NaNoWriMo has just begun and we're counting down...61 contest days left in 2013!
Let's share our favorite writing motivational quotes today! What's on your wall or computer?
Are you a librarian or bookseller (or work for them)? Here's a contest that you can sign up to judge. The Book Seller's Best. Click Here.
Today we're giving away a print copy of:
ROMANCE-ology 101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Inspirational and Sweet Markets by Julie Lessman
"Offering tips for ramping up the WOW factor with romance that is both sweet and swoon-worthy."
and to one reader...
Print or ebook as available your Tina Russo or Tina Radcliffe BOC (Book of Choice).
And thanks for the heads up Rose Ross Zediker..it's National Author's Day. Let's do another giveaway! A Seeker Book of Choice!! ebook!
The 2013 National Readers Choice Awards Now open. Deadline December 1.
The RITA. "The RITA Contest is open to 2,000 paid entries. Entry forms and fees must be received on or before 5 p.m. Central Time, November 27, 2013. Entries received after the deadline will not be processed."
The 2013 Lyra Awards are designed to find and promote the best in independent fiction. The contest is open to all independently published eBooks released in 2013. 12 categories. Deadline is December 31, 2013.
Golden Quill. Now open. Deadline January 10.
Bookseller's Best. Now open. Deadline January 15.
Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Now open. Deadline January 15.
Unpublished Writers
Hook Line and Sinker! Ever hear an editor say that if the first three pages don't hook her she'll stop reading? Don't let that happen to you! Hone your writing skills and reel in an editor's attention by entering our Hook, Line and Sinker contest. You'll receive a scoresheet and three written critiques for every submission - and it's only $10 to enter! If you're a top five finalist, your submission will be read and ranked by Harlequin Editor Allison Lyons. The top three finalists win cash prizes. Our contest is open to all authors, published or unpublished. Deadline for submission is November 1, (TONIGHT!)so enter now! Entry is the first three pages.
2014 RWA Golden Heart Awards. FROM RWA: The online entry form for the Golden Heart Contest will open at 9 a.m. CT on November 12, 2013.
This contest requires a full manuscript. There is no feedback." The Golden Heart contest is open to RWA members only. The entry fee is $50; entries must be submitted to RWA's contest site no later than 5 p.m. CT, Dec. 13, 2013. The Golden Heart contest is limited to 1,200 paid entries. "
For the THIRD YEAR, Seekerville will again be offering entry fee reimbursement to the 2014 Golden Heart Awards. With a twist!~This year we are narrowing that to the Inspirational Category entry only in an effort to keep the category open. And we are offering TWO reimbursements of the entry fee.
This opportunity is open from the entry date through to the Golden Heart deadline.
Send proof of entry to the Seekerville email address (may send multiple proofs if you enter multiple times in the inspy category). Winners will be announced in January 2014.
The Olympia for Unpublished Authors. Open for Submissions:November 01, 2013. Deadline is December 13, 2013. Sumit your first two chapters (or 3,500 words). Entries should contain a 250-300 word summary as well as an additional 2-4 sentences stating the spiritual theme and how it is worked into the characters's lives. Including a key verse with the spiritual theme is optional but encouraged.
2014 ROUND THREE JUDGES ARE:
AMANDA LUEDEKE--Agent, Macgregor Literary Agency
MARCY DYER--Editor, Prism Book Group
ROSSLYN ELLIOTT--Author and 2011 COTT Laurel Award Winner
Great Expectations. Deadline December 29. Sunday, December 8, 2013, midnight CST deadline for EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT. This contest is open to all authors who have never been published in book-length romantic fiction as well as authors who have not been contracted or published in the entered category during the last three years (during 2011, 2012, or 2013). Entry includes 5,000 word entry limit instead of page count. NO synopsis or blurb.Finalists will be asked to include an unjudged synopsis for editors.
CONTEMPORARY SERIES – MEGAN LONG
Associate Editor, Harlequin Publishing
HISTORICAL – CHELSEY EMMELHAINZ
Assistant Editor, William Morrow Avon
INSPIRATIONAL – RAELA SCHOENHERR
Bethany House
NEW ADULT – ELIZABETH POTEET
St. Martin's Press
MAINSTREAM with ROMANTIC ELEMENTS – ALEX LOGAN
Editor, Grand Central Publishing/Forever
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE – LAURA FAZIO
Assistant Editor, NAL
SINGLE TITLE – MADELEINE COLAVITA
Editorial Assistant, Grand Central Publishing
SPECIALIZED – KRISTINE SWARTZ
Editorial Assistant, Berkley Publishing
YOUNG ADULT – JULIE MIANECKI
Editorial Assistant, Berkley Publishing Group
Start gearing up!
