Discouraged and Frustrated

[VirgilY]

The rating category that mystifies me is, "How publishable is this entry for its target audience?"

I lean toward that meaning publishable in a FaithWriters anthology. Although, as stated, the category does not say that. I am satisfied that explains why some submissions do not fare well.

Any clarification would be helpful.

[RedBaron]

The rating category that mystifies me is, "How publishable is this entry for its target audience?"

I lean toward that meaning publishable in a FaithWriters anthology. Although, as stated, the category does not say that. I am satisfied that explains why some submissions do not fare well.

Any clarification would be helpful.

What audience would you be intending it for, not the anthology -that's a bonus if it places. Where would you submit it, if it weren't for the Challenge (and you can, after winners are announced)?

[lish1936]

The rating category that mystifies me is, "How publishable is this entry for its target audience?"

I lean toward that meaning publishable in a FaithWriters anthology. Although, as stated, the category does not say that. I am satisfied that explains why some submissions do not fare well.

Any clarification would be helpful.

What audience would you be intending it for, not the anthology -that's a bonus if it places. Where would you submit it, if it weren't for the Challenge (and you can, after winners are announced)?

I would just add - any audience for which the article was intended - Faithwriters' Anthology and beyond. Chances are if it's good enough for Faithwriters' Anthology, that will stand you in good stead for other publications; but not necessarily the reverse. Some publications may accept your article, even though it does not make the top 10.

Lillian

[tomoral]

I am loving this thread....I have soooo much to learn, I am finding out.

[tomoral]

Like how not to hit the submit button three times and how to delete two of them. HELP!

[Allison]

*snickers* Oh, there is one comment I received on a challenge article that I'd LOVE to be able to delete. This person called my piece "appalling" or something like that, and went on about how she thought this was "Faithwriters" and she didn't understand how this was uplifting and all sorts of stuff. That was AFTER the piece had placed 5th in EC.

I rest my case.

Lillian

Oh no. This is NOT someone giving "suggestions" to improve it, and the comments were made AFTER the EC results were announced. It was/is... interesting.

Here's the link. It's towards the bottom... and the word she used was "horrid." Shari, you actually commented on it, but probably didn't see the comment I'm referring to.

http://www.faithwriters.com/wc-article- ... p?id=28436

[RedBaron]

Like how not to hit the submit button three times and how to delete two of them. HELP!

I took care of it for you lol.

[lish1936]

Oh no. This is NOT someone giving "suggestions" to improve it, and the comments were made AFTER the EC results were announced. It was/is... interesting.

That's okay Allison, I didn't misunderstand you. My "case" wasn't WHEN it was written, or even WHAT and HOW, but that there was no chance to remove them. I simply see no redeeming value in the permanency of those yellow boxes once the choices and rankings are made; good comments not withstanding.

I read the comment, and it was definitely out of line.

Lillian

[tomoral]

Oh my, Allison. I read it. So sorry for the funny comment.That was HORRID!

The story was exceptional by the way.

[Allison]

Oh my, Allison. I read it. So sorry for the funny comment.That was HORRID!

The story was exceptional by the way.

*grins* It's okay. Apology accepted. Don't worry about it. And thanks! It's still one of my personal favorites, actually. I re-posted it in the "regular articles" section for this past Pearl Harbor day, and it wasn't until I was uploading it that I realized I had an uncle Robert who was killed in action in the Korean war. So that was a really interesting yet unintentional connection to my MC's name in that story.

[Deb Porter]

The rating category that mystifies me is, "How publishable is this entry for its target audience?"

I lean toward that meaning publishable in a FaithWriters anthology. Although, as stated, the category does not say that. I am satisfied that explains why some submissions do not fare well.

Any clarification would be helpful.

Virgil, that's not actually the case. We consider how publishable the piece is for it's target audience generally (which, at FaithWriters, should be either Christian readers, Seekers or just wholesome content generally. This is based on the rules about entries not needing to quote chapter and verse, but must reflect a Christian view). Most material fits into that category for the Challenge.

Fresh angles and creativity will usually lead to a publishable entry.

I haven't had time to read this whole thread, but again, creativity ranks high (provided it doesn't go so far out of the box that everyone is left wondering what the author was inhaling when they wrote it). When the judges read every entry, every single week, believe me, the creative ones leap out at them in a big way.

Also, and this is a BIG thing (not directed at anyone specifically), watch your endings. One of the most common problems is a flat ending. Sometimes the entry goes a sentence or paragraph too far. Sometimes it doesn't go far enough. I've lost track of the number of times judges have written things like: "This was so good ... and then THUD." You have no idea how disappointing it is when that happens.

To all those who are feeling a little discouraged, I do understand. I've said so many times that the Challenge can be a double edged sword. It cuts both ways. People who press on and keep honing their skills do usually end up improving and doing better.

