03-23-2007, 10:09 PM
Sorry for that brief flight of fantasy. I sometimes drift into that universe because I can construct whatever I want there as long as I use a reciprocating saw.
The truth:
In the early goings, my peers gave me 3.5 out of 10. This seemed to be strongly influenced by Mr. Suit and Tie, some white-haired distinguished-looking guy in his 70s. Of my first chapter he said (and I paraphrase), "I will forego my usual critical comments for this opening because it is of a genre for which I have the utmost distaste." I think he gave it a 1 -- only because 0 is not allowed.
Only after a couple of friends tainted the results by giving me 10s did my average reach 4.5 out of 10 (voting ends after 2 weeks from the time an entry is posted, so voting is over for me).
There is no way I'll be in the top 20 that go into the 2nd round, unless the publishers choose me among the 5 that they get to select on their own accord. A wise rule on their part; otherwise, corrupt voting could give them mighty slim pickin's.
I read and commented on maybe 4 or 5 first chapters until I came across a piece of trash that had 3 tens, for which the comments were, "Wonderful!" "Great writing!" and "Brilliant!" The combination of terseness, exclamation marks and 10s somehow drained me of all energy and I bailed.
The deadline for entries ended on March 15, voting for those ends March 30. Shortly after that I'll know for sure that I can start sending my novel elsewhere -- likely to small presses where it should have gone to start with.
--cranefly
P.S. The End
P.P.S. Or is it???
The truth:
In the early goings, my peers gave me 3.5 out of 10. This seemed to be strongly influenced by Mr. Suit and Tie, some white-haired distinguished-looking guy in his 70s. Of my first chapter he said (and I paraphrase), "I will forego my usual critical comments for this opening because it is of a genre for which I have the utmost distaste." I think he gave it a 1 -- only because 0 is not allowed.
Only after a couple of friends tainted the results by giving me 10s did my average reach 4.5 out of 10 (voting ends after 2 weeks from the time an entry is posted, so voting is over for me).
There is no way I'll be in the top 20 that go into the 2nd round, unless the publishers choose me among the 5 that they get to select on their own accord. A wise rule on their part; otherwise, corrupt voting could give them mighty slim pickin's.
I read and commented on maybe 4 or 5 first chapters until I came across a piece of trash that had 3 tens, for which the comments were, "Wonderful!" "Great writing!" and "Brilliant!" The combination of terseness, exclamation marks and 10s somehow drained me of all energy and I bailed.
The deadline for entries ended on March 15, voting for those ends March 30. Shortly after that I'll know for sure that I can start sending my novel elsewhere -- likely to small presses where it should have gone to start with.
--cranefly
P.S. The End
P.P.S. Or is it???