My mind has been a sieve lately. I don't know why, but it could be one of two things: allergies or I decided to enter RWA's Golden Heart contest.
Okay, it's actually both those things. Allergies tend to cause an influx of snot and inflammation making it hard to concentrate. The GH tends to send one into a spasms of 'what the hell was I thinking?'
Now, entering the contest isn't a done deal for a couple of reasons.
1) I don't have a finished manuscript to enter,
2) I haven't plunked down my $50 bucks yet--due date to enter the contest is Nov. 16th.
As I have mentioned before, I like a challenge. The manuscript I'm thinking of entering--provided I finish it!--I started writing in February 2007. It finaled in a contest, but I lost interest in it, probably due to the numerous twists and turns in the prospective plot and I was afraid. Yes, me, a scaredy cat. It's still complicated, BUT I've had over two years of writing growth with other stories and I've been working out the plot in my subconscious. I think I'm ready to write. I have 18,000-words fresh words written--same plot points, but rewritten from scratch. BUT I'll have to cut the last chapter I wrote--it's in the wrong POV.
Anyhoo, I have five weeks to write a synopsis (this week's goal) and roughly 60-70K. Can it be done? Sure it can! Will it be clean? Uh, I'll have to get back with you on that one!
But if I can get close enough to THE END, then I'm going to enter the contest. I'll have roughly ten days to clean it up as the hardcopies must be in Houston by 5:00 PM Dec. 2nd.
So what is your goal for the end of the year?
Enter the Golden Heart?
Join NaNo to pound out a 50K story?
Sit on your butt and eat bonbons?
The holidays will soon be upon us, making time to write harder to find. Now is the time to strike!
Anyone care to join me in the Golden Heart challenge?
Now I must get this synopsis written, so . . .
Write on!
I'm passing on the GH. I am entering a couple other contests, though.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your GH book! Write, write, write!
Remember: only the first fifty or so pages or so of your manuscript are judged in the Golden Heart. The remaining pages need only to exist. You don't even need to write the whole 90,000. Write a tidy 40,000, and you'll be fine.
ReplyDeleteNow, if you final, a judge may ask to read the rest of the novel. In that situation, if you don't supply RWA with an updated version of the novel within 48 hours, they'll send the one you included with your entry.
That's a good problem to have, though. Best of luck to you!
Thanks, Edie! I don't really want feedback on this story, so I'm good with the GH's system, though I must admit 3's are painful no matter HOW well you write!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input, Jamie! And a belated congrats on your 2009 win!
ReplyDeleteI'm such a Virgo it isn't even funny, I'll have the whole 90K written (hey, I'm already 1/5 of my way to the end!) And the odds of my finaling are slim to non-existent, so I like the challenge of finishing. Thanks for letting me know about RWA giving a finalist a chance to send a clean, updated version--I didn't know that little tidbit!
Head down, now write!
Three questions:
ReplyDelete1- Which manuscript are you entering?
2- What category are you entering it in?
3- If you win, are you rejoining RWI? ;)
Susan
Hey, Suse!
ReplyDelete1) Rosewood Manor--I finaled with it in SF Heart to Heart contest 2008
2) Romantic Suspense
3) I don't know. I miss ya'll, but I kind of enjoy the lack of responsibility. :-P
Good luck, Margaret.
ReplyDeletewrite write write!
Go, girlie! I think it's so cool you're entering this contest. I had thought about it-breifly-then sanity returned. hehe
ReplyDeleteI'll be rooting for ya!
As far as goals-- hrm, I don't know. I would like to work on my latest MS. At this point just working on it would make me happy. But as you mentioned, holidays are right around the corner. Can I say ugh??
Thanks Cyndi and Kira!
ReplyDelete