Understanding

For those who didn't make the cut, would it be possible to get a better understanding of what it was about our works that didn't go that extra mile of acceptance?  Clarion is a proving grounds for writers.  I would like to think there is still the potential for learning even with a rejection.  Or is this a case in which there were too many applicants to realistically provide personalized feedback?

 

Sandra

‹ My Application Essay Hugo Props ›

Comments

Understand

Submitted by neile on March 21, 2009 - 4:23pm.

Unfortunately, we do get too many applications to provide comments, even if our readers were willing to do so.

We do know what they're looking for in general. We ask them to look for writers who are "ready" for the workshop. Our readers are professionals familiar with the workshop and its demands. 

The readers have said that generally the difference in points between people whose work reached a certain level of competence were about originality (in ideas, plots) and complexity (particularly in character).

I hope this helps a little.

--Neile

writer; workshop administrator
http:www.sff.net/people/neile

I applied to Odyssey last

Submitted by Joel Walsh (not verified) on March 22, 2009 - 9:51pm.

I applied to Odyssey last year, and I don't think it's standard practice, but she did write a little comment on the story, some particular weakness I can't remember now, just about 2 sentences worth of criticism.

So, if you want to get criticism on your rejection, try applying to Odyssey?  Their deadline hasn't come yet.

I've wanted to ask the same

Submitted by Jordan Lapp on March 21, 2009 - 1:53pm.

I've wanted to ask the same question of every market I've ever been rejected from. It's never personal. Perhaps the particular story that you submitted didn't strike a chord with the judges. A lot of times is comes down to personal taste.

My advice is to find a trustworthy crit group with (and this is key!!!) writers who are more successful than you are to evaluate your work.

 

Jordan Lapp

Visit My Blog: www.withoutreallytrying.com

Nah, nothing personal about it...

Submitted by Sandra M. Odell on March 21, 2009 - 4:20pm.

...but it is still a learning experience.  I'm part of a number of crit groups, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

If nothing comes of the request, not a problem.  The writing and learning shall continue.  The writing is what matters.

 

Sandra

Successful Crit Group

Submitted by Oso on March 21, 2009 - 2:59pm.

I think that's why we were applying here in the first place, to get a monstrously powerful crit group.  But I agree.  I seem to be outgrowing Critters.  Baen's Bar has been nice, pointing out flaws in my story that Critters never managed to spot or at least never managed to word coherently.  Critters certainly has members that are more successful than me, but which ones are they?  They also have quite a few that don't know POV from verb tense.  They tend to be easier to spot.  

I know what Sandrais after, a micro-dose of the workshop itself.  List the two biggest flaws the story has and let the writer know.  It could be as simple as "So what?" (one of Damon Knight's favorites, I hear) or "Still lost at page four".  Roughly what the editorial assistants offer most often at Baen's Bar.  Like Edith Maor told me my dialog was very stilted and there was no reason to like the characters.  She doesn't pull punches, does she?

Are there too many for that?  Probably.  Maybe offer a service of this kind for an extra fee, moneys to go toward CW scholarships?  Just a brainstormed half-thought.

-Oso 

(http://osomuerte.wordpress.com)

Nope, she doesn't...

Submitted by Sandra M. Odell on March 21, 2009 - 4:23pm.

...and I value her opinion. I know if I can get a positive word out of Edith then I'm doing something right.  Surprised the hell outta me when she said she liked the ending of my most recent JBU submission.

 

Sandra

There's probably too many

Submitted by clothingoptional on March 21, 2009 - 10:50am.

There's probably too many people, but also there's the method.  As I understand it, the stories are scored by the reading panel and then the scores are added up and a line is drawn at 18.  I'm probably simplifying it but I'm fairly certain there was a post about this last year.

 

But if I'm right, then you can see how finding out why you didn't get the a high enough score could be tricky.

 

That said, you could seek out some professional advice.  There are plenty of editors who do that sort of work on the side.  I've contacted the folks at Brain Harvest Magazine (all CW08 grads) to peek at my submission.  They won't be able to tell me why I didn't make the cut of course but they will help me improve the work.

 

http://www.brainharvestmag.com/fresh-eyes/