August 3rd, 2004
Another Contest.

Today I received the feedback package from COFW’s Ignite The Flame Contest. I’d entered the first 13 pages of The Devil Inside, Gina and Caleb’s story.

Well, I didn’t even come close to finalling. My scores placed me at 11 out of 16. :( However, I’m very glad I entered it. The feedback is fantastic! The judges pointed out a lot of small things I can do to make my ms stronger, things that I should’ve been paying attention to. Much better than the last contest where I got low scores and no feedback! I would enter this contest again. :)

Although, I do have one gripe. What’s with this fixation with my grammar? I just don’t understand how a lack of comma’s can be such a big deal. It wasn’t a big deal to the editors I’ve sold short stories to. And I’ve even had a couple of travel articles published, and non-fiction is much more strict with grammar than fiction. I just don’t get it. Is it such a big deal because this is romance and the short stories are erotica? Or is it because the judges are supposed to pick apart every little thing?

4 comments to “Another Contest.”

  1. Because the judges don’t feel they’re doing their job unless they pick apart every little thing. :P


  2. Good. LOL I know it’s important to present the best you can when submitting to an editor, but I’m starting to think I should go back to high school and take English 101 over again!


  3. Alison’s right and some of them take their job WAY to seriously. :doze:


  4. ummm….it seems that
    "those who can, write… those who can’t, Judge."