Week 1 Green Room - Day 4

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

One more day to get in your entry!!!

I ended up thinking a lot about the competition last night, and found myself mentally going back to the early rounds of Season 2 and Season 3 and comparing them. There were so many "slow starts" in those bunches, and based on some of my reading, there are going to be slow starts in this group as well. People who you read and don't immediately go "wow!" Sure, there are a LOT of people who will get that reaction, but given the sheer amount of people involved, there are going to be plenty of the other group as well.

I was thinking about how many of the "slow starters" got further in the competition than people would have given them a chance to get early on, because they stuck with it and most importantly, they started to find their "voice" and were putting out some of the best stuff they had ever done.

I guess what I wanted to say this morning is if that is you, if you look at your entry and go "wow, I can't hang/I'm doomed" then just take a moment to relax, have some fun and see what you can come up with next week. Because every topic is going to be someone's cakewalk and someone else's mine field.

If it's not you, and you see someone you think is struggling, just take a moment to be encouraging. Yes, it's a competition so maybe you'd rather them fall to the wayside to make way for your overwhelming victory.*g* But even a little tips, or simple leading by example of showing them what you believe a good entry looks like, that can make the world of difference (and ultimately help because hey, who wouldn't vote for someone who's been nice to them!*g*)

Comments

[libra-dragon.livejournal.com]

Morning!

wow, I can't hang/I'm doomed" Yeah I would say that this thought has run through my head a few times...ok I lied probably with every few entries I read. I suppose I am my own worst critic to the nth degree. I am trying to just let it go and what will be will be, and I will learn somethings along the way.

I hope everyone is have has a good Thursday (is there a way to make it Friday any sooner?)

[emaline412.livejournal.com]

I know I won't win, but I love just being in this. It's a challenge I'm really enjoying.
I'll have to read your entry now so I can tell you how NOT doomed you are!

[mme-furiosa.livejournal.com]

How did you get to be so generous? You're right, though. When I read over entries well-rested and focused, I can almost always find merit in them. When I'm exhausted or distracted, it is infinitely more difficult.

[xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com]

Absolutey. That's the main reason why I gave up reading earlier than usual yesterday. There's no sense in making half-assed comments if you only read the piece half-assed to begin with.

[spydielives.livejournal.com]

...who wouldn't vote for someone who's been nice to them!

*raises hand* Me?

Oh, wait... was that the wrong answer?

*giggles and runs away*

[chazari.livejournal.com]

Now I have to wipe tea off my monitor. *Goes to get towels*

[shay-writes.livejournal.com]

The more entries I read, the greater the sense of doom becomes.
We are a talented bunch.

[xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com]

I'm not looking at it so much as doom as "Hey...where did all the competition come from?"

OTOH, I tend to focus more on the friendships I'm making rather than the competition itself, or else I'll be a basketcase *shudder*

[lacombe.livejournal.com]

Just for the record, I like nice comments, but everyone here is formally invited to jump in with constructive criticism at any time. No one ever did their best by having everyone be nice to them. If you want the same back from me, let me know, but I'm not going to be critiquing anyone's LJ Idol entries uninvited. Also- if you want me to, please let me know how sensitive you feel about it and how tough you'd like me to be. Do you want content criticism, grammar crit. or both? I'd like both on my side.

Just saying.

[spydielives.livejournal.com]

Constructive criticism?

Yeah, I always wanted that too. So mark me down as one of those people.

In fact, I will add a column to my spreadsheet for anyone else who wants to be open to that sort of thing. Then I will remember when reading. lacombe, you are on the list!

[tryslora]

I am absolutely amazed this season. I'm only a page and a half into the comments for reading (yes, I'm waaaay behind) and I have eight people to vote for. There's been a TON more I haven't noted because I'm literally trying to keep to the ones which knock me flat on my arse, which means I'm passing by ones which just make me go WOW. Which is sad.

I'm sorry not to be commenting on most of the entries... I honestly don't have time, but wow wow wow, I am utterly blown away by the talent I see out there. Sometimes what gets me is the beautiful way with words. Sometimes it's the story being told. Sometimes it's the way I'm drawn in and am THERE in the story. I've already identified a few people I think have that triple threat I was looking for last season when I voted (no, I'm not telling who *grins*) and I think it's going to be an AMAZINGLY tough season.

Just... wow.

[shay-writes.livejournal.com]

This is the sort of thing that's confusing me. I've seen people say how great the entries are, but they have to narrow down who they actual vote for.

