THE MAN IN THE ARENA

The quote below by Theodore Roosevelt was paraphrased in the movie, The World’s Fastest Indian.

We believe it has a profound significance for anyone who wants to write or has a story to tell. It applies to anyone who strives to achieve their dreams, whatever they may be.

Roosevelt said, "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

So if you want to write or tell your story you have to jump into the arena, dare to fail and face the empty page.

There is no failure, just a big field to wander in.

Remember, a professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.
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WRITING COMPETITION – Deadline nearingHook In The Book Writing Competition

Deadline Friday 12 May

The NSW Writers’ Centre and the Romance Writers Association of Australia are holding a competition for the best first paragraph of a romance novel to a maximum of 150 words.
Entries must be original and not previously published.

Give your entry a title, and send a hard copy to the NSW Writers’ Centre with a $5 fee (per entry) by 5pm, Friday 12 May.

NSW Writers’ Centre
PO Box 1056
Rozelle NSW 2039
Inquiries (02) 9555 9757 or email nswwc@nswwriterscentre.org.au.

Do not put your name on your entry. Send a separate cover sheet showing your name, contact details and the name of your entry. The three winning entries (and several commended entries) will be announced at 5pm on Saturday 20 May at the Centre’s 3rd Romance Writing Festival. All awarded writers will be invited to read their entries before an audience. If they cannot attend the entries will be read by one of the judges. Prizes: Winners will receive gifts from the RWA and the NSW Writers’ Centre, and there will be an audience award.
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OTHER EVENTS

1) Julia McRae, one of our writers, is also a designer and involved with a show called Fairy Tales Behaving Badly, showcasing over 200 costumes, puppets and props from the twisted minds of the next generation of designers.

Wednesday 3 May at 1.00pm and 8.15pm and Thursday 4 May at 8.15 only at the Enmore Theatre, 130 Enmore Road. According to Julia, tickets are selling fast so please book on 9550 3666 or @ Ticketek.com2) Jim Forbes, another of our multitalented writers is starring in a production of Les Miserables at Ashfield Town Hall on 2, 3, 9 & 10 June at 8.00pm and 3, 4, 10 & 11 June at 1.30pm. For bookings please phone: 9793 1331
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BERKELOUW BOOKS: STORES IN PADDINGTON, LEICHHARDT & ROSE BAY

If you print this email off and take it to a Berkelouw Bookstore, you will receive a saving of 10 per cent on their new books, stationary and at their café. (excludes secondhand, rare books and other discounts.)
http://www.berkelouw.com.au
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The Writers’ Studio Online Newsletter is a collection of writing and story telling techniques and inspiration, and information about events and upcoming classes.

To read other Writers Studio Newsletters.