Help me judge this writing contest.

[RepresentingCaution]

A few months ago, I set up this writing contest, and now the deadline has passed. Here are the three entries:


When a door closes . . .

Verification Required - Writing.Com

Teacher, Teacher Made A Mistake

Verification Required - Writing.Com

Not again

Verification Required - Writing.Com

 

[melchi]

The second one says access restricted.

Though I gotta say I like the 3rd one the best. The first one doesn't seem to have as much of a story there.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

The second one says access restricted.

You can see it if you join writing.com, but yeah, that sucks. I'll figure out how to rank that one myself, I guess.

 

[ThrillingHuman]

what are the themes and lengths of the stories?

 

[Le_ther]

1st was okay but I guess it had flaws on being too focused on detailing that it felt like it was a diary than a story but I guess it was submitted that way?


3rd was fine the dialogues make up for the story and the conclusion was okay.

 

[RavenRunes]

couldn't read the second so no idea what that was like but the other two are all telling and no showing. The third better than the first with at least some dialogue.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

are all telling and no showing

That's exactly why I have trouble deciding between all three. The second one (the restricted one) I feel has a bit more creativity to it, but it's still telling and not showing.

what are the themes and lengths of the stories?

Here are the contest guidelines:

Not Just Another Brick In The Wall (Forum) - Writing.Com

Most teachers are amazing, but sometimes . . .

www.writing.com

 

[RavenRunes]

what are GPs? In relation to the prize I mean.
None of those entries has done all that much with your prompt IMO

 

[RepresentingCaution]

what are GPs? In relation to the prize I mean.
None of those entries has done all that much with your prompt IMO

They're gift points. You can earn points by reviewing work from other people or entering contests or just getting a gift from someone who likes your work. If you earn enough of them, you can use them to get a premium membership on the site.

I'm disappointed with the entries too, so I think I'll run another round. Lots of contests on writing.com are recurring, so maybe the more experienced contest junkies will bite next time.

 

[RavenRunes]

Ah I see. I mean, I knew it wasn't cold hard cash.....gimme cold hard cash baby!
I would consider rewording your prompt a little too, make it more dynamic? Perhaps give the background and bullet point the brief and state flexibility within setting/era? It's not clear if it could be a fantasy setting, for example. I might be tempted myself if I didn't have eleventy billion other projects on. Very tempted, if you allow fantasy or horror....