Writing Olympics

So the Heart of the West Contest is not exactly the Olympic arena for writing, but I was hoping for Gold. Alas, I didn't even final.

Competitions seem to be one of those things that some writers advocate strongly and others don't even bother entering. I'm fast becoming one of the latter. It's not because I don't win or even final, it's just because the judging is so subjective. True, so is the entire writing world, but let me give you an example.

On the HOW contest I received 96/100, 95/100 and 84/100. Now, the first two loved it, the last didn't. And the last had some comments to say that none of my many critique partners/groups have mentioned as being any where near important. And yet, it was her score which knocked my mss out of the running.

I've come to realize that with my particular 'voice', readers often really like it or really don't. It's not the kind of writing voice that follows the usual sound of most books on the shelf. Publishers are always saying they want to hear a strong, new, innovative 'voice', but are they really willing to take a chance on something that is actually new? What if they can't sell new? What if they can't sell my writing?

Anyhow, this post is about writing competitions! As far as I'm aware, there's generally two reasons writers enter competitions. 1) Feedback/Critique. 2) If the result is good, it looks great on a query letter.

So, for me, since I'm not getting results which look 'great' on a query letter, and since I have two fantastic cps (critique partners) and a number of 'readers' who give invaluable feedback, I've decided I'm not going to bother entering any more writing competitions.

But what about you? What is your competition standpoint? Have they helped or hindered?

-Riss

Ouch. I'm initiated.

I know, you've missed me. The flu kept me away. I'm sorry. Nuf sed.

Sooo, poor me. I got my first REJECTION. How rude. I just find it so hard to believe that the first agent I ever queried in my entire life did not fall in love with my writing. Yes, Jessica Faust of BookEnds did not ask for my hand in legally agented bliss. [sigh].

It wasn't 'quite' a form letter: "Thank you so much for giving BookEnds a chance to consider your work and for being a reader of the blog. While I found your query intriguing I’m afraid I wasn’t sufficiently enthusiastic to ask for more at this time. As I’m sure you know publishing is a subjective business and I’m sure you’ll find another agent who feels differently. I wish you the best of luck and the greatest success."

And, really, it didn't hurt that much. I've printed it as a record of another first. Actually, I wasn't too depressed. I figure she wasn't The One. So, I'm getting together my 'big guns' list. At the very top, Steven Axelrod. (Please, love me, uh, my writing, Steve.) Gotta shoot for the moon and land among stars.

On an aside, Jessica got back to me within two weeks. I think it was more like a week and a half. So, I'm glad the Band-Aid was ripped off quickly.

Well, that's it for me on rejections. Please chime in and tell me about your first. How did you react? Were you crushed? Was it nasty, nice or neutral?

Riss