Jen Dodrill Writes

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    • For Readers
      • Clean Summer Reads You’ll Love
      • Bookish Things That Every Reader Will Love
      • Everything Cozy Mysteries
        • What is a Cozy Mystery?
        • 10 Must-Read Cozy Mystery Series for Every Mystery Lover
        • Exploring Cozy Mystery Themes: Diving into Comforting Crime
        • Cozy Mysteries with a Unique Twist: 5 Unconventional Series to Add to Your Reading List
        • Why Cozy Mysteries Are Perfect for Fall Reading
      • Monthly-themed Reading Lists
        • Monthly Themed Reading List: Cozy Mystery Book Recommendations
        • Clean fall reads you’ll love (no spice, just cozy vibes)
        • Monthly themed reading list: Clean Women’s Fiction
        • Monthly Themed Reading List: Clean Historical Fiction Book Recommendations
        • Monthly Themed Reading List: Clean & Christian Action Novels
        • Monthly Themed Reading List: Fantasy Book Recommendations
        • Monthly Themed Reading List Recommendations: Romance
        • Monthly Themed Reading List Recommendations: Science Fiction
        • Monthly Themed Reading List Recommendations: Nonfiction
      • Book Reviews
        • Book Review: Evolving in Monkey Town by Rachel Held Evans
        • Book Review: Shield of the King by MB Mooney
        • Book Review: Cake That! by Heather Greer
        • Book Review: Exercise is Murder by Bruce Hammack
      • Favorite Book Quotes
      • Candy & Books – A Perfect Pairing for Your Sweet Tooth and Bookish Soul
      • Summer
        • Summer Reading Challenges: Which One Should You Try?
    • For Writers
      • Resource library
      • Writing prompts & exercises
        • Back-to-School Mystery Writing Prompts
        • Mystery-Themed Writing Exercises for Summer
        • Summer-Themed Cozy Mystery Writing Prompts
        • Creative Exercises to Spark Inspiration and Improve Your Writing
        • 10 Writing Prompts for Cozy Mystery Lovers
      • How-tos
        • How to Serve Others as a Writer
        • Writing a Holiday Story: Creating Fiction That Captures the Spirit of the Season
        • Unpacking Backstory: How to Seamlessly Integrate It into Your Novel
        • Creating a one-sheet on Canva for your novel
        • Crafting a Writer’s Mood Board: Inspiration and Insight for Your Creative Journey
        • Designing Your Book Cover Using Canva: A Step-by-Step Guide
        • Creating the Perfect Setting: The Heartbeat of Your Story
        • Crafting Unforgettable Characters: A Guide for Authors
        • Defining your genre and audience as a writer
        • Mastering Success: A Guide to Setting SMART Goals for Writers
        • How to use the Save the Cat Beat Sheet
        • How to hook your reader
        • How to prep for writing conferences
        • How to Prep for NaNoWriMo
      • Tips
        • Branding with Shannon Leach
        • From Hook to Inciting Incident – What Fiction Writers Need to Know
        • 10 Essential Ingredients of a media kit
        • Why you should enter writing contests
        • Plot Points and Pinch Points: Understanding Their Role in Fiction Writing
        • Finding Inspiration: Ways to Fuel Your Novel Writing Journey
        • Crafting Compelling Character Arcs: The Heart of Fiction Writing
        • Critique groups: how & why they help writers
        • How do you pick your writing genre?
        • Obstacles to writing (aka writer’s block)
        • Top 10 Books Writers Need
        • Writing about conflict: tips to incorporate it in your novel
        • Writing conferences – why you should go!
      • Information
        • Sleuthing in the Sun: 8 Ways to Find Mystery Writing Ideas This Summer
        • The Power of Guest Posting for Writers
        • Top 10 Writing Obstacles and How to Overcome Them
        • Mastering Punctuation in Fiction: How to Use It to Shape Tone and Style
        • Essential Types of Editing Every Novel Needs
        • The Art of Judging Book Covers
        • Diving into Themes: A Fun Guide for Authors and Readers
        • How to choose your premise and concept when writing your novel
        • Are you a plotter or pantser?
        • Different types of point of view (POV)
        • Writing terms writers need to know
        • What drives your story – character or plot?
        • World-building – why every author must use it in their novels
        • What do you do when nano is over?
        • Authors should be speakers
        • Embracing Gratitude in My Journey as a Writer
    • Author Interviews
      • Meet author J.C. Fuller
      • Meet author Mary Ann Featherston
      • A Certain Mercy by Linda Dindzans
      • Meet author Dawn Ford
      • Meet author Yvonne Morgan
      • Mistletoe and Malice by Lori DeJong
      • Meet author Maryruth Dilling
      • Meet author Pam Kumpe
      • Meet author, editor, & social media content creator, Shaen Layle
      • Meet author Sofia Simpson
