Speaking of Moving
The long-distance fellows are finally on their way, bringing our belongings from Florida to the new house in Wisconsin. What a rollercoaster this has been. I'd tell you about it, but I'll save it for one of my books. All I can say is, my brother-in-law is a saint (we asked him to supervise the loading of our storage unit for us so we wouldn't have to travel to Florida . . . we're already spending enough money. . . can you say "Brazilian hardwood"?
Anyway, my brother-in-law tells me the guys busted their chops trying to fit everything on the truck . . . it seems our load was larger than anticipated (you never know how much stuff you've got until it's time to move it. Picturing them struggling brings to mind one of my favorite songs. Mind you that my musical taste includes much more than R&B. This song was a huge hit a year or two before I was even born and has become part of American pop culture. Never did a simple drum and clarinet sound so effective.
Enjoy it, and have a great weekend. I'll be posting a writing-related essay by well-known author Lynn Emery between now and Monday.
How to Measure your BMI (Body Mass Index)
For those of you trying to get your bikini body, here's how to measure your body mass index.
Multiply your current weight (in pounds) by 705. Divide the total by your height (in inches, with 60 inches being 5 feet) twice.
24 or less is ideal
25 to 30 is overweight
30 t0 39 is obese
40 or more is morbid obesity
Hey, don't shoot the messenger.
As for me, my bikini days are behind me (some things shouldn't be worn by anyone over 40). Besides, my doctor already told me I'm overweight and flirting with obesity. So I can eat my Belgian waffle with whipped cream, strawberries and peaches with no guilt. But at least it's whole wheat . . . .
Guest Blogger: Shelia M. Goss
Good Lord, is it Monday already?
I actually had a chance to do some unpacking this weekend. I'm trying to get to all those boxes before the remainder of our stuff from Florida gets here (it's supposed to be picked up tomorrow or Wednesday). Opening boxes, the contents of which I haven't seen in two years, is going to be like Christmas, d'ya think?
Anyway, thank goodness for people like Shelia M. Goss, who have offered to write some columns to keep my blog from dying a slow, painful death during this busy, work-for-18-hours, sleep-for-six time. You all know Shelia; she's written My Invisible Husband, Roses are Thorns, Violets are True; Paige's Web, and her latest, Double Platinum.
Before I bring Shelia on, I wanted to say that I know something funky's going on with my blog. The dates are being overwritten by text and photos, and the spacing is atrocious. Sorry. I'm aware of the problem but heaven only knows when I'll be able to research it.
One more thing . . . I have a new survey in the upper left side of your screen, so answer if you have a chance.
Okay, heeeeeeeere's Shelia!
###
Commonly Asked Questions by Aspiring Writers
by Shelia M. Goss
I recently received an email from a guy thanking me for publishing advice I gave him about a year ago. He wanted to send me an autographed copy of his first book. To be honest, I don't remember communicating with him but I must have. Most of us try our best to respond to every email that we get within a timely manner, but with deadlines and re-writes and life, we get busy.
by Shelia M. Goss
I recently received an email from a guy thanking me for publishing advice I gave him about a year ago. He wanted to send me an autographed copy of his first book. To be honest, I don't remember communicating with him but I must have. Most of us try our best to respond to every email that we get within a timely manner, but with deadlines and re-writes and life, we get busy.
Below are commonly asked questions received from aspiring writers. Hopefully, it'll answer some of your questions. If you're not a writer but know someone who is interested in becoming one, please refer them to this post.
I have a good story. I'm learning fast that people don't or won't help you. Why is that?
I don't want you to have the misconception of authors not wanting to help…many of us do. You also have to keep in mind of your approach. Have you ever contacted this particular author before? Have you ever bought one of their books? My question is, why would you ask for advice from an author if you've never purchased or read one of their books? I don't ask for advice from just anyone. You best believe any writer I approached in the past, I've read their entire book; not just an excerpt off their website.
