So what do you guys think of the Diarist Awards?

I just don't know anymore. It seems to me like the same people get nominated over and over again and that it really isn't a representative sample. I nominated Mel for one this time around, but I haven't heard yet if I was successful. If I wasn't, then I'm really going to start resenting these things. (I've also nominated a few others, and it just seems like they never make it. Meanwhile, the same people get the nod over and over again.)

I hate to think that I feel like this because of "sour grapes" (I haven't been nominated -- but then again, I'm not sure how many people even know I exist) and I'd like to hear what you girls think of the awards. It just seems to me that it's the same people over and over again and it's frustrating. I don't care if I don't get nominated (not really) but I do care that people I think are really good aren't getting recognized.

-- Anonymous, November 04, 1999

Answers

I don't think much about these awards. Sure, it would be nice to win or be nominated, but I know my writing just isn't of that caliper.

Throughout the months I keep links to entries that I think are really good and I try to nominate some less popular people. I think that's all we can do. We have to fill the nominations with other choices, since the popular people are always going to get nominations. They have so many readers it's impossible for them not to get nominations.

Since it's limited to journal writers that makes it even harder for some of us. I have a bunch of readers who are not writers and I'm sure you must too.

I say, next go round lets brainstorm up a bunch of other people to nominate and stuff the box with other choices. If they aren't chosen for finalists what can we do? Maybe one of us can get on the panel to choose finalists!

-- Anonymous, November 16, 1999