The 2014 ACFW Genesis Contest opens in January!
Other Contests
WOW: Women On Writing Fiction Quarterly Contest. Open September - November 30th, Midnight (Pacific Time). "WOW! hosts a (quarterly) writing contest every three months. The mission of this contest is to inspire creativity, communication, and well-rewarded recognition to contestants. The contest is open globally; age is of no matter; and entries must be in English. We are open to all styles of writing, although we do encourage you to take a close look at our guest judge for the season and the flavor of our sponsor, if you are serious about winning. We love creativity, originality, and light-hearted reads. That's not to say that our guest judge will feel the same... so go wild! Express yourself, and most of all, let's have some fun!"
Maximum: 750--Minimum: 250 The title is not to be counted in your word count. We use MS Word's word count to determine the submitted entry's word count.Open Prompt: Open to any style and genre. From horror to romance!
Entry Fee: $10.00 We are limiting the amount of entries to a maximum of 300 stories. Please enter early to ensure inclusion. If we reach 300 entries, we will disable the PayPal buttons.
Check out the great prizes, including cash! Final judge is Literary Agent Suzie Townsend.
Midlife Collage is looking for submissions in our free-entry contests. We run weekly, online writing contests for a cash prize. Perhaps you would be eligible and interested in submitting a short story. Please see our Submissions page for the guidelines and contest rules. U.S. citizens and legal residents age 40 and older may enter. (LOVE THIS!!)
November Contest Diva Natalie Monk
2011 Phoenix Rattler - scored low
2012 Phoenix Rattler - much better
2013 Duel on the Delta - high scores
2013 Category 5 - higher still
2013 Lone Star - 1st place Inspirational category
"I first entered contests for feedback when I didn't yet have my lovely critique partners Elaine and Piper and was too shy to let my family see my work.
HEHEHE...
The Medicine:
"Your choice is to refuse to listen to me say your writing (plot and characters) is clichéd . . . or listen, admit I’m right, and then invest your time in learning how to take your story to the next level."
If the judge who said the above stood next to me right now, I'D HUG HER. Why? Because in her comments she took the time to see where I wanted to go with this story, tell me why my story didn't work, and what I COULD do to fix it! She also gave the encouraging reinforcement and the well-placed kick to the rear end that I needed to decide if I was going to risk it all to be better or give up on writing all together, because before her feedback, I was at that point.
The most important advice I've accumulated from contests are REWRITE and STRENGTHEN GMC. No matter how good/strong it is, I can always make it better. And it will likely need to be rewritten again once an agent/editor sees it, so I try to get most of that over with during the contest stage. Also, a necessary byproduct of contesting is PATIENCE and PRAYING. I know both will prove invaluable to me in the quering process--and throughout an author's career, so I've heard.
The Spoonfuls of Sugar:
Positive Feedback - When I know a judge is deadeye honest with me, his/her compliments mean A LOT.
Thick Hide - To take the sting out of hard truths.
Strengthening Friendships - With writers AND judges. The fabulous Nancy Kimball and I critiqued each others' entries for the Lone Star final round and had a blast in the process. At least, I know I did. ;)
The Occasional Final or Win - Extra, extra "sugar in the medicine." And looks good on the book proposal.
Writer Growth - If I knew I'd never final in another contest, I'd still enter, because the acceleration they lend to the learning process is phenomenal.
Check out the Contest Updates, ya'll. Enter, Enter, Enter! Then win--or like me, clamp your nose, close your eyes, and swallow. It will be the best thing you ever did!"
Natalie Monk
~~~~~
That's it. Remember: No guts, no glory! 
What a fun month of birthday party we had. Sad it's over but glad November is here! Please add my name to the cat dish/cowboy hat or whatever, for Tina's book, please. I am a reader,
ReplyDeleteLove contest days!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Natalie! I admire your attitude. Writing does take a thick hide. Please throw my name in the dog bowl for either book.
ReplyDeleteLove those contests. Best wishes to all who enter.
ReplyDelete"Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it". This quote by John Maxwell is well said. My husband always reminds me that how I react in a situation will reflect on the outcome. Thank you for this reminder.