Will you read my unpublished manuscript and give me feedback?
For legal reasons, a lot of authors will not read the work of people they don't already have a relationship with in some capacity. As a writer, we have to protect ourselves because there are too many "sue-happy" folks out there. Please keep that in mind the next time you ask the question and don't get the response you want. Don't hold it against the writer. Also, most writers do not have the time to read other people’s manuscripts because they are too busy working on their own and trying to meet deadlines. I would suggest joining a writing group where some of the members may be able to assist with critiquing your work.
Can you help me write my life story?
Yes, for a price; but most people don't want to hear that. They expect you to do something for free. Writing is a passion for most of us but it’s also a business. Don't get upset if you get turned flat down because you're not willing to pay for the writer’s time.
Also, keep in mind that if you live long enough, there’s a story within all of us; but not every life story is meant to be told (meaning, just because your life is interesting to you doesn't mean we all want to read about it). That’s one reason why I write fiction. Nobody wants to hear about the ins and outs of my life (that’s what blogging is for…lol).
Will you write a blurb for my book?
It depends. Have we ever communicated before? Belonging to literary groups is great for networking so don't forget to join a few online and offline. You don't have to wait until your manuscript is finished to do it.
Depending on the author’s schedule, he or she will want to read the entire manuscript before attaching their name to your book. At the very least, they will want to read several chapters if they are unfamiliar with your writing style. If said author doesn't write a blurb, do not hold it against them.
I've finished my book. What’s next?
This is a dreaded question. Why? Because there are so many things you could do next. #1, I would ask, what do you want to do next? Are you looking for an agent or a publisher? If you are looking for either one, you will need to know about the submission process. Most require a query letter, synopsis, and the first three chapters.
Are you looking to self-publish? If so, then there are other things you need to consider. For example, will you outright self-publish or will you be using a Print on Demand (POD) service.
Be sure you've done your homework and know exactly what you want to do. You will probably get more responses if you ask specific questions, such as “How do I write a query letter?” or “How do I get an ISBN?” than asking a generic question.
How can I find an agent?
Agents are found via conferences, referrals or by using other resources such as books like the Writer’s Market and online websites. Bookmark the following website because it gives information on what agents are looking for and their contact information: http://www.agentquery.com/
Be sure to only send them what they are requesting.
Be sure to only send them what they are requesting.
When should I start marketing my book?
I would start marketing the moment I knew the book was going to be published. Once you have an official publishing date and your ISBN from your publisher, I would suggest submitting your galleys to print publications and reviewers. The goal is to inform or make book readers and book buyers aware of your book. You want them to be familiar with the title so once it’s released and they see it on the shelves or while browsing on the Internet, they may take a chance and purchase it. Click on the Workshop page on my blog for more information on promoting your book.
Does paying for reviews help or hurt your review rating?
I'm really not sure. I submit my book to publications and sites that read books in my genre; whether their actual review of my book makes it to the publication or site is at their discretion. I don't, however, pay for book reviews. Most of the reviews I've received lately are from individual readers who purchased the book and either liked or disliked the book. I personally tend to shy away from review sites that charge; however, there are several reputable sites that do charge. Hopefully that answered your question.
How do you find time to write?
I don't. I make time. Life is what it is. If you wait to find time to write, you never will. Something can or will get in the way if you don't make a conscious effort to fit writing into your schedule. You have to make time. Set aside a certain amount of time a day or a week to write. Even if you only write an hour a week, you're closer to your goal than waiting to find time to write.
Please note: The Internet is your friend. Use any one of the search engines and it will pull up a ton of information on any topic.
The more specific you can be when asking a question to an author, the better chances you'll get a response. It shows that you've done your homework and you're really interested in pursuing a writing career.
###
Thanks, Shelia! Readers, be sure to visit Shelia's website, and her highly entertaining blog.
So did the cops show up after the broadcast, or what?
The first time I saw this photo, I thought it had to be a joke. Apparently, it was for real. I must have laughed for 10 minutes.
