On the show, during the regional auditions, one of the things the judges will occasionally say to dancers is that they are clearly "Competition Dancers." Most of the time, the dancers readily agree. Here's the thing, though--that's not really a compliment.
So what does it mean? I means that they are usually technically skilled, and know how to put together moves in a pleasing order that goes well with their music. They usually play to the audience and make sure their smiling faces can be seen at all the right moments. Doesn't sound so bad, right? It's not, necessarily. But it does generally mean they don't have the so-called It Factor. They're not going to win the whole enchilada.
Where am I going with this? Well, I've entered a few writing contests in my day. I've judged a number as well. And I'm starting to think there is such a thing as a Competition Writer. These are writers with solid technical skills, a decent story idea, and the ability to write an opening scene with a good balance of action and backstory, not info-dump, and not overwhelm the reader with a million characters.
But what I'm finding over and over is that missing It Factor. And I don't know how to explain it. How do you get someone to make their words leap off the page and seize control of a reader's brain so they can't stop until they read The End? What makes some prose sparkle? What makes a character so compelling she'll never be forgotten?
The short answer is, I don't know. But I do know when I'm reading contest entries, and I'm following my judging guidelines, I sometimes find myself giving better scores than something really deserves, but it's all based on my gut. Sure, technically, the grammar is flawless. Sure, the dialogue is natural and appropriate for the time period. The world-building may even be well handled, and the pace effective to keep my attention, but when the sample pages are over, I don't care. I don't care if I get to read more. So, this entry might get high marks based on the criteria provided, but that doesn't mean it's a hit. That means it scored well based on the available marks.
That's a contest writer.
While judging a contest recently, I started to use the criteria to mentally evaluate some of the books I was reading that month. Published books, that is. And you know what? Most of them wouldn't have scored well in this contest. Some didn't tell me a thing about the plot in the first 10 pages. Some did no world-building. Some did "too much" world building. Some didn't introduce the romantic interest at all.
But these books? I can't even tell you. I have been on a hot streak lately. I've read some amazing, amazing books. Books I've insisted others read immediately. Books that will enter the canon of my Favorites of All Time. Books that made me feel like a talentless hack. Books that made me want to work harder, be better, think about things, cry, laugh...
In a contest, though? They probably wouldn't even final.
So if you're just starting out, contests may be a wonderful way to get feedback. Learn about creating an interesting hook. Get help with grammar, sentence structure, description, characterization. But if you're finalling over and over again, but agents and editors don't seem interested? It's probably time to step away from the contests. Because you have to know the rules to know how to break them. And when it's time to break them, break them beautifully. Knock their socks off with your rule breaking.
And don't worry if you never final again.
7 comments:
Great post, Liz. Insightful, and well said.
Thanks, Ann! I'm glad you stopped by :)
- Liz
Excellent post. I went through a similar process today with a submission to our e-zine. As the acquisition board discussed it, we agreed the writer was proficient, but when we got to the end of reading it - we just did not care.
These are the hard ones. I would rather work (mentor) a writer that has the spark but not necessarily the technical prowess.
Thanks for sharing.
Great post ... you're so true in what you're writing .. that we need to know the rules, if we want to break them. That goes for everything in life. Enjoyed this. Good luck with that challenge
Great post, Liz! I've often felt that way about contest entries as well. I know the entry hits all the marks and is well written, but I don't have the desire to read anymore.
Great post, Liz. I think you can tell when an author has put their heart into a work, and when they are merely regurgitate appropriate storytelling technique. And heart is contagious. If you put your heart into a story, it finds a way to draw the reader's heart in as well. You do need a certain level of proficiency to communicate that passion effectively, but you can break many, many rules and still make it work.
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