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The First Page student writing challenge is open for submissions until Feb. 29.
Each year, CBC Books asks students to give us a glimpse of the great Canadian novel of the future for the First Page student writing challenge. Students are challenged to write the first page of a book set 150 years in the future, with the protagonist facing an issue that's topical now and set the scene for how it's all playing out in a century and a half. This year's competition is open until Feb. 29 at 11:59 p.m. ET and it will be judged by Basil Sylvester. If you're looking to enter the First Page this year, or have students who want to enter, we've collected all of our writing tips in one place. |
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Michael Hutchinson says: "First, read! When you read, you consume sentences that you like and don't like, paragraphs you like and don't like and dialogue that you like and don't like. When you read, what you are really doing is filling the palette inside your head with 'colours' to use when you sit down to write.
Michael Hutchinson was a reader for the 2023 First Page student writing challenge. |
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Kern Carter says: "Keep a learning mindset. Writing well is really hard, and the only way to get better is to keep learning. So listen to teachers, practice — write as much as you can, read a lot of books and articles, and find other ways to learn the craft. I watch YouTube videos and listen to podcasts."
Kern Carter was a reader for the 2023 First Page student writing challenge.
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Deborah Falaye says: "Be passionate about the story you want to tell. I think the most compelling narratives come from passion. As a reader, that's when you can easily feel the author's excitement for the story and the emotions behind every word they've written on the page."
Deborah Falaye was a reader for the 2023 First Page student writing challenge.
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Andre Fenton says: "Be versatile, try new things, take risks. The words will always land on the page. Worst case scenario: you get to try again. Writing is problem solving, every page is a puzzle piece, if you spend enough time with your stories, the answers will come."
Andre Fenton was a reader for the 2023 First Page student writing challenge.
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Caryn Lix says: "Make sure you know and avoid the clichés and conventions — e.g. the main character wakes up and looks in the mirror."
Caryn Lix was a reader for the 2023 First Page student writing challenge.
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Courtney Summers says: "Writing requires both hubris and humility, so hold fast to that part of yourself that believes your stories are worth telling, but never think you're so good at telling them that you can't ever improve. Take your craft seriously and treat it with respect. If you give the writing everything you've got, with each new work you'll find you have more of everything to give."
Courtney Summers was the judge of the 2023 First Page student writing challenge.
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Christian A. Yiouroukis says: "One suggestion I have for students is to give yourself plenty of time to revise. I would suggest to come back to your draft multiple times with fresh eyes. The 400-word limit really forces you to make every word count. Ask yourself, 'Does the word or phrase say what I want it to?'"
Christian A. Yiouroukis was the winner of the 2023 First Page student writing challenge in the Grades 7 to 9 category.
Head to cbc.ca/thefirstpage for official contest rules and more information on how to enter. |
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Interested in other CBC Literary Prizes?
The 2024 CBC Nonfiction Prize is open for submissions until March 1, 2024. Submit your original, unpublished nonfiction that is up to 2,000 words and you could win $6,000, a two-week writing residency and have your work published on CBC Books.
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