Thankful Friday

I'm thankful I can read and love immersing myself in books. I'm so fortunate. Hmm, I guess that says it all.

Behind The Scenes

This is how they made it...

Strangely Beautiful

Watch the plant life.

Really, Not A Fan

On the TV in my "study" (another word for spare bedroom), there are around 60 channels. Downstairs, on the larger TV, there are easily 200, but that's my hubby's domain. Anyway, on the smaller set, twice I've tried to find something different but funny. I love romantic comedies. Go figure. LOL! But all I found were dramas or ones I've seen.

As I flipped through the channels, I came across one reality show after another. I know lots of people watch them, thus the plethora of reality shows. (Note the new $50 word I used.) My buddy at work likes AMAZING RACE. My sister-in-law loves SURVIVOR. Others watch BIG BROTHER or PROJECT RUNWAY. I don't care for anything even remotely close to those...nope. Not for me.

Yet I will admit the only reality show I like to watch is WIPEOUT. Yep. A real game show. That's the only one. Give me slap-stick. I'm Just wired that way. LOL!

Commercial Time

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

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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/

Seventh Heaven

The other day I saw commericals for Seventh Heaven. I use to love that show. The first two-three seasons I watched every episode. Then I realized I was crying at the end of each one. Talk about emotional scenes. They were excellent, but I didn't like the tearing up or crying all the time. I rather laugh. Though I didn't care for their spoilt kids. I did like the relationship between the parents most of the time and how the family would pull together at the last minute. Actually, made them all appear more real.

Say What?

I receive emails from Catherines, a clothing line for "plus-size" women (such a PC word, isn't it?), about their sales. This time they mentioned GLAMOUR magazine had a "plus-size" model featured in it. Get this, she's a size 12. Isn't that sad? The average size of American women is 14, but she's considered large in the modeling world. Crazy.

Click here to read about it and see the picture.

Thankful Friday

After reading a certain news article today, I'm determined to think of something totally positive to be thankful for as I want to lighten my mood.

I'm thankful for movies. I love watching romantic comedies, sci-fi's, adventures, period pieces and westerns. Ocassionally, I'll watch a thriller or suspense. I avoid horror and "making a statement" films. Movies are a way to escape from life for a couple hours.

I especially love watching old movies from the 40's. The clothes, men in fedoras, hmmm. Would I like living back then? Goodness, no. Just like visiting for a while.

Backstory

In most of the books (if not all) I read about writing, they say not to dump the backstory in the beginning. In fact, anywhere in your manuscript. To give the reader small bits in the natural flow of the story.

If you want to read an author who handles backstory rather well, then I suggest Linda Howard.

Getting Closer

I'm so close to the end of editing. YEAH! One scene to add and one to change and then voila! I will be finished.

Then it will be query time!