Why? Is there a limit? Why not vote for everyone who moves you? Maybe I'm missing something.

(you're not the first person to say this)

[spydielives.livejournal.com]

Is it just me, or do the comments look different today?

[lacombe.livejournal.com]

I don't like this layout- it's too tough to see who's responding.

[(Anonymous)]

I've really been appreciating the encouraging comments my two efforts have gotten.

It's scary putting myself out there, but I'm sure it will do me good in the long run.

[ambwilson.livejournal.com]

Thought I was logged in. That was me.

my favorites so far this week:

[belenen.livejournal.com]

http://controlld-chaos.livejournal.com/58302.html
http://bubbles20061980.livejournal.com/66211.html
http://amadruadaboleyn.livejournal.com/347081.html
http://n-decisive.livejournal.com/164391.html
http://chiara607.livejournal.com/124625.html
http://rotheche.livejournal.com/31827.html
http://wherdafux-d-cat.livejournal.com/308380.html
http://blue-eye.livejournal.com/374756.html
http://amenquohi.livejournal.com/470936.html
http://ankita-1.livejournal.com/155966.html
http://superhappytime.livejournal.com/4055.html
http://golden-sands.livejournal.com/77362.html
http://imafarmgirl.livejournal.com/311328.html
http://fidgety.livejournal.com/461794.html
http://flisleshnitz.livejournal.com/231364.html
http://jennielynn1127.livejournal.com/327399.html
http://mme-furiosa.livejournal.com/51404.html
http://rosepurr.livejournal.com/852618.html
http://rm.livejournal.com/1206195.html
http://beemerbike.livejournal.com/23961.html
http://spydielives.livejournal.com/1591968.html

It's really insane how many amazing writers are involved! There were plenty of others I liked too, just not as much as those in that list. And I think I got a little burnt out on reading, so some of them didn't make as much impact as they otherwise would have. I hope we're allowed to vote for more than one because I will never be able to narrow it down to only one!

I expect to be eliminated pretty early just because the talent in here is overwhelming, but I'm still going to vote and follow the topics in my LJ. This has been an amazing experience already! I'm very excited to be involved. :D

Re: my favorites so far this week:

[spydielives.livejournal.com]

Thank you!!

[welfy.livejournal.com]

who wouldn't vote for someone who's been nice to them!*g*

This makes me feel ruthless because I would never vote for someone just because they're nice to me or if they're on my friends list. :^P I vote for people based on whether the writing moves me or not. They could be on my friends list or not on my friends list.

[spydielives.livejournal.com]

I don't think that makes you ruthless.

Not at all.

[ewok-626.livejournal.com]

I survived my 14 hour workday yesterday. Just wish my boyfriend hadn't woken me up at 5am when he came to bed. I ended up listening to half of "Hudson Hawk" because I couldn't fall back asleep.

Onto today. A 12-hour day. Oy. But I did bring my crocheting to work. Plus I have about 2 pages of LJ_Idol entries to get through.

[anchasta.livejournal.com]

Whew, twelve hours? What a long day! Poor Ewok...

[xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com]

OK, this new layout is definitely making my eyes bug out. The font is definitely too small!

I've got a doc's appointment in an hour. Then I have to go get my paycheck/schedule for next week, and listen to the weekly gossip. Then to the bank. Then run a few errands.

I should mention that I probably won't be around here as much the next couple of weeks. Thanksgiving = ANNUAL PIE NIGHTMARE!

[ewok-626.livejournal.com]

Hooray for payday!

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

Any chance someone could walk me through fixing the format on the site. I tried to resort to old format, but that undid everything else that had been done to the community. Just need to get it back to the same font sizes and threading.

[kithan.livejournal.com]

If you're going to be at your Mom's or the Library on Saturday, I'll be at work. We can have a conference call and sort it out.

:)

[torenheksje.livejournal.com]

I'm only participating unofficially, and I'm *still* feeling the pressure - I've never tried to be all "writerly" before, and I think I'm coming up very short compared to so many of the entries I've read.

I'm still going to keep playing along at home, no matter what. My writing can only get better (I hope I hope I hope) . :c)

[gnomeangel.livejournal.com]

it's true - the more you use your skills the better they'll get.

can i ask, and i'm sorry if i missed it in an early comment, why are you playing the home game and not participating in the contest?

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

Good morning Neverland! =) Sorry, I've had waaaayyyy too much coffee this morning =D Anywho, hope everyone's having a lovely Thursday. Off I go to annoy some students =D

[gnomeangel.livejournal.com]

*waves*

hope the student annoying went well!!!

