tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post2125427434035796009..comments2024-01-01T21:18:07.104-05:00Comments on Seekerville Archives: Thanking Writing Contest Judges Can Benefit Unpublished Writers with Guest Melissa JagearsGlynna Kayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11914006944057671962noreply@blogger.comBlogger147125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-866242297911290242013-10-15T12:43:20.059-04:002013-10-15T12:43:20.059-04:00Congradulations !
Such good advice. I am saving t...Congradulations !<br />Such good advice. I am saving them all in a binder for future reference when writing !<br />Linda Finn<br />faithfulacres7@gmail.com<br />Faithful Acres Books<br />www.faithfulacresbooks.wordpress.comFaithful Acres Books ~ Linda Marie Finnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05149437557897266898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-43446932835891151152013-10-12T22:29:32.622-04:002013-10-12T22:29:32.622-04:00Melissa, thank you so much for this advice. I am j...Melissa, thank you so much for this advice. I am just about to enter First Impressions and am glad to know sending thank you emails would be appreciated by the judges. (sometimes I get teased for writing thank you notes for everything). Thanks for taking time to help newbies like me!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02607431999491108159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-30789666859534029702013-10-12T21:49:25.976-04:002013-10-12T21:49:25.976-04:00It is sad that people have to be told this, Meliss...It is sad that people have to be told this, Melissa, and bless you for being polite and professional to your judges! I had a low scoring judge like that--same deal in the 60's a guy not pubd in romance, and two judges with scores in the 90's. BUT that guy nailed all the spot that troubled ME! And because of that I kept praying and this MS needed rehab along the lines he was questioning. What I wonder is if you send thank you notes do the coordinators always make sure they get through to the judges. I hope so. Carrie Fancett Pagelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09096954464239963966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-67089224796986111562013-10-12T15:46:06.024-04:002013-10-12T15:46:06.024-04:00Melissa, A reader here. Just wanted to tell you I ...Melissa, A reader here. Just wanted to tell you I admire your determination not to let judges stop you from moving forward with your writing. Also it is so nice to hear of someone else who writes thank you cards. That is such a lost art today. Really am looking forward to reading your new book. The story line and characters look very interesting. Thank you. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00754548601652231995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-3474531823588727522013-10-12T12:33:31.000-04:002013-10-12T12:33:31.000-04:00Thank you for the post, Melissa. I have a copy of ...Thank you for the post, Melissa. I have a copy of your new book and I'm looking forward to diving In! Thank you for the giveaway!<br /><br />Wanda Barefoot<br />flghtlss1(at)yahoo(dot)comWanda (A Book Lover's Retreat)https://www.blogger.com/profile/18076000759904095877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-51561407042081733352013-10-12T10:51:47.637-04:002013-10-12T10:51:47.637-04:00I've sent thank you notes to judges and I'...I've sent thank you notes to judges and I've received a few from contestants. I was impressed that they took the time to send a thank you, but not so impressed that it was sent via email. Thanks for reminding us to send those thank you notes and take the time to find out who to address the notes to and where to mail them!Edwinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06764445303008090045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-40351698020745569612013-10-12T04:36:24.987-04:002013-10-12T04:36:24.987-04:00Saying a Thank You never goes out of style. Saying a Thank You never goes out of style. Mary Prestonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02201076939557413255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-59670344982804658582013-10-11T23:45:19.955-04:002013-10-11T23:45:19.955-04:00yay! Go BookishQueen!
Mary, we missed ya. Cuz of ...yay! Go BookishQueen!<br /><br />Mary, we missed ya. Cuz of course, I was covertly talking about you up there....<br /><br />Thanks Sherinda!<br /><br />Melissa Jagearshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07439765292197683329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-37746930465198914842013-10-11T23:20:06.082-04:002013-10-11T23:20:06.082-04:00CONGRATULATIONS BOOKISH QUEEN!~~~
Way to be brave...CONGRATULATIONS BOOKISH QUEEN!~~~<br /><br />Way to be brave!!! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-88282461690322870662013-10-11T23:17:54.705-04:002013-10-11T23:17:54.705-04:00Thank you for this reminder post. I loved A Bride ...Thank you for this reminder post. I loved A Bride For Keeps and the story of the help the judge gave you! I have written some judges. My first contest I didn't realize I was allowed to thank them. I will from now on. Congrats on your lovely debut and sweet baby boy!Sherida Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986466218366625633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-60159760251361563932013-10-11T22:36:15.898-04:002013-10-11T22:36:15.898-04:00Sorry for being awol today. I've been to a con...Sorry for being awol today. I've been to a convention for my day job. Soooooo busy.<br />Then I got home and had to work for My Cowboy a little.<br /><br />So finally, long after everyone else has given up, I'm here and can say what a great post and what a great conversation this has been.<br /><br />Contests was the first glue that stuck us all together here in Seekerville so we all have our experiences with them in almost every level.Mary Connealyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09598386111251769803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-4844820098719076432013-10-11T22:30:46.078-04:002013-10-11T22:30:46.078-04:00After reading your eye-opening post, I shall be ex...After reading your eye-opening post, I shall be extra diligent about writing/sending thank you notes. Thanks for taking the time to pull all this together.