Written by Melissa Russell 

Considering tossing your writerly cap into the short story ring (or Modern Myth stadium!) … but aren’t quite sure if it’s worth the time and effort?

Here’s why short stories can be an investment in you and your creativity – now and into the future.

It’s one thing to write alone in your room, quietly spinning stories for an audience of one, but it’s quite another to release your fictional babies out into the world for everyone – or at least the short story judges – to read. 

And we get it. The Colossus-sized leap to press that “submit story” button can be as pee-in-your-pantaloons scary as delivering a message to Medusa on a bad hair day. More terrifying than keeping track of all three of the Chimera’s very hungry heads. More sweat-inducing than staring down the single eye of the Cyclops.

But what do all these famous myths have in common? 

The hero(ine) always prevails!

And you are DEFINITELY the champion in this scenario: An avid writer, skilled storyteller, and passionate artist ready and bursting to share your talent with the world? Myth-makin’ material for sure. 

Which is why we’re here to tell you that bravely entering a short story competition can be your ticket to conquering the beasts and taming the scaries keeping you from creating.

And if the promise of eternal glory isn’t enough, here are nine more reasons to enter a short story competition.

Nine reasons to enter a short story competition with The Modern Myth Prize

1. Challenge your creativity

As Plutarch preached, “The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.” You can fuel the fire of your creativity by setting yourself a new challenge: Crafting an entry for a short story competition. 

For those of you who are always writing novels, novellas, and poetry, charge into the great unknown of the short story format and fan the flames of your creative growth. 

Delve deep and shine your light on every hidden corner of a new story. Nothing helps you learn faster than doing something completely new!

2. Fulfill your potential

The ancient philosopher Seneca wasn’t messing around when he told us that life is long if we know how to use it. You can choose to use your life as an ode to your creativity and an homage to the stories you dream of telling. And you can use a short story competition to get started (as well as to build confidence, understand yourself better, and grow your skills of word and wit!) 

Aristotle believed that we are what we repeatedly do, and thus excellence is not an act, but a habit. If you’re keen to build a writing habit, a short story competition could definitely help fan the initial flames of inspiration and kick start your creating. 

Plus, you can submit to more and more competitions to create a name for yourself, expose more people to your writing, and add praise-worthy notes to your resume when you win.

Psst – Did you know that green writers and seasoned veterans alike are encouraged to enter The Modern Myth’s writing quests?

3. Escape the real world

When was the last time you stepped away from all the craziness and took a moment to breathe in the fresh air of possibility and imagination?

When life is bleaker than the dreary afterlife watched over by Hades, you can use our short story competitions as a happiness-inducing escape from the real world. Explore the magic, whimsy, and creativity that you’ve been missing in the day-to-day. Nudge your sense of play back to life and nourish your inner child with the nectar of the gods. 

We promise you’ll return to everyday life refreshed and ready to conquer it all.

4. Inspire your inner muse

We’ve all been there – the moment when writer’s block stands like a hulking minotaur blocking our path forward. When your inner muse yawns with exhaustion and you start scrolling Pinterest or Instagram to procrastinate. 

The good news? Writer’s block (or creative constipation as TMMP likes to call it) isn’t permanent. And short story competitions like our Modern Myth writer quests are a great way to refill your creative chalice once more. 

By embarking on a new creative quest, you can set aside your current work in progress and use a short story competition to reignite your creativity until it can win the battle against all your writer’s block demons. 

Then, you’ll return to your projects post-competition as a stronger writer – refreshed and ready with new insights and energy.

5. Share your story (and talent!) with the world

We love Socrates for encouraging us to find ourselves by thinking for ourselves. 

Sharing your stories – and enjoying those written by others – creates a world more linked by empathy and compassion. And we all know the world could use a little more of that these days!

Put your plumed feather quill to paper (or your fingers to your keyboard) to better understand your own stories, experiences, and beliefs as you weave together your entry.

6. Compete to win legendary prizes

Okay, so we’re not saying that the prizes are the beeeest thing about short story competitions. Personally, we’re kinda fond of the inspiration-churning, achievement-accomplishing boosts of short story competitions. 

But. That’s not to say that the chance of winning an awesome prize ISN’T a great reason to enter a short story competition or TMMP writer quest!

For example, you can arm yourself with your best words and stories and enter our arena to compete with other writers for legendary rewards like publication in our Myth Maker’s Collection and plates heaped with gold coins (better known as cold, hard cash). 

You can soak up all the cheers from the crowd if your piece is selected and enjoy the metaphorical crown of the conqueror!

7. Participate in your creative community

The lonely writer myth is one we’d like to end. At The Modern Myth Prize, it’s our dream for you to emerge from the solitary bubble of sitting at your desk so you can connect with other like-minded creators. 

Per Aristotle’s wise words, make friends with the virtuous … and watch your own career and writing flourish! 

Gather inspiration and grow as an author as you read the winning entries in our Myth Maker’s Collection and make connections via our welcoming social platforms.

8. Find an external motivation to encourage you

When you’re struggling with the fickle muse of motivation, use our short story competition deadlines to keep you on track with your writing. 

And if even the idea of a deadline makes you cringe, don’t worry. Just like Sisyphus tried and failed to escape his destiny, deadlines are an inescapable part of being a writer. Learn to live and thrive with deadlines instead!

Plus, our deadlines are the good, diamond-forging, magic-making kind (not the angry boss, cursing client kinda deadline). 

Sometimes a pinch of external motivation is all we need to get our chariot rolling along the road to glory.

9. Take one small step towards greater glory

We all know that The Odyssey wasn’t written in a day. Take baby steps toward your own mind-blowing written work by starting out with a short story. Build worlds, geek out over character flaws and quirks, and immerse yourself in themes for your next master project. 

And if you’re crowned champion, take that as a pretty good sign that you’re on the right journey in your writing career. But even if the champion’s crown slips through your fingers, you can use your entry as a jumping-off point for your next submission, novel, novella, or screenplay. 

Step by step you’ll create your greatest work yet!

Ready to don your gladiator gear and bring your words to The Modern Myth Prize arena?

Ready, set, write your way to eternal glory! We’re cheering you on from the stans.