tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588376429247025873.post7389799954196192528..comments2024-02-23T05:16:12.783-05:00Comments on VOICES FROM THE HEART: Contests: Are They Really Helpful?Mona Riskhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14923883333893160794noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588376429247025873.post-36770649431586956662010-05-06T08:37:13.011-04:002010-05-06T08:37:13.011-04:00Morgan,
I sometimes think I am the contest queen, ...Morgan,<br />I sometimes think I am the contest queen, as my manuscripts have won contests every year since I began writing. That's the good news. Alas, no contract yet. That's the bad news. As you mentioned, this writing business is very subjective. Thanks for the great post.Josiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05930730661273079224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588376429247025873.post-34100493444696781852010-05-05T21:43:55.548-04:002010-05-05T21:43:55.548-04:00To Jodi Lynn Copeland,
I liked your comparison to...To Jodi Lynn Copeland,<br /> I liked your comparison to reviewers and judges. I never thought of it that way, but it makes sense. I doubt I should admit this to writers, but I have been a book reviewer for about the last seven years. Occasionally, I will pick up a book I hate. I try to pass it off to another reviewer since I'm the wrong person to review it. Too bad the contest judges don't always have the resources or time to do this. Thanks for commenting.<br />Morganmorganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02817293003630581559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588376429247025873.post-32588671168264974642010-05-05T21:38:58.581-04:002010-05-05T21:38:58.581-04:00Ami,
Thanks for your insight that CAPS doesn't...Ami,<br />Thanks for your insight that CAPS doesn't always mean you are yelling. Since I do most of my critiques on the computer I use yellow and blue ink--no real reason, but better than red. I appreciate you dropping by.<br /><br />Morganmorganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02817293003630581559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588376429247025873.post-81364519688177992392010-05-05T21:35:30.433-04:002010-05-05T21:35:30.433-04:00Christine,
Thanks for your comments on judging. I...Christine,<br /><br />Thanks for your comments on judging. I will keep all these things in mind when judging. In fact, when I critique other people's work I use post-it notes because I do not want to mess up their manuscript. They can always rip them off if they don't agree with me.:)<br />Morganmorganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02817293003630581559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588376429247025873.post-91935252039680919282010-05-05T21:32:25.978-04:002010-05-05T21:32:25.978-04:00Lisa Dale,
Thanks for your comments on how some c...Lisa Dale,<br /><br />Thanks for your comments on how some contests worked out to your advantage. Congrats on that, I'm sure you deserved it.<br /><br />Morganmorganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02817293003630581559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588376429247025873.post-33064438387235771192010-05-05T11:42:34.263-04:002010-05-05T11:42:34.263-04:00Caps for me are a must, as I can't use color, ...Caps for me are a must, as I can't use color, highlighting, or any other much more helpful tool. It doesn't always translate to or from my computer. W/o caps, I can't find the comments that I've gotten or given. If I can't see them, I can't read them and I assume the judge didn't leave any comments. <br /><br />However, I really don't read too much into comments anymore. I don't enter for the feedback at this point. BUT I know that often those I am judging ARE looking for that, so I spend a lot of time on each entry and really focus on the positive. It is possible to gently point out issues and be constructive, not awful. I try to find books or websites that might help w/ a particular thing. The key in contesting is to remember it really is subjective. It's one person's opinion of your work and if they don't have the class to present it thoughtfully and helpfully you (thankfully) have the right to delete it. (Good thing there are no judges here! Look at all those [gasp] -ly words!:))<br /><br />Thank you for this post, Morgan! :)Ami Weaverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06368230579726847342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588376429247025873.post-26899704041573815182010-05-05T10:05:36.827-04:002010-05-05T10:05:36.827-04:00One comment on the caps thing, some contests requi...One comment on the caps thing, some contests require the judges to use caps for their comments so the entrants can more easily see them. I don't love this either, but I know that it isn't always the judge's decision to use this method. In Christine's example though, clearly it was all about the evil judge.Jodi Lynn Copelandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01861195964400047158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588376429247025873.post-88648466244966127882010-05-05T10:03:52.225-04:002010-05-05T10:03:52.225-04:00Great post, Morgan! And so incredibly true. I imag...Great post, Morgan! And so incredibly true. I imagine pre-publishe dcontests to be practice for reviewers once published. Some are going to love your work, and some are not going to love it. Take what matters the most from the feedback and know when to laugh off the irrelevant stuff or that which doesn't work with your style.Jodi Lynn Copelandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01861195964400047158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588376429247025873.post-7458846770726478642010-05-05T08:23:54.936-04:002010-05-05T08:23:54.936-04:00I am a RWA trained judge, unpublished PRO writer w...I am a RWA trained judge, unpublished PRO writer who has been a member of a critique group for four years. I've been on both sides of the fence. Whenever I judge a contest, I approach the entry as if it were the entrant's first MS and/or first contest entry. I look at the whole story and I try to give constructive critique where warranted. I also try to give positive comments and notes where the story really works. If an entry needs story and structure help, I suggest the same books I have read myself as a writer.