The crits are rolling in, my inbox is bloated, and the energy level rocks.
Of course I always expect the contest entrants to be excited -- and a bit nervous. But this excitement goes well beyond the oh-gosh-a-real-agent-is-going-to-critique-my-page. This excitement is pervasive. Everyone is sharing in it. The enthusiasm for reading and critiquing the work of others -- SIXTY others, mind you -- is unsurpassed.
So naturally I'm itching to delve into the "why."
Why does this contest generate so much excitement for you? (Especially those of you who are crit-only.)
Why does spending time critiquing the Secret Agent contests become such a high priority in your how-to-spend-my-free-hours-today?
And what I really want to know is -- where do you crit? Are you sneaking them in at work? Sequestering yourself in a closet so the kids can't find you? Taking the afternoon off and hanging out at your favorite coffee shop? Staying up until the wee hours just to fit it in?
Seriously. There's such a massive outpouring of time and effort going on here. I want to know how you do it.
Then I want to bottle it and use it on myself when it's time to get some serious writing done. Imagine the productivity!
Press on, press on. You're all amazing.
Miss Snark's First Victim
Last Secret Agent contest, I left the MSFV page open on my laptop and brought it to work (I don't have internet at work). There I read and wrote all my crits on a word doc and the next time I was able to get WiFi I copy pasted them on over. It does indeed take a lot of time. Hours to read and crit each one and then another full hour just to post them all. I didn't even have an entry last time, but it's so much fun to read and help fellow writers. Or at least, I hope my comments were helpful :)
ReplyDeleteI wish I had time for more crits than I've done so far -- it's really useful to crit as well as be critted. It's hard to spot your own problems, but when you see what works and what doesn't elsewhere (and are forced to think about why), you can more easily apply those lessons yourself.
ReplyDeleteAlso, this should give us all some sympathy for agents. No wonder they feel overwhelmed.
Thanks again for organizing this!
I'm squeaking my crits in whenever I have a few minutes of downtime.
ReplyDeleteI'm a newbie, but I've learned so much already from reading these openers and everyone's comments. I'm going to go back over all my opening scenes with a different perspective.
Can't wait to read the Secret Agent's opinions and see if he or she agrees with the majority.
It's a learning experience for me. I have so much to learn, and often remake the same mistakes. Seeing it in someone else's work helps remove the blinders a bit when I'm trying to critique my own, if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I've watched a few of these writers grow so much on boards like this, so that's an added bonus. It's rewarding for me to see someone else learn.
I don't make many helpful comments, because I'm so new to writing and I'm still pretty much unsure of myself. But it's great to be able to read everyone else's comments and say, "Oh, yeah, that makes sense."
First, thanks Authoress - what an opportunity, not only to post a first page to be read by an agent, but to have numerous critiques on said first page that will (hopefully) improve my writing!
ReplyDeleteSecond - 59 critiques on 59 very unique entries makes me a better writer. I've read everyone, read all the comments (prior to posting my own), commented on every one (hopefully giving some positive advice), and have taken note of what seems to work and what didn't. I'll have fresh eyes when I go back and re-write my first page. BTW - didn't comment on my own, but will post a thank you to those that did.
How did I do it? Well, I sit in a windowless office behind the only other woman there. Don't tell my boss, but I critiqued half the entries at work. The other half I worked on when I got home. I even enticed the lady I work with to read the blog (she didn't comment, but she did enjoy the experience).
Why did I do it? Because I entered the contest with the hopes of getting honest feedback. If I wasn't willing to do the same, then I shouldn't have entered.
Thanks, again, Authoress - and all the entrants. Great job. K, back to the day job :)
This is my first time entering and critting since a writing buddy pointed me here a couple of weeks ago. I work at home so I sneak in crits between conference calls and other tasks.
ReplyDeleteI love the community among writers, esp. unpublished ones so I critique to give back.
I also agree with what others say that your own writing improves when you crit. It's great to see a variety of openings lined up so you can really see what works. I do know what agents mean when they know after one paragraph that it's not going to work.
And then there's just the curious reader in me. I love to see what's out there. I love to get nice surprises when something hooks me.
Okay, going to sneak in a couple more now.
Hi Authoress-
ReplyDeleteI sneak my crits in at work. (SSSSH! Don't tell anybody). And yes the excitement is hard to contain - especially when your own work is on the line. I have to admit, I've gotten a little obsessive compulsive. The first thing I did this morning? I started up my computer and came here. ***breathes out a sigh of relief***
BTW: This being anonymous thing is hard. I don't know how you do it.
;)
sam
Jamie, I agree with what you said about sympathizing with agents. I tried reading through all of these yesterday and thought - this is what an agent does every day.
ReplyDeleteIt shows you how really great the first 250 lines have to be to get noticed.
I'm so grateful to the people who have commented on my opening, so I try to give that back by commenting on as many as I can. I post at home, kids at school and chores going undone.
I haven't had a ton of time to do much of anything but edit my own MS. I'm in a bit of a rush on it, which is never good, but that leaves me little time to get to other things right now.