      • Meet author David Johnson
      • Meet author Luke Seibert
      • Meet author Teresa Wells
      • Waitin’ on Paige by Mary Pat Johns
      • Meet author Jann Franklin
      • Meet author Sharon Carpenter
      • Meet author Deborah Sprinkle
      • Author Kim Banet & Just Another Dream
      • Meet author Shannon Dunlap
      • Author Jenny Carlisle and her Writing Process
      • Meet author Susan Lawrence
      • Meet author Terri Wangard
      • Meet author Elaine Cooper
      • Meet author Beth Westcott
      • Meet author Bruce Hammack
      • Meet author Jennifer Burrows
      • Author Mike Ehret and Beyond December
      • Meet author Linda Dindzans
      • Hope T. Dougherty and Forever Music
      • Meet author Regina Merrick
      • Meet author Lori DeJong
      • Meet author Shirley Gould
      • Meet author Susan Page Davis
      • Meet author Amy Anguish
      • Meet author Mary Pat Johns
      • Meet author Jenny Carlisle
      • Meet author Delores Topliff
      • Meet author E.V. Sparrow
      • Meet author Donna Wichelman
      • Meet author Betty Woods
      • Meet author Michael Ehret
      • Meet author Lynn U. Watson
      • Meet new author ~ Kim Banet
      • Forever Free by author Hope Toler Dougherty
      • Meet Heather Tabers ~ Historical Romance with Grit & Grace
  • Changing Seasons
  • Books by Jen Dodrill
    • Finding Ginny – Women’s Fiction
      • Cozy mystery to women’s fiction: Why I Wrote Finding Ginny
    • The Empty Nesters Cozy Mystery series
      • Meet the characters from The Empty Nesters Cozy Mystery Series
      • Research for Where’s the Quetzal?
      • No Egrets – Finishing up a Series
    • Second Chances: Romance & Mysteries
      • Behind the Scenes of Trinity Sands Beach Club
      • Trinity Sands Beach Club
  • Shop
    • Finding Ginny Book Club Discussion Guide
    • Gift Guides for Writers
      • 25 Best Christmas Gifts for Writers: Perfect Picks for the Literary Mind
      • Mother’s Day Gifts for Writers
      • Thoughtful Father’s Day Gifts for the Writer in Your Life
    • Research Checklist for Writers
    • One-Sheet Templates
    • Writing by the Acts eBook
    • Writing Conference Prep Video
  • Home
    • About Jen
    • Media Kit
    • Newsletter
    • Connect
    • Guest Post Guidelines for Jen Dodrill Writes
  • Blog
    • For Readers
      • Clean Summer Reads You’ll Love
      • Bookish Things That Every Reader Will Love
      • Everything Cozy Mysteries
        • What is a Cozy Mystery?
        • 10 Must-Read Cozy Mystery Series for Every Mystery Lover
        • Exploring Cozy Mystery Themes: Diving into Comforting Crime
        • Cozy Mysteries with a Unique Twist: 5 Unconventional Series to Add to Your Reading List
        • Why Cozy Mysteries Are Perfect for Fall Reading
      • Monthly-themed Reading Lists
        • Monthly Themed Reading List: Cozy Mystery Book Recommendations
        • Clean fall reads you’ll love (no spice, just cozy vibes)
        • Monthly themed reading list: Clean Women’s Fiction
        • Monthly Themed Reading List: Clean Historical Fiction Book Recommendations
        • Monthly Themed Reading List: Clean & Christian Action Novels
        • Monthly Themed Reading List: Fantasy Book Recommendations
        • Monthly Themed Reading List Recommendations: Romance
        • Monthly Themed Reading List Recommendations: Science Fiction
        • Monthly Themed Reading List Recommendations: Nonfiction
      • Book Reviews
        • Book Review: Evolving in Monkey Town by Rachel Held Evans
        • Book Review: Shield of the King by MB Mooney
        • Book Review: Cake That! by Heather Greer
        • Book Review: Exercise is Murder by Bruce Hammack
      • Favorite Book Quotes
      • Candy & Books – A Perfect Pairing for Your Sweet Tooth and Bookish Soul
      • Summer
        • Summer Reading Challenges: Which One Should You Try?
    • For Writers
      • Resource library
      • Writing prompts & exercises
        • Back-to-School Mystery Writing Prompts
        • Mystery-Themed Writing Exercises for Summer
        • Summer-Themed Cozy Mystery Writing Prompts
        • Creative Exercises to Spark Inspiration and Improve Your Writing
        • 10 Writing Prompts for Cozy Mystery Lovers
      • How-tos
        • How to Serve Others as a Writer
        • Writing a Holiday Story: Creating Fiction That Captures the Spirit of the Season
        • Unpacking Backstory: How to Seamlessly Integrate It into Your Novel
        • Creating a one-sheet on Canva for your novel
        • Crafting a Writer’s Mood Board: Inspiration and Insight for Your Creative Journey
        • Designing Your Book Cover Using Canva: A Step-by-Step Guide
        • Creating the Perfect Setting: The Heartbeat of Your Story
        • Crafting Unforgettable Characters: A Guide for Authors
        • Defining your genre and audience as a writer
        • Mastering Success: A Guide to Setting SMART Goals for Writers
        • How to use the Save the Cat Beat Sheet
