Comments on: Writing Contest Hints

By: Susan Carlisle

Susan Carlisle — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 23:34:27 +0000

Thanks for the insights. I think this is one of the best things we do all year.

By: Hildie McQueen

Hildie McQueen — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:21:27 +0000

Great advice I wish I’d had when I first started!

By: Anna Doll

Anna Doll — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:07:00 +0000

Excellent advice!And don’t be surprised when one judge absolutely loves what another judge “dislikes”!

By: Debbie Kaufman

Debbie Kaufman — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 22:16:26 +0000

Exactly, Maxine. We’ve all gotten those judges out of left field at one time or another. The trick is to know when it’s more the judge’s personal preferences and when it’s a problem with our writing. My rule of thumb is that if two or more people are giving me similar feedback, it’s time to make a change.

By: Maxine

Maxine — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:44:00 +0000

I agree Debbie. The feedback is great – even the crusty ones. Keeps you centered knowing you can’t please everybody.

By: Debbie Kaufman

Debbie Kaufman — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 14:03:08 +0000

And, unlike a lot of other contests, you can have several tries. Anyone who has entered, but not made the semifinals, should enter again. I tally scores and some people have missed the top five cut off by small fractions

Marilyn, couldn’t agree with you more.

Sandy, I love seeing the variety, but cringe for the entrant when I see the typo. I know they do too!

Linsey, I’m sure you would agree that there is so much written about contests, that it’s hard to say something new. So, I figured the basics were important.

By: Linsey Lanier

Linsey Lanier — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 11:57:56 +0000

I agree. That’s some really good advice, Debbie. Thanks for summing it all up.

By: Sandra Elzie

Sandra Elzie — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 11:22:21 +0000

Like Marilyn, I’ve been impressed with the entries so far. There are some great writers out there just waiting for the right opportunity to launch their work and it’s fun to be able to help out in this contest and give someone a shot at their dream.

And, Debbie’s information about contests is right on the mark. After you’ve read it over & over & over, it starts to blur and having a new pair of eyes reading it will find some of those pesky little mistakes that agents, editors, & judges hate to see.

Good luck tomorrow!!!

By: Marilyn Baron

Marilyn Baron — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 09:16:15 +0000

Debbie, great post and great advice at any level. I’ve been so impressed by the entries to this contest. And you are so right about the Georgia Romance Writers Maggie awards. They are a great opportunity for feedback and a route to publication.