It's that time of year again... time for judging the WindyCity-RWA Four Seasons Contest entries. I checked back in the archives because I was sure my first entry in this blog was my rant about last year's entries, but it was the second entry.

So after all the last-minute pain and agony last year, I decided that I'd get on the ball this year and not save them for the last minute. I got the entries the 2nd Wednesday of March, and promptly sat down the next day for the first read through...

and couldn't get past the third page on any of them!!! They were horrible!! (And for those of you reading this that entered the contest... I only have 12 of the 130+ entries, so obviously some other judge got the pleasure of reading your wonderful prose, and I sincerely wish it had been me, because I really need the boost at this point.)

It makes me pity the agents and editors that have to read the slush piles.

And... needless to say, they sat for the last month because I couldn't face them. But they are due on Wednesday, so I need to get them done. Four a day... I can do that... I think...

For the most part I'm really glad that we are a chapter that focuses on giving positive critique feedback.... but jeez! some of these are so pitiful how do I say anything good about them?

Can I look at it as a challenge?

Not yet, it's too early... need more caffeine... right now I only feel pity for the clueless.

Can I make a new rule for next year's contest?

Immediate disqualification for every entry that thinks the laws of logic, physics and/or cause & effect don't apply to them.