I smiled when Phee posted her comment. She stands out in my mind as someone who had a big breakthrough very quickly. She received a ratings feedback critique with lots of input from me on that particular entry, and the next week she placed (possibly 1st) with her next entry.

As for comments on Challenge entries, it is so hard to get the balance. This has been a complaint since the start of the Challenge, and there really isn't anything we can do about it at FaithWriters. Even the kindest critique has been known to be taken the wrong way, and that ends up hurting the critiquer as much as the critiquee.

The problem is that people aren't all wanting to get critique. They just aren't ready for it. But for the person leaving feedback, they don't know who wants it and who doesn't.

I've always suggested leaving a comment at the bottom of your entry saying that red ink would be appreciated (or mention that when throwing a brick). That way, people leaving feedback will feel confident to be honest.

We get cycles of feedback here. People get fed up of the very watered down pats on the back (because they see the same sort of thing mentioned on every entry, regardless of ability, which ends up undervaluing the feedback completely). When they start saying they want meatier feedback, and people start leaving it, people seem to be happy with it for a little while, until someone has a major reaction against it. Then everyone pulls back (understandably ... we aren't masochists or sadists). And so the cycle continues, on and on and on. (I've been here from the start and have lost track of how often this has happened.)

So don't be discouraged if your entry doesn't seem to be getting recognition. If you can afford $13.50 (AU) invest in a ratings feedback report. If not, my best advice is to read lots and lots and lots of Challenge entries. Take time with each one and really evaluate why it does or doesn't work (in your opinion). When you take the time to do that, with lots and lots and lots of entries and articles at FaithWriters, it helps hone skills. We glean from one another.

Someone was a bit upset a little while ago because they weren't doing all that well in the Challenge. I cringed at the time because I knew they had ranked in the EC for that week (which hadn't been announced at that time). The problem I immediately thought was that they would think we'd given them a pity prize, but that wasn't the case (and they placed the week after that as well--again, very much on their entry's merits).

Love, Deb

[Colswann1]

I've always suggested leaving a comment at the bottom of your entry saying that red ink would be appreciated (or mention that when throwing a brick). That way, people leaving feedback will feel confident to be honest.

Why not re-name 'Throw a Brick' to 'Throw a Red Brick then those asking for comments in that section can expect to be bombarded with red bricks

[Vincemar]

Wow, I've really gained a lot of insight from this thread. I am fairly new to this sight, but I also get discouraged sometimes from the general lack of feedback I see. I understand now the reluctance of many to leave any. I can sympathize with the "pat on the back" issues. We all love praise. But it is really honest critique that will make us better writers. I strive to give as much feedback as I can: especially if I see an article has been read 20 times without comment (and the author asks for it). For those who have been offended, I just don't critique them again. (I can totally understand how I may have attacked "their baby", though it wasn't my intention.) For those who request critique, I try to add them to my "track this author list" if I can figure out who they are from their user name. (Articles come up authour name, not username.) PM is good, but we're not all on it. Sometimes I skip comment if I feel an article is too far off the mark for me to be perceived gracious, or if I feel I don't have the expertise to crit it properly. I encourage all who truly love the craft to keep on reading and keep on writing. Eventually the odd or off the mark comments will stand out for what they are and the honest critiques, written in love, will help us all improve our craft. My thanks go out to all the fantastic writers who teach me every day, through their articles, how to be a better writer and to those who have the courage to critique in love to help me improve my craft. Please don't ever stop mentoring.
God bless you,

Vince
vinmartella@gmail.com

[RedBaron]

To find out who is how, visit this thread.... (which may need updated...).

Wow, I've really gained a lot of insight from this thread. I am fairly new to this sight, but I also get discouraged sometimes from the general lack of feedback I see. I understand now the reluctance of many to leave any. I can sympathize with the "pat on the back" issues. We all love praise. But it is really honest critique that will make us better writers. I strive to give as much feedback as I can: especially if I see an article has been read 20 times without comment (and the author asks for it). For those who have been offended, I just don't critique them again. (I can totally understand how I may have attacked "their baby", though it wasn't my intention.) For those who request critique, I try to add them to my "track this author list" if I can figure out who they are from their user name. (Articles come up authour name, not username.) PM is good, but we're not all on it. Sometimes I skip comment if I feel an article is too far off the mark for me to be perceived gracious, or if I feel I don't have the expertise to crit it properly. I encourage all who truly love the craft to keep on reading and keep on writing. Eventually the odd or off the mark comments will stand out for what they are and the honest critiques, written in love, will help us all improve our craft. My thanks go out to all the fantastic writers who teach me every day, through their articles, how to be a better writer and to those who have the courage to critique in love to help me improve my craft. Please don't ever stop mentoring.
God bless you,

Vince
vinmartella@gmail.com

[Vincemar]

Thanks