Comments on: One in Seven

By: Emma Newman

Emma Newman — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 21:22:58 +0000

I think I might be one of the writers you mention, as I certainly blogged about being gutted! I’m still glad I entered, as I think all of this is grist for the mill. I know several people went out into their social networks to encourage people to come and vote for them, whereas I deliberately didn’t – I wanted to see where it got on its own. Less than 60 people read it according to the stats when the votes closed. I wish I could do it over but driving people from outside the forum in to support me, but alas, real life isn’t like a psychology experiment…

I got some lovely private messages from people who loved the story, and I enjoyed writing it. It was useful to see what other stuff came in – I loved your story Graham and I feel your win was well deserved. I thought some were awful. I thought many were boring – so few really grabbed me. So from that point of view, it was really interesting.

So on balance, I’m glad I entered, I just wish I’d done better!

By: Graham Storrs

Graham Storrs — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:37:16 +0000

Ah you may wish you’d entered but be careful what you wish for. I’ve read on two other writers’ blogs that they entered and were not in the top 40 and are feeling quite devastated about it. Not only did they fail to make the cut, not only did their peers fail to recognise the quality of their writing (and one of them, I know, is a good writer), but their failure was a highly-visible, public humiliation (in their eyes). I think I might have felt the same had I not made the cut – or, more likely, I’d have found some excellent reason why the whole exercise was completely invalid and bogus

It turns out that the winning 40 stories will be “published” by Smashwords and available for free from their website. Maybe I will put it on my cv after all.

By: terry

terry — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 02:01:32 +0000

I can see your a numbers man. But could I suggest an alternative viewpoint eschewing the tedious humdrum of averages (not that i have anything against numbers, I teach mathematics with a passion).

The alternative viewpoint consists of stepping back and just looking at the landscape. What have you gained/experienced by entering this competition? Some pluses, some very good pluses as outlined in your post. The negative may be a niggling concern over the muneriacl rating.

But (get to the point, please!!);
1. You have written a piece
2. You have written with an audience in mind
3. You have submitted that piece for critical appreciation (brr,, getting cold in here)
4. A lot of people, complete strangers to you, read the piece and liked it.
5. Many people took the trouble to communicate their feelings to you.

This is not just a small competition, I suggest it is quite a landmark in any writer’s career. Your career.

Wish I’d done the same.