WANTED: grist for the next contest mill. (Page 2 of 2)

I'm curious about this "editorial board." Who are the actual judges? When these contests started, we had names. Now just a winner is announced. A little transparency would be good, IMO.

Well, since we've been waiting for several months for the contest which would be announced "next week" I don't think it matters a dither who suggests the idea if Sol can't come up with one on his own. The suggestion of an idea doesn't give the "suggestor" any advantage that I can see. Every contest idea comes from someone and no matter where the idea comes from there are plenty of varied and original responses which anyone who might have suggested such idea probably never dreamed of fitting the idea. There is a reason why you can't patent an idea. No matter what it is, it must be executed. Just an idea doesn't make a good story. The execution of the idea does. I could have an idea for a story and spend twenty years on it and it not be as good a story as someone else might present.

My idea is to have a contest period regardless of subject matter or who suggested it.  Just my opinion. Others may differ and I'm sure they will just as  I have disagreed with the suggestion within this post. Take care. Vern

I think everyone is ready except Sol. Some kind of time warp thing maybe. Tale care. Vern

I think we're to the point now that whatever subject Sol chooses would work. 

Sol?????

Suin, I agree it has gotten very quiet around here lately.  What has happened??  Anyone???  Are we on automatic pilot? 

The strongest start contests have always been wonderful for building new members.  People join because they want to enter the contest, and many of them stick around.  I would love to see some new faces come in.  The few new ones we've gotten recently don't stick around for long for some reason.  Maybe a new contest with a deadline 4 or 5 months out would help. 

We need new blood.  In 2008 when I posted Dance in the Rain, on the first chapter I received 72 reviews.  72.  The book had 30 chapters, and I got a total of 964 reviews on it.  That's the kind of stuff that helps us build our writing skills because I received some excellent suggestions and ideas.  I learned from it.  Today, if a chapter I post gets 5 or 6 reviews, I feel fortunate.  It's discouraging to new writers when they post something and get 1 or 2 reviews.  I think the contests are the answer to building it back.

I also think a far-fetched contest won't really do it.  I vote for a simple one that anyone can enter.  Not a particular genre, but something like the strongest start. 

SOL ??? 

I hope not.  But you may be right,

I see you're overwhelmed with the response. Okay, with the absence of Sol for several months to date, I'll make a suggestion: Say after the first of the year how about a contest open to any genre with no restrictions other than must be published new for the contest so there would be no previous reviews. The maximum word count should be self-limiting with diminished readership for those works going overboard in length.

For a prize, I suggest several members volunteer an extensive in-line review of the work and if it is the beginning of a novel, then a further commitment to review the entire novel if completed (or all that is completed within say a month from end of contest.) I hereby will be the first volunteer. Should volunteers be eligible? Makes no difference to me, but it might shorten the list of volunteers. Or being a volunteer might be made a requirement for entering the contest -- I like that even better.

Perhaps if enough writers volunteer for the review prize (or all if made a requirement), the winning author could choose three from among those volunteers whose reviewing style (ascertained by looking at past reviews) best fit their needs. I would also recommend a deadline for entry one month from the start of contest. Perhaps someone knows an impartial judge (or judges) to choose the winning entry. Personally, I would recommend against a site popularity format. But whatever, doesn't really matter to moi. Take care. Vern

Just an idea to ponder or be a catalyst for other ideas. Take care. Vern

How about a contest sponsored by the members?

Memphis Trace

That is absolutely true EXCEPT on a writing site such as this where it becomes more of a reciprocal relationship. However, I'm amenable to any judging system approved by the majority of authors who deem to enter. Take care. Vern

Maybe Sol never existed.

After all, the name Sol is most often applied to our star, the one we call the sun, giver of life to plants and thus to all things and subject of worship among many peoples. Perhaps some genial, unsuspecting person allowed his picture to be taken for a use that was never disclosed to him. For all we know, those instigators of said photography created a site for gullible would-be writers, luring them in by calling them 'the next big writers' and declaring the existence of writing 'contests.' Posting a picture on the masthead of such a site, they gathered in all their victims' personal information, including financial and location. They encouraged 'members' to write a profile, disclosing more about themselves, their hopes and dreams.

And now that these masterminds have motivated us all to come together for discussion, and we're recruiting friends and family members to join our cause, the real agenda is set to emerge.

Will we be the subject of some malevolent experiment? Is the fictional 'Sol' our Dr. Moreau? On waking one morning, will we find ourselves with extra limbs or a lot more hair than we had before? Is it conceivable that we will have lost the powers of language? Consider yourself in the future, your thoughts unexpressed, with ungainly digits that refuse to keyboard, and a tongue without the power of speech!

Or could it be worse? Let your imagination run wild, for in no other way will we be prepared to combat the machinations of the devastation that is Sol.

Yes, my friends--we have walked, willingly and with eyes wide open, into a trap the likes of which have not been seen for almost a century. Let this be a warning to you. Do not trust Sol, or anyone, to solve your problems and provide for your needs. If you want a contest, get off your you-know-what and make it so!