Adam Jenkins
from Bracknell, England is reading RCX Magazine (Issue 1 coming soon)May 14, 2013 - 9:50pm
I'd do it again in a heartbeat. If the ultimate prize fell somewhat flat, that doesn't take away from how useful I found the contest. I got a lot out of the 'amateur'. critiques.
ArlaneEnalra
from Texas is reading Right now I'm editing . . ..May 15, 2013 - 5:29am
@Adam Jenkins most definitely! Being able to get so many different perspectives on a story is a very valuable thing in and of itself. There's a rule in software, the more eyes you have on something, the less likely you are t missing bugs. I'm certain a similar principle holds for writing. ;)
TomMartinArt
from Amherst, MA
May 15, 2013 - 6:37am
That goes against the old "too many cooks spoil the broth" adage, and that's one that I like to cling to. Not because it's an idiom, but because I think it applies. When too many people have input, I find, you wind up shaving off the corners of what makes the creation interesting and coming out with something that's bland and merely adequate.
dufrescm
from Wisconsin is reading Do Androids Dream of Electric SheepMay 15, 2013 - 6:45am
I feel really lucky that my reviewer both liked my story *and* gave me valuable feedback. He hit on alot of the same points that others had noted as not working, but also made an effort to point out things that worked. I wish he could have done everyone's reviews, because he was great :)
ArlaneEnalra
from Texas is reading Right now I'm editing . . ..May 15, 2013 - 8:10am
@TomMartinArt That's where you have to decide which comments are the one's you're going to listen to. It's extremely unhealthy to attempt to please everyone, not to mention impossible. There will be themes that show up in several of the comments, those are the things I'd worry about. Then again, too many pens doing the writing can be a problem.
Sound
from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael WehuntMay 15, 2013 - 9:28am
John gave me wonderful feedback. I was very happy with the beating he gave my story. I did see some of the others, though, and would agree that I'd be dissapointed if I had received them.
Wendy Hammer
from Indiana is reading One Night in SixesMay 15, 2013 - 12:54pm
I would definitely do it again. I really enjoyed the challenge of trying something new. The opportunity to read so many responses to a challenge and to get feedback on my own effort was pretty awesome.
C Patrick Neagle
from Portland, Oregon is reading words, words, wordsMay 16, 2013 - 12:57am
I'll definitely do it again. In addition to getting good feedback (some of which I will use, some of which I won't), I wrote the bloomin' thing. I wouldn't have, had it not been for the competition prompt.
TomMartinArt
from Amherst, MA
May 16, 2013 - 6:27am
I would absolutely do it again. The prizes are irrelevant, having a new story in my arsenal is nice, but what I come for is the carnage of the competition and voting. It's completely addictive to me.
ArlaneEnalra
from Texas is reading Right now I'm editing . . ..May 16, 2013 - 7:51am
I've done two of these now, and yeah, definitely worth it. Not only did I get an interesting prompt to write a story for, I was able to read a large number of really good stories! Double win there ;)
klahol
from Stockholm, Sweden is reading Black MoonMay 16, 2013 - 9:28am
Yes indeedio, I'll be back for more. LitReactor is some powerful heroin. And as the man said, professional review notwithstanding, the take-home on this challenge was the feedback from all of you guys and to read and give you feedback in kind.
ArlaneEnalra
from Texas is reading Right now I'm editing . . ..May 16, 2013 - 11:17am
And just a heads up, another review has been posted ;)
SConley
from Texas is reading Coin Locker BabiesMay 20, 2013 - 9:58am
Mine didn't really receive any bad reviews or too-brief reviews. They were all helpful, even the shorter reviews. guess i was lucky or something. No complaints here.
Nathan Scalia
from Kansas is reading so many thingsJune 2, 2013 - 8:54am
I would do these contests without a celebrity review prize.
TomMartinArt
from Amherst, MA
June 2, 2013 - 12:29pm
Me too.
Michael.Eric.Snyder
June 2, 2013 - 7:56pm
Well, if there is another contest like this, I shall do some quick prep reading on topics like:
Successful Short Story Whoring
Actually, I guess that's the only relevant topic.
And I'll remember it's the journey, not the destination.
And by god do NOT leave a question in the reader's mind as to whether contest parameters are met. Because to do so is FAIL.
And when reading comments on your and others' stories, ignore the trollish bitches that appear from time to time. There was that one guy... oh man.
