I recently threw all caution to the wind and entered the July Secret Agent contest. And though winning would be awesome, I didn't enter to win. I entered to test the water. I will be querying in a month--as I mentioned a few posts ago. I just finished a stellar query workshop with C.J. Redwine (yes I recommend it!) and have dived into the synopsis stage head first. I am nervous! So I decided to test the water and enter the very popular Secret Agent contest.
Now I am a tough cookie. I can take heavy criticism and smile back in thanks. Yes, that is the sort of critique partner that I am. I crit heavy and expect it in return. So why exactly did I cringe at the first sub-par comment on my submission? I have learned that I am a perfectionist. I would rather get horrible reviews than "so-so" reviews. Ya know? Go big or go home is definitely my motto. My writing cannot be simply okay. It has to be great and the hook has to slice through as it takes you to the next page. For this reason, I feel that I have already won. I have lots of comments - some great, others okay, some not so thrilled - but now I know what didn't work. Even though this has been revised to death, been through my crit partner and group, it still needed a bit more. So, to all those offering comments over at Miss Snark's First Victim, here's a big THANKS!!!
Lesson 1 for the day: Never, ever, feel content with "okay." Okay is not good enough. Not ever.
Lesson 2 for the day: If you are afraid, nervous, shaking to death? Good. Then you know you care enough to make it great.
M.B.
Now I am a tough cookie. I can take heavy criticism and smile back in thanks. Yes, that is the sort of critique partner that I am. I crit heavy and expect it in return. So why exactly did I cringe at the first sub-par comment on my submission? I have learned that I am a perfectionist. I would rather get horrible reviews than "so-so" reviews. Ya know? Go big or go home is definitely my motto. My writing cannot be simply okay. It has to be great and the hook has to slice through as it takes you to the next page. For this reason, I feel that I have already won. I have lots of comments - some great, others okay, some not so thrilled - but now I know what didn't work. Even though this has been revised to death, been through my crit partner and group, it still needed a bit more. So, to all those offering comments over at Miss Snark's First Victim, here's a big THANKS!!!
Lesson 1 for the day: Never, ever, feel content with "okay." Okay is not good enough. Not ever.
Lesson 2 for the day: If you are afraid, nervous, shaking to death? Good. Then you know you care enough to make it great.
M.B.
Comments
Post a Comment