tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13024760.post1520746228437002497..comments2023-10-04T06:21:04.949-07:00Comments on Writing into the Sunset: Judging ContestsPaty Jagerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03257614436422105729noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13024760.post-45828842607965037992008-09-02T07:33:00.000-07:002008-09-02T07:33:00.000-07:00Hi Paty! I'm surprised to see you blogging today....Hi Paty! I'm surprised to see you blogging today. Contests? I've entered three. Bombed in the first one. Did well, but didn't final, in the second, and finaled with all three entries in the third. So yes, it was a learning experience, and my scores improved because I took the time to self-educate in the areas I needed to.<BR/><BR/>I've also judged several. All that I've judged allow you to comment on the ms, which I think is very important, so I can see why you don't like the one you're currently judging. I also keep it positive. I got some nasty comments once, so I don't want anyone else to go through that. The last few times I've judged, I've gotten thank yous from the entrants, which made my day.<BR/><BR/>HelenHelen Hardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06820047167673628170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13024760.post-71282584126353436512008-09-01T12:38:00.000-07:002008-09-01T12:38:00.000-07:00Hi, Paty--Celia here from the Cactus Rose line. I'...Hi, Paty--Celia here from the Cactus Rose line. I'm answering and replying to blogs today that I've never seen nor read--just my little good deed on Labor Day, since I've already done the party/gathering thing and have an entire afternoon to "fiddle." I noticed your blog on HELEN'S HEROES. I pulled it up to read Renee's guest blog, but saw your name and got sidetracked. Contests--The best thing I did was enter RWA contests--I did so in the space of one year, and each month I chose one or two,and entered.Why? To get the critique sheets. (See, I understand why you're upset, and the entrants should feel short-changed and complain or ask for their fee back.)This was after I received 13total rejections for three different novels. I received no feedback from submitting, but I understood I would with contests. Since I had no critique partner, and didn't even know another author, and the RWA Chapter was too far away, the contests were invaluable. I placed 3rd in one and the top three scores were one pt. difference. I was thrilled.My judges ripped me apart at first, so I tidied up some more, and kept entering. By the time I finished, I had charts and lists, comparisons and comments. I found my weaknesses and my strengths, and started working on ms again. I researched publishers, compared, contrasted--I'm sorry, I'm such an organizer--and the result was the best one, in my mind--The Wild Rose Press. All the work was worth it. I'm having a great time. Celia YearyAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.com