October 2009 Contests

October 1
First Coast Romance Writers
Beacon Contest for Unpublished Writers
http://www.firstcoastromancewriters.com/contest_un.htm

New England RW
First Kiss
http://necrwa.org/thefirstkiss2009.htm

New York City RWA
Kathryn Hayes Love and Laughter
http://www.rwanyc.com/Love-LaughterContest.html

Maine RWA
MERWA Synopsis is Not a Four-Letter Word
http://www.mainerwa.com/2009_Synopis_Rules.htm

North Louisiana StoryTellers and Authors of Romance
The Suzannah
http://www.nolastars.com/node/84


October 7
West Houston RWA
The Emily
http://whrwa.com/emily/


October 11
Southern Magic RWA
Linda Howard Award of Excellence
http://www.southernmagic.org/lindahowardcontest.html


October 17
Western Pennsylvania RWA
Bump in the Night
http://wprw.wordpress.com/bump-in-the-night-flash-fiction-contest/


October 31
Christian Writers of the West
The Phoenix Rattler
http://joyfulhutch.googlepages.com/rattlerscontest




Disclaimer: This is by no means a full list of all contests offered. I do not endorse or recommend any contest, but provide these dates for information purposes only. Dates are always subject to change by contest chairs. Do your own research before entering any contest.

Angel With A Ray Gun Review

Deborah Kinnard's book "Angel with a Ray Gun" is a great read. I put off buying it because I assumed that the title depicted a science fiction novel and I don't read science fiction (nothing against you sci-fi fans, it's just not my cup of tea like my love of romantic suspense might not be yours.) I'm so glad that fellow author Michelle Sutton (Danger at the Door http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-29/Danger-at-the-Door/Detail.bok) recommended Angel with a Ray Gun. Deborah's characters were very believable and likeable and A.J.'s spiritual journey seemed so real as we traveled it with her. The author uses tension well and makes us want to read on to see if the two characters end up in a relationship. We travel a delightful, but bumpy road as a woman raised by a hippie chick mother and a minister begin to realize an attraction and feelings for each other. Deborah is a skilled writer who will draw you into the story and make you love her characters so much that you'll want to read on see what happens next. I'm looking forward to her next release.

Ebooks Verses Print Books

First and foremost, I'm a book collector. I've been one for approximately 20 years. It all began when I found a Nancy Drew book in an antique store in Charlotte in the 1990's. This book was blue with an orange silhouette of Nancy Drew on the cover. It intrigued me because I'd never seen one before. Nancy Drew had been my favorite as a child. I must have read all that the library in our small town had to offer. I bought the book and from then on purchased every "old" Nancy Drew book I could find. Truth be told, I had over 1,000 at last count if you take into consideration my paperback collection.

Since I'm a book lover at heart, you can imagine how I've fought the dawning of a new age...the ebook. I love the smell of a printed book, especially an old one. It's kind of a sweet smell. Calming for the soul. I vowed that I would never buy an ebook. My money would never support publishing companies that might eventually cause the print book to fade into nonexistence.

I was browsing the internet one day and ran across a blurb about Michelle Sutton's new release Danger at the Door. Since I work full-time in the mental health field, I really wanted to read it. I was disappointed that it was offered only as an ebook. I tossed the idea around for a few weeks before e-mailing Michelle to ask her if she recommended her publisher, Desert Breeze Publishing. She did and was so nice in her reply that I decided to give the book a try.

The end result was that I loved it. I had a little trouble getting it downloaded to my Blackberry because I didn't know that I needed reading software (You can download Mobipocket for free.) The people at Desert Breeze were wonderful. I'd downloaded a .pdf file and was disappointed when it became too blurry to read when I zoomed in on it on the Blackberry. Gail at Desert Breeze understood my plight and e-mailed me a .prc format that worked wonderfully.

