Comments on: Running the gauntlet http://writerunboxed.com/2009/02/04/running-the-gauntlet/ about the craft and business of fiction Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:26:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: thea http://writerunboxed.com/2009/02/04/running-the-gauntlet/#comment-100512 thea Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:35:39 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/02/04/running-the-gauntlet/#comment-100512 Well, poor Mr. Wellington sounds like the husband who had an affair, then feels guilty about it, decides to confess all to his wife, and now wonders why she doesn't trust him anymore. So this fellow doesn't like being critiqued on his critique? Judges should just remain anonymous. Well, poor Mr. Wellington sounds like the husband who had an affair, then feels guilty about it, decides to confess all to his wife, and now wonders why she doesn’t trust him anymore. So this fellow doesn’t like being critiqued on his critique? Judges should just remain anonymous.

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]]> By: Kristan http://writerunboxed.com/2009/02/04/running-the-gauntlet/#comment-100511 Kristan Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:23:20 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/02/04/running-the-gauntlet/#comment-100511 Ah, I see what you're saying, and you're probably right. Thanks, Kathleen! (I have no illusions, haha, but it served as a good deadline & motivator, and hopefully will garner some feedback for me to use moving forward.) Ah, I see what you’re saying, and you’re probably right.

Thanks, Kathleen!

(I have no illusions, haha, but it served as a good deadline & motivator, and hopefully will garner some feedback for me to use moving forward.)

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]]> By: Kathleen Bolton http://writerunboxed.com/2009/02/04/running-the-gauntlet/#comment-100508 Kathleen Bolton Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:44:11 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/02/04/running-the-gauntlet/#comment-100508 I think the judge was unprepared for the level of criticism he received for his "reviews". He also thought it was more about popularity than about the writing. Hence the analogy to American Idol. But whatever, he shouldn't diss the contest, esp. if he was paid to give his "objective" review.  Sour grapes, imo. Good luck with ABNA, Kristan. I hope it works out well for you! I think the judge was unprepared for the level of criticism he received for his “reviews”. He also thought it was more about popularity than about the writing. Hence the analogy to American Idol. But whatever, he shouldn’t diss the contest, esp. if he was paid to give his “objective” review.  Sour grapes, imo.

Good luck with ABNA, Kristan. I hope it works out well for you!

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]]> By: Kristan http://writerunboxed.com/2009/02/04/running-the-gauntlet/#comment-100490 Kristan Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:49:17 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/02/04/running-the-gauntlet/#comment-100490 Uh... I guess I don't understand why this guy is so down on the contest. I monitored it last year, and yes I entered it this year, for various reasons, NONE of which were "a feeling of worthlessness." ABNA has flaws, sure. But it's only the second year. And is it really that different from the "regular" system where you have to impress people (agents and editors) who are extremely busy reading and editing all day long? Yes and no, would be my answer. And if he's just lamenting the incredible quantity of bad writing he had to read, well then that just helps explain why query letters remain a part of the traditional system. But I read some of the excerpts, and there WAS some good writing in there. So, I'm not sure I comprehend the objection. But then again, I enjoy watching American Idol. (I don't mean to sound defensive, really. I'm more perplexed than anything else.) Uh… I guess I don’t understand why this guy is so down on the contest. I monitored it last year, and yes I entered it this year, for various reasons, NONE of which were “a feeling of worthlessness.”

ABNA has flaws, sure. But it’s only the second year.

And is it really that different from the “regular” system where you have to impress people (agents and editors) who are extremely busy reading and editing all day long? Yes and no, would be my answer.

And if he’s just lamenting the incredible quantity of bad writing he had to read, well then that just helps explain why query letters remain a part of the traditional system. But I read some of the excerpts, and there WAS some good writing in there.

So, I’m not sure I comprehend the objection. But then again, I enjoy watching American Idol.

(I don’t mean to sound defensive, really. I’m more perplexed than anything else.)

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]]> By: Kathleen Bolton http://writerunboxed.com/2009/02/04/running-the-gauntlet/#comment-100484 Kathleen Bolton Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:22:15 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/02/04/running-the-gauntlet/#comment-100484 In the article, for those who can't be bothered to read the whole thing, the author deplores the "American Idolization" of every artistic commodity, including writers. I can't say that I disagree with him on that score, but does he have to be so smug about crushing people's dreams? Having said that, it's writer beware when putting your stuff out in public. Because you can't unring the bell once it's online. In the article, for those who can’t be bothered to read the whole thing, the author deplores the “American Idolization” of every artistic commodity, including writers. I can’t say that I disagree with him on that score, but does he have to be so smug about crushing people’s dreams?

Having said that, it’s writer beware when putting your stuff out in public. Because you can’t unring the bell once it’s online.

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]]> By: Richard Mabry http://writerunboxed.com/2009/02/04/running-the-gauntlet/#comment-100476 Richard Mabry Wed, 04 Feb 2009 14:42:47 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/02/04/running-the-gauntlet/#comment-100476 Thanks, sort of, for this inside view. Will Rogers said there are two things one should never watch being made: sausage and laws. Perhaps we should make it three, adding "book contest judging." Thanks, sort of, for this inside view. Will Rogers said there are two things one should never watch being made: sausage and laws. Perhaps we should make it three, adding “book contest judging.”

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]]> By: Therese Walsh http://writerunboxed.com/2009/02/04/running-the-gauntlet/#comment-100471 Therese Walsh Wed, 04 Feb 2009 13:38:55 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/02/04/running-the-gauntlet/#comment-100471 Wow! At least he's not a judge this year, right? Wow! At least he’s not a judge this year, right?

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