Contest Results Are In

If you remember, in June of this year I entered the first chapter of my book, Wolf Cub, in a writers contest and scored a high D. I was pretty excited about it. But by the time the actual judging took place I had already rewrote the chapter to the point the one I submitted was hardly recognizable.

I entered my new version in a second contest in September and recieved the results today. Out of a possible 100, I received 89 from one judge and 91 from the second judge. The finalist cut off was an average of 192. The average grade for the sumissions was 172. I'm pretty damn sure I can consider that an "A".

You could score a possible 5 in 20 categories. One judge only assigned me 4s and 5s. I had two 3s by the other judge.

I received the following comments from the judges:

Great opening scene and exciting plot.

Characters are strong and intriguing.

There was a tiny bit of showing instead of telling. This could be incorporated into dialogue. A very compelling read. I’d love to read the entire manuscript. Great work!

All in all, I'm pleased. The contest coordinator said they had the largest turn out they have ever had and it probably adversily affected our chances of placing.

I've made changes since submitting the chapter, and I will make more based upon feedback from the judges. Now I just need to find me another contest to enter.

I got a high "D"!

So, I got back my first judged entries form a contest I entered six weeks back or so. I had already been notified that I didn't win or place.

I was surprised. While I thought the chapter was in great shape when I sent it off, I had since got a REAL critique from a woman in my new group that tore it to pieces.

Heartbroken by the nature of her crit, I ignored it for weeks.

This last Saturday, Steve took Will and disappeared for a few hours. With calm "me time" on my hands, I re-evaluate the crit and realized the astounding amount of valve it contained. I totally rewrote my chapter, to a terrifying degree. And I LOVE IT!

When I got in the Judges notes today, I expected they would address those same issues I'd changed and they did. What surprised me was . . .

1. They both really liked the story and premises,
   
2. Both had little to say ABOVE what I have already changed, and
   
3. Both said if I had only submitted the optional synopsis, I would have scored higher.

My scores from each were in the high 90s, a perfect score would have been 140; which put me at about a high "d". And I'm ecstatic.

No training, little experience, no synopsis, first submission . . . and I made a "D".

Yep, I'm easily pleased.