The Start Of A New Year

Like everyone, I've been thinking of what goals I met last year and the ones I plan for this year.

Last year I planned to finish an old vampire 1st person book. I did. Actually, I finished two books this year. Note that the one that sold was already completed. Like every year prior, I planned to get published. I finally did. At the first of 2011, I knew I needed to save my money that I usually spent on conferences and spend it on a family vacation instead. I did. I planned to quit spreading myself thin (day job, family, writing) and end my obligations with my writers group by the end of 2011.  I did.  2010 had been a stellar year in contests (5 finals - that almost half of those entered; plus there were a couple questionable on how they scored me - see posts in 2010 about those) for me and I had hoped to do it again this year. With the sale, that knocked me out of many of the contests (no true lost there. LOL!) but I still was able to final in three (two were with a historical romance). So I guess that last plan was still a positive. A sale - technically two sales - trumps all.

This year, I plan to finish two books and a novella. I would love to finish the historical someway this year too. It's not top priority though. 

I plan to go to at least two conferences: Silken Sands (already paid the fee) and RWA National (that one comes due 1/26).  M&M in October is still up for debate. 

I plan to continue on my weight loss program and hopefully will be in good shape by July and that includes taking care of my body with physicals and check ups.

I plan not to sweat the small stuff in life and enjoy every moment of being published. To continue to help others to become published. The traditional way - not self-published. That's a totally different post I'll do later this month maybe. I'll keep in mind that writing a book that entertains is the key to success. So that leads into my next one.

I plan to write, write, and write along with improve my craft. My books aren't literary masterpieces. They're written for entertainment and to make people sigh and feel hopeful about romance in their own lives.

There are a few more plans (goals) I'm sure that haven't come to mind at this moment, but I can always add them later.

A Little Teaser

My next to post at Romance Magicians is September 13, and I plan for it to be an article I've been thinking about writing for a few years now. Not sure how indepth it will be, but it will be about contests in general with a lot of references to the Linda Howard of Excellence. Considering, with some input from a committee (especially from a certain Kelley Zeringue), it was pretty much my baby for the last six years, I know everything about it leading up to last month. And starting last month (2012 contest), it is in good hands (Thanks, Heather!) that aren't mine.

For those who don't know me and you're wondering if I know my stuff, let me give you this information. Over seventeen years (various years, totaling eight, I didn't enter anything), I've entered 111 contests (averages 12 a year - I'm sure there are plenty who've entered more, but I'm a little picky), and seven of those were in the Golden Heart. That was with 15 different entries. Only 16 entries went to the finals (little over 14%) with 2 as honorable mentions in NJRW's Put Your Heart In A Book contest.  Of course, two of those finals were in the Maggies, one was in the Emily and three GOTCHAs.  I had only one win and that was in the GOTCHA. Thankfully at that time they allowed the editor to decide as I would've come in 3rd otherwise. This last time I finalled, they let the score decide. I would've never entered if I had known that.

Anyway, there's a little teaser. I have a lot more to say, but in the RM post no contests except the LH AoE will be named. No need to ruffle feathers.

Who's Your Daddy?

A wonderful and sweet author, Lyn Stone, once gave a presentation at my writers group meeting about how it was to be a published author. One of the things she talked about was how people who you thought were your friends would change. In fact, they will accuse you of changing. When actually the only part of you that had changed was your attitude. You're happier.

So far, none of the people I think of as a friend has done that to me. Thank you, Lord. But I have found when I'm at my happiest, the devil will do his best (through other unknowing people) to bring me down.

Phooey on you, devil!  I ignore those silly antics and continue with my happy time.

Today, I found out my historical romance, THE CAGED HEART, is a finalist in the TARA contest.  It's the little book that could.  LOL!

Take that!

Contests

No, this isn't another one of my rants about judges and contests and what they do wrong. It's just that I realized I'm addicted to contests. Give a person a few finals and she wants to enter them all. Thankfully (odd to say that) I'm low on income and can't enter them all. Never really saw the need, so it's a good thing I do have some restraint.

