Writing Competition Attracts International Interest
Move over Bridget Jones, Adrian Mole, the Wimpy Kid and Samuel Pepys, the Tartan Treasures writing competition’s search for prize-winning diary entries about a treasured Scottish memory has attracted entries from all over the world.
With the February 20 closing date fast approaching, entries have been submitted from across Scotland, as well as a high number of entries from England and a few from countries thousands of miles away, including India and Indonesia.
This annual competition is for non-published writers of all ages, with entries limited to 200-400 words for the under-16 category and 400-800 words for the over-16 category. And, as the Tartan Treasures Competition is part of the Tartan Day Scotland Festival 2015, entrants have been asked to write a real or imaginary diary entry recalling a place, a time, an occasion or a person with a Scottish connection.
Budding writers only have a few days left to perfect and submit their entries
Entries can be submitted online but, with the closing date imminent, budding writers only have a few days left to perfect and submit their entries.
“Writing is partly inspiration, partly craft and mostly editing and revision,” said competition judge and best-selling author Chris Longmuir. “My advice to writers planning to enter this competition is to consider your first attempt as a first draft which you need to edit and polish to make it as good as it can be.
“Never be satisfied with good enough or second best.”
‘The competitive element encourages writers to produce their best writing’
Chris revealed that when she takes her place on the judging panel, she’ll be looking for diary entries which are a pleasure to read, as well as being well written with good use of grammar and spelling.
“Writing competitions help an aspiring writer enhance their skills,” continued Chris, who won the Dundee International Book Prize 2009. “I know from personal experience that the competitive element encourages writers to produce their best writing.”
For more information, and to download an entry form, click here.
-
- Tartan Treasures Writing Competition – part of the Tartan Day Scotland Festival 2015
-
- Author Chris Longmuir, one of the judges in the Tartan Treasures Writing Competition. Photo by Kim Cessford
The Winners!
- The winning entry from each category will be announced at a special prizegiving ceremony during the Tartan Day Scotland Festival, which runs from 3-12 April, 2015.
- The winner of the under-16 category will receive a Kindle Fire, while the winner of over-16 category will receive a dinner, B&B voucher for Carnoustie Golf Hotel.
- The winning diary entries will appear on the Tartan Day Scotland website and Facebook page.
- For more information, and to download an entry form, click here.
