Congrats on having your name in a book - twice! I know the feeling and it should never fade from AWESOME - LOOK WHAT I DID! I have recently found out, from being in 2 critique groups, that you can get conflicting, totally opposite input on the same story from different people, so we have to assume that 1 or 2 of your judges don't understand good writing. Enjoy your accomplishment and keep working on making your other stories better based on what you know to be good! I can't wait to read your Christmas stories!!!
Sherry, not all judges are created equal. The crazy spread on your responses is just that. Crazy. In some arenas, the high score and low score are thrown out. There is no way of telling what was going on in each judges mind, or life, or mood or hormones, etc. I recommend taking them with a large grain of salt. Maybe several. You are a great writer. You are authentic, interesting, transparent, funny, thoughtful and creative. I don’t doubt for a minute that someday you will hold your book in your hand, with your name written clearly right there on the cover. I am looking forward to reading about your worldwide adventures. An author you and I both know had several rejection letters before a smart publisher came along. There is a need for and desire for what you have to say, the way only you can say it out here in the readership world. You already have one smart judge’s opinion as well as some suggestions to mull over. I think there is a smart publisher out there just waiting to see your work. You may feel just “fine”, but you are so much more than that. Worthy, respected, loved, admired, cherished, to list just a few. Keep writing, and treasure your first published work. I can’t wait to read it.
I love your writing. It's very authentic. I, too, had my name in an anthology in February 2020. I almost said no after the publisher's final edit. They removed all mentions of God's divine intervention in the life experience I shared. But, I so wanted my name in print. I went ahead with it. I don't point people to the piece because my voice cannot be found there, only my name as author.
I'm sorry that getting your name in print didn't turn out to be a great experience after all. *Sigh*
Thanks for reading here. I just went over to your Substack and read through the whole thing. What a treat to follow someone else's journey. I especially loved your stories of the church bus, parts one and two. Keep writing, friend.
Congrats on having your name in a book - twice! I know the feeling and it should never fade from AWESOME - LOOK WHAT I DID! I have recently found out, from being in 2 critique groups, that you can get conflicting, totally opposite input on the same story from different people, so we have to assume that 1 or 2 of your judges don't understand good writing. Enjoy your accomplishment and keep working on making your other stories better based on what you know to be good! I can't wait to read your Christmas stories!!!
Thanks, Cindy. You're a great support. And yes, judges vary. I was just a little surprised to see THAT MUCH variance!
Sherry, not all judges are created equal. The crazy spread on your responses is just that. Crazy. In some arenas, the high score and low score are thrown out. There is no way of telling what was going on in each judges mind, or life, or mood or hormones, etc. I recommend taking them with a large grain of salt. Maybe several. You are a great writer. You are authentic, interesting, transparent, funny, thoughtful and creative. I don’t doubt for a minute that someday you will hold your book in your hand, with your name written clearly right there on the cover. I am looking forward to reading about your worldwide adventures. An author you and I both know had several rejection letters before a smart publisher came along. There is a need for and desire for what you have to say, the way only you can say it out here in the readership world. You already have one smart judge’s opinion as well as some suggestions to mull over. I think there is a smart publisher out there just waiting to see your work. You may feel just “fine”, but you are so much more than that. Worthy, respected, loved, admired, cherished, to list just a few. Keep writing, and treasure your first published work. I can’t wait to read it.
Thanks, Cindy. I feel so affirmed. I appreciate you so much. Thanks for reading.
I love your writing. It's very authentic. I, too, had my name in an anthology in February 2020. I almost said no after the publisher's final edit. They removed all mentions of God's divine intervention in the life experience I shared. But, I so wanted my name in print. I went ahead with it. I don't point people to the piece because my voice cannot be found there, only my name as author.
I'm sorry that getting your name in print didn't turn out to be a great experience after all. *Sigh*
Thanks for reading here. I just went over to your Substack and read through the whole thing. What a treat to follow someone else's journey. I especially loved your stories of the church bus, parts one and two. Keep writing, friend.
Thank you for the encouragement. It means a great deal to me.
Karen, you won the book giveaway! Please email me your mailing address. chidwick@gmail.com