9/5)!

Prizes: The winning stories will be edited and published by Freedom Fox Press next year in the IWSG anthology. Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title.

Come back on Sept 19th to see what Cherie Reich is going to share...

and good luck to those entering the contest!!