Oct 08 2008
I Think I Made a Mistake: New Word Shot “Winner” Policy
You know when you decide to do something and in the back of your mind there’s something wrong about it, but you do it anyway?
That’s what happened when I issued the first Word Shot challenge just over a week ago and told you I would select a winner from the entries. I knew right off the bat something was wrong with that strategy. But I went ahead with it.
Seventeen people submitted comments for that Word Shot, which was more than I expected for the first run. Another thing I didn’t expect was the quality level of the comments. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of writing and the imagination of the participants. I realized first-class writers were reading my blog.
That’s when it hit me I was in trouble.
My thought process went something like this: “Who am I to judge these entries? How can I choose a winner when so many are so good? Besides, critiquing this sort of writing is terribly subjective. In choosing a winner, am I making the others losers, when in fact I’m not only impressed with their writing, but in many cases envious of it?”
I went ahead with it and awarded Rick the prize. His entry was awesome. But others’ entries were, too.
Now, two days after issuing the second Word Shot, only two people have decided to participate. I worry that I may have alienated some of you, or that you have decided not to participate because you don’t want your work to be subjectively judged. I don’t blame you. I wouldn’t want that either. There’s altogether too much judgment in the world and too little simple appreciation.
So I’m changing my Word Shot policy: no more thinking in terms of winners, losers and competition. Let’s all just throw out what we can offer for the joy of it and let others appreciate it.
In short, you’re all winners. It’s my hope that submitting Word Shot comments will be a fun, talent-expanding exercise for you. I also hope that perusing others’ comments will be an ongoing “good read” for everyone.
As for prizes, I would like to continue to offer them, but on a different basis. Here’s what I’m going to do: Once you have participated in 10 different Word Shots, just e-mail me to let me know and I’ll send you a return e-mail with my three e-manuals attached, free of charge.
So please, give the Word Shots a shot for the sheer pleasure of it. You’ll build your writing muscles and give the rest of us something good to read.
Steve, I’m not at all put out by not winning the first word shot. I didn’t enter the second yet simply because I haven’t come up with a comment that pleases me enough. Maybe I’ll come up with something, or maybe this photo is just not for me…
Hope you’re a little reassured. I’ll be participating regardless of the prize formula because as you say, I think it’s a fun exercise that will build my writing skills.
Regards,
Gary
Gary, thanks for your reassuring comment. Glad you’re still onboard!
For me it was the image in the second word shot. All that I could think of was commercials for prescription drugs when I saw it. “Alice’s depression made her wonder how long John would stay, But then Placebix (R) came along and changed everything. It gave her a second chance to be herself.” Not something I would be too proud to post up, ya know?
Tombo, you could have a bright future in advertising writing.
Steve, I’m a huge fan of your blog, but with this market turmoil, which affects my day job, I’m out of time to keep up with that and do your wordshots. I LOVE the idea. Please keep it going. I love reading the comments.
I agree with Tombo, though I was thinking more along the lines, “Sarah wasn’t feeling herself lately. She couldn’t be intimate with John right now, but with new Fungerex, she’ll soon be herself again.”
Oh, and the “we’re all winners” part? I was enjoying the post until then. We’re not all winners, at least not all the time, we take turns. It’s ok to lose. Sometimes the French judge didn’t like your music, that the way life rolls. Enjoy the Bronze, take the endorsements.
Gosh, I hope my comment on my hubby winning the last word shot hasn’t swayed the competition. He is an artist, so creativity just flows out! (And I didn’t give him any real punches ;)) Anyway, I like the winning/losing part of word shot. I think it is more exciting that way. We could always go the ‘reality show’ way and send in our ‘votes’ for whom we think should win; keeping the heavy off you, Steve. But I guess we can try the way you suggested, too.
oh dear, you got worried huh ^^ well, in my case i was practically speechless when i saw the picture. i couldn’t think of anything creative to say about it… i’ve thought of something now, just have to start working on it.
copies of the e-manuals after 10 word shots? good grief, are you bribing us? ^^ but hey, i’ll take it. wish me luck.