ReplyDeleteI would love to be entered into the giveaway for Julie's book ROMANCE-ology 101.
Happy November everyone!
Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com
Congratulations, Natalie!
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you wrote that list from 2010 onward. Cool. That sort of short and sweet data speaks to me. That was PROGRESS.
Oh, quote...
ReplyDeleteHm, I have tons. One right now taped to my monitor is: ""After having suffered the hyperactive red pens of the schoolmarms and the hypercorrect rules of the inflexible pedagogues, too many of us have retreated to the realm of the safe, the standard, the unimaginative."-- Sin and Syntax: How to Craft Wicked Good Prose
Another I love:
"This day will never happen again." Thomas Merton
Tina, thanks for the contest update! It's time to submit.
ReplyDeleteVirginia, you had a quote from Sin and Syntax: How to Craft Wicked Good Prose. Do you recommend the book?
Lovely picture of Natalie! So pretty!
Congrats on your success, Natalie!!!
Is it really November?
ReplyDeleteTime is passing much too quickly these days! LOL
Sweeping up the crumbs from all the birthday cake we ate in October...
I love the contest updates. It's a great reminder that I need to enter my book in the Rita and Golden Quill.
ReplyDeleteCan you believe it's November 1st????
Happy National Author's Day!
Congrats on your contest success and receiving your diva crown, Natalie!
ReplyDeleteHere's one of my favourite quotes for readers, but I think you could substitue 'write' for 'read' and it will have the same impact. It's by prolific YA author, Richard Peck.
“I read because one life isn't enough, and in the page of a book I can be anybody;
I read because the words that build the story become mine, to build my life;
I read not for happy endings but for new beginnings; "
Great WE Tina and congrats to my cp Natalie. A great attitude is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteI hope people will still consider going in for the Golden Heart in the Inspy category. This is the first year for the Erotica category and that probably means a flood of entries for that catergory. It would be a shame not to have an Inspy category as a counterbalance. Seekerville is doing a great thing by reimbursing for two Inspy folk this year. Please consider signing up.
Piper
Taped to my computer (Copied from Stephanie Whitson's website):That success in light of eternity has nothing to do with numbers of books sold and everything to do with obedience to the Audience of One. In a hundred million years it will not matter if I was published, if my name appeared on any best seller lists, if I received any writing awards. In a hundred million years, what will matter is my obedience to the One who died for me. If He says "well done," then whatever happened here below was good and I achieved success in the truest sense of that word.
ReplyDeleteWow. Amen to that, Cindy R!!!! Must go look at that.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, to Natalie for your bravery and your determination.
ReplyDeleteI have so many quotes around my office...it's scary.
ReplyDeleteOne is a card from Mary C.
" Life is all about how you handle Plan B."
Oh, contests--I entered my first a few days ago. . .
ReplyDeleteAs for quotes, yesterday I (finally) got a "writing" desk, so no more writing on my bed, etc. already I can tell I was more productive than normal. Debby's Writer's Prayer is in the desk drawer, but I don't have any quotes in mind right now.
Except for something my dad says: "The hit dog barks the loudest." That could apply to contests, right? I'm likely to whine and bark if a judge "hits" me. Ha!
Please enter me for Romanceology.
"Life is too short to have a job you hate." - me
ReplyDeleteIt's usually my answer to when people ask why I became an artist/animator because there is a reason for the stereotypical "starving artist" image. I also happen to know that being an artist is how God wired me. Being creative and writing is a branch off of that wiring too.
LOVE Mary C.'s plan B quote.
may I be in the hopper for the Romance-ology? I already have Tina's books (awesome reads, btw).
ps.
ReplyDeleteNatalie's story is soooooooooooo cool. Now I need to get cracking and enter some contests.
Thank you, DebH. Love your quote, btw.
ReplyDeleteI love and collect quotes and especially like Kav's quote today by Richard Peck:
ReplyDeleteI read because one life isn't enough, and in the pages of a book I can be anybody...
I have often thought this but he said it so well. You can also travel anywhere, live any lifestyle in any time period...The possibilities are limitless and that's what makes reading such a great adventure.
Throw my name in the cat dish!
Courtney! Wow, congratulations. Way to go. You don't let moss grow on you, girl.
ReplyDeleteIs it really National Author's Day, Rose???
ReplyDeleteI missed a holiday! Must tweet this.