<br /><br />Congratulations on your debut.CaraGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16222173924972652781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-20311146197141327602013-10-11T22:14:44.106-04:002013-10-11T22:14:44.106-04:00I just entered into a contest and will find out fi...I just entered into a contest and will find out first round results on monday. I need to remember this!Bookishqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04815467506294547118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-22841947757856773282013-10-11T21:54:45.163-04:002013-10-11T21:54:45.163-04:00Thank YOU for this wonderful post, Melissa! :)Thank YOU for this wonderful post, Melissa! :)Pam Hillmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08604636348596615139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-74330135110074006192013-10-11T21:22:32.111-04:002013-10-11T21:22:32.111-04:00You know, you guys may have already addressed this...You know, you guys may have already addressed this, but the thank you don't end with contests. I need to send thank you notes to the ladies who graciously provided endorsements for my novella. <br /><br />Melissa - thank you for making me think!Terrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18195716086187334305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-37472692896731531052013-10-11T20:31:40.321-04:002013-10-11T20:31:40.321-04:00That is some great advice! I do not personally wri...That is some great advice! I do not personally write myself, but I wonder if my older sister has seen this yet! She wants to be an author and just recently has entered into some writing competitions. I'm pretty sure she will be sending thank you notes/letters anyway because she appreciates any help she can get. I'll definitely make sure she see's this. Kindness does go a long way:) Thanks so much for the book giveaway!Kissed bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13315772802294052530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-58566622980675755642013-10-11T20:25:45.989-04:002013-10-11T20:25:45.989-04:00lol Drive her off a clifflol Drive her off a cliffEva Maria Hamiltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10216396263754180682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-31666478377444395362013-10-11T20:19:01.712-04:002013-10-11T20:19:01.712-04:00Yep, you know when all your character is doing is ...Yep, you know when all your character is doing is blinking and readjusting clothing, they need a cliff to fall off of!Melissa Jagearshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07439765292197683329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-16312685033871279552013-10-11T20:14:17.572-04:002013-10-11T20:14:17.572-04:00May, glad you found it informative.
Valri, thanks...May, glad you found it informative.<br /><br />Valri, thanks SO much for judging. My first sale was because of a contest, and a contest can't happen without enough volunteer judges! Hope you enjoy the novella.<br /><br />Eva, rewriting is such a drag, but I've never been unhappy with the rewriting I've done. So it's worth it.Melissa Jagearshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07439765292197683329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-57110527657008947132013-10-11T20:14:14.243-04:002013-10-11T20:14:14.243-04:00Wait, wait, is it too late to join the convo again...Wait, wait, is it too late to join the convo again??<br /><br /> I just realized my favorite anonymous judging experience EVAH:<br /><br /> I think Tina copped to critiquing my first pages of Pride, Prejudice and Cheese Grits.<br /><br /> I had the heroine driving along and thinking. *fancy dance moves* UH-HUH. SHE WAS THINKING! What a rockin' start to a book.<br /><br /> Tina very bluntly told me to PLEASE do something. Anything. Drive her off a cliff, she didn't care. But there were only so many times the heroine could glance in the rear-view mirror before the reader wanders away from the story.<br /><br /> I tried to rewrite it... but then realize it just needed big ol' DELETE button. So, PPCG starts MUCH faster the second time around.Mary Jane Hathawayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17996627730074514978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-67716475284164436972013-10-11T19:58:53.164-04:002013-10-11T19:58:53.164-04:00Thanks for this, Melissa. I actually didn't th...Thanks for this, Melissa. I actually didn't think we were allowed to thank judges because of the whole anonymity thing. So if anyone who's ever read my work is reading this, Thank You!<br /><br />And that's awesome that your debut was a rewrite inspired by a judge. I'm rewriting a book right now, so I completely understand how much hard work that is :)<br />Eva Maria Hamiltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10216396263754180682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-36447105951311904052013-10-11T19:44:14.912-04:002013-10-11T19:44:14.912-04:00Thanks for the post Melissa! I'm a reader but...Thanks for the post Melissa! I'm a reader but I love to hear things like this from authors! This past year I volunteered to be a judge for two different associations. I enjoyed that very much. It was the first time I had ever done that and learned a lot. I just downloaded your "Letters" novel but I'm looking forward to reading your other book!Valrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17236208798647610850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-18935683431188186012013-10-11T19:44:07.561-04:002013-10-11T19:44:07.561-04:00I have to go with Tina on this one--and not just b...I have to go with Tina on this one--and not just because I secretly stalk her...Don't read the reviews. Sherri Shackelfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05383603814075105794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-11371627233681447582013-10-11T19:24:40.658-04:002013-10-11T19:24:40.658-04:00If it starts affecting me, I will stop reading the...If it starts affecting me, I will stop reading them. Hubby will probably be the one to tell me to stop but I've been looking forward to my one star party! <br /><br />And I've been learning things, I mean, these are the people who will buy books from me, they're my target audience, so when they say "I loved it, wished this would have happened" if I can do it, why not? Like I've learned people seem to really want to know what happens to secondary characters, so the proposal I'm working on now, I realized I should probably work at making it like a Connealy book series with reoccurring characters over a Hedlund book that doesn't have reoccuring ones. If I can come up with something that works for that and still be happy, why not? If it's something that I don't want to compromise, then I won't.<br /><br />A lot like reading returned contest entries, I can take it. When I stop getting anything useful out of it, I'll quit. Melissa Jagearshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07439765292197683329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100153895530582821.post-63530928109890168352013-10-11T18:38:23.874-04:002013-10-11T18:38:23.874-04:00That was lovely of your husband but here's a t...That was lovely of your husband but here's a tip. From this point on STOP reading reviews. <br /><br />They'll only mess with your head and give you a lousy day. Why give someone that power.<br /><br />Ignore,ignore, ignore.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com