Fiddler in the Hoof: Pre-Readers Contest! · 3:38am Aug 21st, 2019
Wonderful Coverart by Little Tigress
So, I got decently far into the beginning of Fiddler in the Hoof, but... it doesn't feel right. Maybe I'm being judgmental -- maybe it's because I have no idea how to write Granny Smith, who's prominent in the first chapter -- but the writing feels stiff in comparison to when I wrote Bassdrops and Bowstrings. This isn't going to stop me though; in fact, it's going to rally me. I want the help of you, people who've read Bassdrops and Bowstrings, to help me.
However, I only need two people. So, I've decided to settle it simply; something quick and easy that most anyone can partake in, if you so choose.
Send me a PM titled "Contest Entry" that has your favorite scene from Bassdrops and Bowstrings quoted in it. Then below, write why that scene is your favorite and what you feel made the story good. I'll choose two people from the list of "applicants" and make them my pre-readers.
Now remember, length doesn't mean quality. I'm looking for what makes you passionate; what drives you forward. Likewise, you needn't have been an old-school reader, or even someone who commented on the story before; someone could pick it up right after reading this, read through it, and write something so impassioned that it wins me over completely. Everyone is able to enter and anyone could win. Don't sell yourself short because you have poor grammar or aren't good with words; I'm looking for passion and something to add some spark into writing that feels a little... dry.
I am looking for a pair of full-time pre-readers, so this won't be a one-time gig. You'll be the pre-reader for the whole story, and have early access to chapters well in advance. Likewise, your input will help shape the world of the story and help me add some zest into everything. So come on, give me your best. Be it a few impassioned sentences to several paragraphs of text, this title is up for grabs to anyone who is brave enough to seize it.
And remember: Be Brave.
- Quillian B. Inkheart
I'll make a lonely post, the lonelyest post that I've ever known. Don't known where it goes, but it's only me and my lonely post.
This is a needlessly complicated way of soliciting help. You don't need to hold what is effectively a job interview to find editors for your story. Just ask someone.
5109810
Eh, I just like to make my readers feel involved. Rather than randomly pick people for giggles n' shits, I felt like tossing out something to give my readers a bit of time to talk directly to me. That's one thing I try to do; interact with my reader-base. Too many authors -- fanfic or otherwise -- neglect their fans and write thinking that their ideas are always word of law.
And in some cases, it backfires. A prime example would be the ending of Mass Effect 3. When the fans rallied and said the ending was bad, rather than apologize and promise to work harder on the next game, Bioware writers doubled down and insulted the fandom, claiming that their word was art and therefore was above the minds of those who didn't make it. And where is Bioware now?
I dunno, if too few people step up to the challenge, I'll just pick someone. Still, I felt like giving a little interactivity with the people I consider the lifeblood of my work.
5109814 Allowing comments on your stories, and allowing feedback to flow openly, already gives people the opportunity to interact with you, directly and instantaneously. If this is some kind of attempt at opening a dialogue, it's redundant. And again, as a means of finding an editor, it's needlessly complicated.
Just ask someone.
5109817
Ah, that's the second point. I'm not looking for an editor. I'm looking for pre-readers who are dedicated to the original story and are devoted to maintaining the same emotional impact that the first one carried. Randos on a forum won't be as strongly linked to the original story, nor will they have the emotional investment or the passion. Maybe they'll read it and enjoy it, or maybe they won't click with it or the genre isn't their flavor of joe.
Ultimately, it also boils down to me wanting to reward those who go the extra mile; if a fan is willing to step up and write something, they can get early access to a story they enjoy. It's offering a hand to my readers and giving them a 'thank you' for the support they've shown throughout my time on this site.
Though I do need to wonder; are you a reader? I've never seen you post on my story, and in fact, I don't think I've ever seen you at all before. Though I might be wrong; I am atrocious with names... I'm not one of the 21 people you follow, so I know this didn't pop up in your feed, so I can only assume you came here through the Shameless Self-Promotion Bureau. Have you read Bassdrops and Bowstrings yet?
5109819
That's gonna be a tall order. The topography of the fandom is not what it was in July of 2016. Finding readers who are both skilled enough to serve as reliable editors and who are passionate enough about the original story to work with you on this one would have been difficult enough back then. Doing so now, with the show ending soon and so many users having left the fandom/migrated to others, is going to be especially challenging.
Adjust your expectations. A contest isn't likely to get you the kinds of candidates that you want. Again, it would be much more straightforward to ask people, either loyal readers who you think would be good for the job, or other site users who could be trusted with such a project, whether or not they were fans of the original story.
patently absurd and impossible. i am The Biggest Deal.
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5109822
Actually, I got a reply in under 24 hours. A reader who left the site, but checked back in to look for updates to my work is actually returning to the site to help me with the sequel. That is the kind of passion I'm looking for.
Honestly, I consider this whole thing a success. If no one else replies, one of my oldest readers came back to offer a hand in my next project. And that's a beautiful feeling. There are fans, and then there are fans; people who adore your work and genuinely feel passionate about it. That person who fights for something they're passionate about and overcomes even their own will in the pursuit of their goals. I am looking for that kind of person.
Never heard 'a ya. But I love that quote. Is it yours, or quoted from someone else? I ask, because I'd like to add it to my list of Quotes on my Profile. With your permission, if it's you.
5109824 I
s
sure?
5109831
Heh. I think you might be having keyboard problems, friend. I'll add the quote in. I do hope to see you in the comments of my stories, at some point. Thanks for your input.
5109810
Growls at you..........
5113304 Last December, I visited a retirement home with my mother. My grandfather was staying there. His dememtia had advanced pretty badly by that point, and he barely knew who I was, let alone where he was.
While I was there, in the common area, an elderly woman crossed the room toward the table I was sitting at. Scowling, she swiped her paws at me, like a cat, before gathering as much dust as she could in her hands, and flinging it at me.
The gesture and its significance were entirely lost on me. I knew she was angry. I just didn't know why. So, I wasn't offended or disturbed so much as I was just deeply confused.
Anyway. Reading your response gave me the exact same feeling of bafflement that I got from an elderly woman with dementia pretending to be an angry cat.
5113309
You really like to say a lot.
5113313 This is a writing website.
5113314
No your are wrong, its a reading website
5113316 yes, I can see how those two things are completely different.
5113317No you don't.
5113317
Fractured is just watching out for a friend. He likely assumed we were fighting and is just upset about that. Honestly, if I saw this without knowing my proclivity to debate, I might even assume it was an argument too.
5113316
There's no reason to bite their head off. 
Though the gesture of protectiveness is most appreciated. 
You can relax, Heart; I didn't take anything Posh said as an insult and I don't think it was intended that way. It was just a friendly debate between two people, as far as I'm concerned.