tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386249886038529605.post7846111707002568905..comments2020-09-27T04:52:23.103-07:00Comments on Wende Writes: On Writing ContestsWende Dikechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14078463943124157928noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386249886038529605.post-86174561729480492012014-06-09T05:49:25.224-07:002014-06-09T05:49:25.224-07:00I think it's really hard to judge something th...I think it's really hard to judge something that isn't in your genre or to your taste. That happened with one story I entered into a contest, but the judge was fair. She said, "This isn't something I would typically read, but you are doing it right." She mentioned several times in her comments that my genre was not a genre she typically read or enjoyed, but she judged based on skill, voice, and content, not on whether or not she liked it. It's difficult to do, but she did it well. Wende Dikechttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14078463943124157928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386249886038529605.post-52467245688375267102014-06-08T22:07:39.351-07:002014-06-08T22:07:39.351-07:00I've entered and I've judged. I almost rat...I've entered and I've judged. I almost rather judge. *LOL* The manuscripts I finished and entered into contests did...poorly...and there were judges who wrote interestingly scathing things to me. The one that quoted scripture at me, comes to mind; I was not writing an inspirational. The one contest I won--and placed first--and even got a request for it--yeah, I'd written 8 chapters and I'm a pantser sort and couldn't finish it. In fact, I didn't much care for the story by the time the contest was done being judged. Now I am back to entering things I've finished. <br /><br />When I judge--because I have been judged--I try to remember that not all stories are to my taste (though I do usually get a genre I usually read) but that doesn't mean they're a bad story or poorly written. I've had stories where I was like, "This story is so weird, what am I going to say?" and then by the end of the entry I totally got it and loved it a great deal, could see what the author was doing. (Not your story, Wendy; yours I got right away.) I remember thinking at the beginning of the story I wouldn't normally pick that book to read, but by the end I was all, "This book needs to be published soon so I can read the rest of it." Yeah, judging is more fun. *LOL* Though I did squeal and freak out quite a bit when I won that contest. *LOL* <br /><br />They're both fun. Hellie Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933713255844695337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386249886038529605.post-50366644856396668042014-06-08T18:34:38.024-07:002014-06-08T18:34:38.024-07:00I also like having an unbiased, objective opinion ...I also like having an unbiased, objective opinion about my manuscript. Even if the submission is only the first few chapters, it gives me an idea if I'm going in the right direction. I have to thank you for motivating me, Ramona. I wrote this post during our sprint this morning. ;)Wende Dikechttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14078463943124157928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386249886038529605.post-31830112294644710842014-06-08T17:19:03.543-07:002014-06-08T17:19:03.543-07:00I'm with you, Wende. Writing contests are grea...I'm with you, Wende. Writing contests are great ways to motivate yourself to write. Even if you don't win a particular contest, you've come out ahead because you wrote a story!Ramonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00627775403015684868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386249886038529605.post-64899396677471199482014-06-08T09:03:12.904-07:002014-06-08T09:03:12.904-07:00Thank you, Sheridanjeane! You are absolutely righ...Thank you, Sheridanjeane! You are absolutely right. Wende Dikechttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14078463943124157928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386249886038529605.post-35551641196214371142014-06-08T08:57:55.879-07:002014-06-08T08:57:55.879-07:00Great article Wende. I like contests too. I agree,...Great article Wende. I like contests too. I agree, you really need to see what you'll get it you win, or even final. Often the best part of a contest is that your manuscript will be seen by a particular editor or agent you'd like to work with. It's a great opportunity to put your work in front of them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com