Don't ask me what this news producer was thinking when he assigned this story to this reporter.
Have a great weekend. I'll be posting another writer's article by a guest blogger over the weekend while I continue unpacking. I think Shelia Goss is up next.
The first time I saw this photo, I thought it had to be a joke. Apparently, it was for real. I must have laughed for 10 minutes.
Don't ask me what this news producer was thinking when he assigned this story to this reporter.
Have a great weekend. I'll be posting another writer's article by a guest blogger over the weekend while I continue unpacking. I think Shelia Goss is up next.
I'm surfacing from under a huge workload - both personally and professionally - to say how pleased I am to see the Democratic nomination finally clinched by Barack Obama. I hope that all those who have lived and died before me, including my dear father, are somehow aware of this groundbreaking news. For those whose lives were snuffed out in the name of voting rights, like Vernon Dahmer, Jimmie Lee Jackson, Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, Michael Schwerner, Viola Liuzzo, and on and on, I hope the news reaches Heaven. Just thinking about this - something I never expected to see in my lifetime - brings tears to my eyes.
That said, I would plead with Senator Obama to please do not offer the Vice Presidency to Senator Clinton. Do you really want this woman with her ruthless ambition to get into the history books to be one heartbeat away from what will hopefully be your job - the top job in the world? If you do, you'd better be prepared to butt heads with both her and her husband.
And with her as second in command, you'd better make sure you have someone to taste your food . . . and to check your limo and bed for bombs.
Okay, so it would be a bit much, even for Senator Clinton and President Clinton, to arrange to have you rubbed out. But thoughts are free, and personally, I think they're hoping something will happen to eliminate you from the picture so she can claim what she has always felt is rightfully hers. There are plenty of wonderful choices you can make for the #2 spot.
Think about it, Senator, please!
Guest Blogger: Dyanne Davis
Bettye is happy to report that she found her rollers. While she looks for her nail polish remover so she can wear open-toed shoes, some of her writer friends have volunteered to give her a break from blogging . . . .
Award-winning author Dyanne Davis lives in a Chicago suburb with her husband Bill, and their son Bill Jr. She retired from nursing several years ago to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a published author.
An avid reader, Dyanne began reading at the age of four. Her love of the written word turned into a desire to write. Her first novel, The Color of Trouble, was released July of 2003. The novel was received with high praise and several awards. Dyanne won an Emma for Favorite New Author of the year.
Her second novel, The Wedding Gown, was released in February 2004 and has also received much praise. The book was chosen by Black Expressions, a subsidiary of Doubleday Book Club, as a monthly club pick. It was a 2005 Emma finalist for Steamiest Romance and Book Of The Year. The Wedding Gown was also a finalist for Affaire de Coeur Reader’s poll.
Dyanne’s Misty Blue is a sequel to The Wedding Gown. It received a 4-star rating from Romantic Times. In December 2006, Let’s Get It On also received a 4-star rating from Romantic Times. In Misty Blue garnered an Emma win for best book cover.
Dyanne has been a presenter of numerous workshops. She has presented several workshops for teens at Chicago and suburban high schools. She has a local cable show in her hometown to give writing tips to aspiring writers. She has guests from all genres to provide information and entertainment to the audience. She has hosted such notables as USA Today bestselling erotica author Robin Schone and New York Times bestselling author of the vampire huntress series L.A. Banks.
Dyanne is also writing for Parker Publishing. Her first book, a story about new love taking places while trying to survive Hurricane Katrina, hit the shelves in February 2007. Also, for the first time Dyanne will be writing under a pseudonym for her new vampire series. Her first vampire novel, In the Beginning, was released in June of 2007 under the name of F. D. Davis.
When Dyanne is not writing, you can find her with a book in her hands, her greatest passion next to spending time with her husband and son. Whenever possible, she loves getting together with friends and family.
