Competition | justinewinter

March 14th officially marks 1 year since Nature’s Destiny published. 1 year!

I can’t believe how fast the time has gone, and that I’ve published two more books in the series since. I’m flabbergasted, and so utterly grateful to all of you for supporting me through the clunky first year. As a way of giving back, and acknowledging this milestone I’ve thought up a fun, creative giveaway for you all.

If you’ve read Guardians Dynasty, book 3 in the Nature’s Destiny series, then you may have read the note that says book 4 will be the last. For now, anyway. But I need your help. I’m going to be introducing a new character, and I need a name. So here’s the fun part.

It’s a two part process to make your entry count. Part 1: Sign up to my newsletter here. Simple, right? Now for part 2: I need to read your entry. I’m looking for a first name. The character will be referred to by this name all the time. No last name. It can be your name. It can be completely creative. It can come from a baby names book. It’s up to you. Go crazy. Have fun. Then comment on this post with your entry, or email it to me at (justinewinter@hotmail.co.uk), and in a week’s time (21st) I’ll randomly pick a winner, and credit you in the acknowledgements in book 4.

Oh, and there’s no limit to how many times you supply a name as long as it’s done before the 21st!

Speak soon.

I wanted to write. To clear my thoughts, impart some wisdom, and to leave an imprint in the world’s readers. I wanted to inspire, to have my words relate to others, and to speak the truth through my minds imagination.

I wanted to say something.

But I couldn’t.

I couldn’t find the words of my story though I knew what I wanted to say. What could I do?

Staring at the computer screen proved ineffective, and my attention span wavered way too frequently towards finding something better to do. The achievement chart on the wall beside me stared me down in a silent challenge. I wanted to fill in the days writing goals, but 92 words seemed pathetic for a whole days work. I couldn’t write that down.

I was frustrated at myself for slowing down. I had deadlines to meet, and at the rate I was going they would pass me by with little to show for it.

I needed the ‘writer’s block’ cure. What was it?

Word sprints.

I called to the power of twitter for writers alike, who like me, needed the extra incentive to get on with it. A 20 minute sprint with a writer unknown was all I needed to increase my 92 words to 830.

How did it work? Why did it work?

Friendly competition was enough to spur me on. It kept my concentration focused long enough to tap away at the keys furiously, to move my story along, and to meet a new acquaintance in the process. The timer chirped signalling the end of the session, and it was time to check in to relay the number of words we’d achieved. It didn’t matter who’d won, it was the companionship between writers to help each other out that was important.

Sprinting was becoming my favourite activity. It quickened my heart and sharpened my mind, and turned my writing into something more.

Are you ready to sprint?