Overall: Good -- I put my writing out there. That's the hardest thing for me. I'm so afraid of rejection (which being a writer, one must expect and embrace). Understanding and acceptance of this fact are two very different things.
Not only did people see my writing, but I went out to several local (and not so local) businesses and talked to people. Another thing I'm not so strong at. (One reason I wanted to write when I was young). I now see my faulty thinking in that. Of course, when I am actually writing, I do not need to interact with people. However, if I want people to read my stuff, I now know I do - and a lot.
Next I need to send out some serious thanks! First to my husband, Rob, who I sent to work with instructions to make everyone he worked with read my story and vote. I could not have done this well without him. Thank you to everyone who reviewed my story. Your input will help me become a better writer. Thank you to everyone who voted, shared, tweeted, and asked friends to vote too!
Complaints:
-My biggest complaint about the competition is I am still not sure how the votes were tabulated. I know they stated the reason being for that is that no one could cheat. However, it would have at least been helpful to see how many quick votes everyone had. I am guessing this had the biggest effect and in the weeks where I was in the top 20, I think being able to say "I am 50 votes behind number one" would have helped reach more readers. Just a thought.
-I also did not like that the voting started a new every week, but it didn't seem to in all respects. I guess I just wished that I had understood the voting system better.
What next? Well I am going to read, vote, and review all of the finalists starting Wednesday. I would like to read what I lost against and help (who I feel to be) the best writer win. I encourage anyone who reads this to do the same.
Next next? I will go back to the novel I was writing before NaNoWriMo. No I didn't even come close to winning. However, I do like where my NaNo novel was going, and I suspect that I will finish that some day too.
Showing posts with label #ana2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #ana2012. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Reaction to Reviews
The America's Next Author contest is coming to a close with this week as the last to secure a nomination or wild card spot (however one get's that). I have gotten mostly positive feedback, which makes me feel amazing and sends me smiling ear to ear, especially if someone gives specific positive feedback. Negative feedback on the other hand sends waves of irritation streaming through my blood. There were only a couple that were negative, and after being in multiple creative writing workshops in my life, I have the innate need to defend my work. I've been letting this simmer for a couple of weeks now and I think it's time to share.
1. I proof read this piece over and over again. If there is a misspelled/misused word, incorrect punctuation, or something else, I obviously missed it. I'm sorry. No one is perfect. If it bothers you or you want to help me improve my writing, please email me at tinarazz@yahoo.com and tell me where the errors are, I will be happy to fix them. I too, have not earned a single penny from writing and cannot afford to pay someone to edit my work.
2. This is NOT part of some larger story. I have had many people say that they would like, "more". There is no more. I also do not feel that it ended abruptly, 911 was obviously called, the little boy was secluded from everyone else, and we find out he likes fire trucks. Does it really matter where the knife hit the clown, how serious his injuries were, if he is alive?
3. I too, have worked with individuals who have autism. I am sorry if this specific story upsets anyone. This is one, FICTIONAL, character. He in no way represents anyone I have ever known or heard of. I did not set out to scare anyone, but rather illustrate how misunderstood he is by the people around him, including his parents. There are many people who are misunderstood in the world. I just wanted the opportunity to get inside this particular character's head.
Well that just about covers it. I miss the ability to have the dialog with my readers. I appreciate feedback. It means someone cared.
1. I proof read this piece over and over again. If there is a misspelled/misused word, incorrect punctuation, or something else, I obviously missed it. I'm sorry. No one is perfect. If it bothers you or you want to help me improve my writing, please email me at tinarazz@yahoo.com and tell me where the errors are, I will be happy to fix them. I too, have not earned a single penny from writing and cannot afford to pay someone to edit my work.
2. This is NOT part of some larger story. I have had many people say that they would like, "more". There is no more. I also do not feel that it ended abruptly, 911 was obviously called, the little boy was secluded from everyone else, and we find out he likes fire trucks. Does it really matter where the knife hit the clown, how serious his injuries were, if he is alive?
3. I too, have worked with individuals who have autism. I am sorry if this specific story upsets anyone. This is one, FICTIONAL, character. He in no way represents anyone I have ever known or heard of. I did not set out to scare anyone, but rather illustrate how misunderstood he is by the people around him, including his parents. There are many people who are misunderstood in the world. I just wanted the opportunity to get inside this particular character's head.
Well that just about covers it. I miss the ability to have the dialog with my readers. I appreciate feedback. It means someone cared.
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