To judge or not to judge? Why ponder this question? Well, lately I’ve noticed posts requesting volunteers to judge contests. And I’m torn.
Surely, judging involves a lot of time and work. I’m not afraid of work. Actually, I think with my editorial and teaching background, I’d probably love to judge a contest or two. However, time isn’t on my side. I barely have enough of it to keep my life from falling apart never mind adding to my crazy schedule. Yet, somehow I find myself drawn to the idea of judging.
I’ve never entered a contest before, but plan to start this year. Maybe judging would help me understand what to look for when I edit my manuscript sample before I send it in. Or maybe I should enter a contest, get feedback and see what kind of comments judges leave. Hummm… What comes first the chicken or the…
What about you? Have you ever judged or entered a contest? If yes, what was your experience? Would you do it again?
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Never judged, I don't think I would be able to make up my mind. I've entered my own stuff once before and won 50$. So that was good for my ego.
ReplyDeleteContests are awesome, especially for unpublished authors (like me). It's a writing credit, a small one but it is something.
I've never judged a writing contest, but I'm a judge for flute competitions and auditions, and I think it's made me a better musician. I'm very aware of the pitfalls and what works and what doesn't. I bet judging a writing competition will make your writing better as well.
ReplyDeleteI've never judged, but I've entered. I won a screenwriter competition once, based on the first ten pages. Can't think of anything else.
ReplyDeletebtw, I've left you a little something at my blog
I am a Montana state and ACT trained writing assessment scorer, which simply means I score college admission writing samples of high school students. I can't tell you what a difference it has made in my teaching style of high school composition. I can say that without doubt, being a scorer has made me a better teacher. I can only assume, then, that being a writing judge would help you as a writer. :-)
ReplyDeleteI've volunteered to judge this year for the Golden Heart preliminaries. I'm looking forward to it. I'll let you know what the experience is like.
ReplyDeleteI haven't, but I agree that it would be a great learning experience. It's that whole pesky time thing that gets in the way. Good luck deciding!
ReplyDeleteI've never judged, I am completely not qualified.
ReplyDeleteMy first contest was a few month back, scary but exhilarating. I didn't even place. This year I hope to place better.
I don't know if could judge. I tried to read through Nathan Bransford's entries for the Teen Diary Contest and they all just started mushing together.
ReplyDeleteI have entered two poetry contests,(and won both). :) I have never judged though, not sure I could.
ReplyDeleteI'd say enter a contest and get a feel for what it is like to be judged. Then try judging one.
ReplyDeleteI've never judged, but I'm not sure I would ever want to. I'm such a indecisive person I'm sure I would just want to give a prize to everyone. : )
ReplyDeleteI've judged RWA chapter contests and the Golden Heart. It is a fabulous way to read others work and further our writing experience. What works, what doesn't, and why.
ReplyDeleteAs far as entering contests, ask yourself what you want to get out of the experience. Do you have a polished book ready to be published? Then you would want to check out the final judges. Are they agents or editors interested in your genre? Do they work for the publishing house where you want your book published?
Or if you have a manuscript that needs work and you'd like comments and feedback, make certain the contest you have entered offers that service. Not all do.
Spend your money and time wisely. :)
I've never judged a writing contest before, but it sounds fun! (And time-consuming) I would probably do it once for the experience, but I'm not a good judge by nature since I can be indecisive.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice! Thanks everyone.
ReplyDeleteLynnette Labelle
I try to judge three RWA contests a year. I learn so much as a result of doing so. I work hard to give a nice mix of suggestions and accolades to the entrants whose work I'm privileged to read, and I like thinking my feedback may help another writer may her/his story even better. Judging contests helps me look at my story and see the different aspects that make up the whole, as we do when completing a score sheet. And when I come across an entry that is stellar and deserves a top score, I feel like I'm helping uncover a gem.
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