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Post by chrisscorkscrew on Jul 21, 2016 16:22:58 GMT
I think what Ian did was brilliant and kind, and very useful to the people he personally responded to.
What I'd just really, really like to know was whether my submission was in the top half or the bottom half of entries, and if I'm completely wasting my time to think about trying again. A standard rejection response to higher performing entries would be a good indicator of that without being too time consuming which is why I suggested it.
Chriss C.
There's always got to be a cut off on these things, sadly. And beyond a certain point it's going to be really hard to tell which ones are in what half. I think in competitions like these, it's actually always useful to assume one was some way off. Know you're close, and you might push about the same, but if you assume you were far off, you need to push the next one a lot harder and further. That's served me well in the past. And no-one is ever wasting their time thinking about trying again, no matter where they came. Firstly, the more you write, the better you get. And the act of creation is an end to itself. Anyone who entered this has done something amazing. I know it does sound a bit like sour grapes, but I put my own novel on hold for around six weeks whilst I worked on my entry (I wrote the whole story), and whilst I did enjoy writing it, I can't help thinking that if I'm kidding myself I'd be better putting my creative efforts into my book as there's only limited Me to go around! Plus I suspect this competition cut a lot of us to the quick because it really matters to us in a way that a generic story competition wouldn't...
I suppose the ultimate way of finding out will be listening to the completed Short Trip in December and I am looking forward to it.
Chriss C.
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Post by gallifreyimmigrant on Jul 21, 2016 21:43:20 GMT
I never entered anything...maybe next time.
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Post by chrisscorkscrew on Jul 22, 2016 7:31:48 GMT
I never entered anything...maybe next time. You've got plenty of time to think of a brilliant idea, so definitely consider it! Chriss C.
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Post by constonks on Jul 23, 2016 21:34:33 GMT
According to the podcast, there were in fact about 100 stories on the short list. I'm pretty sure Big Finish has no interns, so it would actually be Ian Atkins (or some other producer) getting back to everyone.
But if you do want thoughts on your entry, Chriss, I'm sure there are folks on here (myself included) who would be happy to provide some thoughts.
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Post by chrisscorkscrew on Jul 24, 2016 7:21:12 GMT
According to the podcast, there were in fact about 100 stories on the short list. I'm pretty sure Big Finish has no interns, so it would actually be Ian Atkins (or some other producer) getting back to everyone. But if you do want thoughts on your entry, Chriss, I'm sure there are folks on here (myself included) who would be happy to provide some thoughts. Hi Constonks
What a kind thing to say!
I did feel a bit raw last week (this isn't something like the Bridport Prize that you can enter with the certainty that you could never win in a million years because the prize is going to go to someone who spent 1,000 words describing the play of light on a blade of grass, and Doctor Who is our thing, which makes it very, very personal), but I am going to look forward now.
We've got a smashing free Short Trip coming at the end of the year in celebration of Paul, and there is always next year and my glimmer of an idea about a certain Doctor with a very long scarf...
Happy writing!
Chriss C.
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Tony Jones
Chancellery Guard
Professor Chronotis
Still rockin' along!
Likes: 2,132
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Post by Tony Jones on Jul 24, 2016 8:21:09 GMT
It's always worth getting feedback, but avoid friends and family. It can also be a challenge to give and receive!
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Post by chrisscorkscrew on Jul 24, 2016 8:57:55 GMT
My top tip for feedback is to find a like-minded friend who enjoys writing in a similar genre. My best friend is a fantasy writer (alas undeservedly unpublished). We have very different styles - I'm more about dialogue and pace and she tends towards evocative description - and we've had a few bust-ups because of it over the years (okay, so she spent 8 lines describing a person throwing a single snowball, but I really shouldn't have taken it so very personally). I trust her as a writer and a reader to know something decent when she sees it, and there is always value to her feedback. Sometimes when our views differ though, it's a good thing we live 120 miles apart... Chriss C.
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Post by TinDogPodcast on Jul 25, 2016 6:10:35 GMT
Right according to the rules stuff published on the net.
So... rather than post my entries here.
If anyone wants to read mine
Please email Tin-dog@hotmail.co.uk
Cheers
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Post by nucleusofswarm on Jul 30, 2016 21:49:45 GMT
My top tip for feedback is to find a like-minded friend who enjoys writing in a similar genre. My best friend is a fantasy writer (alas undeservedly unpublished). We have very different styles - I'm more about dialogue and pace and she tends towards evocative description - and we've had a few bust-ups because of it over the years (okay, so she spent 8 lines describing a person throwing a single snowball, but I really shouldn't have taken it so very personally). I trust her as a writer and a reader to know something decent when she sees it, and there is always value to her feedback. Sometimes when our views differ though, it's a good thing we live 120 miles apart... Chriss C. Have you or you friend tried self publishing, or going for one of the smaller online publishing firms that are much more open in terms of content?
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Post by chrisscorkscrew on Jul 31, 2016 7:29:58 GMT
My top tip for feedback is to find a like-minded friend who enjoys writing in a similar genre. My best friend is a fantasy writer (alas undeservedly unpublished). We have very different styles - I'm more about dialogue and pace and she tends towards evocative description - and we've had a few bust-ups because of it over the years (okay, so she spent 8 lines describing a person throwing a single snowball, but I really shouldn't have taken it so very personally). I trust her as a writer and a reader to know something decent when she sees it, and there is always value to her feedback. Sometimes when our views differ though, it's a good thing we live 120 miles apart... Chriss C. Have you or you friend tried self publishing, or going for one of the smaller online publishing firms that are much more open in terms of content? We've both done the rounds of publishers and agents over the years (and a thankless, soul-destroying process that was - between us I think we managed about 3 vaguely interested nibbles in 15 years - during which time people like Geri Halliwell and Katie Price were getting books they'd never even read, let alone written, published!), but my current project is a novel I'm writing specifically to self-publish as a Kindle e-book.
I didn't want to waste one of the 'proper' fantasy novels I've written from the heart on this, so researched genres I thought would have a decent readership and am writing to this market (I shan't say what market it is, but can confirm it does not involve soulful vampires or people enthusiastically taking off their clothes). I'm about a third of the way through writing the book at present, but my Short Trip derailed me and I haven't written any since May. Definitely time to pick up the threads again, although I will say that the most fun part of the process so far was designing my own cover - I reckon it came pretty well.
Chriss C.
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Post by nucleusofswarm on Aug 6, 2016 10:46:07 GMT
By the way, didn't they say the winner would be announced at month's end? There hasn't been any news on the site.
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Post by mark687 on Aug 6, 2016 11:12:38 GMT
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Post by TinDogPodcast on Aug 9, 2016 14:42:16 GMT
Yes. Mister H. Is a worthy winner.
His previous fab fiction was superb.
Cheek pouches of doom is a personal fave.
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