FanStory Contests
Equally tempting apples, hmmm. Or rather an orange today?14 total reviews
Comment from Karen Cherry Threadgill
As I won second place, I wondered why so few people read my lesson? Rather they read it but did not review it. I still don't get the rating system. And not nearly enough people vote. I try to vote in one everyday. You wrote well dear heart. Back to unpacking boxes. Karen
reply by the author on 29-Jul-2024
  |
As I won second place, I wondered why so few people read my lesson? Rather they read it but did not review it. I still don't get the rating system. And not nearly enough people vote. I try to vote in one everyday. You wrote well dear heart. Back to unpacking boxes. Karen
Comment Written 28-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 29-Jul-2024
-
Thank you and congratulations.
It's aggravating to come in second by one vote, especially feeling that had you but included a cat/dog/grandchild you would have won.
-
Yes I have seen some really good writing passed up for someone simply finding a cat, or their grandchild burped and it smelled like violets. And they could not even spell. Am I petty? :-)
Comment from Douglas Goff
What a wonderfully sweet, congratulatory piece, Wayne. It is rare for someone to praise so many writers in one piece. This is the exact reason I would have a beer with you....or soda.....whatever.
Stay frosty.
D
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2024
|
What a wonderfully sweet, congratulatory piece, Wayne. It is rare for someone to praise so many writers in one piece. This is the exact reason I would have a beer with you....or soda.....whatever.
Stay frosty.
D
Comment Written 24-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2024
-
Thank you very much.
Cheers!
I live in Arkansas. Holler if you're ever in the neighborhood.
Comment from Jim Wile
Very interesting comments on contest winners and voting, Wayne. I think your remarks and analysis are spot on, and I agree with all of them, especially the numbers who vote example. Simply too small a sample size to be truly meaningful unless perhaps there is a real blowout.
Another one I would add is that often one that wins is a sentimental favorite and not necessarily reflective of quality writing. The subject may really tug at the heartstrings, therefore garnering many votes that don't reflect the quality of the piece.
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2024
|
Very interesting comments on contest winners and voting, Wayne. I think your remarks and analysis are spot on, and I agree with all of them, especially the numbers who vote example. Simply too small a sample size to be truly meaningful unless perhaps there is a real blowout.
Another one I would add is that often one that wins is a sentimental favorite and not necessarily reflective of quality writing. The subject may really tug at the heartstrings, therefore garnering many votes that don't reflect the quality of the piece.
Comment Written 24-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2024
-
Sentimental, read puppies and grandchildren, or cheating based on knowing who the author is.
Thank you. I got a lot of very positive feedback on this one.
Comment from Begin Again
I apologize to all those who enter the contests hoping to win, because I am one of those horrible people who rarely find time to follow and read all the entries. Writing at two chapters a day with 2000 words each, reading and reviewing my inbox, answering and thank those who have patiently taken the time to read my efforts, and choosing some interesting stories to gain the precious money to post has become a full time job! And often, I'm amazed how many of the top notch poems or stories (in my opinion) never stood a chance. I'm thrilled when someone follows me daily and actually loves my efforts.... thanks my contest...against myself to find something that brings people back.
Smiles, Carol
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2024
|
I apologize to all those who enter the contests hoping to win, because I am one of those horrible people who rarely find time to follow and read all the entries. Writing at two chapters a day with 2000 words each, reading and reviewing my inbox, answering and thank those who have patiently taken the time to read my efforts, and choosing some interesting stories to gain the precious money to post has become a full time job! And often, I'm amazed how many of the top notch poems or stories (in my opinion) never stood a chance. I'm thrilled when someone follows me daily and actually loves my efforts.... thanks my contest...against myself to find something that brings people back.
Smiles, Carol
Comment Written 24-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2024
-
Thank you for your very thoughtful review.
Comment from Julie Helms
Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry my subjunctive mood made you twitch! But I'm not surprised. I homeschooled my kids and they fussed about my love for grammar. To me it is music and harmony and symphony. But I'm well aware I'm kind of weird on this account.
This is a great article examining the pitfalls of the voting system. I don't know if there is a one-size-fits-all solution. I came to Fanstory because of the contests...but not to win or lose...it's the prompts that I need to release my inner writer. Half the time I forget to see how my piece did in contest because the writing is done and I've moved on. So I guess take what you can use and leave the rest.
A very thought-provoking post, and again, sorry about the twitching. :-)
Julie
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2024
|
Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry my subjunctive mood made you twitch! But I'm not surprised. I homeschooled my kids and they fussed about my love for grammar. To me it is music and harmony and symphony. But I'm well aware I'm kind of weird on this account.
This is a great article examining the pitfalls of the voting system. I don't know if there is a one-size-fits-all solution. I came to Fanstory because of the contests...but not to win or lose...it's the prompts that I need to release my inner writer. Half the time I forget to see how my piece did in contest because the writing is done and I've moved on. So I guess take what you can use and leave the rest.
A very thought-provoking post, and again, sorry about the twitching. :-)
Julie
Comment Written 24-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2024
-
I'm startin' to get over it... the twitching, despite your hint of disengenuositiness. (smiley face here)
You don't know how you placed in contests???????????????