A member of Romance Writers of America, Dyanne recently wrapped up her second term as Chapter President for Windy City. Dyanne loves to hear feedback from her readers. You can reach her at her website. http://www.dyannedavis.com/ She also has an on-line blog where readers can post questions and photos, http://dyannedavis.blogspot.com/ Her alter ego, ADAM OMEGA, can be reached at http://www.adamomega.com/ .
Entering writing contests for the ‘Yet to Be Published’ by Dyanne Davis
Hello everyone,
First, I’d like to thank Bettye for giving me a chance to speak to her readers. Coming from Romance Slam Jam recently and getting back in the swing of things with my chapter news and the things I’ve neglected in recent weeks, contest news was everywhere. RSJ had an aspiring author’s contest, like most conferences nowadays, and it’s the nature of contests that a few are happy and many more are saddened. It’s because of that sadness with all the contests that I’m aware of that got me to thinking that writers need to know that writing contests are just that . . . contests.
I’d like to talk about the unpublished writers contests. As great as it is to win, I hope winning isn’t your primary goal, but that having someone who doesn’t know or love you give you their opinion is what you’re after. And people, that’s all it is, an opinion. No more, no less.
Don’t get me wrong. To win a contest gives one a feeling of pride and an acknowledgement that perhaps you can do it. It’s very easy to win. It’s a lot harder to know what to do when you enter a writing contest and don’t win. Basically, my message is to the majority of writers who enter such contests, because, let’s face it: There are far more writers who don’t win than there are writers who do win.
Why? LOL. There can only be one winner. I think aspiring writers put too much stock in winning contests and are not prepared when they don’t. Most times it has nothing to do with the writer’s talent but can boiled down to basically two things. Opinions and INDUSTRY STANDARDS. I want to tell you this up front— what I’m writing to you now is only my opinion, and what I am saying is not meant in any way to take away money from any group who holds such contests. That being said, let us begin.
As a member for eleven years and two-term president of my local RWA chapter, I’ve formed some definite opinions about contests. What I’m going to say next is not meant as part of my bio, but giving you a little background about my own experiences and how I arrived at my opinions. During my first year with my chapter, the annual writing contest was held and all members were encouraged to judge the contest. At that time I’d recently made the decision that I really wanted to be more than an outsider and just come to the meetings. So I decided to judge the contest. Also at that time I thought it was all a matter of reading a chapter and saying if I liked it or not. Ha. Was I wrong. The scoring sheet was very complex, and for the first time I heard the words INDUSTRY STANDARD. If you don’t remember anything else from this message I’m writing, remember those two words if you have ever entered or plan to enter a writing contest.
I believe by that time I, as an unpublished writer, had entered two contests. I was extremely green to the whole INDUSTRY STANDARD thing and was very much into learning the craft of writing. It took me two years to totally get the whole head hopping, changing point of view (POV) thing. All of this made me know that I was wholly under-qualified to judge this contest. Nevertheless, I judged the contest. This more than anything stopped me from entering any more contests. First, the contest requires a fee; and second, unqualified individuals such as myself were allowed to judge. I personally didn’t see any difference in that and having my work critiqued by other members of my chapter during our critique meetings.
Before any RWA members or any other group who holds contest start wanting to fire off nasty emails to me, just keep reading. As time passed, my chapter brought in trained people to teach us how to judge, and each year we would have a refresher. We also had a motto: ‘DO NO HARM.’ All of this was part of learning the craft. I now knew the words INDUSTRY STANDARD and knew how to judge accordingly, and with our motto I believe I knew how to do it without causing serious harm to a writer’s psyche. More years passed, and I became the coordinator for my chapter’s paranormal segment of our yearly contest. I kept that job for four years. In that time we changed our scoring form because, frankly, it needed changing.
Example: Score from one to ten the hero and heroine’s conflict. You could get a chapter that was very well done but was only in the heroine’s POV. How did you judge that? No matter how well it was done, you couldn’t give it a 10 because nothing about the hero was in there. Our score sheets now say hero/heroine meaning either/or. Judges can now give the 10.
