By Syd Bastos
Everyone has a story to share. Are you ready to share yours? Sylvia Plath, author of “The Bell Jar”, said “Everything in life is writeable if you have the outgoing guts to do it and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy is self-doubt.”
How about a little encouragement? The Tournament of Writers, a program of Vicksburg Arts, is back for its 11th consecutive season. The local writers’ competition accepts entries during the month of February in three age divisions spanning elementary to adult and three categories in fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Judges will review and score the works using rubrics and provide thoughtful, constructive comments on the works. All entries will be published in “The Tournament of Writers Collection”. Writers and their guests are invited to the Book Release Celebration on Thursday, April 24.
Regardless of skill or experience, starting a story or poem can be a little daunting. The Tournament is a friendly competition that can motivate writers to take on the challenge. Louis L’Amour once said, “Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” Pen to paper, fingers to the keyboard, cellphone voice app, whatever works, just get started!
The Tournament program also helps writers with the editing process. Arthur Plotnik described importance of this process so well: “YOU write to communicate to the hearts and minds of others what’s burning inside you, and WE edit to let the fire show through the smoke.” Seven authors and educators will be providing 38 one-on-one coaching sessions at the Vicksburg District Library this month, including evenings and weekends! They will partner with writers to edit and polish their story to perfection.
Start your story! Be the character you are not, explore what you are afraid of, help your sorrows disappear, find your courage, recall a funny or inspiring event. Sign up for a coaching session and submit your incredible story or poem by February 28. Entries are $25 for adults and $10 for youth up to 18. All participants receive a free copy of The Tournament of Writers Collection, have access to free coaching and receive an invitation to the Book Release Celebration.
For more information about the Tournament, to read about our coaches, sign up for a coaching session and submit your story, go to our website vicksburgarts.org.
