The top 30
submissions, as determined by Hammons’ volunteer crew of slushpile readers,
will receive feedback from online readers. And the surviving finalists will get
eyes on their writing samples from publishing industry pros.
This year I return as
one of those slush readers winnowing the initial entrants. We joined Hammons
recently on Twitter to share the secrets of what it takes to win our hearts.
I’ll recap while expanding on my own preferences. Pay attention – you may just
find yourself in the winner’s circle!
It should not need saying
but I will -- contestants need to produce a strong writing sample.
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| image: pixabay |
Over and over,
slushpile readers made statements such as, “Writing quality is my highest
weighted category. A really well-written piece can make up for other things I
might not like.”
And, “Give me a STRONG
hook! I cannot stress this enough. Grab me before my mind and wander and don’t
let me go until the end.”
Or, “Great writing is
my number one criteria. I know that’s subjective, but for me it’s about whether
your story draws me in: is your dialogue realistic, do you have the right blend
of dialogue, emotions, action, and world building.”
And with a 500-word
limit on entries, every blow – I mean word – has to punch above its weight.
“What’s the key to my
vote?” another slushpile reader tweeted. “It’s really, really, simple: tight
writing. SUPER tight. No dramatics, no clichés. I don’t even care what genre; a
strong premise is only a bonus. I just want to know you can tell a story.”
So, does a 500-word
limit mean the contest is limited to flash fiction? Not at all. Flash is
perfectly OK, but those of the 30 original contestants who make it through the
early rounds of reader feedback will be expected to produce additional – and
longer – writing samples. This probably explains why most of the entries I’ve
seen so far appear to be excerpts from longer works.
But as I’ve told my
own critique group, the writing sample doesn’t have to be verbatim from a
longer piece. Choosing which elements are essential and which can be
temporarily dispensed with is an art. What I’ve seen a little too much of, both
this year and last, when I also read slush, is the lack of arc. There may be
lyrical writing or great character sketches, but even with only a fragment of
scene, the sample has to show a potential to go somewhere, to have legs.
As a fellow slushie
tweeted, “A gripping first sentence does a lot for me, but something has to
actually happen in the story. It can’t just be all exposition.”
Other tweets – “I was
glued to the story. . .”
“The writer managed to
get into my head. . .”
And, “Make me forget about
#COVID-19. Even if only for a few minutes. Give me a story that will consume my
mind and emotions with something else.”
So, you’ve got a
strong opening, a gripping middle. . . how about that ending? Remembering it’s
not necessarily the ending of the entire story, only of this 500-word fragment.
Slushies say, “Bonus
points for a surprise ending. . . I really LOVE surprise endings.” And, “One of
my favorites so far had a fantastic twist at the end. I want to know what
happens!” And, “If it’s not a short (story) with closure, I need at least a
signpost or tip of the hat as to where the author is taking me.”
A slushpile reader
quoted earlier not caring about genre, but some do pine for more variation in
genres. Admittedly, with most entries expected in this final week, it’s still
surprising that I’ve counted fewer than a half-dozen YA submissions.
Other slushies
tweeted, “I’d love to see some nonfiction and memoirs,” and “I wouldn’t mind
seeing more horror entries. . . hint, hint.” (Although another noted, “I
like my horror IMPLIED, not graphic or gory!” Slushpile readers also like
humor, either as a stand-alone genre or sprinkled into other genres. And
speaking personally, I’m a sucker for mysteries, historicals, and thrillers.
And although great
writing is tops on we slushies’ lists of must-haves, we’re not immune to
pickier issues. “Suck me in, trap me, make me care,” one tweeted. “I’m more lax
on grammar. I’ll even skip over it if I’m engrossed but if it comes down to a
submission with good grammar vs. one with not-go-good. . .”
And, “If I’m debating
between two great pieces, proper grammar can tip the scales.” And another, “I’m
not a huge stickler for grammar mistakes, but it if keeps pulling out of the
story? It will affect my vote at that point.”
So, there you have it,
writers! Great writing, strong beginning, a story arc with strong ending. And
don’t ignore your word processor’s grammar suggestions. Now hie thee to the
WRiTE CLUB site and enter!
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