It's that time of year again.
Daphne and Genesis results!
I've received a few notes from friends who
were discouraged with the outcome of their
contest entries. Some grumbled,
Oh! The judging!
Another said,
That's it, I'm done writing. Enough already, I'm
not as good as I thought I was.
Allow for the human element...
Judges give up their own time to take on dozens of other
peoples' work. No pay, no thanks, for the most part,
and no time to work on their own projects.
Okay, sounds noble, huh? Let's allow for the human aspect.
Some "might" do it because they think they're REALLY good.
Others, just to be encouragers. Others yes, because someone
did a bit of arm twisting followed by a dose of guilt. And they
felt obligated.
Did you get a bad crit? From one judge or all?
The same comments from all?
Take two aspirin and revisit
your work in the morning.
Don't make any rash decisions or quick changes.
Think about the judging comments, any that were similar,
roll over in your mind and decide if they really apply
to you. Be honest, be open-minded.
If two or three judges loved something and one was
having PMS at the moment, then put aside the one
negative and concentrate on the constructive crits of the others.
Step away from the crits for a couple days and come back.
BUT DON'T QUIT WRITING.
YOU ARE A WRITER WHEN YOU HAVE TO WRITE
AS SURELY AS YOU HAVE TO BREATHE!!!!
If the judges were spot on, then start taking some of the
wonderful free classes in cyberland.
ACFW offers plenty and so does Faithwriters.com.
You have free writing help at your fingertips.
Learn and rewrite. Learn more and rewrite again.
Soon you'll be a pro at POV and Show and Tell and
you'll be getting offers for partials and fulls.
JUST DON'T GIVE UP!!!
Judging is subjective. Learn from it, move on, and work
your way to publication.
YOU'RE BETTER THAN YOU THINK!
Thanks for your words of encouragement! It's so easy to be discouraged by rejection.
ReplyDeleteSo true, in ALL aspects of our lives. Remember as little kids playing, and one person would be left out. Horrid rejection. Divorce is rejection of the worst kind. It's not just our writing, but every aspect of our lives. When we feel God isn't there for us--another form of rejection--but if we can use that hopeless feeling of rejection in our work, what beautiful doors we can open for others when we point them toward truth and recovery throughj our characters. Just another tool in our writing portfolio.
ReplyDeleteLinda,
ReplyDeleteWhat excellent advice! I have learned that God is always faithful in all situations. (I know that, as writers, we avoid words like "all," "always," and "every," but when referring to the Lord, He is always faithful every time.) Further, I've learned that when He closes a door, He may also lock a window--but then He busts out the whole wall!
Write on (even in the face of rejection)!
Because of Christ,
Sharon
Wonderful advice. I remember the first time I received contests results back: devastated! But I've learned and progressed. I'm a writer; nothing will stop me from that! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Linda, on my blog, did you mean to not request a book from RL? NO prob. I just want to make sure you get one if you want it. :)
Thanks for your post!
Have a super day.
Oh yeah. I had my low and did want to give up but not just because of that. But then as you said, I write. I love to write. WHat I needed is a way to write better. So I went back to some work, sent it to my CPs and have torn it apart. Also hiring an editor to teach me a few things and taking an online class in July. It's time to move forward.
ReplyDeleteClssses and great crit partners are such a blessing. Especially the great crit partners. God will have a special place in heaven. Caroline, since I already won a book didn't want to be greedy.
ReplyDelete