That said, I absolutely love ebooks. I'm not killing trees, using expensive ink and lugging around a heavy object. And best of all, I can read when I want my cell phone. And, I can read in bed with hubby right beside me and don't have to worry about disturbing him with a bedside light. I can adjust the font if needed and there's no need to spend money on an expensive Kindle or ebook reader. Also, ebooks are very inexpensive (Michelle's was $5.99 at http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/) and many ebooks are free if they're in the public domain. An internet acquaintence recommended http://www.fictionwise.com/, but I've not yet purchased from them. . I've had a great experience with ebooks (Michelle's book is wonderful!) and I believe them to a wave of the future. After all, how many people fought purchasing a dvd player? Cell phone? And, now an ebook? It is my hope that the ebook is here to stay.

September Contest Dealines

September 1
Southwest Florida Romance Writers
Hold Me, Thrill Me Contest
http://www.swfrw.org/contest.php

Valley of the Sun RWA
Hot Prospect Contest
http://www.valleyofthesunrw.com/vos-hot-prospects.htm

East Texas RWA
Southern Heat
http://www.easttexasrwa.com/html/southern_heat.php

Romance Writers Ink
Where the Magic Begins
http://rwimagiccontests.wordpress.com/

September 4
Oklahoma RWA
Finally A Bride
http://www.okrwa.com/fab_index.htm

September 5
SpacecoasT Authors of Romance RWA
Launching A Star
http://www.authorsofromance.com/contest.htm

September 11
Mid-America RWA
Fiction From The Heartland
http://mararwa.com/Contest/contest.htm

Missouri RWA
Gateway to the Best
http://www.morwa.org/gateway.htm

September 30
White Rose Publishing
Hearts Crossing
http://whiterosepublishing.blogspot.com/2009/05/short-story-contest-hearts-crossing.html

East Valley Authors Query Contest
http://www.eastvalleyauthors.com/contest.html

Disclaimer: This is by no means a full list of all contests offered. I do not endorse or recommend any contest, but provide these dates for information purposes only. Dates are always subject to change by contest chairs. Do your own research before entering any contest.

Danger at the Door by Michelle Sutton

I just finished reading Michelle Sutton's Danger at the Door published by Desert Breeze Publishing. You can click on the title above to go Desert Breeze's website to read the blurb about this awesome read. Don't be turned off by the ebook format. I was at first because after sitting at computer all day, I wanted to read a book that I can hold in my hands. I'm so glad that I downloded Danger at the Door. Michelle has developed some very memorable characters in this book and a love interest that's to die for. If you like suspense, you'll love it. I haven't read anything in the suspense line this good in about a year since I finished the Brandilyn Collins Kanner Lake series. Michelle is an excellent writer who kept me turning the page. I stayed up way too late last night and started reading again this morning with a bagel in hand for breakfast. I didn't stop reading until I reached the end and even though she brought it to a funny and delightful close, I still begged for more. If you're like me and you love it, we'll have more to love as I've heard that the sequel is coming out in April. Michelle Sutton you've outdone yourself and I can't wait to read what's coming next in the lives of these two wonderful characters.

Brides of Benneterre series by Kaye Dacus

NEWS FLASH... I just received an e-mail from Kaye Dacus. The third book in the Brides of Bonneterre series will be out in February 2010. For those of you who are following the series, the third book is Forbes' story. I replied to Kay that I can't wait to read about the handsome mystery man who every woman wants to date to make their ex's jealous. The title will be "A Case For Love," a fitting title indeed considering the fact that Forbes is a successful attorney.