Oooohhhh -- How could I forget to say Happy Nathional Author's Day to everyone at Seekerville!!!!!! We are handing out bookmarks and talking about fave authors this morning in my library. :-)
ReplyDeleteOKAY!! Thank you, Rose. We'll do a Seeker BOC, ebook, in honor of National Author's Day!
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Natalie, for being such a persevering Contest Diva!! I learned SO MUCH from contest feedback--it was almost like my own hands-on, mini-course tailored around my own writing, not just theory.
ReplyDeleteI have framed quotes all around my office, too. Among them..."Don't fear tomorrow. God is already there" and "Never think that God's delays are God's denials. It can happen!"
Tina, thank you for the contest update! It's that time of year when all the pubbed contests hit at once. I missed entering all but the Rita last year. Must remember this year!
ReplyDeleteNatalie, I loved your take on contests! Such good advice about taking the medicine with the sugar. :)
National Author's Day...Nov 1. This observance was adopted by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1929 and in 1949 was given a place on the list of special days, weeks and months prepared by the US Department of Commerce. The resolution states in part: “By celebrating an Authors’ Day as a nation, we would not only show patriotism, loyalty, and appreciation of the men and women who have made American literature possible, but would also encourage and inspire others to give of themselves in making a better America.” It was also resolved “that we commemorate an Authors’ Day to be observed on November First each year.”
ReplyDeleteTina, yeah, it was the 5-page, doesn't-have-to-be-finished contest, but I'm excited! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh, and Happy Author's Day! (Had no clue such a day existed! Awesome!)
To celebration some of my area ACFW authors are............going to goof off instead of write and have lunch!
ReplyDeleteGod bless all of you in who are authors (and that'd be pretty much everyone!) And all of you who are readers (and that'd be pretty much everyone!) And God bless everyone else (I'm trying to figure that niche out)
Congratulations, Natalie! Hmmm, my favorite motivational quote...
ReplyDeleteI always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific.
Lily Tomlin
Thank you for the contest update! I may try the Olympia. I love Seekerville -- you keep me so informed.
ReplyDeleteAnother great contest update, Tina!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite quote on my bulletin board is one YOU introduced me to:
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."--Albert Einstein
Those words keep me motivated to step out of my comfort zone (at least every once in a while) and try a different approach, not just to writing but every aspect of life.
And congrats to our contest diva, NATALIE!!! Way to go!!!
Congrats, Natalie! What tremendous progress. I'd say a good quote for you was, "To infinity and beyond!!!"
ReplyDeleteOne I like is on a paperweight my sister gave me for Christmas one year:
Most things are difficult before they are easy.
November! Yikes! NaNoWriMo starts today.
In my next life I want to come back as pretty and young as Natalie Monk....
ReplyDeleteSIGH.
(See, I didn't even try to HIDE my sigh!!!!!)
Natalie, what a great track record and I love your judge! I could only wish I could claim those sage, tough words, LOL! Clearly she is a member of the Snarks R Us Society.
Tina!!!!! Huge thank yous for a great contest update! Yowza!
And I'm laughing that the Rita is not full yet after the R-U-S-H to enter the first day crashed the payment system.
Come on, admit it, it's kind of funny, right????
:)
This is a great update. I love great quotes, but my faves are "No one can make you feel inferior without your permission" Eleanor Roosevelt (LOVE HER!!!)
And "You have enemies? Good. That means you stood up for something, sometime in your life." Winston Churchill
His cryptic sage rivals Ben Franklin for my fave quotes. And Ben's "There'll be plenty of sleep in the grave" is my daily empowerment mantra!
And last, but not least: "Those who think something can't be done should get out of the way of those doing it."
To me that's like the slower runners, moving to the outside of the track to allow the faster runners to compete at a quicker time. Runner's courtesy works in life, too!
JUST DO IT!
ReplyDeleteI hope that will keep you going!
Ruthy, I'm laughing at "plenty of sleep in the grave." So true!
ReplyDeleteLots of work to be done here and now!
Go Susan Codone! You can do it!!
ReplyDeleteMyra,
ReplyDeleteYou reminded me of another quote on my puter.
LIFE BEGINS AT THE END OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE! Neale Donald Walsch
Put my name in.
ReplyDeletePiper is strong arming me about the Golden Heart and supporting the category. I already decided on GE.
And LOVE Natalie's post. So true.
Peace, Julie
JULIE H.S., if you need more strong-arming to enter the Golden Heart . . .
ReplyDeleteDon't make me come after you!!!
JUST DO IT!!!!
