Generic feedback

Pessimist

I entered a short story competition that I was not successful for. In the reply email, the editor stated that my story was 'strongly worked'.

Would you say this feedback is just generic? Also, would you say that it would be positive or negative (as in overworked)?

Hate being pessimistic :-) but I was just very disappointed with the rejection (my first submission). Thanks.

Das Kitty

Looks specific and positive to me.

I've submitted lots and got plenty of generic and a few specific feedback emails.

No competition runner or magazine editor is going to send negative feedback to a writer.

Keep going. Send it to the next place.

echo beach

Das Kitty wrote: »

Looks specific and positive to me.

I agree. While it is disappointing it would be very unusual for a first submission to be successful. Every submission has the odds stacked against it. The only way to improve the odds is to submit a lot. Only 1 in 20 to maybe 1 in 100 will be successful so my thinking is that it is a numbers game and I need to make at least 20 submissions to be in with a decent chance.
That may be overlooking quality but I reckon most people submitting will have ability and be making a real effort. There is an element of luck in submitting what they are looking for so remember the observation of a famous golfer who said, "I notice that the more I practice the luckier I get."

Pessimist

Thanks for the replies, actually gave me a bit of a spur to submit the story elsewhere, so thank-you.