Contests for Artists and Writers Good or Evil?

I have more experience in contests for writers than in the area of my visual art.
Having said this there are two sides which this post will explore.

First off, let me say I have seen writers gain attention and exposure by placing in contests.
I've also seen some writers enter and waste their money. One contest and the comment from one judge impacted me. Her name is Adrienne deWolfe. A wonderful author, speaker and teacher. Adrienne's comments encouraged and helped me focus on the technical aspects as a beginning writer without becoming overwhelmed.

My scores were thus: one loved the story and characters, one judge hated everything, and one was mediocre about my contest entry. I never could figure out how that kind of scoring was supposed to help me. When I began to see a pattern I stopped entering writing contests.
The explanation I was given for the scoring: I just didn't write well for contests. The answer never made sense to me since I was selling my work. My thought process stuttered on that phrase. I write what I love and what readers want to read. Readers come first.
I don't write for any contest. I write the stories that come from my heart and for my readers.

I write romance and paranormal romance. The professional organization I belonged to had chapters across the country who offered contests. It provided a great way for the winners to get their work in front of an editor or literary agent. This can be a good way to get your writing placed in front of these professionals quicker than sending in a query and waiting.

Very recently I began entering contests for my photography and paintings.
I have an account at Fine Art America and I've slowly entered some contests to test the waters. To see what kind of response I'll receive from my peers. Dealing with the art community further than just locally is going to take me a little while to learn. Each discipline has their own way of doing things.

This month I entered four different contests on the Fine Art America site.
I hope the exposure from this art site will expose my work to a wider audience. The contests I entered a way to bring positive attention to my forms of creativity.

This post is personal opinion and personal experience. Not everyone has the same results.

In the future, I may well enter a few writing contests. Things are much different for me now. Possibly timing and the Universe are also involved.

Good or evil?
This question is going to be answered differently by each one of you. The experiences you've had in the past play a part in the decision process. It does for me.
Asking yourself questions and giving truthful answers can make the experience easier.

Why are you entering a contest?
What do you expect to happen?
Can you deal with rejection?
Are you able to pick out the information you can use and toss the comments that aren't useful?
How much weight does winning a contest really hold?
Will this contest assist you in the goals you've set?
Can you afford the fees?

Contests can be a wonderful way to gain feedback on your work and give you a better idea of where you are: such as beginner, intermediate or advanced level.
They can open up networking channels with other authors or artists.

The dark side of contests can be an area people would prefer not to talk about. Cheating or squishing the results to a certain type of writing style or artwork because that is what is accepted by the powers that be.
The amount of money spent on entering contests mounts quickly. Not receiving the feedback needed hinders the creative process (at least it did for me.) The frustration from not getting anywhere affects the entire inner workings of the artist/writer.

The work we create is a part of us. Learning how to separate ourselves from our creation can be a painful process. It is hard to not take the rejection personally. Growing as an artist is vitally important. Accepting not everyone will like your work is one of them. Be warned there are people out there who think personal attacks on authors or artists is constructive criticism. Ignore those individuals.

Research the contests you'd like to enter. Make sure they are in line with the work you do and check to make sure the organization is legitimate. When researching go to more than one place on the internet.

Contests are a tool in the arsenal for the artist and writer. Using the information and the experience is a way to give you a point of reference for you as a professional. Let me repeat this: contests are tools for the artist and writer. This is the point of the entire post. Contests are neither good nor evil.

If you decide to dip your toes into the water and enter a contest, I wish you the best.
If you choose not to take the contest pathway but have found another way, good for you!

For those interested in viewing my online portfolio at Fine Art America: Here is where you can purchase my work in a variety of sizes and more.

Create with love and passion. Create because of the joy it brings to your soul for that in itself is a precious gift.

All the best,
Tambra Kendall-Sas

***Please note: the photographs in this blog post are created and owned by Tambra Kendall-Sas.
Thank you for respecting my art.