I knew a girl who entered so many in one year, she spent over $3,000 dollars. That was when you had to pay for postage there and back. The supplies (envelopes, clips, paper and ink) could add up quick. But still, folks, that was too much. The most I spent in a year was $427 and I still choke when I think of it. Yes. I do keep a spreadsheet. That was the first year I was without a bonus (been three years now) and still had a little extra funds set back. I guess if I was a smoker or drinker, I would spend a lot more money on those habits than I did on contests. It did cut into my buying books but then I get a lot of those free through readers luncheons and conferences I attend. That's really where my extra money went, but all for the purpose of trying to get published and networking. I must say it's paying off. More of that in another post later this year.  Cruel, ain't I?

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm not going to the national conference this year. This will be the first year in nine that I won't be to a conference, national or regional. I probably needed a break from them anyway.

Back to contests. I realized I can't enter the Maggies or the Golden Heart this year. And I had gotten my highest scores ever in the GH this year. Click here to read about that. It makes me sad, but then I knock myself over the head and think, CARLA (I'm on first name basis with myself), YOU'RE GOING TO BE PUBLISHED!  LOL!

I guess my next addiction will be in searching my name and looking for reviews (good or/and bad) and bemoaning that.  Of course, there are always the Ritas and other "published" contests.

Starry, Starry Night

No. This isn't a long spill of sarcastic comments about judges and their lack of intelligence. And, yes, I received some results back. Why do judges go on and on how wonderful something is and then deduct points without comments?  Most confusing.
Maybe this is a sign that I've improved and the judges didn't realize they were only voicing their displeasure at not having the whole book?  LOL! I'm such a dreamer.

Anyone recognize the title of this post?  Hint. It's from the song from the 1970s.  Bing it.

Here I go Again

Considering I enter, judge, and coordinate contests along with train judges, I believe I know a few things. I have to say I'm tired of judges trying to change manuscripts into their voices. When you catch yourself changing nearly every sentence and it's not a grammar issue, maybe the voice isn't one you like. So walk away or mention one of two things and then let it go.

Yes. This is one of my little rants. As you guessed I received some scores on a contest I entered (yeah, did not final). One judge said my heroine's emotions were all over the board. The other one said she was consistent.  I believe if a person is going through a trauma and her emotions are steady, then something's wrong.  You didn't expect that, did you? Yes. The former judge meant it bad and gave me a low score.

Let me explain. I've had a gun pointed at me during a robbery (I worked in a drug store at the time. Kind of explains itself, huh?) and I can tell you my mind was all over the board. Scared with snatches of humor (Surely it was a poor joke -it wasn't), I still kept an eye out for an opportunity to run.  And I did when the gun went off. So in extreme situations, unless you're a robot and have no feelings, your emotions will be everywhere.

And I got the comment "this is a romantic suspense." I had entered it in Contemporary Single Title. But when I enter it into RS, they say it's erotica or a thriller. What does that have to do with it? A story is a story is a story.

Oh, and don't count how many times "was" was used. Goodness pick up a book.  It's okay. I swear.

Same Song Different Verse

The other day I received some comments on a contest I finaled in. Here's a couple comments.

You write WELL. I can see Olivia breaking down the gun, see her in her black silk outfit trying to be cool on the plane, sizing Joe up, offering him a particular smile…

I’m caught and reeled in. I’d enjoy reading the rest to see how you worked out the conflicts and got the two on the same side and into each other’s hearts.

Hurray!

I found out today my manuscript OUT OF THE SHADOWS is a finalist in the GOTCHA! contest. Happy day! It feels so good.

[Update] AND my manuscript THE CAGED HEART is a finalist too! This is my first historical ever to final.

All Right!

My book is a finalist in the Emily! I'm on a roll and hope it continues! Then I might go to New York next summer for the award ceremony for that certain other contest. I can dream. Thus why I'm a writer.

In My Opinion - Judging Contests

A word of advice on judging an unpublished writer’s contest. If you receive an entry with so many mistakes you know the person is a newbie, point out the top five-ten areas of improvements. If you were to try to correct everything, the writer will shut down about halfway through reading it and ignore the whole critique, believing the judge was being over critical. So by concentrating on the most important aspects, you get your helpful advice across to the entrant and you don’t waste your time.

