Magic Bulldozer FAQ
Q: What’s the Magic Bulldozer?
A: This is SVRWA’s version of a chapter-wide critique session.
Q: Why the funny name?
A: Like the Magic School Bus (an educational book series for kids) the Magic Bulldozer (MB) takes us on a ride that will help us bulldoze barriers to publication. The Magic Bulldozer was formally adopted by SVRWA in October, 2008. Our mission statement is:
The Silicon Valley Chapter of The Romance Writers of America is a Critique Chapter. At most meetings, we listen to a fellow member’s work and provide critical feedback that will increase that member’s opportunities for success while we hone our own writing skills.
Q: How often do you do the MB?
A: In order to give as many opportunities for members to present their work, to have a variety in presentation formats, as well as accommodate guest program speakers for our monthly meetings, the MB sessions are as follows:
• January – one Long critique
• February – two Brief critique
• March – one Long critique
• April – two Brief critique
• May – one Long critique
• June – two Brief critique
• July – RWA national convention, no meeting
• August – Critique Bash! — one Long, two Brief critiques
• September – one Long critique
• October – two Brief critique
• November – one Long critique
• December – Critique Bash! — one Long, two Brief critiques
No Magic Bulldozer Sessions will be scheduled for months with an all-day workshop.
Q: What is a Long –vs- a Brief Critique?
A: A Long Critique is defined as not more than 60 minutes of chapter time devoted to one Presenter.
A Brief Critique is defined as not more than 30 minutes of chapter time devoted to one Presenter.
Q: How do you sign up for a MB session?
A: Opportunities to present in a Magic Bulldozer session is through a lottery process.
Names will be drawn at random. The first person pulled will have first choice of spots available for that draw. All lottery winners, regardless of whether they present or not, will not be eligible for another lottery draw for one year.
Q: How often do you draw names for the MB?
A: Presenters will be chosen via lottery with the following draw schedule:
January Lottery — Apr, May, Jun slots (5 names*)
April Lottery — Aug, Sep slots (4 names*)
June Lottery — Oct, Nov, Dec slots (6 names*)
October Lottery — Jan, Feb, Mar slots (4 names*)
*Actual number of names drawn will depend on the scheduling of all-day workshops.
Q: Who can enter the MB Lottery?
A: An SVRWA member in good standing who has attended at least three MB sessions and is prepared to fulfill the obligation of winning in a professional manner:
• meet deadlines
• present polished work
• come to the meeting prepared
• resist urge to defend work
You do not need to be present to enter the lottery. A designated person can enter for another, but the designated person must have full authority to choose a slot for the member they represent.
Q: What happends if someone can’t present at the last minute?
A: We have a “First Runner Up” to substitute in. A separate lottery will be held for a First Runner Up position in each lottery draw.
Role: To fill-in should any of the initial lottery winners be unable to present.
Requirement to Enter: Must be available at the last minute to do a presentation.
If a First Runner Up is not needed to present, they are considered the first name drawn in the round of lottery picks immediately following the completion of their “Runner Up” duties.
An Example of How the First Runner Up Works
In the January Lottery, we pick names for:
April: slot 1, slot 2
May: slot 1
June: slot 1, slot 2
1st Runner Up is Mary B.
All April, May, June presenters fulfill duties.
At the June Lottery, Mary B. gets first choice of the six following slots before we pick names:
October: slot 1, slot 2
November: slot 1
December Bash: slot 1 (Long), slot 2, slot 3
Q: What can be presented for the Magic Bulldozer?
A: The following formats are accepted for presentation:
• Manuscript pages
o Opening scene
o Later chapters must include at least a half-page, double-spaced setup as part of the page limit.
• Synopsis
• Pitch
• Plot
Q: How is a MB presentation done?
A: A Presenter may choose to:
• Read aloud themselves.
• Ask someone else to read the work.
• Ask for a silent read.
Reading your own work to the group is strongly encouraged and preferred. We believe this will give the member important public speaking practice and help develop the individual professionally. After all, you’ll need those skills during those book tours, reading excerpts to your adoring crowds before signing your books.
Q: What’s the Presenter’s Job Requirement?
A: Be an SVRWA member in good standing.
