First, I wanted to thank each of the 11 authors who entered the contest (one person provided two entries, which was allowed). I can't say this enough -- it takes tremendous courage to put your work on display. It is the same kind of courage a performer has getting on stage. For those that never entered, my wish is that you gained some new strength from this. For those who've entered contests before, my hope is this will help you continue discovering your talents.
Next, about the entries. I read each just hours ago and with the announcement done, I'm labeling each one and who owns it. When I dreamed up the idea for the contest, i had no idea that each of you would nail it. I mean, nail it, Bang. You gave me what I asked for and you gave it to me better than I could have possibly ever wanted it. Again, for that, you should be commended.
As for voting, well, the results surprised me, too. Forty-one (41) people decided to PM me with a say on who won and who didn't. That's 41. Based on my time on the AW Forum, I haven't seen a contest voted like that. So, the people surrounding you had an interest in your work.
Speaking of your work, again, I can't say enough about it. And some of the people did, too. Here are the comments:
Finally, you're expecting some commments from some friends of mine in the writing business. Unfortunately, they were unable to get them to me in time for the announcement of winners. As soon as i have them, I'll add them here.
Again, thank you, keep entering AW contests and if i can help you in any way while you're here, please let me know.
Jason
Next, about the entries. I read each just hours ago and with the announcement done, I'm labeling each one and who owns it. When I dreamed up the idea for the contest, i had no idea that each of you would nail it. I mean, nail it, Bang. You gave me what I asked for and you gave it to me better than I could have possibly ever wanted it. Again, for that, you should be commended.
As for voting, well, the results surprised me, too. Forty-one (41) people decided to PM me with a say on who won and who didn't. That's 41. Based on my time on the AW Forum, I haven't seen a contest voted like that. So, the people surrounding you had an interest in your work.
Speaking of your work, again, I can't say enough about it. And some of the people did, too. Here are the comments:
--Really good entries!
--the entries as a group were quite well done. Certain common elements were foreseeable--that Brenda is hiding out for various reasons being the biggie, but also that a strong, capable cowboy would be approaching her with romantic caution--but everyone handled them differently and well.
--Wow....great stories!!
--These are fantastic entries! What a great contest idea.
Now, I read the entries tonight. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on each, since I ran the contest. However, some general and specific comments from me:--the entries as a group were quite well done. Certain common elements were foreseeable--that Brenda is hiding out for various reasons being the biggie, but also that a strong, capable cowboy would be approaching her with romantic caution--but everyone handled them differently and well.
--Wow....great stories!!
--These are fantastic entries! What a great contest idea.
-- Each of you immersed yourself in the ranch setting in a different way, but all were penned well. Admittedly, I looked for a quirky "When the UFO's tractor beam pulled Brenda up, she wondered how quickly she'd reach her home planet" approach, but when I didn't find it, i wasn't disappointed. In fact, I can't tell you how excited I was by everyone's angle, a different facet on one diamond.
-- Your use of language gets an 'A' from me. While some passages were stilted and some stumbled, the majority of work really crystalized paragraph after paragraph. Some of you carved this out like mastercraftspeople. others gave it a pretty good whack. All of you made each entry worth reading.
-- I honestly expected no dialogue. Initially, I figured I'd be getting essay-like character sketches. A lot of prose. A lot of descriptors like leather skin from a sun's baking and nails gone from French-tipped to Montana cracked. You zigged when I expected a zag -- and that was great. And you folks served up hearty mouthfuls of great dialogue. All of this was a HUGE positive.
All that said, the voters have spoken and here are the winners:-- Your use of language gets an 'A' from me. While some passages were stilted and some stumbled, the majority of work really crystalized paragraph after paragraph. Some of you carved this out like mastercraftspeople. others gave it a pretty good whack. All of you made each entry worth reading.
-- I honestly expected no dialogue. Initially, I figured I'd be getting essay-like character sketches. A lot of prose. A lot of descriptors like leather skin from a sun's baking and nails gone from French-tipped to Montana cracked. You zigged when I expected a zag -- and that was great. And you folks served up hearty mouthfuls of great dialogue. All of this was a HUGE positive.
THIRD PLACE -- TIE
nerdRus
WittyandorIronic
SECOND PLACE
Teige Benson (Entry #12)
and, the overall winner ...
FIRST PLACE
c.e. lawson
So, congratulations to our winners and congratulations to each of our entrants. Prizes will be sent out Dec. 1. Entrants, if you have time, please make a post in this thread as a follow-up. I Would LOVE to hear:nerdRus
WittyandorIronic
SECOND PLACE
Teige Benson (Entry #12)
and, the overall winner ...
FIRST PLACE
c.e. lawson
-- How you got your idea.
-- Any other backstory on Brenda you'd like to share
-- Other comments on other entries. And more ...
-- Any other backstory on Brenda you'd like to share
-- Other comments on other entries. And more ...
Finally, you're expecting some commments from some friends of mine in the writing business. Unfortunately, they were unable to get them to me in time for the announcement of winners. As soon as i have them, I'll add them here.
Again, thank you, keep entering AW contests and if i can help you in any way while you're here, please let me know.
Jason
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