Judging Contests - Part 2

Continuing my blog from yesterday about judging contests, if you’re thinking about judging a contest for the first time, please keep in mind the following.

1) This is not an English assignment. I’ve even asked a multi-published author who was an English teacher in her former life, if manuscripts should be judged differently and she said, “Yes.” You can have fragments, passive is allowed and was can be useful. Just remember a little goes a long ways. A manuscript should reflect the genre and your voice. That’s not saying all grammar rules are out of the window, but if it makes sense and doesn’t stop you from reading, let it be. (See, dangling preposition – those are okay to dangle if you try correcting it and the phrase sounds archaic or stiff. Let be it.)

2) If you’re rewriting every other sentence, either the author has a widespread problem or you’re trying to change the author’s voice. Chances are it’s the latter. So stop it! If you see a wide range of problems, stick to the basics and the ones easily fixed. The author’s grammar may be atrocious (like mine) but you don’t need to correct every single sentence. Point out the first two or three and then write, “You might want to check your grammar on the rest of the entry.”

3) If you do not like to read paranormals or Regencies or etc., then please do not judge them. You will only irritate the author or give her a low score because of YOUR ignorance. Yes, Margaret, castles had wooden floors, just as they had stone ones. And yes, shape-shifters mean they can change into animals or even furniture.

4) And most important, watch how you phrase your critique. Do not use TSTL, no matter if it is true. Pretend your words can start a war if you’re not careful. So say something like, “I believe you need to reconsider the scene where the heroine attacks the armed robber. From what I’ve seen so far, she isn’t skilled in the martial arts.” An author is most likely to listen to your suggestions if you’re polite. You may never blink an eye when your critique partner calls your latest manuscript a piece of trash. That’s between you and your friend. But the entries you judge don’t know you from Jack. And a hundred smiley faces won’t make it better. Choose your words carefully.