How to Turn Your Writing Hobby into a Competition Entry 

Spotlight on the 2024 winner of the NCTE Promising Young Writers competition

Our previous issue, released in April, featured 10th grader Dylan Warnecke’s article on GOA. Just last month, Dylan won the NCTE Promising Young Writers competition, showcasing the power of passion and perseverance in writing. The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) is an organisation encouraging creativity and expression in young writers across the globe.

The 2024 Achievement Awards in Writing contest theme was Identity, challenging participants to delve into the intricate layers of self-discovery and introspection. Dylan's journey through the competition sheds light on their transformative journey and the power of believing in yourself.

Developing your passion for writing

As a fellow recipient of an award in the NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing award, my journey into the world of creative expression has been both enlightening and rewarding. Reflecting on my experience and engaging in an insightful conversation with fellow awardee, Dylan sheds light on the essence of nurturing one's passion for writing.

According to Dylan, the writing process involved initial brainstorming of ideas, translating them into words, and undergoing multiple rounds of editing guided by Ms.Dani and a few other teachers before submission. My process was more complicated because I chose to write a short story in response to the prompt “Education First”. I generated ideas and wrote my first draft. I then got a critique from Ms.Leong and went on YouTube and other platforms to understand how to develop a 3D character vs the 2D characters I had made thus far. After my second draft, I got feedback from Ms.Leong and my sister. Finally, I made a title and submitted it. Everyone will have their processes and journey through creating their writing piece. It mainly depends on what type of piece you want to make. 

When asked for advice from prospective participants, Dylan said, “If you want to do it, do it. Ask your English teachers, ask friends. It's super interesting, especially the prompt for this year. With the theme of Identity, you can get complex topics in which you can do whatever you want. There’s so much creativity. Write and see what comes out.” I emphatically agree. Don’t be afraid to approach teachers and ask them if they know about competitions. They are here to help you achieve your goals, as long as you are willing to put in the effort. Push yourself to do things you didn’t think you could do before. Lastly, hold yourself accountable to finish what you started. If you want to join a competition, starting may be the first step, but not leaving everything to the last minute, taking criticism well, and being willing to adapt/be flexible separates a competitor and a winner.

When asked what they learned from this experience, Dylan said they knew much about how writing can apply to themselves and the real world. “I feel like a lot of the time, writing is associated with books and stories, but writing is everywhere. Being able to do a competition where you are focusing on those aspects that are fundamental topics, like this year's prompt, is interesting.” A valuable lesson I learned was that to write a piece worth submitting, you must be committed, driven, and organized. There’s no one to chase you around, so ensure you have enough motivation to keep you going.

Finally, when asked if the writing experience deepened their passion for the craft, Dylan affirmed, highlighting how the competition enabled them to articulate thoughts and emotions effectively. This sentiment of newfound fervor for writing resonates strongly with my own experience. I found the experience enriching, giving me an outlet for my passion.

We all have hobbies—whether it's drawing, writing, studying, acting, or anything else. Take a trip to an adult knowledgeable in your hobby, or explore online. Don’t be shy to go to any teacher and ask them for their help in your pursuits. The key is to push yourself out of your comfort zone. You never know, you might win an award. And even if you don't, you'll gain an experience you won't forget.