<br /><br />I don't use red, all caps in my critiques. I recently received my lowest score EVER from a published in romance judge who felt compelled to rip my writing to shreds. Thankfully, I had enough experience as a contestant and a judge to try to put that commentary where it belonged: the trash. Any wisdom that I might have received from her was lost in the delivery. Frankly, I judged that contest and the guidelines stated not to use red, let alone all caps in the body of the work. I reported the judge. There is NO place for that kind of viciousness. No, I don't need handholding and I accept feedback that is presented in a positive way. I also don't mind a low score if the feedback is helpful to me.<br /><br />I'm not a newbie, but had I been? Well maybe I wouldn't be writing today. As it was, I had two other published in romance judges score my entry very high (I missed finaling in that contest by 1 point) and they gave CONSTRUCTIVE feedback. You can bet I will use their critique and feedback as I revise this current WIP. <br /><br />My biggest concern about contests is that they are all having trouble getting judges and the "call for judges" comes out quite regularly on the PRO and writing loops I'm on. This hardly gives me confidence in the judges I will receive for the contests. Therefore, I only enter 4 contests a year. One, of course, the GOLDEN LOTTERY. One is judged by published authors and only gives feedback, and two others for getting a general feel on whether or not the story is working (feedback, not red vampire judge blood is what I need).<br /><br />Well, that's my rant. Great post. Hope I am the kind of judge that leaves the impression of being WISE and not cruel.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05383099148014297450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588376429247025873.post-80505808779363003132010-05-04T21:12:00.530-04:002010-05-04T21:12:00.530-04:00I entered a bunch of contests back in the day with...I entered a bunch of contests back in the day with an MS that will NEVER be pubbed (to the benefit of the world in general, romance readers in particular). And I liked getting a whole bunch of feedback, a few wins, and a bunch of finals. It really was a great experience! <br /><br />And PS - you sound like a great judge.Lisa Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10234985727595064652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588376429247025873.post-82053622290198591432010-05-04T21:09:28.180-04:002010-05-04T21:09:28.180-04:00To Jill James,
Thanks for your inspiring comments....To Jill James,<br />Thanks for your inspiring comments. If I wasn't so optismistic and there wasn't always that third judge who loved my work, then I think I would give up. Of course, I would have to deal with my family who would slap me around for giving up.:)Thanks for stopping by and posting.<br /><br />Morganmorganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02817293003630581559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588376429247025873.post-70918406601057783112010-05-04T21:06:38.529-04:002010-05-04T21:06:38.529-04:00To Natasha,
Thanks for the view from the positive...To Natasha,<br /><br />Thanks for the view from the positive side of the contest. I am glad for you and am a bit inspired too. I appreciate you stopping by and posting.<br /><br />Morganmorganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02817293003630581559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588376429247025873.post-47046697273980959692010-05-04T21:04:07.915-04:002010-05-04T21:04:07.915-04:00Carolyn,
You are so right about "some"ju...Carolyn,<br />You are so right about "some"judges anxious to show what they know. Still, I always tell my children it cost you nothing to be nice, but a great deal to be hurtful. The good thing about the rabid comments is that they always made good writer cocktail talk. Thanks for stopping by and posting.<br /><br />Morganmorganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02817293003630581559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588376429247025873.post-55497891936540363272010-05-04T20:59:46.998-04:002010-05-04T20:59:46.998-04:00Paisley,
You have given me words of wisdom! I hav...Paisley,<br /><br />You have given me words of wisdom! I have had a varied career from minister's wife to cheesemaker...and sometimes I will get judge's negative comments on those very things as if I didn't have a clue. So it happens to everyone, oddly, this comforts me. Thanks for stopping by.<br /><br />Morganmorganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02817293003630581559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588376429247025873.post-71519083205484990072010-05-04T20:56:23.475-04:002010-05-04T20:56:23.475-04:00To Sheila,
Thanks for bringing in a new way to loo...To Sheila,<br />Thanks for bringing in a new way to look at a contest critique that I never considered. I will try to remember this. Thanks for dropping by.<br /><br />Morganmorganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02817293003630581559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588376429247025873.post-826229419973213332010-05-04T20:53:56.903-04:002010-05-04T20:53:56.903-04:00Mona,
You are so right about contests being hard ...Mona,<br /><br />You are so right about contests being hard work for the coordinators. That's why I am happy to do things like the auction or membership contacts as oppsed to organizing a contest. Thanks for dropping by and all the help you have provided to get the blog up and running.<br /><br />Morganmorganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02817293003630581559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588376429247025873.post-17778799027049105912010-05-04T20:50:52.742-04:002010-05-04T20:50:52.742-04:00To Clarissa,
Thanks for stopping by and sharing y...To Clarissa,<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experiences. It is good to know that other people experience the judge inbalance issue. It's odd how we usually focus on the judge who hates the story. Go figure. :)<br /><br />Morganmorganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02817293003630581559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588376429247025873.post-3319851352968395862010-05-04T20:47:47.601-04:002010-05-04T20:47:47.601-04:00Terry,