        • How to hook your reader
        • How to prep for writing conferences
        • How to Prep for NaNoWriMo
      • Tips
        • Branding with Shannon Leach
        • From Hook to Inciting Incident – What Fiction Writers Need to Know
        • 10 Essential Ingredients of a media kit
        • Why you should enter writing contests
        • Plot Points and Pinch Points: Understanding Their Role in Fiction Writing
        • Finding Inspiration: Ways to Fuel Your Novel Writing Journey
        • Crafting Compelling Character Arcs: The Heart of Fiction Writing
        • Critique groups: how & why they help writers
        • How do you pick your writing genre?
        • Obstacles to writing (aka writer’s block)
        • Top 10 Books Writers Need
        • Writing about conflict: tips to incorporate it in your novel
        • Writing conferences – why you should go!
      • Information
        • Sleuthing in the Sun: 8 Ways to Find Mystery Writing Ideas This Summer
        • The Power of Guest Posting for Writers
        • Top 10 Writing Obstacles and How to Overcome Them
        • Mastering Punctuation in Fiction: How to Use It to Shape Tone and Style
        • Essential Types of Editing Every Novel Needs
        • The Art of Judging Book Covers
        • Diving into Themes: A Fun Guide for Authors and Readers
        • How to choose your premise and concept when writing your novel
        • Are you a plotter or pantser?
        • Different types of point of view (POV)
        • Writing terms writers need to know
        • What drives your story – character or plot?
        • World-building – why every author must use it in their novels
        • What do you do when nano is over?
        • Authors should be speakers
        • Embracing Gratitude in My Journey as a Writer
    • Author Interviews
      • Meet author J.C. Fuller
      • Meet author Mary Ann Featherston
      • A Certain Mercy by Linda Dindzans
      • Meet author Dawn Ford
      • Meet author Yvonne Morgan
      • Mistletoe and Malice by Lori DeJong
      • Meet author Maryruth Dilling
      • Meet author Pam Kumpe
      • Meet author, editor, & social media content creator, Shaen Layle
      • Meet author Sofia Simpson
      • Meet author David Johnson
      • Meet author Luke Seibert
      • Meet author Teresa Wells
      • Waitin’ on Paige by Mary Pat Johns
      • Meet author Jann Franklin
      • Meet author Sharon Carpenter
      • Meet author Deborah Sprinkle
      • Author Kim Banet & Just Another Dream
      • Meet author Shannon Dunlap
      • Author Jenny Carlisle and her Writing Process
      • Meet author Susan Lawrence
      • Meet author Terri Wangard
      • Meet author Elaine Cooper
      • Meet author Beth Westcott
      • Meet author Bruce Hammack
      • Meet author Jennifer Burrows
      • Author Mike Ehret and Beyond December
      • Meet author Linda Dindzans
      • Hope T. Dougherty and Forever Music
      • Meet author Regina Merrick
      • Meet author Lori DeJong
      • Meet author Shirley Gould
      • Meet author Susan Page Davis
      • Meet author Amy Anguish
      • Meet author Mary Pat Johns
      • Meet author Jenny Carlisle
      • Meet author Delores Topliff
      • Meet author E.V. Sparrow
      • Meet author Donna Wichelman
      • Meet author Betty Woods
      • Meet author Michael Ehret
      • Meet author Lynn U. Watson
      • Meet new author ~ Kim Banet
      • Forever Free by author Hope Toler Dougherty
      • Meet Heather Tabers ~ Historical Romance with Grit & Grace
  • Changing Seasons
  • Books by Jen Dodrill
    • Finding Ginny – Women’s Fiction
      • Cozy mystery to women’s fiction: Why I Wrote Finding Ginny
    • The Empty Nesters Cozy Mystery series
      • Meet the characters from The Empty Nesters Cozy Mystery Series
      • Research for Where’s the Quetzal?
      • No Egrets – Finishing up a Series
    • Second Chances: Romance & Mysteries
      • Behind the Scenes of Trinity Sands Beach Club
      • Trinity Sands Beach Club
  • Shop
    • Finding Ginny Book Club Discussion Guide
    • Gift Guides for Writers
      • 25 Best Christmas Gifts for Writers: Perfect Picks for the Literary Mind
      • Mother’s Day Gifts for Writers
      • Thoughtful Father’s Day Gifts for the Writer in Your Life
    • Research Checklist for Writers
    • One-Sheet Templates
    • Writing by the Acts eBook
    • Writing Conference Prep Video

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  • blog post,  Writing tips

    Why you should enter writing contests

    / September 20, 2024 / 4 Comments

    Writing contests - the bane of my existence! For a while! Until I finally realized what contests are for!

    read more

Recent Posts

  • Meet author J.C. Fuller
  • Clean Summer Reads You’ll Love
  • Meet author Mary Ann Featherston
  • Cozy mystery to women’s fiction: Why I Wrote Finding Ginny
  • A Certain Mercy by Linda Dindzans
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