Chili Cookoffs are like Writing Contests

Or are writing contests like chili cookoffs?

As writers, if we are pansters, we begin with a story concept and maybe an outline. If we are plotters, we develop a detailed plot and possibly a storyboard. If we find ourselves in the realm somewhere between plotter and pantser, we perhaps utilize a combination of techniques.

I fall into the later category. I start with an idea, a hero and heroine and their backstory. I write the hook. I create an outline and turn it into a high-level storyboard. I write and revise the storyboard as my muse dictates. I write and write and wordsmith and write. My critique group weighs in. Then I edit until the manuscript makes me smile.

As a chili chef with the hope of earning a cookoff title, I begin with my concept of the final product--great tasting chili. How can I make my entry special? I start with good ingredients. I experiment with different spice combinations. I taste test. And when I'm happy with the results, I have my recipe.

Chili cookoffs are like writing contests because you can enter the same chili sample or manuscript to two different judging panels and receive contradicting results. Sometimes after receiving results from a chili cookoff, we tweak the recipe before we try again. After a writing contest, we review critiques received from the judges, and if the suggestions resonate, we revise the manuscript to make it stronger.

Other times, we are confident in either our manuscript or recipe and we enter contests again without changing anything. This happened to me recently, twice.

I submitted the same 30-page entry plus 5-page synopsis to two writing contests and received significantly different results. In the first contest, I received a couple of scores in the high sixties with one in the nineties. In the second contest, I'm happy to report, my entry finaled.

My entry for SEA PANTHER finaled in the paranormal category of the 2010 Touch of Magic contest sponsored by the Central Florida Romance Writers.

I entered my favorite chili recipe in a local charity chili cookoff in 2009 and didn't place. In 2010, the same recipe finaled in 3rd place. I doubt I could compete in Texas, where the making of chili is a fine art. But in Southern Maryland my chili tastes just fine.

Crimson Storm Dark Pirate Chili
(named for my CRIMSON STORM Paranormal Romance Series)

Ingredients:
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
2 lb. ground beef
2/3 cup catsup
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup celery, chopped
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. Worcester sauce
1 tsp vinegar
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
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3 cans black beans, rinsed
3 cans diced tomatoes
1 tbsp mild chili powder
2-3 chipotle peppers in adobe sauce

Saute' onion in olive oil. Add beef and brown lightly. Drain off excess fat. Add the other ingredients above the dashed line; simmer covered for 30 minutes.

Add black beans, diced tomatoes with liquid, chili powder and chipotles. Simmer for an additional 30 minutes.

Enjoy!

Dawn Marie Hamilton