Last week I told you about a site called Rate Your Story.
You can submit your story (up to 2000 words) and it will be rated by judges who are published writers.
I submitted my PB manuscript titled "Grasshoppers". My submission was rated by Margot Finke, who has had many rhyming picture books published. You can go here to visit her blog. I was honored and excited to receive a rating of #2 from her!
Below is the scale they use:
10 - Consider this story as practice and write a new one.
9 - This story is best saved for reading to your family.
8 - If at first you don't succeed...rewrite, rewrite again.
7 - Your idea has merit, but the story needs a lot of revision.
6 - Not bad, but it doesn't stand out.
5 - Better than average, but still needs work.
4 - A decent story – could be great with some polishing.
3 - Good story – Get a critique or two and polish before submitting.
2 - A very good story - with the potential to be great.
1 - Great story! You should consider submitting this.
I'm making a few changes and searching for publishers. I thought it was a good story, and was glad the judge agreed. And...it is written in rhyme! They discourage people from writing in rhyme because of how hard it is to get the rhyme and meter just right. I had help with this story from my writer's group and when it was finished we were pretty happy with the result.
The December issue of Two-Lane Livin' is out now. Do you like the cover? The picture is one I took last year of one of my blue jays. We have quite a few feeders and I love taking pictures of birds in the winter.
My column this month is titled, Winter Snow and Hot Cocoa. Below is a poem I have in the December issue.
In the Winter
by Janet F. Smart
In the winter
Hear the roar
As blizzards blow
Outside your door.
We slip and slide
In the snow
With our red cheeks
All aglow.
We build snowmen
Big and tall
And keep them warm
With a shawl.
The sky grows dark
In we go
For dry, warm clothes
And hot cocoa.
Happy Writing and I wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving tomorrow!
Congratulations on the #2 story rating. It will be a great story!
ReplyDeleteI love the poem. It sums up winter perfectly. Happy Thanksgiving for tomorrow!
I love your blue jay photo. What an innovative way they set up the cover, with the articles listed among the branches! And congrats on your story rating, sounds very promising ...
ReplyDeleteHave a very Happy Thanksgiving, Janet, enjoy!
Congratulations!! That has to be very encouraging for you! I do hope you find a publisher.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family.
Congratulations and Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Bluejay photo! Good job Janet. And the poem is so visual. Well written.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the story that got a 2. Very good.
Have a nice Thanksgiving. Blessings to you and yours.
Congrats on your story's rating! I think it's fun to read things written in rhyme, though I'm not very good at writing it myself. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving--love your poem!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Janet. I know you'll find a publisher.. I find it so hard to not write in rhyme.. Sometimes I wonder if I could ever do it any other way..
ReplyDeleteHi Janet, I'm going to pop over to the website, it sounds really neat. Congratulations on your story! I hope you are having a wonderful week and a lovely evening ahead! Delisa :)
ReplyDeleteJanet,
ReplyDeleteThat cover is really nice. You sure are creative. I just know you will be a famous writer.
Nancy Jo
Really nice Poem, Janet! I may have to run up to the mountains to get a real taste of winter this year, but I always love the views I get on the blogs so I am looking forward to that! And, who doesn't love a nice hot cup of cocoa even on a nippy day!
ReplyDeleteWoohoo! Congrats on the great rating. I hope it is published by someone soon!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the 2 rating!! Love the photo on the cover-congrats on that too : )
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the poem-I hear you guys may get some snow this week :)