Menu for Romance-- Kaye Dacus has done it again. Book two in the Brides of Bonneterre series is an awesome read! And, as an added bonus, it you like food, you'll drool over the menu. Kaye is excellent at building tension between the two love interests. She'll keep you on your toes wondering what's going to happen next. You'll feel so much like these characters are your friends that you'll be rooting for them as you read and praying to God that after being friends for eight years, someone will help these two realize their love for each other. I was particularly fascinated by the chef mother. I have always been interested in mental health and am working in the mental health field. Kaye does a wonderful job at showing that mental illness is not scary. The chef's mother is delightful and will keep you laughing. I live in the boonies and made a special trip 30 miles away to buy the book on the release date. You can imagine my disappointment when it wasn't in stock. I posted on American Christian Fiction Writers (Kaye is also a member and I highly recommend this group if you're a Christian writer.) Imagine my surprise when Kaye responded. Kaye is every bit as delightful as her characters. Please...someone tell me that there's going to be third book in this series!

Stand In Groom-- Kaye Dacus' recent release, is an excellent book. I highly recommend it after you'd had a stressful day and want to get away. One thing that really stands out in my mind about the book is that Kaye's heroine is a beautiful, full-figured, size 18 woman. Kaye shows us that size 18 is as beautiful as size 4. After all, we are all beautiful in God's eyes. The hero, who works out several times a week and is in good shape falls for this shapely woman. This book also speaks to us of how God can heal relationships and past hurts. I won't go into detail other than to say that the heroine was hurt years ago and has never been able to forgive and let it go. God works everything out in HIS timing. Kaye does an excellent job of showing how God comes through and answers prayers. Our hero and heroine face many obstacles, but healing and a happy end is found for all. This was one of those books that I just could not put down. Kaye did an excellent job of portraying her characters so well that we come to know them as friends and can't wait to see what happens next. So, make a bee line for your Christian bookstore and pick it up. You won't be disappointed!

August Contest Deadlines

August Deadlines

The Golden Rose
Rose City RWA
August 8 deadline
http://www.rosecityromancewriters.com/contest.html


The Golden Pen
The Golden Network RWA
August 15
http://www.thegoldennetwork.com/goldenpen.html


Heart to Heart
San Francisco Area RWA
August 15
http://www.sfarwa.com/contests.asp


On The Far Side
FF&P RWA Chapter
http://www.romance-ffp.com/OTFS.htm


Laurel Wreath Award
Volusia County Romance Writers
http://vcrw.net/index.php/contests

So What's Your Excuse?

Okay, I started off with such good intentions. I'd planned to write all weekend with a goal yesterday of 5,000 words. It didn't happen. Instead, I took advantage of every excuse that popped up to prevent me from writing. My mom was having a yard sale, so I went down there and hung out with my seven year old niece for a couple of hours. Then I came back home and took two naps, an hour each. I cleaned house some afterwards. Yesterday would have been the perfect day to write. I had the house all to myself (husband was playing golf.) Unfortunately, I'm one of those people who MUST have absolute quiet when I write. Finally, I took out my current manuscript and began rereading chapters 1-3, editing along the way. I was having a ball. Adding setting (I'm not a very descriptive writer) and removing troublesome words (see earlier post.) About an hour into it, husband arrives home, turns on the TV, starts cooking, playing with the dogs, etc. I sighed, knowing that the peace and quiet was over. I love him with all my heart, but he's very difficult to work around. Just when I'm on a roll, he'll ask me something or he'll comment on something that's being said on the TV, pulling me away from my current thoughts. I gathered up my netbook, a cold glass of tea, and some comfy cushions and headed for the covered swing out back. It was a gorgeous afternoon, warm and slightly breezy. I finished editing the chapters and wrote about 1,000 words on chapter 4, so not a wasted day. Writing is a hard and solitary venture for me. The words don't always flow, so I try to seize the moment and take advantage of them when I can. At times, I become a little frustrated and lay my current word aside for a few days. I believe that it helps to separate myself from the work so that I can go back to it with a new perspective. The first three chapters of my current work is being considered by a publisher and I took a break for a couple of weeks after my agent sent it to them. Editing those three chapters brought me back into the story and reacquainted me with my characters. So, what's your excuse for nor writing?

