I don't do this often, but occasionally I do judge contests.

This year I signed up for judging a paranormal category in a contest I'd entered (in the Historical category). I've received 5 entries and am looking forward to delving into them over the next week.

The advantages of judging include:

• keeping abreast of what other people are writing
• keeping my editing skills honed, and
• giving back a little for all that I've received in help over the years with my writing

I've also taken a couple of days off work the week after next (Jan 17-20) as I plan to start on a new novel then. It'll be the fantasy novel I've been plotting out for the last couple of weeks.

Shereen