• Effective January 2009, must have attended at least three Magic Bulldozer sessions prior to entering the lottery. This is so you understand the protocol and how to accept feedback.
• Present a WIP in good form — grammar, spelling, format, etc.
• Expect comments on strengths and weaknesses of the WIP.
• Resist urge to defend WIP
May ask for clarification and request advice with regard to potential solutions to the problems mentioned.
• Be prepared for the membership to cease critique if defending work.
Q: What’s the Critiquer’s Job Requirement?
A: Must be an SVRWA member in good standing.
• Must have attended at least three Magic Bulldozer sessions (effective January 2009) to give oral comments. This is so you understand the protocol and how to give feedback.
New members and others are welcome to write their comments on the manuscript.
• Limit of two specific points during initial comments.
• All first-time comments should be heard before additional comments are allowed.
• Give best evaluation and advice.
• Remember that the Presenter decides what advice to accept and changes to make.
Q: Who is responsible for running the MB sessions?
A: This is the Magic Bulldozer Critique Chair’s Job, which includes:
• Conducting the Lottery Draw.
• Confirming the Presenter’s Status.
• Moderating the MB session.
• Following up after the MB session with Presenter via phone or email to seek feedback about the experience in order to improve the MB process.
Q: Are there any exceptions to the three-session rule?
A: Our program guest speakers are the exception to the three MB session rule.
Guest speakers presenting the monthly program are encouraged to share their comments orally so that the entire community can learn from the invited expert.
Q: What’s a “To-That-Point” comment?
A: When members have differing opinions regarding the presenter’s work, a very brief discussion is allowed. One member may say that she likes the hero’s actions, but another may feel it was not hero-like. Both opinions are expressed with reasons given. The discussion is then tabled. The presenter must decide what she wants to do with the feedback information. A “to that point” comment of the current discussion is the exception of the two initial comment limit. Critiquers who wish to express a differing opinion of one that was just offered need to indicate that by holding up two fingers so they may be recognized by the MB Chair immediately.
Q: What is WIP?
A: A work in progress (WIP) for presentation in a Magic Bulldozer Chapter-wide Critique Session is defined as polished manuscript pages, synopsis, or pitch. The WIP is intended for presentation to an acquiring agent or editor. Plot Brainstorm is an added option to the Magic Bulldozer Chapter-wide Critique Session.
Q: What is the format of a WIP for an MB session?
A: Manuscript pages should be typed and double-spaced with margins appropriate for submission to an editor. The manuscript should be no more than 10 pages for a Brief Critique, and no more than 20 pages for a Longer Critique. Synopsis and pitch length should be appropriate to the allotted time won in the lottery.
Q: How is the presenter’s WIP distributed?
A: If the WIP is electronically distributed:
Presenter’s Duties:
By the Tuesday prior to the scheduled reading, the presenter uploads the WIP to the Files section of the online group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SV-RWA/. The Presenter needs to inform the group that the file is available and the type of WIP (manuscript, pitch, plot, synopsis). As apropos, the Presenter needs to indicate genre, degree of heat, and specific areas they are seeking feedback. For example, Janet E. is submitting a manuscript of her latest romantic suspense. It is “warm”. She is wondering if her hero is too aloof. The next month, Jane P. is submitting her plot outline for her “sweet” women’s fiction with romantic elements. She is concerned about pacing.
Critiquer’s Duties:
Print a copy to bring to the meeting.
Presenter must still prepare some spare copies just in case.
If WIP is not uploaded:
Presenter must supply hardcopies of the WIP for all members.
Q: How do you handle a Pitch Presentation?
A: Pitches should have two versions:
• an elevator / speed-dating pitch
• and an eight-minute pitch.
Pitches should be polished.
Presenters should be prepared to answer questions from Critiquers as if they were acquiring agents and editors.
Q: How do you handle a Plot Brainstorm Presentation?
A: Presenter’s Duties:
Make available a visual representation of the plotting method used for the WIP.
Decides the direction of the story.
Critiquers’ Duties:
Brainstorm ideas in support of the Presenter’s work and vision.
If you have more questions about the Magic Bulldozer, please send a note with your name, e-mail and question below. 
