Author Judy Hedlund's Competition Advice

Judy Hedlund says that competitions led to her big break.  Check out her advice in the recently posted 4 Ways to Increase Your Chances of Winning a Writing Contest

She also reference another article about why someone should even consider a contest.
http://jodyhedlund.blogspot.com/2011/02/why-bother-with-writing-contests.html

The only point of contention I have is her advice to avoid contests early in your writing career.  I get where she is coming from, but I personally find that putting something at stake (money) really does force me to get better.  I could take a class for hundreds or thousands of dollars, or I could spend a fraction of that in a few contests and learn by diong.

On a side note - what a fantastic website she has!