This is my first foray into judging contests and I can honestly say I will never voluntarily judge another contest again. I’m just not cut out for it. I spent ALL DAY judging ONE 20 page entry. It’s just too hard.
Not that the story was terrible or the writing atrocious. No, not at all. It was technically sound with only minor errors. Overall, I think the score I gave is not bad, but it was torture for me.
I’m so ashamed and sorry to admit to feeling like that, I can’t even tell you. 
It comes down to the lyricism of writing. If you’ve been reading my blog, you know what I mean. To me, writing has rhythm and movement. It should flow and carry you along with it. In the entry I judged today, despite it’s technical proficiency, it was like listening to the Best of the Worst of American Idol. The words were right, but the tone was just jarring. And I don’t think you can judge that, not with a point by point scoresheet that concentrates on the technical aspects of the entry.
So I’m done with judging. It’s simply too difficult and time consuming for me. I typed up a page of comments and made damned certain I was as encouraging as possible while offering what I admitted to being very subjective and personal feedback. That’s why people enter contests–for feedback, so I made sure I gave her a TON.
I still have more entries to go through. At this rate, one a day, I’ve got a few more days to go before I’m done.
I’m glad to see this post. I enter contests for the feedback, or more accurately I guess, the reaction in the comments. But I’m a SLOW critter, so I’m sure I’d be an even slower judge. I’ll ‘give back’ some other way.
on January 23rd, 2005 at 10:57 pm
Ugh! Too much like grading bad essays.
on January 23rd, 2005 at 5:51 pm
Technically proficient and lacking soul!
on January 23rd, 2005 at 10:17 am
::blushing:: I enter for feedback. My cps don’t ‘coddle’ me, but I feel that maybe a crit partner can be too used to your writing, ect, and get a little too complacent. So I like to get an outside, unbiased opinion.
That said, I don’t enter many contests, and only the ones where I’ve heard good buzz about the feedback, standard of judging, etc. I’m one of those glass is half-full types, so reaching the finals and catching the attention of the editor/agent, would be the cherry on top in this case.
btw, while I have no problem ignoring the ‘crackhead’ comments from some judges *g*, I’m analytical enough to think about ‘why’ they said what they did. If it’s just a *rules* thing, I don’t give it another thought. But if they say something stupid, and I can figure out that maybe what bugged them had to do with pacing–and not really their stupid ass observation–then I’m fine.
on January 23rd, 2005 at 10:17 am
I’ve never entered a contest for feedback. I’d rather not have it, because half the time the feedback is idiotic RULE POLICE stuff.
And I’m with you on the judging. I’m a SLOW judge. Like you, I can spend all day on an entry. Ugh!
on January 23rd, 2005 at 7:22 am
Emma,
I’m certain most people who enter contests hope to get their ms in front of the final judge. Feedback is kind of the consolation prize. They spent $25-30 to enter and they should get something for that besides a “better luck next time”. I’ve received a lot of really great and useful advice from contest feedback and I have entered contests with no expectation of finaling. I just wanted the feedback from an impartial party.
on January 23rd, 2005 at 12:07 am
Is feedback really the main reason people enter contests? That just floors me. I’ve only ever entered them for the chance of getting my MS in front of an agent or editor. I prefer to get feedback from people I know and trust, like my critique partners.
I won’t be judging any more contests, either, unless I sell and enter the Rita. I figure if I’m going to enter, I should do my part and judge, too.
on January 22nd, 2005 at 10:51 pm
I feel your pain. The only contest I’m judging from here on out is the Rita. So much easier. Even though I’m not fond of the changes they’ve made.
on January 22nd, 2005 at 8:54 pm