My 2 cents on the WotC World Design Contest

[Arravis]

I work in publishing and unfortunately and unjustly, people DO judge on spelling and grammar. It's sad that some closed minded manager won't be able to look at a good idea cause of a minor issue in spelling or grammar. Ugh. Unfortunately it's an unfortunate truth I've found in all the jobs I've had in this business.

 

[Scribe Ineti]

I work in publishing and unfortunately and unjustly, people DO judge on spelling and grammar. It's sad that some closed minded manager won't be able to look at a good idea cause of a minor issue in spelling or grammar. Ugh. Unfortunately it's an unfortunate truth I've found in all the jobs I've had in this business.

It's the nature of the writing world. If a writer cannot express himself clearly, he or she isn't going to make it as a writer. It's that simple. Grammar and punctuation exist for a reason. A writer who cannot make use of at least the basics isn't going to be taken seriously by a publisher, no matter how good their idea.

 

[Scribe Ineti]

Re: Re: Re: What's your point?

Put yourself in the shoes of a reviewer reading 10,000 one page proposals in a short span of time. Are you going to check them all for spelling and passive voice on the first pass? I wouldn't. i'd get into that on the second or third pass. I think a good idea, presented clearly is the key to getting out of the chaff pile. After that spelling and gramar will help you edge out the others.

I agree with you. But wouldn't you say that "presented clearly" sort of implies the writer has at least a decent grasp of good grammar and spelling?

 

[Taliseian]

...it's a good thing I ran my word processors Grammar checking function, then had an College English professor I know look it over before sending.....



T

 

[Sigma]

Re: What's your point?

I'm curious as to what you were trying to accomplish with this post. It's all about your opinion about what will make a good submission and why you think most of the people on the boards would not live up to your standards.

That's basically just self aggrandizement in my book. I can't see how it will help anyone. I think you under-estimate your competition in this case. There will be many well written proposals that follow directions just fine.

I agree with the first part of Sigfried's statement. My reaction to this post is 'who the heck are you, and why do you presume to have a better understanding of the rules and procedures of the contest than the rest of the members of the board.' Your points are condescending and obvious, I'm not sure why you felt the need to post them. Thanks for the advice, but it would actually mean something if you were any type of authority on the subject and not just some random shmuck like the rest of us.

 

[Buttercup]

Re: Re: Re: What's your point?

Put yourself in the shoes of a reviewer reading 10,000 one page proposals in a short span of time. Are you going to check them all for spelling and passive voice on the first pass

But this assumes that you have to actually go looking for bad spelling and grammar. If it's really bad, it jumps out and slaps you in the face, so to speak. It is my guess that they will do much like I do, when I am making a first pass through a big stack of resumes. Those with smears, smudges, coffee stains, bad grammar and spelling go into the trash. After that, I settle down to actually read the remaining ones.

 

[Ashtal]

Guys and gals ... we've already just had a series of threads about what you should/shouldn't do, whose chances are better, people taking things personally, borderline and beyond borderline attitude, and even stuff that even spilled over into another board.

I really - REALLY- don't want to see a repeat of that, especially considering that the points in this post (which could have at least been posted into the big honkin thread on WotC's Setting Search) are entirely moot. The date for entries has been passed, no one can benefit from this advice, and wagging fingers at how people are gonna fail just isn't going to go well.

So, for my sanity, please let's not revisit recent nastiness. Kay? It's a waiting game now and while I can appreciate that people may be experiencing some frayed nerves as we all await word on the 10 selected applicants, taking those frustrations out on the message board or your fellow posters is not good.

And it makes me cranky.

And I'm hot enough to be cranky all on my own and don't want to have to get crankier.

 

[Heap Thaumaturgist]

[Whatever you say, O Monocular Feline.]

--HT

 

[Piratecat]

Heap, Ashtal already made that point. There's no point in agitating any further. Let it lie, please.

 

[Canada_K]

YIKES!

I wasn't trying to make folks mad, I really was trying to be helpful. I tried to post this before the deadline, but as many of you know there was a problem with the message boards and it was two weeks before I could do it.

I'm not just some yahoo. I've worked with the people at Wizards a several times, and I've been subjected to their very brutal editorial staff. I was trying to share my experiences to save others that grief.

Now even though I didn't post this in time to help people with the World Design, I thought those of you who ever want to try freelancing might get something out of it.

Anywho, sorry to have offended.