Oh, another thing. My writers' group contest has the maximum score at 100 points. I can tell you, anyone with a 90 or less on more than one entry, rarely finals, and never in the big three categories (Romantic Suspense, Single Title and Unique Genres). So personally I seldom give anyone a score below a 70. To me, no matter how bad the entry is, giving a small score is senseless and demoralizing to the entrant. The person is going to ignore your critique (see paragraph above). So critique kindly and be generous within reason on your scoring. Like I said, they won’t final anyway. Just my personal opinion.

Linda Howard Award of Excellence

Southern Magic’s 2011 Linda Howard Award of Excellence for unpublished writers

No synopsis needed for first round judging.
Discounts for entering early and/or for judging other categories.
Early bird deadline October 1, 2010
Entry deadline October 11, 2010
Finalists can revised their entry before going to final judge.
We are now taking entries!
For rules and entry form, check it out at
http://www.southernmagic.org/lindahowardcontest.html

FINAL JUDGES

Series/Short & Long Contemporary
Susan Litman, Editor, Harlequin

Single Title
Latoya Smith, Editor, Grand Central Publishers

Romantic Suspense
Kate Collins, Senior Editor, Ballantine

Historical
Margo Lipschultz, Associate Editor

Unique Genres (Paranormal, Futuristic, Fantasy, Time Travel)
Melissa Frain, Editor, Tor

Young Adult
Alicia Condon, Editorial Director, Kensington

The Write Magic
For Southern Magic members only
Sara Megibow, Associate Agent, Nelson Literary Agency

Be sure to tell everyone about it. Go the website (link above) and check out the details.

Bitter Much?

Whenever I receive scores back from a contest, I read the lowest one first. Not because I like to punish myself, but I want to know what it was about my story the judge disliked so much. I can tell you if none of the other judges say the same thing, I just put it down as a bitter judge. You know, the one who feels everyone else is being published but her. (It's usually an unpublished writer who gives me ugly scores.) Or is published (rarely) and seeing all her friends getting the multi-contracts "without trying."

In this contest, the lowest judge (pun intended) said, "It made the story silly." She was talking about my first person POV though she said something about it being in second person. Huh? There were way too many I's. Obviously she needs to look up the definition of Second Person.

She also talks about wanting to know when the story was set. Even after writing "the story is obviously in current time." I'm sure she meant present time. So what's the problem? Some people get a little carried away is all I'm saying. Why would I say the year or that's present time unless I have a first chapter happening years before--I didn't.

The other scores were good and the judges gave me a few worthy comments. The bitter one only gave the two above with two comments on the manuscript. One of the comments was snarky. Life is way too short to act that way.

Well, I feel better. Sometimes I just have to get it off my chest.

Education Is The Key To Not Look Stupid

I got comments and scores back from another contest. And I did really well on three of the four scores-near perfect on two. The one who gave me the lowest obviously didn't know what Kensington/Brava published. She kept saying it read like erotica (with pure distaste in her tone) and she didn't believe the book needed to be in the single title romantic suspense category.

Considering the contest didn't have a erotica category and my book is a romantic suspense, of course, I placed it in the right spot. I had BRAVA written beneath the entry title to sorta warn judges. How obvious could I be? Also she kept adding commas in sentences that didn't need them. She made a couple of remarks that were her personal opinion and nothing to do with the writing and those were not only unnecessary but not nice. Will I tell the coordinator? Nah. Not worth it.

But I can tell you the judge proved she doesn't know her market as she didn't know what was published under Brava. Just because I don't read or write inspirational, if someone had written "Steeple Hill" or "Tyndale" on their entry, I would automatically known it was an inspirational. And if I felt uncomfortable readying those type of books--I'm not--I would've told the coordinator and let another person judge it.

So if you're helping to judge a contest, be sure to keep those things in mind.

BEWARE: RANT - NO NAMES GIVEN

Otherwise, you'll look stupid (FYI - I said look stupid, not that she/he was stupid) when you say "...how could wind blow water that's four stories below her in the window..." I guess she never heard of a wet windowsill.