ReplyDeleteHowever, when I am not in a super-busy rush to get my own work done, I find time here and there to crit on your site. It's helpful to everybody to crit and be critted. I also belong to two other writing groups, and that makes it hard to find time here, too. But I'll keep trying!
I'm at work right now. Multi-tasking it is<:
ReplyDeleteYesterday, I was at home and commenting (and also working on a detailed crit for someone at CC) while eating dinner, hanging with friends, talking on the phone, and watching TV.
Anything to avoid actual edit work, which I unfortunately can't multitask. :[
About the excitement - I love the reading material, and it is a learning experience to see the reactions of the SAs to the different hooks.
I did my crits from work. I happen to work for a great company - jeans in the winter, shorts in the summer, leave at 3 every Friday (or Noon on Friday if a Holiday weekend). As long as our work is done, we're allowed on the Internet whenever, cell phones not a problem, and all that jazz. So, long story short, down times at work, so I did my crits at that point . . . and I'm leaving this comment while at work. I absolutely love my job, btw.
ReplyDeleteThe contest generated excitement because an extra set of eyes is always helpful. BTW - the comments I received were great and really helped me re-look at my first 250 words. I took the suggestions to heart and have revised my opening to a much better opening. I also think the crits helped ease some of my own self doubts.
I think the high priority aspect is that - good or bad - everybody wants to know how they're doing. From what I've seen so far, there is some exceptional writing out there that needs just a tweak (my own included) or two to make it just 'that' much better.
Lastly - thanks to everyone who commented on my entry. As I mentioned above, the comments (even the semi-negative ones) really helped me re-evaluate the first 250 words. Thanks again.
Scott
Well lets just say the kids are getting a little bored now (no school for the next few days) and are starting to fight.
ReplyDeleteI've been critting (different Id name) between chapters of my other novel, which I'm reading through one last time (?) while the partial is out with an agent. When I get tired of doing one (i.e. no longer able to focus like I should) then I switch to the other. It's working so far for me.
I have a list of my favorites and hope many of them make it to the agents 'yeah' list.
Scott - I want to know where the heck you work! ;)
ReplyDeleteI squeeze in my comments with kids climbing around my legs and pulling on the mouse cord!
ReplyDeleteI've only entered the contest once-last month. Before that, I read both entries and comments because it's a sort of "free" education, if you will, to learn what is right or wrong with a piece and how to improve it. I also like to write down the numbers of my faves to see if what I like is even in the ballpark of what the SA is looking for.
This time around, I've actually been more interested than ever in leaving crits, even though I'm not an entrant. I just remember how badly I wanted feedback, any feedback. I was in the middle of the line-up, so I didn't get as many crits as those at the beginning or the end. I'm trying to pay attention to those, in particular.
Thanks Authoress for all of the hard work you put into this! These contests keep us all hooked!
Thanks, Authoress! What a fun experience...I am learning so much. I can't improve my writing w/out honest feedback -- and this was an opportunity too good to pass up.
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat to see what other writers are working on -such creative minds! And, it has been especially interesting reading a variety of genres - my personal crit group is made up of all one genre.
I, too, have been 'sluffing' work (our secret, right?). My poor boss thinks I've been clicking away on our next proposal. I guess I'll have to take that work home to finish....
Authoress - a small insurance company in TN. I can put you on the waiting list . . . with everybody else I know. : )
ReplyDeleteI truly am lucky to work for a great company with great people.
Thanks again for the contest and your whole site. It's definitely a great resource. Take care.
S
Thanks Authoress! It's neat and educational to read the agent's response. It made me realize that excellent writing will draw attention almost no matter what the story, but regular good writing might get accepted or bypassed depending on what the agent is looking for and the potential she/he sees.
ReplyDeleteAnd, it's really neat to see the genres and topics that other aspiring writers are tackling.
It's been fun reading them over.
I really should get some things done. Do you know when the Secret Agent is coming back? Is there any kind of timetable for when she will get through them all?
ReplyDeleteThe Secret Agents have from the opening of the contest through Sunday evening to get through all the entries. I let it up to them when and how they will accomplish this. I noticed that this month's SA got a wee start last night at the beginning. We'll simply have to keep our eyes pealed. :)
ReplyDeleteI read the entries to previous contests only after the Secret Agents had been revealed. So I already knew who had caught the SA's attention as I read them.
ReplyDeleteThis time, I don't know, so it's more exciting. There are many good entries. I am curious to know if the SA would pick the same favorites I would.
I'm an at-home person and have been going through and critting when I have time. This has been a lot of fun and I appreciate the opportunity. Since I'm a newbie, I tried not to make any gaffs, just sent my entry, read and critted.
ReplyDeleteThanks again. Can't wait to see who your SA chooses :D
I love critting because I love reading new ideas and of course, KARMA. I want to hear what other writer's think of my passages, even if this is a very subjective business. You're never a master at something unlessyou continiously work at it, and that's what critting is. Helping you see things more finely so to better your own writing.