Thanks for dropping by and posting. You are...Terry,<br />Thanks for dropping by and posting. You are my role model. I took a class from you and noticed you had something uplifting to say about everyone's work as you subtly guided each participant.<br />Morganmorganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02817293003630581559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588376429247025873.post-65985743764361290332010-05-04T19:01:09.745-04:002010-05-04T19:01:09.745-04:00Morgan, what a great post. I wish every writer who...Morgan, what a great post. I wish every writer who has ever thought a judge was mean on purpose or who was so hurt by comments they gave up writing could read what you wrote.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588376429247025873.post-37235974296473892052010-05-04T18:56:42.378-04:002010-05-04T18:56:42.378-04:00When I judge (which is very time consuming in orde...When I judge (which is very time consuming in order to do a good job and may also be a reason why it's difficult to find available contest judges) I try to find as many good comments as criticism. Honestly, sometimes it's hard to do. Sometimes, it's easy because the entries are wonderful.<br /><br />I've had some great results from contests, including one sale from am editor request from a contest. So it does happen...Natasha Moorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12254323950791396984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588376429247025873.post-2227126968413412412010-05-04T13:58:04.371-04:002010-05-04T13:58:04.371-04:00I totally agree. I don't know why some judges...I totally agree. I don't know why some judges think they have to impress the author they know more then them. I think the answer lies within each of these groups to select people who really know how to do a critique. Many contests offer the judge's training, but unless the judge takes a test, how do you know if they will be good? Or if they've even read the material provided? <br /><br />I've had those awful judges myself during my first few years as a writer. Those comments can be brutal, and as such, I've learned to give honest, helpful feedback when I judge. I just wish others felt the same way.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04066444110206919135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588376429247025873.post-64362590156642323462010-05-04T12:44:42.622-04:002010-05-04T12:44:42.622-04:00You have written great words of wisdom here. I us...You have written great words of wisdom here. I used to become the victim after receiving a contest score sheet that ripped and tore at my resolve to be a writer. I swore to my critique partner to never let a bad contest score make me cry. Now I look at my scores and use the judgment I have been gaining over the years. It is so heartening to get a perfect score from a judge who wants to read more, but then in the same contest to have to adjust to scathing judge that says they wouldn't read the story if it was the last book on earth. That's pretty judgmental in my humble opinion. We all must move on and learn to add another layer of armor. But, when a judge tells me we don't have deer in California and I am looking at six of them sitting under a tree in my backyard, it is hard to let it go....Paisley Kirkpatrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06401039126457210324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588376429247025873.post-55236682036583231242010-05-04T11:23:57.154-04:002010-05-04T11:23:57.154-04:00Excellent blog, Morgan! I certainly identified wit...Excellent blog, Morgan! I certainly identified with your statement:<br /> <br />My best advice is concentrate on the person who liked the story. She represents the reader you want to hook.<br /><br />I like your take, along with developing a Rhino hide for the opposing camp of judges who can drag you down. <br /><br />As sisters in romance writing we're supposed to support each other, not destroy a writer before she's reached her full potential. <br /><br />Here's a different perspective on judges. My entry received one low score which identified several weaknesses and in the bargain improved me as a writer. This judge weighed my potential and scored me so low a fourth judge came into the picture. She knew this would happen. My entry still finaled, but I take my hat off to that first judge. She cleverly used the system to both give an excellent critique and not impede my entry. To this day I appreciate her consideration.Sheila Tenoldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10549721256331896612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588376429247025873.post-88244226488713004672010-05-04T10:09:45.986-04:002010-05-04T10:09:45.986-04:00What a great post Morgan. I heard it all in contes...What a great post Morgan. I heard it all in contests, the praise and the shredding, but also many useful advice that helped a lot. There are judges that put low scores as a habit and other that automatically give top scores without carefully reading. I think the questions put for the judges help. I also judged a lot of contests and coordinated two. Believe me it takes a huge amount of work so let's not be too hard on the coordinators.Mona Riskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14923883333893160794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588376429247025873.post-22269997344298408382010-05-04T08:52:58.603-04:002010-05-04T08:52:58.603-04:00Great blog, Morgan! I once got a 32/100 and a 100/...Great blog, Morgan! I once got a 32/100 and a 100/100 on the same manuscript in the same contest. So yes, it's subjective. <br /><br />I think the value of contests is that they prepare you for the reaction your story is likely to get in the real world. There will always being reviewers who love you or hate you. Not everyone is going to "get" your story.<br />Because my subject matter is controversial, I often receive judge rants on topics totally unrelated to my story. But that would happen in the real world too.<br /><br />If you only enter one contest, you're likely to be crushed by a bad review, but if you enter a lot, pretty soon you don't even notice them anymore.<br />Maybe the real prize in the contest world is thicker skin.Clarissa Southwickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07999713155443152791noreply@blogger.com