JULY CONTEST DEADLINES

Indiana's Golden Opportunity
Indiana RWAReceived by Midnight - July 1, 2009
Beginning plus synopsis up to a total of 35 pages
http://www.indianar wa.com/contest/ contest.htm

Heart of the West
Utah RWA
Electronic deadline July 1, 2009
First twenty pages.
http://www.utahrwa.%20com/howcontest.%20html

Melody of Love
Music City Romance Writers
Received by July 2, 2009
First twenty-five pages.
http://www.mcrw.com/contest.htm

Royal Palm Literary Award Competition
Florida Writers
http://www.floridawriters.net/RPLA.html

Dixie Kane Memorial Contest
Deadline Extended to July 15, 2009
First five (5) pages double spaced and a synopsis (one page, single-spaced, not judged)http://www.solawriters.org/

Flash Fiction Contest
Review Fuse
Originial story...1,000 word maximum
July 31, 2009
http://www.reviewfuse.com/blog/2009/06/flash-fiction-writing-contest-july-2009/

Editing 101: Removing Those Troublesome Words

Editing 101: Removing Those Troublesome Words

Ever feel like a surgeon with a scalpel when you start editing. A little cut here, a little cut there...

I judge contests from time to time and see authors sending in manuscripts that aren’t ready for publication for one reason or another. In many cases, it’s because their writing doesn’t flow. The addition of extra words will bog the reader down and cause the novel progress slowly.

When I edit my own work, I do a search for each of the following words and omit them or replace them with stronger descriptive words.

adverbs (words ending in –ly)
-ing forms of verbs
that (this words is widely overused)
had
it was
very
just, just then
was, were, is, are some, a little, some of the
rather
heard
tried to, proceeded to, seemed to, began to, started to
there were, there is, there are, there was
is
would, could, suddenly, immediately, all at once, thought, wondered, mused, knew, felt, decided
seemed, appeared, looked
could see, could hear, could smell, could taste, etc

*Use exclamation points VERY sparingly

*No back story in the first chapter at least

The Story Board

Today's blog is about a topic that has been very helpful to me in plotting. The story board. Some writers fly by the seat of their pants. I can't. I'm a plotter. And just how do I keep all those scenes straight...certainly not in my head. I use a story board.



My story board is a large cork board. It contains several items, including photographs of each of my main characters. I scour magazines until I find the perfect photos that depict what my characters look like in my mind. I then cut them out and pin them to the story board. This helps me envision the characters and get to know them on a more intimate level. Also, I fill out a character biography in order to get to know each main character better. You can find many examples of these on the web. Pick one that works best for you.

My story board also has chapter headings pinned to it: chapter 1, chapter 2, etc. Under these headings, I place a small post-it note of each scene in each particular chapter. For example, first date, first kiss, and since I write suspense, first victim. On one side of the board, I pin post-it notes of every scene in my novel. I move them over under the appropriate chapter heading once they've been included in the novel.

Many times, I'll decide that I want to make changes to a certain scene I've already written or I may decide that I want to move that particular scene to another chapter. But, what chapter is that scene located in? A quick look at the story board gives me a guide on where to find that scene.

I hope you found this blog helpful. This is how I plot.

Contest Tips

Since we have so many contests coming up in June, I thought it would be appropriate to post few tips for entering contests.