ReplyDeleteAs for when I find the time, haha! As a mom of a newborn and 3 1/2 year old, I really don't know. Typically during the times I should be napping. :-O
First, thanks so much Authoress, for having this contest. Second, I crit at work (SHHH!), but it nots that big a deal for me there as I work for a reference publisher (as a cataloger) and am on the computer all day with access to the Internet. Lastly, I think this contest is so popular because, like Scott said, EVERYBODY wants (yearns?) to know how they're doing, good or bad. Oftentimes, friends & family just cannot give you that unbiased feedback that you need. So, thanks again!
ReplyDeleteI have been doing it with a 4 year old in my lap. As much as you may want to bottle that and use it on yourself... I don't recommend it. LOL :)
ReplyDeleteThis has been an awesome experience for me as well. I got some great compliments on my writing and style and they really pinpointed exactly what needed to change! Thanks Authoress! :)
I am critiquing. I learn so much by reading and thinking about what works and doesn't work for me as a reader. I don't tend to read analytically when I read novels as I just like to enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteI am revising two of my YA novels at the moment and slugging through writing the synopses. I welcome the break in my routine to critique when I can. It keeps me sharp. I work on a laptop and live in a wine barrel on the Pacific in the wilderness of California.
Big thanks to Authoress for the awesome blog and to all the lucky writers for sharing their work.
It's fascinating and very helpful to see the way others, especially the Secret Agent, view everyone's writing. Giving crits always helps improve my own writing, too.
ReplyDeleteLast time I did most of my crits at work, but I'm drowning in work AT work this time. Bleh. So I've just been sneaking a couple in when I can.
I find comunicating with other writiers comforting because they are the only people that actually understand the dedication and passion of other writers, any why they spend so much time writing and editing in every stolen or spare moment. I feel a kinship with other writers and know that at least they will be brutally honest when critiquing my writing.
ReplyDeleteI just love them all.
I critique through all ungodly hours of the night and during the day when I can find the time , which at the moment is every minute that I'm not doing things that I actually have to.
I think I have gone through the other 59, I hope I didn't miss anyone. Let me know if I did. I'm not the best critiquer in the world because I'm still learning, but this is all helping me learn.
I used to suffer from compulsive talking, but not any more, now I'm a compulsive writer instead. LOL
Thanks, Authoress, this really is fantastic and so exciting. What I'd like to know now is how you find the time, Authoress to do all this? It must take up ALL of your time. *Hugs*
I'm at home with my two younger children during the day, so yesterday I basically sat on my butt, ignored housework, got up when the kids needed me, bounced a baby on my knee, and critted. There's no other reason except that I enjoy it. I've always enjoyed writing and editing, so I guess it's the editor in me coming out of the closet.
ReplyDeleteBut, I'm no kind of expert, so I hope people who have recieved my critiques take what I say with a teaspoon of salt.
Thanks, Authoress. Fun, fun, fun!
Even though I haven't critted the last two round due to lack of time, I /have/ read them all. I can't help myself. It's such an insanely wonderful learning tool to be able to read through 50+ openings at a time and examine exactly why they do or don't work for me.
ReplyDeleteEven just the skim I've given the last two rounds has helped - the ones that really stand out to me all share similar elements, and it's helped me to realise what I need to be aiming for in a good, solid opening.
Usually, if I'm critting, I'll sneak it in at work or during a lecture at university O:)
First off, THANK YOU AUTHORESS for running this blog and these fantastic contests. The Secret Agent contests are so addicting. I get HUGE motivation from them - motivation as in: rushing to finish my WIP so I can enter a new ms come March or April. :-) Where else am I going to get a variety of honest feedback, from agents to writers?
ReplyDeleteTo answer the "where do I crit" question: I work 50 miles away from home and take the shuttle to and fro. That's 100 miles of time to read and crit.
Christine
aka C.N. Curtin
I think part of the appeal, for me, is that there's a dedicated word limit--I can figure out how long it'll take me to do some crits, or just read. Plus, I like seeing all the variety and yes, seeing what the SA says is always fun and informative.
ReplyDeleteI usually crit after work sometime between checking emails and napping.
Unfortunately I don't have crits as a higher up priority as previously, but this is solely based on limited internet and my energy levels. ;) I have to prioritize and tend to lean towards other things first. But like I said, knowing the WC limit, I can sneak in a few here and there and don't have to worry if I'll start reading a 3k sub that requires too much thought to crit in five minutes. ;)
~Merc
I think it's because I am a reader at heart, and I love reading other people's work and helping them to get it to a point where it's a solid piece of writing. I also learn so much by participating in these contests, even if I can't enter yet. It's so helpful to read what the SA has to say, and to apply it to my own work. Plus, I am grateful - grateful to all who gave me an indepth critique of my first chapter, and all who commented on my work in the non-SA contests, and I want to return the favor! Thank you again, Authoress, for all that you do for this little community of writers.
ReplyDelete