Comments on: Entering Writing Contests–Etiquette 101 by Erica Vetsch

By: Donna Alice

Donna Alice — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:35:05 +0000

I can’t imagine anyone venting on a PUBLIC forum that anyone could read! How scary is that? As you say, this is a small business.

I’ve gotten some great advice and feedback from different contests. In one, I got an Honorable Mention and some truly helpful words from the end round jugde, an award winning historical writer. She told me what she liked and what I should change to make my ms. work better. She was right. I ended up slashing 3 chapters into one! And it’s a lot more powerful now.

On the flip side of the coin, sometimes judges are wrong. But, I find your advice just as encouraging and right on for those times–none of us is ever ALWAYS right and if we truly believe in treating others as we’d have them treat us–wouldn’t the best course be to cover their mistakes and forget it? Instead of reacting in anger, it would be better to forgive and move on.

Hope you do well in the contest!!

By: Lori Benton

Lori Benton — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:11:16 +0000

Excellent advice, Erica. It may sound strange, but I’m hoping for that “one [at least] comment that stings, burns, and otherwise makes you want to kick a trash can.” I want so much to improve this manuscript and am hungry for an objective eye to catch those weaknesses I know I’m missing. It’s the whole reason I entered the contest.

I take your encouragement to pray for the judges to heart. Thank you for saying that. I’m going to print this post [if that's ok!] and tape it next to my computer.

By: Carla Stewart

Carla Stewart — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:41:55 +0000

Erica, our chance encounter at ACFW was very special to me. Your sweet words are a reminder to me that this is a tribe, and as so-journers we must hang together, encourage one another, pray for each other, and when the time is right, be honest. I wanted you to win. I wanted the other finalists to win. I wanted me to win. And in the end, I shared the honor with four wonderful writers. A fluke? Yeah, it probably was for me, and I have had the same self-doubts about entering the Gensis this time.
I really needed your advice today and know that every contest, every critique brings us closer to the goal . . . and brings people like you in my life. I am richer because of that. Thanks, Erica!

By: Jess

Jess — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:17:40 +0000

Wonderful post, Erica and everything you said is so true. I’ve kept all my contest entries and publishing rejection slips for the past _?_ years, and no way can we read them for the first time without hurt and anger. I looked back on some of them a few weeks ago and was shocked to see there was alot of encouragement intertwined with the critiques and suggestions. The best thing we can do for ourselves is to put those comments away for a little while.

And wow! How beautiful to learn that Carla had been praying for you.

Wonderful, encouraging post! Thanks.

By: Georgiana Daniels

Georgiana Daniels — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 13:54:06 +0000

You’re so right in your observations! Good advice too

By: CJ

CJ — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 13:28:36 +0000

Very wise words. Too often we have that knee jerk reaction to feeling hurt when our baby is criticized. As you said, best to set it aside and then look at it after the initial disappointment is past. After all, the judges are there to help not hinder.

By: Laurel Ann

Laurel Ann — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 06:49:50 +0000

Thanks Erica, you made me laugh and want to read more. I sign of a good writer. Cheers, Laurel Ann

By: Erica Vetsch

Erica Vetsch — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 02:14:07 +0000

Thanks, Kaye, for letting me guest blog.