Lois & Clark Forums Forums General Discussion Fun with Polls Would you vote for or against yourself?

Is it too late now, since many of us have voted?
Would it be an easy matter for Erin and KathyM to adjust the ballots of those nominees who have already voted?

I think everyone who hasnt' voted yet should go out and vote for Chris' stories, where ever they may be.

It has always been my own perverse pleasure to try and get the most nominations without an actual win. Chris and a few others are a definite threat to that goal.

Story

--Does the story begin in the right place? The story should begin at a major turning point in the main character’s life, in a situation that demands she/he take action or make a decision. (If it doesn’t, it probably starts too soon. It probably starts too late if some information seems to be missing.)

--Does the beginning “hook” the reader? In the first few lines there should be an interesting statement, dialogue or actions, which seizes your attention and keeps you reading.

--Does the story move smoothly? The story doesn’t move too slow or too fast. It keeps your attention.

--Is there a sense of time and place? Is the mood clear? You get a clear picture of where and when the story takes place, and if it is a humorous, suspenseful, action or serious story.

--Is the POV consistent and clear? The reader identifies with, feels and sees through the POV character.

--Is the conflict strong enough to carry the plot? The hero/heroine are thrown into a situation or faces some obstacle or problem which threatens his/her happiness. In approximately three (3) chapters and synopsis there should be clear evidence of the plot.

--Is narration and dialogue balanced? There are no long passages of narrative or dialogue. Dialogue is effectively interspersed with short descriptive statements, tags or thought

--Is the dialogue natural, vital to the story? Does the reader always know who is speaking? The dialogue is important and needed. You have a clear idea of who is speaking. Dialogue isn’t stilted or formal.

--Are transitions between scenes and POV handled smoothly with no abrupt shifts? The POV switches only between scenes, or if the POV switches within the scene, it seems natural.


Characterization

--Are the hero/heroine likable despite flaws/faults? Do they seem real? Could you identify with them? Do you care what they feel?

--Do the characters have unique voices and traits? Are they consistent? The hero and heroine have distinctive traits that is shown enough to where you know either one of them from other characters in the story. The way hero/heroine speaks stays consistent.

--Are all characters easily identifiable? The reader doesn’t identify a secondary character with the hero/heroine, then find out later his/her mistake.

--Is the relationship between hero and heroine apparent and intense? Does it progress satisfactorily? You get a sense of a budding relationship that grows stronger, regardless or because of the conflict between them.

--Are the characters developed, well defined and necessary? The characters are not stereotypes. The characters are important to the story. The hero/heroin are not perfect, but they are honest, intelligent, generous, kind, etc.

--Are hero and heroine multi-dimensional and believable? Do the hero/heroine act and speak in a way that is believable to their character. Do hero/heroine have more than one side to their personality?

--Are the characters’ dialogue, emotions and actions/reactions realistically motivated? The reader understands why the characters act/react, say or feel the way they do.

--Are the hero and heroine characters you would root for? The reader wants the hero/heroine to achieve their goals, overcome their obstacle and have their happily ever after. The reader cheers for the hero/heroine.

--Are the characters’ goals identified? The reader knows what is important to the characters


General

--Is the writing fresh? The writer has a distinctive voice and conveys an interesting story.

--Do you get a vivid picture from the writing? The writer uses the five senses, shows rather than tells, uses action verbs, avoids cliches and uses a variety of writing techniques, such as descriptive phrases, similes and metaphors that enables the reader to picture the story.

--Is the writing natural, not forced? self explanatory

--Did the entry keep you reading, was it compelling? The entry is interesting. The reader doesn’t have to force himself/herself to finish reading.


Synopsis

--Does the synopsis show the story line? self explanatory

--Are the hero’s and heroine’s goals, motivations and conflicts clearly defined? The synopsis clearly shows the hero/heroine goals, motivations and conflicts; how the goals are achieved, what motivates them and how they overcome their conflicts.

It's interesting that Paul says he would never nominate his stories, but he wouldn't object to voting for one if he honestly thought it was best. My brain is wired the other way round. If I think one of my stories was genuinely good, I won't hesitate to include it in my lists of noms; but I can't see myself voting for a story of mine. I see the Kerths as a representation of my peers' opinions, not my own.

Then again, I still seriously believe that the real Kerth winners are the nominees. Period.

How do people *ever* actually manage to compare their stories with other people's? <critically confused graemlins>