Winners and Losers

[smokingboot]

I loved reading, hated choosing.

I feel for those astonishing imaginations whose works can't win, not because of any lack of quality but because their craft has a way to go before it catches up with their vision. Some truly original minds here.

It makes me question this whole project. For me at a certain age not winning would have felt like rejection, and I might even have turned away from writing. Suppose this happens here? We have no way of telling each entrant what we found that was so special about their creation. They all get certificates, but that's cold. R suggested that each entrant should get some unique little message saying what we found especially interesting about their work, a thank you note if nothing else, but the group has said it's too late for that, given the number of entries.

The contest should encourage everybody. I'm worried it may actively deter some. We are trying not to use the word 'win' instead saying 'the one that stood out,' which I hope changes things but am not convinced. Still, must try not to make perfect the enemy of the good.

If we are ever so mad as to run something like this again, we need much more money. This year our prizes are book vouchers, but if this is to be really useful, we start earlier, have a cut-off date much earlier, and every single entrant gets a voucher for books/art/ supplies /music /photography/whatever their preferred art form. The winners in each group get tickets to a Fringe play or exhibition and the outright winner gets flown down south to the Harry Potter Experience, or something of equivalent value. Boom.

Because yes, we want them taking notice of their locale and the stories of the area. But on a deeper level surely, the bedrock is reading, writing, the arts, the tools not only of self expression, but of understanding how others express themselves. Finding the joy in these things, developing rich minds at once more open to new ideas and less likely to be convinced by unsound ones, this is where such an initiative should be going. Remind me of these words if I ever win the lottery.

Comments

[mallorys_camera]

Ah! Well, now you're in the position many parents, educators, and teachers find themselves in.

Thing is that once you start giving prizes to everyone, there's no longer the understanding that some work is better. In this country, everyone gets a prize, and I think one of the results has been an awful sense of entitlement in our youth.

Dunno what the answer is.

But if you do this again next year, let me know, and I'll contribute some $$$$ toward prizes.

[smokingboot]

Yes, I think there has to be a discrimination between encouragement for what a child may attempt, and praise for what they have achieved. To get a book token would be great, but trying harder to win a day at the HP studio? I like to think it would make a big difference.

But maybe not. Maybe you are right about the sense of entitlement. If just turning up gets one a financial prize, the whole thing runs out of cash fast. So yes, certificates for entrants, book vouchers for runner ups, big prizes for winners.

And thank you for your lovely offer re next year! Personally I don't think it will happen again, but let's see if it takes with the local schools :-)

[bleodswean]

It's a conundrum, but I do think encouragement during the formative years of craft can make a difference!

[smokingboot]

I agree, encouragement is so key! One particular group have been so enthusiastic in their attempts that we have decided to put together a class prize for them; a local author of children's books is going to come in and talk to them about their creative writing!