tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post8342312523919882176..comments2024-03-15T04:13:22.003-04:00Comments on The Roses of Prose: Winner, Loser, Give It Up by Brenda WhitesideAlison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-72483450978905858692017-03-11T12:59:11.777-05:002017-03-11T12:59:11.777-05:00I enjoy entering contests. It's just another w...I enjoy entering contests. It's just another way of being validated, I guess. But, the ones where you get people to vote aren't as meaningful, to me. Congrats...hope they get it straight!Alicia Deanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12003539473772776004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-48729954488701433632017-03-10T09:29:03.003-05:002017-03-10T09:29:03.003-05:00You're right, Barbara. If I had gotten those c...You're right, Barbara. If I had gotten those contest results back on my first book, when I was such a newbie, I would've been crushed. Luckily we learn to get tough skinned and realize opinions don't necessarily mean much. Yep, editors and publishers are what count.Brenda Whitesidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04162555468154752820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-86052993236678192372017-03-10T07:13:32.722-05:002017-03-10T07:13:32.722-05:00I recently had an interesting experience. Our chap...I recently had an interesting experience. Our chapter had a panel upon the opening of your wip.<br />I added mine. I got five downers. It didn't start in an exciting place (On a ship in mid-atlantic as her husband is buried at sea), she shouldn't have knowledge of herbs since thats been overused, The description was too pretty, they pretty much overlapped. Even with 8 books published I felt crushed. then I gave it some thought. My editor likes it, I am happy with it. Other opinions don't count unless they are helpful. <br />Barbara Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10379534828904059584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-86780243019567616312017-03-09T22:27:42.342-05:002017-03-09T22:27:42.342-05:00Andrea and Leah, all is well. They did leave me of...Andrea and Leah, all is well. They did leave me off accidentally. I received an email and apology and I am now on the web site. I feel a bit better.Brenda Whitesidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04162555468154752820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-14602442181563748522017-03-09T22:24:52.242-05:002017-03-09T22:24:52.242-05:00A funny analogy, Rolynn. I love it!A funny analogy, Rolynn. I love it!Brenda Whitesidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04162555468154752820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-32101131761805092042017-03-09T19:04:53.021-05:002017-03-09T19:04:53.021-05:00Well, that's a pickle! I hope the email was co...Well, that's a pickle! I hope the email was correct! There are a LOT of contests out there. I don't care for the ones that turn into popularity contests (vote for me, vote for me). There are some that can help. For example, a friend either won or finaled in the Golden Heart which got her notice by Amazon's (then) brand-new Montlake Romance line. She contracted with them and has been phenomenally successful. She's also immensely talented. :-)Leah St. Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11004006100786260893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-84459255279412070192017-03-09T19:01:21.415-05:002017-03-09T19:01:21.415-05:00Oh, Brenda, NO!!! I hope they just left off your ...Oh, Brenda, NO!!! I hope they just left off your name and book. But what you say about contests is so true--it SO depends on the taste of the judge and so on. I'll never forget the first contest I entered, with Loveland. Two out of the three scores were exceedingly high and the third just panned completely. Live and learn...Andrea Downinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11553961600937196102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-71772655965350400992017-03-09T18:51:39.960-05:002017-03-09T18:51:39.960-05:00Oh, Brenda, I don't know what to say. We'...Oh, Brenda, I don't know what to say. We're like the blind women and the elephant...we have no idea what this animal is (promotion) because we seem to know only one portion of the mammal. Wait, we don't even have a hold of any part of the animal because we are too busy writing. Promo is the elephant in each of our rooms, and we have no idea where that sucker is.Rolynn Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09504770204968969467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-74524670807105848072017-03-09T16:28:19.669-05:002017-03-09T16:28:19.669-05:00Thanks, Diane. Fingers still crossed.Thanks, Diane. Fingers still crossed.Brenda Whitesidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04162555468154752820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-33644463597283159282017-03-09T15:19:15.799-05:002017-03-09T15:19:15.799-05:00First, congrats on the contest, whatever the outco...First, congrats on the contest, whatever the outcome. Good for you for entering. Contests are a crapshoot. If a judge doesn't like humor, even Janet Evanovich wouldn't win. Like reviews, contests are subjective. Most judges try to be fair. Good luck!Diane Burtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03754105332297068271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-63279735921463396642017-03-09T14:30:19.612-05:002017-03-09T14:30:19.612-05:00All depends on which judge you draw, Margo. Still ...All depends on which judge you draw, Margo. Still waiting to hear. I picture emails shooting back and forth on how to break it to whichever one of us they blew it on.Brenda Whitesidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04162555468154752820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-11915066695178844552017-03-09T13:01:01.068-05:002017-03-09T13:01:01.068-05:00Good luck getting to the real truth, Brenda. Congr...Good luck getting to the real truth, Brenda. Congrats either way. I entered the first book TWRP eventually contracted and published in two contests once. Didn't fare well in one, was a finalist in the other. Go figure. Margo Hoornstrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00036077481652050799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-69704604500535914032017-03-09T12:22:18.452-05:002017-03-09T12:22:18.452-05:00Yeah, it's weird, Alison. They sent me a final...Yeah, it's weird, Alison. They sent me a finalist certificate with my name and book too. Someone is going to be disappointed...either me or one of the three books under my genre on the site.Brenda Whitesidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04162555468154752820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-66575276516326959562017-03-09T12:07:05.971-05:002017-03-09T12:07:05.971-05:00Whoa. That's the first time I've heard of ...Whoa. That's the first time I've heard of something like that happening. I haven't entered a contest of any kind since I've been published, and now I'm even less motivated.Alison Hendersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-44786693771271409882017-03-09T11:23:22.577-05:002017-03-09T11:23:22.577-05:00I'm sure you judge fairly, Vonnie. To give fee...I'm sure you judge fairly, Vonnie. To give feedback is so important. Many contests don't allow that.Brenda Whitesidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04162555468154752820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-83461751386813998002017-03-09T11:21:58.605-05:002017-03-09T11:21:58.605-05:00I hope you get your issues worked out. I've ju...I hope you get your issues worked out. I've judged several of the chapter contests. And who am I? A nobody. Yeah, I majored in English, have written 20 or so books, and read voraciously all my life. But does that qualify me to say what is good and bad? I try to use my judging time to encourage the author. "I'm going to list some mistakes I see...mistakes all newbie writers make. Ones I've made and still do. Why point them out? Because an editor will ding you for these things." And I share what editors have taught me. But I'm heavy on the praise, because I know we all need that. I don't judge anymore. I'd rather write.<br />Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07360480832587538895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-82252633161054998422017-03-09T10:52:28.957-05:002017-03-09T10:52:28.957-05:00You're right on that, Jannine. Still waiting t...You're right on that, Jannine. Still waiting to hear. Brenda Whitesidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04162555468154752820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-57525619041677057222017-03-09T10:40:11.024-05:002017-03-09T10:40:11.024-05:00I'm with you on the value of a contest that...I'm with you on the value of a contest that's about votes. All that tells you is who has the most people on their street team/author group/etc. not which book is best. I can honestly say I've never entered a contest. I'm cheap, and they cost money. Also, reviews tell me if readers like my books. Maybe I should shoot for a big one, just to see what happens... Hoping you can get the EPIC situation straightened out!Jannine Gallanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01047728297429025804noreply@blogger.com