Why do I so willingly give of my time to judge contests? The answer is very simple. The feedback I got from contests helped me become a published author, and I want to return the favor. Besides, with the RITA entries, you have no choice. If you enter a book into that contest, you must read some entries. It's a huge contest, with 2,000 entries, all needing five judges each. Imagine the logistics nightmare the RWA staff has each January.
Contests are not the only place where you can get feedback. Any number of workshops are offered each week, geared to improving some aspect or the other of your work. Feedback from these workshops can also be invaluable. With my most recent historical, currently still a WIP, someone caught the fact I was leaving the cow in the pasture overnight. Obviously the woman had more farming knowledge than I did, since she flagged it for my attention. A quick check with my 80-year-old uncle verified the woman's claim. Something as precious as a cow would have been brought in from the pasture each night and put in the barn, away from predators. My entire story had to change, but without that input, I'd have been laughed out of every farming community in the country.But I have to throw out a note of caution in both instances. Chances are the person reading your work doesn't write in your particular genre, and if that's the case, their remarks should not be considered gospel. Their overall impression of your work–fine–but individual remarks? Not so much. I recently had a case where the work I was judging was set in ancient Scotland. I know nothing about the era, other than what I see on the Outlander series, so some of the words tripped me up. I had to put in my notes to the author that I was unschooled in her particular genre, so she should only consider my overall impression of her work. And then, someone who was remarking on my work–a historical set in 1860s America–referred to a medical condition that has only been diagnosed in the past twenty years. Again, I fact-checked my work and found that, in this case, anyway, I was correct.
The moral of this story is this–your work needs to be viewed by someone other than your family and friends, in order to get constructive criticism, and contests and workshops are a very good way to accomplish this. But not everyone who offers feedback is competent to do so.
A grain of salt needs to be added in each time a person gets a contest entry back with comments. But you should enter your work, and get back comments. It will only improve your writing.
It's a contest year for me. I just finished my Rita books (even though I didn't enter), I'm on the judging list for my local chapter's two contests, and I'm doing a secret project I can't talk about.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm full. I had to turn down a contest I typically judge for. I love reading the YA and paranormal entries. After many years, I've learned what my reading preferences are and I love seeing where the genres are going.
You are one busy lady, Lynn. Now you've got my curiosity up about your secret project.
ReplyDeleteI'm nearly done reading my Rita entries, and I need to read to more or my chapter contest entries. Judging takes time, but it is a great investment. Not only does it help the person who entered the contest, but it also helps the judge. Analyzing someone else's work and offering recommendations to improve it allows you to look at your own work through a different lens. I learn so much from it!
ReplyDeleteI'm nearly done reading my Rita entries, and I need to read to more or my chapter contest entries. Judging takes time, but it is a great investment. Not only does it help the person who entered the contest, but it also helps the judge. Analyzing someone else's work and offering recommendations to improve it allows you to look at your own work through a different lens. I learn so much from it!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Sheri. It's also a great opportunity to read outside of your niche genre. If you ever thought about writing YA, for example, reading some of it for a contest is a great way to explore the opportunity.
DeleteI've been on both sides. Judged and been judged. Sometimes I think - I'm better than this, and sometimes - I'll never be this good. You're right Sheri, it makes you look at your work differently. Blessed is the judge that shows the entrant where she did wrong, and suggestions on how to correct same, then offers encouragement. I've received many critical comments that made me step away from writing.
ReplyDeleteI know you've struggled with contests in the past, Barb. But you're writing again, and better than ever before. So maybe, in the long run, they've worked. Always looking for the glass half full approach.
DeleteWise words Becky! I entered quite a few contests already this year myself and am judging out local chapter contest plus the Golden Heart. I'm curious how many contests you enter every year?
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to find contests to enter, since most are for unpublished authors, or if you haven't published in the sub-genre. Since I only write in historic or contemporary, it's difficult. I usually can find a few each year. But the on-line workshops give me a chance to share a snippet of my work and get feedback on it, which also helps.
DeleteExcellent advice, Becky! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joanne, for stopping by, and for tweeting. Appreciate it.
DeleteThanks for the good advice!
ReplyDeleteTema Merback
Writing as Belle Ami
Glad you got something out of my ramblings, Tema.
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