My wife continually reminds me that not everything is a race. Ah, but I beg to differ. 'King of the Hill' was the only game that really interested me as a child. It's a game with no end since we live on a ball.
Thank you for your great review!
Comment from BethShelby
I agree with you that the very best doesn't necessarily win or even place. I don't think anyone should feel their work wasn't worthwhile because of how voting goes. just be glad you were challenged to write something and hope fate will smile on you next time. Try to market you work somewhere it will be read and appreciated for the effort you put into it.
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2024
|
I agree with you that the very best doesn't necessarily win or even place. I don't think anyone should feel their work wasn't worthwhile because of how voting goes. just be glad you were challenged to write something and hope fate will smile on you next time. Try to market you work somewhere it will be read and appreciated for the effort you put into it.
Comment Written 23-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2024
-
Thank you for your very kind review.
Comment from Wendy G
Agreed. Well said. I often find this myself with this conundrum. Two, or three even, equally deserving of a vote. What if everyone ended up voting for the same one and the others missed placing. More voting would definitely help. I don't get why people don't vote. Is it because there is no financial reward in voting so they review the top dollar pieces instead, which earns much more "money" in a shorter time frame. That would indeed be sad.
Wendy
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2024
|
Agreed. Well said. I often find this myself with this conundrum. Two, or three even, equally deserving of a vote. What if everyone ended up voting for the same one and the others missed placing. More voting would definitely help. I don't get why people don't vote. Is it because there is no financial reward in voting so they review the top dollar pieces instead, which earns much more "money" in a shorter time frame. That would indeed be sad.
Wendy
Comment Written 23-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2024
-
Thank you for your very thoughtful review.
Some of the respondents to this said that they just didn't have time. One said they followed ten books, and had posts to review every day. It can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes to read and evaluate longish contest entries. And I get notices of 3-4 contests almost every day. I probably don't spend enough time voting on the poetry contests (smiley face here).
One suggested fewer entries per contest, making it easier to vote.
Maybe if people only (but always) judged contests within their genre of choice they would have both the time and the skill set to ease the pain of judging.
Maybe some of the contests should be cost-free with no monetary reward, simply writing prompts and opportunities for more critical reviews.
Maybe the issue has too many sides.
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
Wayne, I applaud you for reading all the entries into any contest, as I rarely - if ever - go there. And I don't vote in the "pay to play" contests because I do believe that cheating is abundant in these. The voting system here is full of holes, which is unfortunate. For one thing, I think there are far too many of them, which is probably why they are read and voted on more. Who has time to read so many contest entries AND the ones in their inbox which deserve their priority viewing.
Still, I'm glad that you learned from these entries (that was the point, right?) and that you shared your opinion with us.
xo
Pam
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2024
|
Wayne, I applaud you for reading all the entries into any contest, as I rarely - if ever - go there. And I don't vote in the "pay to play" contests because I do believe that cheating is abundant in these. The voting system here is full of holes, which is unfortunate. For one thing, I think there are far too many of them, which is probably why they are read and voted on more. Who has time to read so many contest entries AND the ones in their inbox which deserve their priority viewing.
Still, I'm glad that you learned from these entries (that was the point, right?) and that you shared your opinion with us.
xo
Pam
Comment Written 23-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2024
-
Thank you for your great review.
'Pay to Play', do you mean the contests that are not blind? If so, I agree.
I will admit to skimming some of the longer entries once I have eliminated them from contention. And some with grammatical errors early in the piece (and absent redeeming qualities), I might not make all the way through.
-
Pay to play are the ones you have to buy your way into, then promote, then expect people to read and vote.
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
I agree with you about making decisions when there are several good entries. I thought it might be better if we get two votes. Then there would be fewer ties and we could give credit to more than one. Or if one stands out from the crowd, we could give both votes to that one.
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2024
|
I agree with you about making decisions when there are several good entries. I thought it might be better if we get two votes. Then there would be fewer ties and we could give credit to more than one. Or if one stands out from the crowd, we could give both votes to that one.
Comment Written 22-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2024
-
Thank you for your thoughtful review.
Comment from lyenochka
This is so sweet of you to write and encourage those entrants to that contest. I didn't know about the contest nor do I vote. Generally, if I have stumbled on to a contest entry, I will vote for that contest, but I simply do not have the time. I'm following about ten books and many poets, several who post twice a day so I have absolutely no time left for contests, the blind ones. I loved your humor about the "subjunctive mood." It's best learned by learning the grammar of another language like French where the verb form changes to show the mood.
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2024
|
This is so sweet of you to write and encourage those entrants to that contest. I didn't know about the contest nor do I vote. Generally, if I have stumbled on to a contest entry, I will vote for that contest, but I simply do not have the time. I'm following about ten books and many poets, several who post twice a day so I have absolutely no time left for contests, the blind ones. I loved your humor about the "subjunctive mood." It's best learned by learning the grammar of another language like French where the verb form changes to show the mood.
Comment Written 22-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 23-Jul-2024
-
Hmmm. I'm sure you're right. Languages that offer verb clarity would work much better than English. Spanish, though, seems to require a lot of guessing at the speaker/writer's intention.
Thank you for your great review.
Are you following Gretchen and Rachelle's collaborative book?
-
Yes, I am!