As time passed, I became published and the intense learning began. After having been put through my paces with the world’s best editor for eleven books, I’m getting better, but I’m not there yet. It still take me two days to read the revision letter because I’m a writer and ALL writers are sensitive and believe every single word they write is brilliant. For example, I’m going to give this to my friend Lisa G. Riley and ask her to read and see what can be cut and believe me, she will find something and I will agree with her. Because as I look at the length of what I’ve written, I do realize that I have not yet said the things to you that I really want to say. Why, you ask? Writers are sensitive (repeating myself) and since I know that, I have to prepare you.
If you’re going to enter ANY writing contest, be very clear what you’re looking for. Are you just looking for feedback, to win and have an agent or editor agree to take a look at your work? That’s what I’ve heard from many of my friends who still enter contests.
Remember this, even if you win the contest, it doesn’t guarantee a sale. Generally a contest will have anywhere from 2 to 4 judges. Every reader brings their own thoughts to each piece when reading it, and scores can and do vary. That’s the fact of this business, even when you’re published. One reader will think your book is brilliant, another will think it’s garbage.
Back to being clear about why you’re entering the contest. If it’s for an opinion of someone other than family, friend or other chapter members, then it’s a very good way to get feedback. I’m going to give you a suggestion before you spend your money entering contests. Ask the coordinator if you can have a copy of their score sheets. They may or may not give it to you, but some will. Then read your intended submission and score it. Here’s where that INDUSTRY STANDARD is important. If it’s an RWA contest, it most assuredly will be judged by INDUSTRY STANDARD. Most other contests are using similar versions. And let’s face it, you’re writing because you want to be published by some major publisher. If that’s the case, you definitely need to know what they’re looking for. If you have no idea what this is, you need to learn it before spending your money.
Listen carefully; this is important. Never allow a contest loss to define you or your talent. Treat the comments you receive as a buffet. If they help you in your writing, good. If they don’t help you, don’t take them. After all, you are the boss of your work. Reading is an extremely subjective thing, and you need to keep in mind that the same as a contest win does not ensure publication, the same goes for a contest loss. Losing a contest does not mean your work won’t be published. The road to publication is littered with losses in the form of rejections before, during, and after. And yes, published authors still receive rejections. If you want a better chance of winning or placing in those contests, then you need to learn what INDUSTRY STANDARD means. If nothing else, when you enter contests and submit your work to an agent or editor, you will be submitting work that is properly formatted and professional. The telling of the story is up to each of you. My only goal here is to help you with the presentation.
Dyanne Davis
www.dyannedavis.com
An avid reader, Dyanne began reading at the age of four. Her love of the written word turned into a desire to write. Her first novel, The Color of Trouble, was released July of 2003. The novel was received with high praise and several awards. Dyanne won an Emma for Favorite New Author of the year.
Her second novel, The Wedding Gown, was released in February 2004 and has also received much praise. The book was chosen by Black Expressions, a subsidiary of Doubleday Book Club, as a monthly club pick. It was a 2005 Emma finalist for Steamiest Romance and Book Of The Year. The Wedding Gown was also a finalist for Affaire de Coeur Reader’s poll.
Dyanne’s Misty Blue is a sequel to The Wedding Gown. It received a 4-star rating from Romantic Times. In December 2006, Let’s Get It On also received a 4-star rating from Romantic Times. In Misty Blue garnered an Emma win for best book cover.
Dyanne has been a presenter of numerous workshops. She has presented several workshops for teens at Chicago and suburban high schools. She has a local cable show in her hometown to give writing tips to aspiring writers. She has guests from all genres to provide information and entertainment to the audience. She has hosted such notables as USA Today bestselling erotica author Robin Schone and New York Times bestselling author of the vampire huntress series L.A. Banks.