When she said, "Whatever water you're talking about, from the set up a reader thinks it means ocean and that seems unbelievable that a shot would knock him flying over the boardwalk rail and several feet of sand to land in the ocean." Sorry, hon, you're wrong. First, it's not the ocean. It's part of the Puget Sound. Second, there's no sand along the boardwalk. I know. I looked. And no, you're the only judge that thought it was the ocean because you didn't take a second and think Seattle equals Puget Sound. It does to most people. One thing about the shore around the Sound, it's rocky, no sand unless they haul it in. And, oh, the sniper rifle I talked about could certainly throw you back quite a few feet. Anyway, it's called fiction! ::smirk::

Another comment she made was about how the heroine dressed sexy while waiting for the hero to show up. "...more hooker than a randy assassin." And she knows that many randy assassins?

Then she mistyped character. Yeah. I know. That's petty of me to enjoy her boo-boo.

One judge had a hard time with my heroine's blunt thoughts and even told me she disagreed with her thinking. LOL! Sorry, lady, but it's fiction and that's just the way the heroine thinks. For example, when my heroine thinks, "Death by sex? Now that would be the way to go." The judge remarks, "But not at all realistic." Huh? I say tell it to the guy who had a heart attack while getting it on with his trophy wife or young mistress or both. To me that would be death by sex.

Then she had the gall to say on my manuscript, "Not believable," after I had written, "She'd never been as turned on in her life." Obviously this judge is jealous of my heroine. LOL! I believe from other nice comments she said, I would've made a even better score than she gave me --she took 10 points off total from 123 -- if not for the parts she disagreed with. If she'd read my whole book she'd realized the heroine grows on you. There's reasons she's the way she is.

[Whew! I feel better. It really helps to move on if you can air a little of your thoughts about the crazy comments they make.]

GOOD COMMENTS TO MENTION

Okay, now to talk about the good comments I received from the smart judges (yes. I did say smart...and not "look smart" as they are smart. LOL!) This is all part of thinking on the positive. The other stuff above was to get it out of my system and educate people in blog-land.

On this one I missed a perfect score by two points. She said, "Good erotic start to the story." This judge had a sense of humor, when she said, "Sucks you right in -- no pun intended and in a good way." And then she marked an X next to "This manuscript is superb-masterfully written." I need to send this woman chocolate.

The second one said, "Superb beginning - writing and plot." And in regards to Narrative and Dialogue, she said, "All excellent." She said, "Great first sentence," and several other compliments. I need to send this one a whole box of chocolate. Oh, she scored me 122 out of 123.

You're probably noticing I wrote a lot more about the negatives than the positives. I've learned if the judge likes your entry, she's less likely to tear it apart and make comments, good or bad. Thus, the good ones have fewer comments.

I'm sending emails to the two judges who scored me near perfect. I like how that sounds. NEAR PERFECT. Though I didn't final, those two judges made my day.

She'll Be Missed

When I heard Kate Duffy, Editorial Director at Kensington, had passed away, I was heartbroken. I had the pleasure meeting her a couple times and dealing with her a little in a contest. She was one of the final judges in the first Linda Howard Award of Excellence contest. I liked her so much and really wanted her to give me THE CALL.

Then I read the Publisher’s Lunch notation about her passing and discovered she was the founding editor of Silhouette Books and founder of Pocket’s Tapestry Books, that reconfirmed my belief the woman was smart. I remember in the seventies and eighties reading books from those lines and thinking how they were just the type of books I loved. (That's when I started reading Linda Howard's books.) They were different than Harlequin’s (Silhouette wasn’t owned by them at that time), a little hotter and more current. I knew Brava Books were her baby and I’m not surprised I enjoy those too.

She died too young.

I’ll miss her.

Decisions, Decisions

Let me give you a scenario.

A teenage boy didn't show up at school one day. He's known for skipping and wandering the streets of a big city. His sister goes in search for him. She's concerned and wants to bring him home. She loves her brother but understands his need to do what he does, but as any big sis would do, she wants to make sure he's okay.

Now it's almost midnight and she comes across a wounded man in front of an apartment building. Someone has beaten him up. She doesn't own a cell phone and no one is around. What should she do?

Let's see...leave him bleeding in the rain to find her brother? NO! Of course not.

So she checks the wounded guy (she's had some medical training) to make sure he's breathing. Does she leave him now? Goodness no!

So she thinks of ways to help him. Maybe she can knock on the doors inside the apartment building and hopefully someone will call 911 or help. Right? Right. Before she can, the wounded guy's younger brother comes out and tries to bring his bigger brother out of the rain and into their apartment. The younger brother is too little. By the way, they don't have a phone. I know it's hard to believe that some people are too poor to own a phone. (It's times like these I wish there was a sarcastic font.)

