Attention, Contest Judges!

When you judge contests rather routinely (or even just the same contest year in and year out), you'll end up getting an entry you've judged before.

Despite all the different contests I've judged for over the last six/sevenyears, I've only re-judged an entry once. Might have been the Winter Rose. What are the odds of getting the same entry two years in a row? Whatever the odds, it happened.

And since the coordinator was okay with me judging it again, and since I didn't have a problem judging it again, I did.

While the entrant obviously made some changes (for the better), the entry still wasn't compelling enough to get great scores. Part of me wanted to yell,"Why did you only listen to ONE thing I told you?"*sigh*

Now while it's easy to let those pig-headed-entrants-who-refuse-to-listen-to-their-judges'-wise-advice bother us, the truth is not all entrants don't listen. Many many of them do, although it may take time for them to impliment changes. They might need five or ten judges telling them the same thing before the lightbulb clicks. You may only be judge two for them.

Last year I judged the ACFW Genesis. One of my entries was fan-freakin-tastic. Did it get a perfect score? Nope. Did it deserve a perfect score? Nope.

The opening was great. Heroine's second scene, not as good but with lotsof potential if the author would add another layer of tension to the scene. Hero's first scene kinda...well, sucked. The next and last scene was with the two of the together, although they didn't talk.

I gave the entrant some possible ways to give the so-so scenes some added kick or at least inspire her creativity. Technically several questions deserved 4s not 5s, but the story was so utterly compelling, that I wanted to give her every point I possibly could in hopes of my score would not keep her entry from finaling.

Trust me, that entry was what I considered one that DESERVED a quick chance in front of an editor. And that tends to be one in every 30 entries I judge.

Now this might sound terrible of me, but I didn't pay attention to what entries finaled in the Genesis last year to see if any that I'd judged had finaled. Silly me.

Fast forward to about a month ago. Someone on the ACFW list asked about the merits of sending in a synopsis for the Genesis even though it's optional and unjudged. I responded with the story about the above entry, which just so happened to be one that didn't have a syno with it. I wasn't happy beuase that was one story I just HAD to know how it ended. Actually it was the only entry I *cared* to know how it ended.

Well, the author of that entry e-mailed me off-list and said, "I think you judged my story." She had finaled. No joke. I'm not sure all what she changed, but she did say she worked like crazy during the couple days she had to make changes before the entry had to go to final round judges.

Ended up, Jenness Walker's entry won first place in the Genesis romantic suspense category. And it's an October 2009 Love Inspired Suspense release.

Listen, the writers who want to write well as well as be published...well, they're the ones who learn to heed the wise advice that their judges give,as well as filtering out the stupid advice. 'Cause we all know there is some stupid advice given. Generally, though, it's mostly wise.

As contest judges and coordinators, we ought to focus on *those* writers and not let hobby writers discourage us from investing in the careers of ladies and gents who want to improve.

Yes, help all. (especially as you'd want to be helped)

Yes, expect all are career-focused writers.

But there's also nothing wrong with brushing the dirt off our feet and moving on from where we're not wanted. Even the disciples had to learn that.

Remember: Happy are feet of them who bring good news.

Contest judges--that's you! Or at least it could be you.

My prayer this week is that God would find someone (like a grateful contest entrant) to restore the joy to each contest judge and coordinator who are burnt out on judging because of the, unfortunately, many ungrateful and vocally critical entrants.

This month as I judged my first batch of 2009 Genesis entries and my Fool for Love ones, I've thought about Jenness's Genesis experience. I want to see that happen again for an entry I judged. But even if it doesn'thappen, I want my comments and suggestions to help each contest entrant polish her story so it can sell someday.

I don't know about you, but I'm dying to read Jenness's novel to see which of my suggestions she took and which ones she improved upon with her own creativity. 'Cause in the end, it's not about the judge.

It's all about the entrant who had/has a spirit of instruction.

That's the writer who is (or will be) published.

Posting Blues

It's not that I can't think about what to post. I've been busy with other stuff.

Seriously.

In the last week or so, I've judged 13 contest entries with 14 more to go. Plus I have 17-ish books to read for a published contest.

Not to mention I need to read Judy Duarte's RITA-finaling book, MULBERRY PARK. I can't get past the first page because my kids keep interrupting me, and this isn't a book I want to read in spurts.

As soon as I read it, I'll post a review then do an interview with Judy. She's an amazing woman. God has blessed her with an opportunity to be a light in a dark world.

And since we're talking contests...

I got word this morning that my Victorian finaled in the Duel on the Delta. Kinda cool. In a few days, I'll get my first round scoresheets back and have a day or two to make any changes before sending my entry back to be forwarded to the final round judge.

Not bad.

I need to talk to the FHL board about adding the time to make adjustments for the Touched by Love final round entries.