1) Choose a contest that’s appropriate for your genre. For example, if you write for the Christian market, you may not want to enter a contest that doesn't have an inspirational category.
2) Hook ‘em from the get-go. The first sentence of your manuscript must shine. It should jump off the page and make the judges long to read more.
3) Read and follow all guidelines. Points will be deducted from your score if you don't follow the proper format. For example, some contests may require 3,000 words and some may request 5,000 words.
4) Consider the final judge. Is this person an editor who has already seen your manuscript and turned it down? An editor who works for a publishing company who you'd want to review your manuscript? An agent you’d like to land?
5) Have a friend or critique partner proofread your entry. If you don’t have a critique partner, now would be a good time to find one. Friends and family mean well, but they’re prone to be nice when what we need is a brutal critique by someone who know the mechanics of writing.
6) Review the score sheet before submitting your entry. This will give you an idea of what the judges are looking for. One problem I’ve had with an entry of mine that’s making the contest circuit is that sparks don’t fly between my hero and heroine soon enough. They meet in the first chapter, but my heroine is too upset at being booked into jail to really notice him. She’s so caught up in her own problems that she’s not drawn to him as she would be in other situations. This has given me a low score in this section of the score sheet.
7) If you’ve entered a snail mail contest, spend the extra postage in order to get your entry returned to you so that you can review judge’s scores.
8) Enter electronically when possible in order to save money on paper, ink and postage.

Is perseverance a skill?

Is perseverance a survival skill when it comes to writing? Let's look at the definition: steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

It's normal to feel discouraged when you don't final in a contest. It’s okay to sulk for a few days and not write, but once you’re over the initial shock, get back at it. There are many pitfalls in the business of writing. I’ll give you a personal example. My manuscript that just finaled in the Duel on the Delta, was written in first person point of view (past tense.) Now that the bloom is off of chick-lit, which was also written in first person, some companies are not buying first person. An agent pitched my novel to Harlequin’s Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense line, which is their Christian suspense line. The editor wouldn’t look at it because it’s in first person. Guess what happened next? The same editor is the final judge in the Duel on the Delta contest. I made a mad scramble to turn that entry into third person before the deadline. The entry was only 25 pages. Now, I’m working hard to turn the rest of the book into third person just in case the editor requests a full. What if I had said, “That’s too much work.” There would be no chance of my getting that novel published. You can’t give up. Many famous authors received rejection letter after rejection letter, but they persevered and it paid off. Take a moment to think about why you write. Is it a stress-relieving hobby for you like it is for me? I enjoy writing as much as I do reading. It’s a creative outlet and also very therapeutic. I’ll continue on. It’s a lot cheaper than paying a therapist !

Contest Entry Survival Skills: Part 1

I’ll be posting daily some tips on entering contests and also some survival skills needed to navigate the contest waters successfully.
So, check back often.

I remember the first contest I entered. It was last year’s American Christian Fiction Writer’s Genesis contest. I don’t remember my score, but I remember how crushed I was when I received the results. I vowed to never write again. When I got over that, I bought every book I could find on editing and writing from eBay and www.abebooks.com . Fast forward a year later, the same manuscript that didn’t score high in the Genesis just finaled in the Duel on the Delta. My word of advice…study, study, study the craft. There are a lot of good websites out there if you’re strapped for cash and can’t invest in books right now. I’m no expert, but I’m learning and growing. I look back at the original manuscript and what it’s become today and I’m amazed at the transformation. So, don’t give up. With each stroke of the keys, you’re becoming a better writer.

Stand in Groom by Kaye Dacus

Stand In Groom, Kaye Dacus' recent release, is an excellent book. I highly recommend it after you'd had a stressful day and want to get away. One thing that really stands out in my mind about the book is that Kaye's heroine is a beautiful, full-figured, size 18 woman. Kaye shows us that a size 18 woman is as beautiful as size 4 woman. The hero, who works out several times a week and is in good shape falls for this shapely woman. This book also speaks to us of what God can do to heal relationships and past hurts. I won't go into detail other than to say that the heroine was hurt badly years ago and has never been able to forgive and let it go. God works everything out in HIS timing. Kaye does an excellent job of showing how God comes through and answers prayers. Our hero and heroine face many obstacles, but healing and a happy end is found for all. This was one of those books that I could not put down. Kaye did an excellent job of portraying her characters so well that we come to know them as friends and can't wait to see what happens next. So, make a bee line for your Christian bookstore and pick it up. You won't be disappointed!