Okay. She helps the little brother bring in the big brother. I guess she could dump him in the apartment and say, "Sorry. But I've got to go and look for my brother though you have a little brother and sister worried about rather or not you'll live." Of course, you wouldn't leave. Sure she's still worried about her brother, but didn't I aready mention this wasn't the first time her brother went out wandering around?

Then the wounded guy (a few cuts and bruises along with a big knot on his head) offers to help find her brother because, lo and behold! his teenage sister is with her brother. But he tells her it will be safer to wait until daylight. You have to remember, she's not a cop, superhero or an alien with a ray gun. Those streets are as dangerous for her as they are for her brother and the guy's sister.

Now. Tell me. Would you say, "Sorry but I can't worry about you and I've got to go back out into the big city streets AFTER midnight and look for my brother because I'm WORRIED about him"? Talk about too stupid to live!

As you probably guessed. I received back comments from a judge on my manuscript SHADOW HEALER and the judge couldn't believe the heroine didn't leave right then and look for her brother. It bothered her. Geez! I would like to see her wandering Atlanta streets around midnight. Actually, I have with one other woman and the whole time I kept thinking how stupid we were.

All the points I made were in the manuscript, why can't they read the words I've written? What am I doing wrong? No need to answer. I'm just ranting. This is good therapy.

Commercial Time

NEW: Three first round judges (lowest score dropped), and special category for Southern Magic members.

******************************

First 25 pages without synopsis. See rules for further information.

Must be emailed by October 11, 2009 – 10 p.m. central
Finalists should be announced by January 1, 2010
Revised final entries must be emailed by January 25, 2009 (with synopses)
Winners should be announced on April 1, 2010

Categories and final judges:

Series/Short & Long Contemporary - Susan Litman, Editor, Harlequin

Single Title - Latoya Smith, Editor, Grand Central Publishers

Suspense (series or single title) - Megan MeKeever, Associate Editor, Pocket Books (Simon & Schuster)

Historical - Alicia Condon, VP, Editorial Director, Dorchester

Unique Genres (Paranormal, Futuristic, Fantasy, Time Travel) - Heather Osborn, Acquisitions Editor, Tor

Romantic Sensual and Sizzling (Erotica) - Raelene Gorlinsky, Editor, Ellora’s Cave

Young Adult - Natashya Wilson, Senior Editor, Harlequin Teen

Inspirational - Tina James, Senior Editor, Love Inspired Suspense & Love Inspired Historical, Steeple Hill

The Write Magic -For Southern Magic members only, Final judge: Sara Megibow, Associate Agent, Nelson Literary Agency

Thanks.
Carla Swafford
LH AoE Contest Coordinator
Southern Magic, Birmingham
http://www.southernmagic.org/

Dwelling On The Positive

The other day I was clicking on Followers like I often do when I'm visiting people's blogs. I like to see who's out there reading blogs. By doing that I've had the pleasure in "meeting" two kind and interesting ladies. Hi, Suzanne and gaelikaa!

I came across someone's blog where they posted the positive comments from their contest entries. Note...contest entries, not finals. That was such a good idea. So here are some of mine. Keep in mind this is over a total of 10 years (Yes, that's correct. First contest was 1994, but I waited five years to try again.) and 81 entries.

OUT OF THE SHADOWS (Romantic suspense)

Great writing. Great...everything. Kept me reading to find out what happens next. Very intriguing.
2009 Heart of the West

Excellent job! I was really pulled into this story and really want to read more. You have wonderful descriptions and intriguing plot.
2009 Fire and Ice

Your story is riveting, your voice is strong and your talent as a writer is incredible.
2009 Four Seasons

THE SHADOW HEALER (Paranormal)

This is amazing. The emotion and passion are here in spades. This writer really knows how to hook a reader and make them care about the characters. I was totally lost in this selection!
2009 The Linda Howard Award of Excellence

You've got a great grasp of POV and pacing. I was riveted. The story is fresh and new!
2008 Golden Gateway

