Contests? Yes or no.

On Facebook last week, author Ilona Fridl said, "I'm wondering seriously if I should keep writing. I got the scores today from one of the contests I entered. The numbers came out below average. I wonder if it's that way in all the contests. I know I have some loyal readers and of that I'm grateful, but this was a major blow to the gut."

I know how she feels, don't you? Many of her friends responded to her post, all encouraging her to not let it get her down. To remember that judging is subject...