Damning with faint praise |
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td333777
NYC Midnight Black Belt Joined: 29 Jan 2017 Location: MO Status: Offline Points: 2856 |
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Posted: 14 Dec 2018 at 2:35pm |
I know after finishing first and second in the last two NYCM fiction contests, I don't have much to complain about when it comes to judging. That being said, as an example that prior success doesn't exactly guarantee future rewards:
In the "what the judges liked" section of my semi-final round story (didn't finish in the top eight), one of them stated-- "I like your use of em dashes." Yeah, that's kinda like congratulating me when I pee by saying "you managed to get most of it in the toilet." Ouch. TD |
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FF '17 - 1st, SSC '18 - 2nd, FF '20 - 7th
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roccapia
NYC Midnight Addict Joined: 21 Mar 2017 Location: Poulsbo, WA Status: Offline Points: 1061 |
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Did they say why they liked the em dashes? That would have been more helpful.
I didn't make the next round either, although I did get HM, which I wasn't expecting. The judges comments for my story were pretty concise and helpful, and I'm hoping to strengthen my story a bit before I publish it on my patreon page. But this now makes me wonder: is there a way we can ask the judges for more clarification if we get a vague statement like that?
Edited by roccapia - 14 Dec 2018 at 2:53pm |
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MF1: Dirty Fingers
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PrestonLeytonNelson
NYC Midnight Addict Joined: 13 Jul 2018 Location: Brooklyn, NY Status: Offline Points: 797 |
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Wow. That "positive" comment is....yeah. I mean I almost think itd be better if the judge had left it blank--it's like when someone says they can't come to your birthday party because they have to wash their hair. I for one am really surprised that you didn't place in the top 8 @td333777! I thought your submission was so gripping! I was so impressed by it, I even sent it to my fiance to read. But I guess you never can tell what they're looking for
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td333777
NYC Midnight Black Belt Joined: 29 Jan 2017 Location: MO Status: Offline Points: 2856 |
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Thanks Preston, I appreciate it!!
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FF '17 - 1st, SSC '18 - 2nd, FF '20 - 7th
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Tim G
NYC Midnight Black Belt Joined: 02 Nov 2016 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 6626 |
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Wait, they're not "end dashes"?!
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Rhyming Story R2: Flying On Empty (Thriller)
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tanyazina
NYC Midnight Regular Joined: 16 Jul 2018 Location: Sausalito, CA Status: Offline Points: 419 |
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When discussing the latest round of results, a friend pointed to your entry as one that she was mystified didn't go through (I agreed). We were both curious to see your feedback as we couldn't make sense of it. This has only deepened the mystery. I mean, this is not a Emily Bronte level use of the em dash - it was just a function of a character who knew what someone was going to say before they said it (see what I did there?). I greatly enjoyed your story, and not only did the pee end up in the toilet, it was flushed beautifully. Hope to read more in the short story contest.
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Whoa!! Seriously? You've mastered the em-dash, young grasshopper.
My sense was that the judges were phoning it in. Something must be wrong at NYC Midnight headquarters recently.
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chrissie0707
NYC Midnight Black Belt Joined: 07 Feb 2018 Location: Indianapolis Status: Offline Points: 4005 |
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So weird. I felt like my feedback was really good and thoughtful this go-round, so I *hope* it wasn't an epidemic.
I do love a good em-dash. Also, I was head over heels for this story of yours! |
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jennifer.quail
NYC Midnight Black Belt Joined: 07 Feb 2018 Status: Offline Points: 7931 |
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That's....different. I mean, I've seen some odd praise, but that's the first time I have ever seen a compliment on em dash use.
Maybe they'd seen enough rampant em dash abuse they felt it was praiseworthy?
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Rainbowsockmonkey
NYC Midnight Addict Joined: 25 Jan 2017 Location: Los Angeles Status: Offline Points: 820 |
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I think it's sincere praise. In SSC, I placed first in a round and the first comment from the judges was "Appropriately used em dashes? Be still my heart." A good em dash = good pace.
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