Dyanne is also writing for Parker Publishing. Her first book, a story about new love taking places while trying to survive Hurricane Katrina, hit the shelves in February 2007. Also, for the first time Dyanne will be writing under a pseudonym for her new vampire series. Her first vampire novel, In the Beginning, was released in June of 2007 under the name of F. D. Davis.
When Dyanne is not writing, you can find her with a book in her hands, her greatest passion next to spending time with her husband and son. Whenever possible, she loves getting together with friends and family.
A member of Romance Writers of America, Dyanne recently wrapped up her second term as Chapter President for Windy City. Dyanne loves to hear feedback from her readers. You can reach her at her website. http://www.dyannedavis.com/ She also has an on-line blog where readers can post questions and photos, http://dyannedavis.blogspot.com/ Her alter ego, ADAM OMEGA, can be reached at http://www.adamomega.com/ .
Entering writing contests for the ‘Yet to Be Published’ by Dyanne Davis
Hello everyone,
First, I’d like to thank Bettye for giving me a chance to speak to her readers. Coming from Romance Slam Jam recently and getting back in the swing of things with my chapter news and the things I’ve neglected in recent weeks, contest news was everywhere. RSJ had an aspiring author’s contest, like most conferences nowadays, and it’s the nature of contests that a few are happy and many more are saddened. It’s because of that sadness with all the contests that I’m aware of that got me to thinking that writers need to know that writing contests are just that . . . contests.
I’d like to talk about the unpublished writers contests. As great as it is to win, I hope winning isn’t your primary goal, but that having someone who doesn’t know or love you give you their opinion is what you’re after. And people, that’s all it is, an opinion. No more, no less.
Don’t get me wrong. To win a contest gives one a feeling of pride and an acknowledgement that perhaps you can do it. It’s very easy to win. It’s a lot harder to know what to do when you enter a writing contest and don’t win. Basically, my message is to the majority of writers who enter such contests, because, let’s face it: There are far more writers who don’t win than there are writers who do win.
Why? LOL. There can only be one winner. I think aspiring writers put too much stock in winning contests and are not prepared when they don’t. Most times it has nothing to do with the writer’s talent but can boiled down to basically two things. Opinions and INDUSTRY STANDARDS. I want to tell you this up front— what I’m writing to you now is only my opinion, and what I am saying is not meant in any way to take away money from any group who holds such contests. That being said, let us begin.
As a member for eleven years and two-term president of my local RWA chapter, I’ve formed some definite opinions about contests. What I’m going to say next is not meant as part of my bio, but giving you a little background about my own experiences and how I arrived at my opinions. During my first year with my chapter, the annual writing contest was held and all members were encouraged to judge the contest. At that time I’d recently made the decision that I really wanted to be more than an outsider and just come to the meetings. So I decided to judge the contest. Also at that time I thought it was all a matter of reading a chapter and saying if I liked it or not. Ha. Was I wrong. The scoring sheet was very complex, and for the first time I heard the words INDUSTRY STANDARD. If you don’t remember anything else from this message I’m writing, remember those two words if you have ever entered or plan to enter a writing contest.
I believe by that time I, as an unpublished writer, had entered two contests. I was extremely green to the whole INDUSTRY STANDARD thing and was very much into learning the craft of writing. It took me two years to totally get the whole head hopping, changing point of view (POV) thing. All of this made me know that I was wholly under-qualified to judge this contest. Nevertheless, I judged the contest. This more than anything stopped me from entering any more contests. First, the contest requires a fee; and second, unqualified individuals such as myself were allowed to judge. I personally didn’t see any difference in that and having my work critiqued by other members of my chapter during our critique meetings.
Before any RWA members or any other group who holds contest start wanting to fire off nasty emails to me, just keep reading. As time passed, my chapter brought in trained people to teach us how to judge, and each year we would have a refresher. We also had a motto: ‘DO NO HARM.’ All of this was part of learning the craft. I now knew the words INDUSTRY STANDARD and knew how to judge accordingly, and with our motto I believe I knew how to do it without causing serious harm to a writer’s psyche. More years passed, and I became the coordinator for my chapter’s paranormal segment of our yearly contest. I kept that job for four years. In that time we changed our scoring form because, frankly, it needed changing.
