Showing posts with label judging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label judging. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
SPARK is subjective
I'm not an acquiring editor, though I wouldn't mind being one. I've submitted exactly one manuscript to an editor and received a rejection. As I said on Monday, the reason for rejection was because the editor didn't feel my manuscript fit the line I was submitting to. Which is fine, though she didn't say specifically how.
Over the years, a lot of authors, aspiring and otherwise have received rejections from agents and editors that really told then nothing except no. Reasons for rejections are generally vague at best and leave the writer frustrated and wondering what she might need to do to make her book wanted.
Sometimes, the answer really is nothing. Being an acquiring editor is, I think, a lot like judging a contest. You receive a slew of submissions and must read all levels of writing, from the beginner who is nowhere near ready to be published (that's what the contests are for) to the prolific writer who's been around the block a few times.
Since January, I've judged three RWA chapter contests with a total of sixteen entries. Of those sixteen entries, there have been two entries that I would have loved to have gotten my hands on the rest of the manuscripts. What was about them that made me cry out in dismay when I reached the end of the 25 pages I read?
It's that elusive thing I'll call SPARK. Some might say voice, but I can appreciate someone's unique voice without the writing sparking at me and making me want to read the whole damn book. In one sitting.
SPARK is subjective. What sparks for me doesn't spark for everyone.
And SPARK doesn't always equate to a higher score in a contest. Conversely, a higher score doesn't always mean an entry has that spark. That entry mentioned above--it didn't receive the highest score of the entries I judged.
The very last question on the score sheet for this last contest asks: After completing the selection, how much did you want to read more of the story? I get to answer by way of a number rating, 1 to 5. One being not very much and five being very much indeed.
The last couple of entries I read received relatively high marks from me overall. But when asked this last question, I'm compelled to rate them rather low. And why? Because, for me they didn't SPARK.
If you judge contests, are you a generous judge or a tough judge in terms of score? Do you give comments/feedback to the entrant?
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
It's raining, it's pouring...
And has been for almost 24 hours. We definitely need the rain and it isn't coming down so hard and fast that it's leaking into our office space as it is wont to do. I only I wish I could be enjoying it from home rather than my office. I'd curl up with a good book--next book to read is Blood Marriage by my lovely friend Regina Richards. (Can't wait, Regina!!!)--some music playing softly in the background and a never-ending supply of hot mint tea. (And possibly a sweet kitty curled up with me.)
This week, I am wearing my judge/beta reader hat. My writing group holds a contest each year as our primary fundraiser. I have five entries, one is completely done, one is almost done, and three to go. These contestants are going to get their money's worth in terms of feedback even if they don't like what I have to say.
I haven't quite finished outlining my goals, but I'm not sure what the plan is for the next item on the list: writing. I've had no desire to open my any of my manuscripts for several weeks and have given myself permission to continue ignoring them until the 19th. (The new charm/writing cycle begins the 20th.) That'll be two cycles in a row I haven't earned my charm. The coordinator tried to convince me I'd earned it last cycle, but I didn't feel like I had, so I wouldn't take it. I suppose I ought to figure out my problem in the next week or so, huh?
There's nothing else major on my goals for the upcoming year, just things I want to accomplish around the house and yard.
On that note, I'll sign off for the day!
What's your favorite way to spend a rainy day?
Friday, January 15, 2010
Contest entries, critiques, and edits, oh my...
Five contest entries, one critique, and one short story in edit mode.
Normally, I love to judge contest entries and critique others' work. But I've got a distraction that I'm having fun with and am finding it hard to put aside to do this other stuff I've committed to. (The edits are actually going well, and I got in a lot of extra time this morning, so I'm not complaining.)
I've actually been fairly productive at work even with the distraction. I really just need to put my mind to getting those entries read and judged. Just set aside an hour or two a day for the next however-many days to devote to it and git 'em done.
But now it's the weekend and I'll be able to continue my Robin Hood rewatch, too...
I really need to be a housewife again!
Normally, I love to judge contest entries and critique others' work. But I've got a distraction that I'm having fun with and am finding it hard to put aside to do this other stuff I've committed to. (The edits are actually going well, and I got in a lot of extra time this morning, so I'm not complaining.)
I've actually been fairly productive at work even with the distraction. I really just need to put my mind to getting those entries read and judged. Just set aside an hour or two a day for the next however-many days to devote to it and git 'em done.
But now it's the weekend and I'll be able to continue my Robin Hood rewatch, too...
I really need to be a housewife again!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
