MARA Fiction From the Heartland Contest

Entry #____________Category______________________ Total Score___________

Title____________________________________________

Judge’s Code__________

Scoring:

4 = Excellent, ready for an editor’s eyes.
3 = Well done.
2 = Element there, but should be strengthened/revised.
1 = Element missing or needs major work.

Writing Techniques Total possible: 20 points

____ Strong Opening Hook

____ Consistent use of Point of View

____ Transitions: Scene to Scene

____ Transitions: Within a Scene

____ Rhythm (Varied sentence structure, word usage, readability)

____ Total Points

Setting Total possible: 20 points

____ A strong sense of place and time without being intrusive

____ Accurate Research/Details

____ Backstory/Information relayed is necessary

____ Atmosphere appropriate for story

____ Starts in appropriate place

____ Total Points

Characterization Total possible: 20 points

(Heroine or Primary character)___________________

____ Distinctive voice

____ Motivation

____ Multi-dimensional/Well-rounded

____ Consistent/Believable

____ Appropriate Actions/Reactions

____ Total Points

Characterization Total possible: 20 points

(Hero or Secondary character)____________________

____ Distinctive voice

____ Motivation

____ Multi-dimensional/Well-rounded

____ Consistent/Believable

____ Appropriate Actions/Reactions

____ Total Points

Relationship Total possible: 12 points

____ Attraction believable

____ Sparks from emotional as well as physical attraction

____ Develops at an appropriate pace

____ Total Points

Conflict Total possible: 16 points

____ Strong enough to sustain the story

____ Well-motivated

____ Internal, very clear

____ External, very clear

____ Total Points

Dialogue Total possible: 20 points

____ Sounds natural

____ Characters have their own consistent voices

____ Appropriately tagged (Both amount and kinds of tags)

____ Advances the plot/reveals character

____ Well balanced with the narrative

____ Total Points

Manuscript Preparation Total possible: 16 points

____ Grammar

____ Punctuation

____ Spelling

____ Proper format (Double spaced, margins, headers, font size, etc.)

____ Total Points

Plot Total possible: 20 points

____ Easily understood chronology

____ Logical

____ Characters goals and actions advance the story

____ Consistent Tone

____ Satisfactory Pacing

____ Total Points

Synopsis Total possible: 20 points

____ Appropriate amount of detail for the proposed length

____ Shows character/relationship change or growth

____ Believable and satisfactory conflict resolution

____ Loose ends tied up

____ Does the synopsis make you want to read the book?

____ Total Points

Overall Impression Total possible: 16 points

____ Writing is fresh and original

____ Strong Emotional Impact

____ Great ending Hook

____ I would like to read the rest of this book

____ Total Points

________ Grand Total Points Total possible: 200 points

Judge’s Status: ( ) Published, Romance ( ) Published, Other

( ) Former Golden Hrt/Rita Finalist ( ) Unpublished



Judge’s signature (Optional)_____________________________________________