Comments on: Ask Daphne! An ABNA follow-up question

By: yellowbrick08

yellowbrick08 — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 07:22:07 +0000

Hey Julie, This is not meant to discourage you from entering, but as added info, if you're looking for good critiques, try a critique group, either online or in person.
As you're writing middle grade, have you looked at the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, SCBWI? They have local in person critiques in all corners of the world and, if there's not one in your area, they can help get you in touch with other writers in your area to build one. SCBWI.org also has an online message board where you can post work for feedback. I prefer the in person groups, but both work.
The SCBWI critique group I belong to meets at our local Barnes & Noble and the store posts our meetings in its events calendar, so a lot of people join us after reading about us there. So, check out your local book stores and see if they have any critique groups that meet there.
I understand what you mean about toughening up your skin. It can be hard to hear critiques. But the rule about critique groups is that whoever's giving a critique should give useful criticism that encourages the writer and helps the writer get better. And the reviewee's job is to just listen with an open mind. (Note, if you're ever in a critique where people are mean, just find a different critique group. However, those are rare. Most writers want to help others and listening to critiques of other people's work also can help our writing because we can see what doesn't work, so it's a win/win.)
Overall, like Kerry says, remember that it's your story and you know it best. Absorb the criticism you hear and you be the judge as to whether it would work for your story or not. Only act on those suggestions — and they are suggestions — that you feel will make your story better.
Good luck, and happy holidays.
Samantha Clark

By: Kerry Blaisdell

Kerry Blaisdell — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:45:08 +0000

I guess my take on the critique/review/headed-in-the-right-direction thing is that it's still just the opinion of the judges. I've entered enough contests, and gotten enough of the good score/bad score dichotomy to know that I may be "on track" for one agent/editor/judge, and in the trash can for another.
Not to say you shouldn't enter or pay attention to the critiques. Just that, as with anything else, take it with a grain of salt. It's your story, after all! ) And if you don't final at all, don't take it as an absolute assessment of your writing potential. It's still just someone else's opinion, not *everyone's* opinion!
Okay, sorry, Kate — will get off my soapbox now! ) Have a great holiday!

By: jrbutcher

jrbutcher — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:04:20 +0000

I don't have any illusions of winning the contest. I'm there for the critiques If I make it to the second round, "Each Second Round Excerpt will receive two reviews"
How cool is that!! Plus, If I can make the first cut, I know I'm headed in the right direction with my writing. If I make the second cut, I might actually send the query thats waiting on my desktop, or have a heart-attack, I haven't decided yet.
I look on it as a free opportunity to toughen up my skin, and its a good motivational tool to make me write and learn craft. I'm not expecting to win so it's win/win already.
Kerry, they've changed a lot of the rules this year.
Julie

By: Kerry Blaisdell

Kerry Blaisdell — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:33:02 +0000

I entered this contest last year, and there were a few things about it that bothered me. The first was that (predictably) the category with the highest number of entries, but the lowest number of finalists, was Romance. The next thing that bothered me was that, as soon as I was notified that I didn't final, I began receiving spam about how to self-publish my novel, using their "easy POD" service. Ick!
I was eventually able to unsub from those emails, but it felt a lot like those rumors of agents rejecting a book, and then sending info on how to buy the agent's book on getting published. It crossed a line, IMO, as though the point of accepting so many initial submissions was merely to grow their marketing database. Obviously, I opted to stay far-far away this year.
Just my experience, and I'm sure last year's winner was much happier about the outcome than I was! )