I think you have created a dynamic hero and heroine in Thorn and Cassidy. They both have incredible depth, and you've done a wonderful job of taking the reader into their heads and hearts. And the sexual tension is palpable.
2008 Indiana's Golden Opportunity

A SHERIFF TO CALL HER OWN (Contemporary)

All the characters seemed like real people. I loved the flow of their speech and their connections to each other.
2008 From the Heart Romance Writers

A really fabulous entry! You're obviously an awesome writer with a strong, strong voice. There are so many stellar moments in your entry. I fully expect you'll see your stories in print one day.
2008 Book of Your Heart

I fell in love with [the hero] right from the start. You did really good with the dialogue and used it to show motivation and character development.
2008 Gotcha!

THE PREACHER'S SON (Contemporary)

It's a nice twist to have the town see the heroine as a "lady" when she actually was a chorus girl made good. There's an intriguing tension between the perceptions of the two characters and their actual pasts.
2007 Golden Gateway (Harlequin/SR's Wanda Ottewell's words and she placed me first)

Terrific writing. You're a top notch writer.
2007 Launching A Star

I love your voice, and the opening scene proves you have a good understanding of small-town community closeness.
2007 Maggies

DEADLY TEMPTATION: THE ONES (Vampire - 1st person)

Love the dialogue. Good, strong voice.
2006 Laurie

I absolutely love the plot.
2006 The Daphne du Maurier Award

As soon as you sell this (and you will) email me 'cuz I wanna read it!!
2005 Launching A Star

DARK DESIRE (Historical)

You write about sex with unflinching courage. I enjoyed references to Medieval items.
2006 Between the Sheets

THE FEMALE CHAUVINIST (Contemporary)

Love the plot. Unique, fun, with just the right hint of suspense.
2005 Melody of Love

Overall good, tight writing. Multiple scene purposes.
2004 Great Expectations

THE CAGED HEART (Historical)

I think your story idea is really great...intrigued in the beginning by the pile of rags that turned out to be the heroine.
2004 Heart to Heart

This is challenging to have such a tragic beginning for your heroine. I like how you work it.
2004 Touch of Magic

THE CHAMPION (Vampire)

The opening grabs you by the throat and pulls you in. The author has an engaging voice and a good, easy way with suspense.
2003 Melody of Love

TREASURE (Vampire)

This is a very well-written and interesting story!
2002 On The Far Side

PRECIOUS (Vampire)

You write with a true sensual prose style that is unusually vivid.
2002 Indiana's Golden Opportunity

The voice/tone is perky, lively and upbeat.
2002 First Impressions

YEARNINGS (Historical)

Strong plot. Dialogue is good...
1999 Emily

CRYSTAL SHADOWS (Romantic Suspense)

I really like your story line. Pacing is good.
1994 Golden Heart

In the 1994 Golden Heart, two judges included comments. One sent three pages of typed notes and the other eleven handwritten pages. Yes. Way back then they did comment on entries. LOL!

As you can tell, this is not all of the entries, but I tried to pull a variety.

Funny thing. I noticed I received more positive comments about my writing as a craft versus my plots or vivid storytelling as I improved. I'm glad I did this. I feel better.

Contests!

Well, I got the scores back from the last contest I entered this year.

So far this year, six entries and five of them with one manuscript. Most of the scores were as high as you can get, but one judge would always keep me out. Just like in this latest contest.

This last contest confused me. They said they dropped the lowest. So that means my total was 19 out of 20 overall. But I didn't final. I guess the others were all 20's. Plus one of the judges gave me two 10's and one 9, and giving it an overall 9. Huh?

This is so why I hate contests. Well, that and how it depresses me.

Now it's time for me to concentrate on sending out my manuscripts to the people whose opinion really matters.

Can't Beat Them, Join Them

I've volunteered to coordinate the Linda Howard Award of Excellence contest again this year (the 2010 one actually). This will be my fourth out of five years. We've got some exciting news that will be announced probably next month and one tidbit was already announced on our chapter loop. Yes. I'm cruel to hint and not tell. Heehee.

I'm An Addict!

Geez, Louise. I've entered two contests today. What in the world am I thinking? I don't have the money but...yes...I have a problem.

Hello, my name's Carla Swafford and I'm a contest junkie.

By the way, the book is in the mail to the editor. Nail biting time.