Magic Beginnings

Romance Writers Ink is gearing up for our unpublished contest–Where the Magic Begins–and I’m really excited.

Don’t get me wrong. The contest is a ton of work, but it’s satisfying. The best part is getting to read (and meet) new writers. Some are barely budding and some are almost full blossom, but they’re all fun reads.

Information garnered from a contest can be the trick that changes a manuscript to a published novel. And a bad judge can be the instrument that causes a writer to throw in the towel.

For that reason, we’ve worked HARD to make sure WTMB is the best it can be.

First we train our judges.  If a judge doesn’t know what she’s doing, how can she help someone else? And while we can’t touch on every scenario at a judge training session, we have people available so a judge who isn’t sure can ask someone instead of making it up as she goes. (I’ve entered contests with judges who had to be doing that.)

We’ve revamped our score sheets (well, Annie did) to make them the best they can be.

We expect our judges to make accurate comments on the manuscript AND on the score sheet. (If there are no comments, only scores, it’s nearly impossible to figure out how to change the manuscript for the better.)

Why do I say accurate comments? Because I’ve experienced and heard about so many judges who are completely wrong! One woman was scored down because “everyone knows there are no trees in Arkansas.” I got a low score once because I had a ranch with contaminated ground water and “that water can never be cleaned up.” I knew that. It was part of the story.  

We expect our judges to be supportive. Women who judge just to discourage “the competition” have no place in our contest. Only judges who love reading another writer’s work and will cheer them on need apply.

So why should a writer (new or experienced) enter a contest? Because a new set of eyes might see a plot hole or an inconsistency you and your critique partners (or beta readers) missed. Because there’s the possibility that you’ll final and get in front of an editor. And finally, because rejection is part of this business and it’s never too soon to work on that thick skin you’re going to need.

And if you win, you get this really cool pin that says MAGIC!