Besides having an innate love of all things ink and graphite, and my love of (vetted) High Technology (yes, Virginia, there is an iPhone in my future – I’ve finally justified the cost), some may wonder why I still do a lot of my drafting in longhand (tree killer!)

Now, I could say it’s an editing process. I can feel freer to do my “pre-writing”, etc., on paper and have a more complete draft when the story is complete. And that would be true – to a certain extent. I do use my longhand draft as a “zero” draft and the typed version as a First Draft. That’s not the full reason. To be honest, I do a lot of things on paper with pen (not only because I like it) but because technology can – and will (the jerk) – let you down. 

Technology is not always available where you may be. Smart Phones, iPads, and wireless devices are only as good at the network signal you can find for them. If something depends on you being online – Murphy will make sure there’s no way you’re getting online. Or you could be in a situation where use of technology (say, working at a renaissance festival is frowned upon, or your booth will not have electricity or something).

Technology is fickle. Just when you think you have all your devices playing nicely with each other and communicating properly – something happens. An update, a power blip, someone’s code hurts another code’s feelings and everything is a big jumbled mess of bytes and bits. In this case, technology does mimic human life…go figure.

Technology WILL FAIL!!!! It will. Count on it. Technology will fail. This is inevitable. Things that run on batteries will drain said batteries. Devices required to be plugged in will experience power failure. There will be power failures (the gas company cut a power line to my office building this week). Coffee WILL be spewed on keyboards, and cell phones DO fall in toilets. Hard drives inexplicably implode, and data will be lost – even if it’s backed up six times.

I’m not saying Low Tech options are not without their dangers. Dogs eat homework. Coffee spewed on notebook paper has the same effects (so does dropping a notebook in a toilet). BUT…low tech has some advantages. It’s as (or more) portable. You can always have a pen and pad with you – even in inconvenient times. No one frowns on a pen and pad at, say, Renaissance Festivals.  If you’re traveling, you don’t have to worry about accidentally deleting (or having to turn off your devices) anything when hitting turbulence (or pot holes), you just have to worry about legibility. Oh, and when you’re frustrated with a project, it’s not a huge financial investment to throw a paper wad across the room (unlike a cell phone or computer).

And for the treehuggers – ink and paper are natural, biodegradable materials that don’t necessarily stay in landfills (and many plastic pens are now made of recycled materials). I’m not saying ditch your technology (then how would you read my brilliance? Kidding!!!), but to simply consider the joys and stress relief of the Low Tech now and then. And remember – those annoying paper wads are also good pet toys. Just sayin’.

Many new writers wonder if entering contests is worthwhile – both to their careers and to their budgets. The answer to that – as with just about everything else in the publishing industry is…maybe. Picking a contest is a lot like picking an agent or publisher. You have to weigh the risk to reward factors. Is the time, effort, and possibly money to invest in the contest worth the potential pay out.

First – you have to decide if you’re going to pay to play. Many contests charge an entry fee to pay for prizes and contest judges and the like. The thing is – does the entry fee justify the prize.  It’s a ratio thing. If the entry fee seems high in terms of the prize pay outs, then it’s probably not worth it. You also want to look at the judges – if you have more credits than the judges of the contest, you probably want to run. The other thing to factor in would be Odds – Writers of the Future is an awesome Free contest with a kickin’ payday (pro rates plus and publication), but the competition can be fierce because it is free.

Second – figure out why you want to enter the contest. Do you have a story that fits the contest but almost no place else? Is the prize something you really need/want? Or does the theme of the contest just strike a chord with you? You can use contests as exercises in craft. If there’s a good reason for you, personally, to enter the contest, then go for it. As long as you know why you’re doing it.

Third – contests can be fun. Especially if you’re entering to see what you can learn/accomplish from the contest rather than thinking you’re going to earn cash and prizes. Learning is the key thing.

Shameless plug time, a month or so ago, Revolution SF announced a contest on their website. In honor of the new Best of Joe R. Lansdale collection, they asked entrants to write a weird story (in honor of Joe) in 67 words or less. I took that as a challenge. For, as most writers discover, Flash Fiction is one of the hardest skills to learn, and to be excel at doing. I chose to do it as an exercise in craft – that and I like Joe Lansdale as both a writer and a person. I was one of 5 winners, it made me silly happy to win – and when all of us as writers have those moments of “I’ll never sell again”, a cheesy contest win can make a big difference. Besides, it was FUN, and the time outlay to write the story was minimal.

So, bottom line…it’s up to you. Contests – if not take super seriously – can be a fun and profitable way to hone your craft – especially if the judges offer feedback. Or they could just be fun.  As with everything in the publishing industry, do your homework first. Know what you’re getting into, and have some fun.