[spydielives.livejournal.com]

Oh, so I had a request for one of these:

Feel free to take (but please give credit as warranted).

[jennieknits.livejournal.com]

I ganked it so that I don't have to look for it in the future, but I did credit, just like I did the Gold Star one. *hugs*

[anchasta.livejournal.com]

Whew! Finally got that topic done and posted! ;) I had a hard time sorting out what to write about and how.

*does a little dance*

So. How are YOU today? I have to work, and then tonight we are tidying house and going to bed early. THAT is some excitement!!

[ewok-626.livejournal.com]

I'm tired and grumpy. After my 14 hour workday yesterday, I come home bearing McDonalds only to have my boyfriend ignore the fact that I came home. He ate the food while playing his new video game. Not even a "thank you" or "how was your day?" Just told me "set the bag on the floor and I'll eat it. I'm busy." He hadn't even fed the fish. Instead of going upstairs to sleep, I laid in bed and cried myself to sleep.

I hope that today's better. Only 12 hours of work. Should be home by 9:30 tonight. And if I get that crap again tonight, I'm locking the bedroom door. He can sleep on the couch after waking me up at 5am because he decided he still wasn't tired and needed to watch a movie. *hardcore grumble*

[rm.livejournal.com]

Oh this makes me feel better about my temptation to do an entry on writing tips. I can be a bit Professor Snape and would be profoundly hesitant to give anyone feedback who didn't explicitly ask for it, but now I feel like it won't make me an asshole to write a little bit about how I think a good story should be told.

[shay-writes.livejournal.com]

I added you to my reading list, I hope you don't mind.

I'm curious to see your thoughts on writing.

[emaline412.livejournal.com]

I'm really enjoying reading these entries. Thanks to everyone for sharing your childhood memories, and thanks, clauderainsrm , for picking such a thought-provoking topic.
I think I'll learn a lot about myself through this competition.

[gnomeangel.livejournal.com]

great icon!!!

that's the spirit that i like about this competition - the self awareness it breeds.

*good luck*

writing tips

[rm.livejournal.com]

Okay, I posted my writing tips.

They aren't cuddly, but I do, sincerely, hope they help and motivate.

http://rm.livejournal.com/1209400.html

Not cuddly would be an understatement!

[emaline412.livejournal.com]

Good tips—really good tips, actually—but yikes. I'm a lil' nervous for you to read my entries. Back to school for me!

A (B) C (D) cont...

[spydielives.livejournal.com]

Continuing this thread... http://community.livejournal.com/therealljidol/72824.html?thread=2629496

I wrote...

As any author can attest, all attempts at assisting amateurs will amass annoyances after allowing for assessments and arrangements. Absolutely, after acknowledging Amy's artistry and amusing anecdotes, adoring acolytes ask only that allowances are assured. Acidic answers only add to arguments that are awash with annoying adverbs and aversive acrimony.

Re: A (B) C (D) cont...

[lacombe.livejournal.com]

... and I wrote this startlingly amazing and LONG z alliteration. I'll be continuing this soon. ;-)

[kithan.livejournal.com]

The comments should be back to what they were before. Let me know if anyone is still having problems.

Thanks to spydielives and jennielynn1127 for their suggestions on how to fix the issue. :)

[ewok-626.livejournal.com]

They are perfect now. Thank you everyone for fixing them. Much better. :^)

[kittenboo.livejournal.com]

i'm not one to critique anyone's style, but i decided that if i read an entry and i know it is one of my absolute favorites, then i will tell them so in the comments. why not let someone know they're doing a great job :)

[gnomeangel.livejournal.com]

that's a great attitude to have. you'll never know which comment will really speak to someone's heart.

[40sw.livejournal.com]

Due to some of the feedback I received on my lj-idol entry it has been changed completely. (I copied what had been the entry to elsewhere in my journal and replaced the content of the entry with something simpler and easier to "read").

Enjoy!


& link to current entry to save anyone having to look it up: http://40sw.livejournal.com/624872.html

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

Liked the original btw.

[wildcatwrites.livejournal.com]

I can't even begin to tell you how intimidated I am by the quality of writers in this group!

*shivers with fright*

[gnomeangel.livejournal.com]

i feel ya! it's amazing to see how much good is out there... it's going to be a big bad season of lj idol... it's gonna rock!

i know it's easier typed than done, but try not to compare. this is about finding *your* voice. some one will always be big, better, faster. you've got to be happy with what you've done.