GREAT GONZA!

My WIP finaled in the historical category of From the Heart's GOLDEN GATEWAY contest.

Kinda cool.

Since I judged ST, I know the quality of GG entries, so I'm thrilled to be in such great company. Right now my entry is probably already sitting somewhere in Tova Sacks of Berkley's office. I'd like to think she's gonna take the entries home and read them this weekend and then yelp in excitement over my entry.

I'm 1 for 3 in summer contests.

I didn't final in American Title II, and I'm relieved. My story isn't finished and they would have wanted a finished ms. Well, when I entered, I thought it would be finished by August. I just didn't anticipate that having all four kids at home 24/7 would put a crimp in my writing time. But another Romance Diva did final. Way to go, Suzan!

My entry was one of those disqualified over at Contest Junkies. Long story. Real long story. But that's okay. I respect Cat Brown's decision and don't envy the struggle she went through over having to disqualify several Romance Divas entries, as well as entries from other writers' groups that bent/broke the rules.

The reality is that writing is a popularity contest. Some readers will pick up a book just because they like the author, regardless of what the book's about. Look at the books Kelly Ripa picks. Not the best written, but because Kelly is popular with many readers, those readers will buy a book based on her recommendation.

The truth is not every writer who wants to become a published writer will become published. Some just have no skill. Their stories are familiar, cliched, and trite. Gee, what is my point? Oh well, I can't remember what I was going to write because my 5yr-old just asked if he and his baby sister could have their fourth popsicle of the day.

Hmm, guess I better get to re-folding the clothes.

:-)

VACATION, HERE I COME...

One more day of packing. Just one more day.

Well, actually I can't pack until I finish doing laundry...and finish refolding the clothes the kids just bull-dozed through. Am I blind to the sign hovering above the folded clothes that says "please jump on us"?

Seven days of vacation.

Then nine days to teach my son everything he needs to know before he starts Kindergarten. Not taking all his clothes off to go to the bathroom will top the list.

hehehehehe

ROMANCING THE DIVAS

Romance Divas is more than a forum.



This month you can read an awesome Candace Havens interview...

http://romancedivas.com/spotlighton.html

...read some informative book reviews...

http://romancedivas.com/bookreviews.html

...buy the most lip-smaking t-shirts...

http://romancedivas.com/boutique/catalog/

...read the transcripts from past workshops done by authors Deborah Hale, L.A. Banks, PC Cast and Gena Showalter, Kayla Perrin, and Norah Wilson, as well as read interviews of Anna Genoese/TOR Forge, Scott Egan/Greyhaus Agency, Kristen Nelson/Nelson Agency, and Raelene Gorlinsky/Ellora's Cave.

...and even read an article I wrote...

http://romancedivas.com/resources.html

And over in the forum we're taking entries for our WE ALL WIN Best Opening Hook Contest. Each diva and diva-dude is limited to five entries (from different mss, from the same ms, or a mix). Deadline to enter is Sunday, August 28th, midnight your standard time zone. Like with previous contests, it's free to enter and we'll have either a published author, editor, or agent as a final round judge.

If you haven't joined Romance Divas, now is the time!