Serious question: What benefit are you gaining by entering contests?

I'm beginning to think none whatsoever. The desired benefit is to make the finals and therefore get my work in front of an editor. And I keep expecting that to happen Any Time Now.

I just don't know what to think. I judge a lot of contests, and I don't think I'm flattering myself to believe my writing is stronger than most of what's out there. I've played the romance game sufficiently to have my hero and heroine meet in the first chapter (Page 3! THREE!) and show attraction to each other. I don't do the goal-motivation-conflict thing as blatantly as a lot of writers, but there is conflict there--at least, it should be clear that my characters face a tough path to happiness. And yet so far that semifinal in the Molly is the only positive result I've gotten.

It's weird. If you threw out contest results, I'd think I was on the right track. People who read my writing outside of a contest context praise it, and not just friends and CPs. I just don't know if I'm safe assuming that the contest results are an aberration, that somehow dissecting my kind of writing on those scoresheets kills it. If I could feel confident about that, I'd dump the contests and spend my money on chances to meet editors and agents at conferences instead. Well, except for that hyper-competitive part of me that just wants to keep entering until I WIN, dammit!

I'm going to say ordering in but that depends on whether stairs or standing are harder on you.

I just finished over two weeks of time sheets. Gah. And it took most of the day. Guess I know what to put down for today's time.

The boss' son is back in here today. Using our computers to edit some home videos. Nothing like what appears to be Halloween video with screaming kids in the background. Sigh...

I have really first-world issues today. I should likely be grateful for this.

If you threw out contest results, I'd think I was on the right track.

Seems to me that you just answered yourself right there. The contests seem to make you doubt yourself and that doesn't seem productive.

I am guessing that UW jobs are like city jobs. coveted. we had a part time clerk job opening. 60- 70 applicants. and that's at last count.

and DH used to get a 90-98% return on his resumes. it was down to about 5% . now it looks like 10- 15%.

Seriously, I'm just so glad he's okay, I'm a little weepy.

Now that everything is fine you CAN cry.

The desired benefit is to make the finals and therefore get my work in front of an editor.

When I was judging, as the editor "prize" part of the deal, it was still work. And sometimes unwanted work. Some nice person convinces you to agree to judge a contest, but by the time those finalists come in, you're frantically busy or one of your authors is melting down or you're getting ready to leave for a conference, and it's just another task. I know I sometimes read contest entries differently than other submissions, i.e. in a "get it off my desk" manner.

So you might be better served submitting the usual way. First-round contest judges also are *not* editors, and think of how many great authors out there would have been shot down in a contest. Diana Gabaldon is an example, but so are lots of others who are writing a bit outside the box.

t /my two cents

AMYLIZ! I was hoping you were around. I just got my tiara, and all my other goodies, and I love them all! Thanks.

Maybe this will be the motivation I need to get off my butt and mail my tiaree's package.

Susan, Fuck 'em. Signed, Glimmer Train and its reading fees can kiss my entire crippled ass. Next time I want to flush $10 I just will, you know?

Laura, t generalization I think that kids respond differently to male teachers, and that often, male teachers respond differently to the kids. I don't think you're just thinking wishfully. I hope it pans out.

Now that everything is fine you CAN cry.

I can't make it come. It's all bunched up in a little knot between eyes, and behind my forehead, and it is headache making. It's funny, because usually I have more trouble not crying, or stopping the tears, than starting them.

Anybody else imaging AmyLiz singing "Love Editor For Sale" with a really disgruntled look on her face?

Just me, then.