Mess_Jess
from Sydney, Australia, living in Toronto, Canada is reading Perfect by Rachael JoyceJune 2, 2013 - 8:19pm
^^^ That guy was a total arsehole. I used stronger language to describe him when I was describing the situation to someone outside of the forums. He didn't comment on my story, but he really did affect my enjoyment of the competition. Every time I read one of his superior, condescending, snide comments I wanted to punch him.
Michael.Eric.Snyder
June 2, 2013 - 8:55pm
Agreed! :)
TomMartinArt
from Amherst, MA
June 3, 2013 - 6:57am
I wonder who "that guy" is... based on the comments for my story I have a strong candidate.
ArlaneEnalra
from Texas is reading Right now I'm editing . . ..June 3, 2013 - 1:00pm
I'd do it again in a heartbeat. If the ultimate prize fell somewhat flat, that doesn't take away from how useful I found the contest. I got a lot out of the 'amateur'. critiques.
@Adam Jenkins most definitely! Being able to get so many different perspectives on a story is a very valuable thing in and of itself. There's a rule in software, the more eyes you have on something, the less likely you are t missing bugs. I'm certain a similar principle holds for writing. ;)
That goes against the old "too many cooks spoil the broth" adage, and that's one that I like to cling to. Not because it's an idiom, but because I think it applies. When too many people have input, I find, you wind up shaving off the corners of what makes the creation interesting and coming out with something that's bland and merely adequate.
I feel really lucky that my reviewer both liked my story *and* gave me valuable feedback. He hit on alot of the same points that others had noted as not working, but also made an effort to point out things that worked. I wish he could have done everyone's reviews, because he was great :)
@TomMartinArt That's where you have to decide which comments are the one's you're going to listen to. It's extremely unhealthy to attempt to please everyone, not to mention impossible. There will be themes that show up in several of the comments, those are the things I'd worry about. Then again, too many pens doing the writing can be a problem.
John gave me wonderful feedback. I was very happy with the beating he gave my story. I did see some of the others, though, and would agree that I'd be dissapointed if I had received them.
I would definitely do it again. I really enjoyed the challenge of trying something new. The opportunity to read so many responses to a challenge and to get feedback on my own effort was pretty awesome.
I'll definitely do it again. In addition to getting good feedback (some of which I will use, some of which I won't), I wrote the bloomin' thing. I wouldn't have, had it not been for the competition prompt.
I would absolutely do it again. The prizes are irrelevant, having a new story in my arsenal is nice, but what I come for is the carnage of the competition and voting. It's completely addictive to me.
I've done two of these now, and yeah, definitely worth it. Not only did I get an interesting prompt to write a story for, I was able to read a large number of really good stories! Double win there ;)
Yes indeedio, I'll be back for more. LitReactor is some powerful heroin. And as the man said, professional review notwithstanding, the take-home on this challenge was the feedback from all of you guys and to read and give you feedback in kind.
And just a heads up, another review has been posted ;)
http://litreactor.com/events/teleport-us/how-to-lose-your-heart-escape-a-dying-planet-and-tell-a-joke-on-mars#new
Mine didn't really receive any bad reviews or too-brief reviews. They were all helpful, even the shorter reviews. guess i was lucky or something. No complaints here.
I would do these contests without a celebrity review prize.
Me too.
Well, if there is another contest like this, I shall do some quick prep reading on topics like:
Successful Short Story Whoring
Actually, I guess that's the only relevant topic.
And I'll remember it's the journey, not the destination.
And by god do NOT leave a question in the reader's mind as to whether contest parameters are met. Because to do so is FAIL.
And when reading comments on your and others' stories, ignore the trollish bitches that appear from time to time. There was that one guy... oh man.
^^^ That guy was a total arsehole. I used stronger language to describe him when I was describing the situation to someone outside of the forums. He didn't comment on my story, but he really did affect my enjoyment of the competition. Every time I read one of his superior, condescending, snide comments I wanted to punch him.
Agreed! :)
I wonder who "that guy" is... based on the comments for my story I have a strong candidate.
And as a head's up, Anomaly has been reviewed :)
http://litreactor.com/events/teleport-us/anomaly
And one more review: http://litreactor.com/events/teleport-us/affirmnation#new
Thanks ArlaneEnalra for keeping us updated.