Organization/Fantasy and Sci-Fi Contest

Writer’s Thought for the Week: Being a writer is like having homework every night for the rest of your life.  ~ Lawrence Kasdan

TWO WAYS TO ORGANIZE

Whether I’m researching for my nonfiction work or sorting out details for my “someday novel”, organizing and reorganizing notes and information can be tedious. I’ve yet to find the perfect answer, but here are two options I’m exploring. Both have versions for Windows and Mac.

Evernote is free software that lets you save notes, audio, images, and web clippings. It automatically synchronizes between your computers, iPad, phone, and the Web. You can even access your notes from your mobile phone as well as e-mail a note to a special address that you can retrieve on your computer. You can set up separate notebooks for different types of notes as well as assign multiple tags to individual notes.

Scrivener is a combination word processor and project management tool. You can outline, use virtual 3-by-5 cards, structure and restructure your work using the virtual “corkboard” feature, and more. It even has some scriptwriting features. Try it using the free download. If you like it, the Windows version is $40 and the Mac is $45.

How about you? Any tips on organization you’d like to share?

STONETHREAD FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION CONTEST
 

Deadline July 31, 2012
No entry fee.

Seeking fantasy and sociological science fiction short stories (1,500 to 15,000 words) to create an anthology in Ray Bradbury's honor. Previously unpublished fantasy or sociological SF only. You may enter as often as you wish, but each entry must be in a separate e-mail. All winning entries will be included in the StoneThread anthology.

Winners will receive a free copy of the anthology, plus 1st Place: $50; 2nd through 6th: $20; Honorable Mentions: $10.

Carteret Writers Contest

Contest guidelines
This contest is sponsored by the writers group in my area so I know it's legit.  Last year's contest drew a total of 213 entries, so the competition in terms of numbers is not as stiff as some other contests. It's an all-volunteer effort done primarily as a service to writers and last year was the first time the group did not lose money on it.
Cash prizes are offered in each of five categories: fiction, nonfiction, flash fiction, poetry, and children's: 1st place: $100; 2nd place: $50; 3rd place: $25.
Entries are by snail mail only and must be received by 1:00 PM  March 8, 2011.

Motivational thought: "When your ship doesn't come in, swim out to it."  Jonathan Winters

Two Contests: Poetry and Fiction

More snow yesterday. Good time to snuggle inside and write. Neither of these contests charges a fee.

SPIRIT FIRST POETRY CONTEST

http://www.spiritfirst.org/poetry_contest.html

Deadline: January 31, 2011.
First Prize: $175; Second: $125; Third: $75
Special Category: Spoken Poem: $75

Poetry submissions may be of any length and any style but they must have a theme of meditation, mindfulness, stillness, or silence. Poems may reflect any discipline, any faith, or none. They must be previously unpublished. No more than three submissions per author.

Winning poems will be published on the Spirit First website, in the Spirit First blog, and in the Spirit First newsletter.

HIGHLIGHTS 2011 FICTION CONTEST

http://www.highlights.com/highlights-fiction-contest

Deadline: postmarked by January 31, 2011

Submit an unpublished story up to 750 words about an embarrassing moment. No crime, violence, or derogatory humor.

Three prizes of $1,000 each.  Note: The three winning stories become the property of Highlights for Children, but the generous prize for 750 words seems worth it. All other submissions will be considered for purchase.