Help?!?!?!?

I am considering entering the Wicked Young Writers Contest with the first part of my story Monochromancity, the sequel to Colour Me Pretty. I fall just short of the word count and will need things added and adjusted ready for the closing date on March 17th... But I am quite terrified. I'm not sure whether I can expose my writing to actual authors who will sit there and judge it...

I mean, I am SO grateful for all the support and good reviews I recieve on Aff but I'm doubting it is as good as people think. Like, does it capture emotion effectively enough? Is it fluent enough? Will is catch people's eye? 

Visions are flashing through my head right now of the head judge, Cressida Cowell and the others taking one glance and it going to the bottom of the pile...

So, I am appealing to all of you, the people I trust most to read and judge my work as many of you do on a daily basis to tell me: should I enter? 

Please, give me some advice on what I could do to make it better or tell me what parts do not need changing. I would be grateful for anything. 

This is really nerve wracking for me and I'm doing this because my creative writing teacher advised me to do so (although, he has never read my work outside of college). But I don't feel I have the confidence to do this...

So, in short, HELP!!!

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kimJoyce #1
I'm a fan of your work. I think your stories are amazing.

When you describe a certain setting or a certain scene, it makes me feel like I'm actually watching it take place before my very eyes. Like the part in Monochromancity when you said "The Autumn had been a long, arduous one. The leaves had faded to burning ambers and vibrant golds and warm breezes had turned to bitter gusts.“ It made me feel like I'm actually experiencing autumn. Like I could almost see the slowly fading leaves dancing with the cold autumn air. You drag your readers into your wonderful world with just your words.

And the way you put emotions into words, oh those bittersweet emotions, I could almost feel every pain described even if I haven’t had any experience like that. Even if it’s just a single line, like the last part of Monochromancity where you’ve written “'It never stops hurting, does it?' “, all the character’s emotions, feelings and thoughts summarized into one tear-jerking question that leaves the readers emotionally wrecked, I was simply in awe.

So I say go for it authornim! There’s no harm in trying. Fighting authornim! ＼(＾▽＾)／
Shik_Taek #2
As an avid reader of work. I would like it if you join. I don't have a writer and an editor mind. But, I guess there's no harm in trying and showing your works.
You might be sad if you won't make the cut. But at least you've tried. And then, you can mend or polish whatever you're lacking from. (Though for me, you haven't lack anything in writing.)
..So...try and join authornim... ^_^ Goodluck! <3
MissMinew #3
I haven't read your stories, I'll be honest and say that. But yes, you should enter.
There aren't going to be any drawbacks from this. It's an opportunity. Take it. You're not losing anything.

I'm trying to teach myself this a lot, but sometimes we have to step out of the comfort zone. This isn't going to change your life in any negative way. If you don't win, if you end up in the bottom pile, then who cares? You tried, you're back, you write again and maybe next year you'll do it again and you'll end up on top. This contest isn't going to determine whether or not you get fed or whether or not you can pay the bills.
There is only the status quo or a positive outcome.

So do it - take the chance. Don't let you be your own wall that prevents you.
If it helps you, take a deep breath and close your eyes when you send it. And when you've done it be nervous and what you need to be - because you've done it.
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