Each winter, TCCL encourages local and aspiring authors to sharpen and share their skills through the Young People’s Creative Writing Contest, for ages 8-18, and the Adult Creative Writing Contest, for ages 18 and older. Whether you are a longtime or first-time author, TCCL has writing resources to help you put your best words forward and create a winning entry. Follow these three steps to participate in either contest!
STEP 1 – PREPARE YOUR ENTRY
Find details like word count and other requirements for the Adult Creative Writing Contest at www.tulsalibrary.org/adult-creative-writing-contest and for the Young People’s Creative Writing Contest at www.tulsalibrary.org/YPCWC.
Short fiction for children or young adults (Adult Creative Writing Contest)
“A children’s story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children’s story in the slightest.” -C.S. Lewis
Helpful Linkedin Learning courses include “Writing: The Craft of Story,” “The Foundations of Fiction,” “Crafting Dynamic Characters,” “Is There A Book In You? Learn to Create Your Own Masterpiece,” and “Creativity and Learning: A Conversation With Lynda Barry.” Browse Universal Class to find options like “Creative Writing 101,” “How to Write Short Stories for Children,” “Creative Writing for Beginners,” and a Creative Writing Workshop. To access LinkedIn Learning and Universal Class, visit www.tulsalibrary.org/online-learning.
Helpful books: https://tccl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/1529348779_tulsalibrarylists/2442186249_writing_fiction_for_children_and_young_adults
Short story (both contests)
“Every sentence must do one of two things: reveal character or advance the action." -Kurt Vonnegut
eLibrary’s Short Story research topic contains profiles on expert short story authors, articles on the form, style and craft to help you evaluate and analyze the elements of a good short story, and selected works from great writers to inspire you. To access eLibrary, visit https://www.tulsalibrary.org/research/databases/e. Relevant courses in Universal Class include “Writing the Great American Short Story” and “How To Write a Short Story.” To access Universal Class, visit www.tulsalibrary.org/online-learning.
Books for adults: https://tccl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/1529348779_tulsalibrarylists/2442180629_writing_short_stories
Books for youth: https://tccl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/1529348779_tulsalibrarylists/1977268099_writing_short_stories_-_help_for_young_authors
Short play (Young People’s Creative Writing Contest)
"Writing comes from reading, and reading is the finest teacher of how to write." -Annie Proulx
Reading and even acting out short plays can help you learn to write your own! Check out these items to begin advancing your stage-writing skills: https://tccl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/1529348779_tulsalibrarylists/2442218089_short_plays_for_teens_and_children
Informal essay (both contests)
"I write to discover what I know." -Flannery O'Connor
Universal Class offers “Essay Writing 101,” “Nonfiction Writing 101,” “Journaling and Memoir Writing,” and “Humor Writing 101.” Through LearningExpress Library, you can find a writing skills tutorial to help you practice writing essays as well as 501 Writing Prompts, an e-book featuring sample writing prompts to help you build your essay-writing confidence. To access Universal Class or LearningExpress Library, visit www.tulsalibrary.org/online-learning.
Books for all ages: https://tccl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/1529348779_tulsalibrarylists/2442208169_nonfiction_and_essay_writing
Poetry (both contests)
“Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” -Anton Chekhov
Universal Class offers a Poetry Writing 101 course, and helpful LinkedIn Learning videos include “Timing, Rhythm, and Musicality,” “How To Make Your Writing Musical,” and “What is Poetry?” Plus, the Poetry research topic in eLibrary offers information on the genre and form, covering verse, meter, rhythm and more.
Books for adults: https://tccl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/1529348779_tulsalibrarylists/2442174729_writing_poetry_-_books_for_adults
Books for youth: https://tccl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/1529348779_tulsalibrarylists/2442172449_writing_poetry_-_books_for_teens_and_children
Comix (Young People’s Creative Writing Contest)
“The best way to learn how to write is to read. The best way to learn how to write and draw comics, is to read comics.” -Raina Telgemeier
If you want to take Raina’s advice and read comics, try Comics Plus for all your comics, manga and graphic novel needs! Access it via the LibraryPass app, available in the iOS App Store or the Google Play Store, or online at www.tulsalibrary.org/digital.
Universal Class offers a “How To Draw 101” class, and LinkedIn Learning offers various “Drawing Foundations” classes as well as courses like “Learning Graphic Novel Storyboarding,” “The Monster Drawing Workshop,” “Drawing Good and Evil Comic Book Characters,” and a variety of drawing challenges to exercise your skills and creativity.
Books about making comics: https://tccl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/1529348779_tulsalibrarylists/2028948833_making_comics_-_resources_for_young_artists
STEP 2 – REVIEW AND EDIT
LinkedIn Learning courses like “Editing and Proofreading Made Simple” or “Editing Mastery: How to Edit Writing to Perfection” can help ensure your entry is ready for submission.
Use the Writing Lab in Homework HelpNow to upload your piece and receive helpful feedback from an expert in two to three business days! Access Homework HelpNow at www.tulsalibrary.org/homeworkhelp.
STEP 3 – SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY!
"I went for years not finishing anything. Because, of course, when you finish something you can be judged." --Erica Jong
Submit your entry for the Young People's Creative Writing Contest by Feb. 28 to any TCCL location or online. Learn more at www.tulsalibrary.org/YPCWC.
Submit your entry to the Adult Creative Writing Contest by March 31 alongside the entry form to any TCCL location or via mail. Learn more at www.tulsalibrary.org/adult-creative-writing-contest.