Well, I didn't win. Rats!
But I'm very happy and excited for the finalist who did, Bonnie Dee. How exciting to know your first chapter is getting read by such an awesome agent?! The New Beginnings Contest was a wonderful experience and I appreciate all of Jennifer Haymore's time and consideration. Seriously! She did a kicking job of paying it forward! Hopefully, one day she'll let me grill her in the TLN Hot Seat. Too cool!
In WIP news:
I've done a little plot restructuring. Thanks to the contest, I had to have my synopsis fine tuned which brought to light some plotting problems. I need to give a big ole Thank You to Diana Cosby for all her advice on writing a synopsis. She really broke it all down for me and made the mountain into a mole hill!
Diana has some good stuff for writers on her website. She is a very driven author who is perfect inspiration for this novice writer! Here is the link to her articles section.
I'm making steady progress, which has been very motivating. With any luck, I'll be right on track to meet my goal of finishing by summer.
What about you? Have you been able to stick to your goals from the beginning of the year?
GOOD NEWS ALERT!!!!
Two weeks ago, I entered the first five lines of my WIP, In Pursuit of Love, into The New Beginnings contest at romance author, Jennifer Haymore's blog.
Guess what?!
I entered during the second week and out of 45 entries MINE was one out the four semi-finalists selected!!!!
Wah-Hoo!!! Ain't that awesome?!
Monday, I had to have my first chapter and synopsis to the lovely Ms. Haymore for the final round of judging. There are a total of twelve semi-finalists, so I'll be biting my nails until the grand announcement this Sunday, March 28th.
The prize? The overall winner gets their chapter read by an agent at the Irene Goodman Agency!!!
The deets of the contest are pretty wonderful. Every week in March was a new round and the best part was NO entry fee! Yep, just an author paying it forward! I'm glad she held the contest, because I'm always looking for a new author to read and interview. :)
So cross your fingers and toes for me! I'm as nervous as chicken at a BBQ!
If you'd like to check out Jennifer Haymore's site and scope out the other finaling entries, here is the link: JenniferHaymore.com/blog
If my math is right (which is always a crap shoot!), there were a total of 144 entries and believe me, there was some pretty stiff competition!!
For your viewing pleasure, here are my first five!!
Title: In Pursuit Of Love by Sarah Simas
Genre: Regency Romance (1813)
First 5 Sentences:
Hidden behind the fronds of a large potted palm,twenty-two year old Melanie Wainscott observed the crush of bodies gracefully dipping and gliding across the polished dance floor of Lord and Lady Whitmore’s grand ballroom. The massive doors and windows had been thrown open to allow room for the thirty piece orchestra and the swell of guests. With a gentle breeze carrying in the fragrant perfume of roses and wisteria from the gardens, Melanie couldn’t have asked for a more perfect setting. All she needed to do was bait the hook.
No use sitting on the proverbial river bank, she had a man to catch and with any luck he’d be as easy to snag as a brook trout.
Here's hoping you have an awesome day!!! See you back on Friday for my interview with the totally funny Lainey Bancroft!ps- I owe a big thank you to J.A Saare! She passed on the news of the contest. Thanks, Jaime!!! ((hugs!))
