The Quest for the Almighty 10

There are 10 ½ more voting days in the ‘Search for the Next Great Crime Writer’ contest, Seems hard to believe. I know when I entered, I had secret dreams that I would be the next great rising star, immediately recognized for my brilliant work . . . yea, right. With 269 entries, there is no way that most people are ever going to read every one and make thoughtful selections regarding which chapter is ‘better’ than another. It’s just unrealistic. Chalk it up to another illusion gone totally awry in my world!

I have found that this contest is more of a quest for a ‘10’ rating, than an actual evaluation of the merit of each chapter. Those who are well-connected on Gather and can garner those enviable ‘10’s are the ones who are doing well. Now, don’t get me wrong, I have read and reviewed several of the top stories (as unofficially ranked - thanks, Rand P!), and they’re good.

But are they the best . . . I don’t know. I haven’t had time to read all of the entries, have you?!? I know I didn’t rate all of them a ‘10’. I’ve been pretty sparing with my ‘10’ ratings, having handed out only a half a dozen or so, myself. I have rated many chapters ‘8’ or ‘9’, but I reserve ‘10’ for those that I think are truly outstanding for some reason, at least in my own little head!

So, rather than become discouraged, and enter the rat race for that ‘10’ rating, I decided, for myself, to make this contest a wonderful critique event. What I personally am really looking for are those thoughtful, earnest readers out there that take the time to really read my entry and give me feedback on what’s good . . . and what’s not so good, about my chapter. Armed with this information, I may not win the contest (remember, folks, only 0.3% of us will!) but I will be able to polish my manuscript for that next round of cold queries after this is all over. After all, this is about getting published, and barring the win, that is something tangible that I can take away from this madness!

So to all of those who are lamenting the fact that you haven’t gotten much traffic (I know I do), or many ‘10’ ratings, it’s time to begin looking to the other benefits of being in this contest. Start looking at the quality of the comments and suggestions, and not just the rating. Of course, that’s not to say that you shouldn’t push for more people to read not only your chapter, but the chapters of the other 268 authors out there who worked just as hard as you to get their novel complete. EVERYONE entered deserves a pat on the back for accomplishing that.

So, here’s to lot’s of ‘10’s for all the entrants in the last 10 days of the 'Search for the Next Great Crime Writer' contest. Goodness knows we could all use ‘em! Take those ‘10’s where you can get them, but cherish those thoughtful, substantive comments that are going to help you become a better writer. And please, have the perseverance and self-confidence to look beyond the ratings and keep your eye on the long-term goal of seeing your novel in print.

Good luck, everyone!

Kenna

Author of Identity Crisis: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977174352

(Couldn't resist one little plug for my own entry, after all!)