Resolution #140: Try To Win This Free House In Detroit With My Writing...

Date: 5-20-2014

Due Date: 5-20-2015

Resolution: Toward the beginning of the year I learned about the Write A House organization. They claim to have a twist on the "Writer's Residency." Their plan; buy houses at an auction, renovate them and give them to writers to try to build a writing community in Detroit. They're now up to the point where they are accepting applications.

I've been kind of obsessed with this concept ever since hearing about it. I never really thought about living in Detroit, winning a house would be cool, but mainly I'm interested in the idea of being immersed in a writing community with the support of this organization.

I don't really think that I'll win, but I figure why not give it a shot. If I do manage to pull this off, this may be the type of shake-up I need to start an actual career as a writer. We'll see what happens.

Result #140: Though I Failed To Win… I Successfully Did My Part And Applied To Win A House In Detroit…

Update #1: The Submission…

Date: 5-26-2014

It's official.

I've entered to win a house in Detroit.

Now it's in the judge’s hands.

I'll keep you posted.

Update #2: The Conclusion…

Date: 5-20-2015

As much as I doubted that I would win the WriteAHouse contest and as little as I knew about Detroit, I have to admit, I did fantasize about winning this writing residency and earning a house in Detroit through my writing.

I dreamed with the support of the writing community that put together the WriteAHouse organization I'd have an opportunity to grow into having a legitimate writing career. Just like the restoration of the house I pictured meeting a mentor to help clean up my work in order to create a path to success, mirroring WriteAHouse's attempt to instill hope into the community.

I did my part and applied. Unfortunately, I wasn't picked but I wasn't all that surprised. I've never really seen myself as a contest-winning writer. Between the fact that I am uneducated and sloppy in need of an editor and the fact that I write polarizing/experimental content, I may win over a person or two but I don't stand a chance amongst a panel of experts.

Oh well.

I may apply for future WriteAHouse residencies as they become available but as far as this resolution is concerned I successfully did my best and gave it a shot.