Example: Score from one to ten the hero and heroine’s conflict. You could get a chapter that was very well done but was only in the heroine’s POV. How did you judge that? No matter how well it was done, you couldn’t give it a 10 because nothing about the hero was in there. Our score sheets now say hero/heroine meaning either/or. Judges can now give the 10.
As time passed, I became published and the intense learning began. After having been put through my paces with the world’s best editor for eleven books, I’m getting better, but I’m not there yet. It still take me two days to read the revision letter because I’m a writer and ALL writers are sensitive and believe every single word they write is brilliant. For example, I’m going to give this to my friend Lisa G. Riley and ask her to read and see what can be cut and believe me, she will find something and I will agree with her. Because as I look at the length of what I’ve written, I do realize that I have not yet said the things to you that I really want to say. Why, you ask? Writers are sensitive (repeating myself) and since I know that, I have to prepare you.
If you’re going to enter ANY writing contest, be very clear what you’re looking for. Are you just looking for feedback, to win and have an agent or editor agree to take a look at your work? That’s what I’ve heard from many of my friends who still enter contests.
Remember this, even if you win the contest, it doesn’t guarantee a sale. Generally a contest will have anywhere from 2 to 4 judges. Every reader brings their own thoughts to each piece when reading it, and scores can and do vary. That’s the fact of this business, even when you’re published. One reader will think your book is brilliant, another will think it’s garbage.
Back to being clear about why you’re entering the contest. If it’s for an opinion of someone other than family, friend or other chapter members, then it’s a very good way to get feedback. I’m going to give you a suggestion before you spend your money entering contests. Ask the coordinator if you can have a copy of their score sheets. They may or may not give it to you, but some will. Then read your intended submission and score it. Here’s where that INDUSTRY STANDARD is important. If it’s an RWA contest, it most assuredly will be judged by INDUSTRY STANDARD. Most other contests are using similar versions. And let’s face it, you’re writing because you want to be published by some major publisher. If that’s the case, you definitely need to know what they’re looking for. If you have no idea what this is, you need to learn it before spending your money.
Listen carefully; this is important. Never allow a contest loss to define you or your talent. Treat the comments you receive as a buffet. If they help you in your writing, good. If they don’t help you, don’t take them. After all, you are the boss of your work. Reading is an extremely subjective thing, and you need to keep in mind that the same as a contest win does not ensure publication, the same goes for a contest loss. Losing a contest does not mean your work won’t be published. The road to publication is littered with losses in the form of rejections before, during, and after. And yes, published authors still receive rejections. If you want a better chance of winning or placing in those contests, then you need to learn what INDUSTRY STANDARD means. If nothing else, when you enter contests and submit your work to an agent or editor, you will be submitting work that is properly formatted and professional. The telling of the story is up to each of you. My only goal here is to help you with the presentation.
Dyanne Davis
www.dyannedavis.com
Say What?
Overheard on the news this morning: "Senator Edward Kennedy checked in to Duke University Medical Center and will undergo surgery by Dr. Allan Friedman, the chief of the Neurosurgery there, two weeks after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor."
I've got a bulletin for the copywriter. The word inoperable does not belong in that sentence.
Stay tuned for more writerly advice from author Dyanne Davis. I'll try to get it up later today.
Overheard on the news this morning: "Senator Edward Kennedy checked in to Duke University Medical Center and will undergo surgery by Dr. Allan Friedman, the chief of the Neurosurgery there, two weeks after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor."
I've got a bulletin for the copywriter. The word inoperable does not belong in that sentence.
Stay tuned for more writerly advice from author Dyanne Davis. I'll try to get it up later today.
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