Goodreads asked Leah Weiss:

How do you get inspired to write?

Leah Weiss Good question. When I was learning to write, I chose to participate in monthly contests with word limits and a writing prompt. I liked getting the opening phrase to challenge me, a word count that kept me from rambling, and a deadline that stopped me from procrastinating. Those first years my stories never won, but I got to see the winning story (online or in Writers Digest) and study it. Usually it was darker and more complex than mine. Sometimes we need a nudge and a sense of direction. I think contests can be the perfect challenge.

flag