"going to goof off instead of write and have lunch!"
ReplyDeleteMary, this is different for you today, how?????
If the GH fails with the Inspy category again, they may consider removing it.
ReplyDeleteStrong arming???
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to the "encouragement" language?????
:)
And Tina, what you say, (as usual) makes absolute sense.
Must the category be cancelled for people to understand the loss? That would be so sad.
Piper
Julie Hilton Steele,
ReplyDeleteI like Myra's version of strong arming with lots of exclamation points and capital letters. She is clearly serious!
VERY serious, Piper! I really, really, REALLY do not want to see the GH go by the wayside.
ReplyDeleteAsk not what your writing community can do for you. Ask what you can do for your writing community!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the congrats, ya'll!
ReplyDeleteContests are so addicting! I'm eyeballing four right now, but will probably have to narrow down due to the Contest Fund jar battling the Conference Fund jar. :/
I had a question about the Olympia. Is it the same as the Laurel? I went to the site and there was some info about submitting to the Olympia, but in the middle of the instructions it switched to talking about the Laurel and how to submit.
The Laurel is for published books.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the contest info! The quote that is on my desktop is "Write Something Today, Even if it Sucks!"
ReplyDeleteRuthy! You're too sweet. AND CRAZY! ;)
ReplyDeleteAbout the judge, I know, right? I love the gutsy-ness there. Definitely got my attention, which was what I desperately needed.
Congrats, Natalie! And what encouraging advice for contest entrants. :-)
ReplyDeleteLOL, Sara Ella. Is that your own mantra? Love it!
ReplyDeleteWow! November already!
ReplyDeleteI was so going to enter the Inspirational category of the GH this year, just because of what happened last year, but I can't. I've accepted a contract to be published next year. So I'm in contest limbo.
But get the word out the all the Inspirational authors to send in their entries!!!
Great incentive, Tina, with the 2 chances at getting your fee reimbursed.
I'd love to be in the draw for Julie's Romance 101 book.
Cheers everyone and Happy November!
Sue
sbmason at sympatico dot ca
TILT TILT!! ERROR ERROR. Contest opens on November 12.
ReplyDeleteFROM RWA
October 8, 2013
Online sign-up for volunteer contest judges (RWA members only) opens at 9 a.m. CDT.
November 12, 2013
2014 Golden Heart Contest opens to entries at 9 a.m. CT.
December 13, 2013
Entered works and related contest fees must be submitted to RWA's contest site.
March 1, 2014
Preliminary-round scores due to RWA Office.
March 26, 2014
E-mails and phone calls to notify finalists will commence. Release of the official finalist list on RWA website by 2 p.m. CT.
June 1, 2014
Final-round scores due to RWA Office.
Oh, that's right. How goofy of me. I see now. Thanks, Tina!
ReplyDeleteSome fave writing quotes:
"If you don't have the time to read, you don't have the time or the tools to write." --Stephen King
"To begin, begin." --Wordsworth
"No matter how complex or peculiar your character's desire may be, you can make it credible for her to seek it if you are able to show that to her it's worth whatever it costs." --Robin Lee Hatcher
"Tell the negative committee that meets inside your head to sit down and shut up." --Ann Bradford
"Writing is like giving yourself homework, really hard homework, every day, for the rest of your life. You want glamorous? Throw glitter at the computer screen." --Katrina Monroe
(note from me--somehow it's worth it, though)
"Writing a book is always hard work. It's much easier to think of new ideas. You'll get to the middle of the manuscript and you'll think, "Oh, this is too hard. I think I'll start another book instead and that will be easier." DON'T! That new book won't be any easier...The trick is to keep at it." --Rick Riordan
Can't believe we already to the next contest date and into November. It's almost Christmas!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat job, Natalie. Very smart listener of good advice.
No famous quotes on my wall. Occasionally I write something on my calendar, like, "You ARE a writer!" I have a note attached to my door warning those who might disturb me. Image of woman screaming to help those who can't read.
I'm so ready to contest again. I might just enter this month.
"Tell the negative committee that meets inside your head to sit down and shut up." --Ann Bradford
ReplyDeleteI love this. Right up there with this one...
"Don't be distracted by criticism. Remember-the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you." -Zig Ziglar
Come on, Connie! You can do it. I'm rooting for you!
ReplyDeleteNovember is off to a good start at Seekerville!!!! I am a reader so please count me in that drawing!!
ReplyDelete“A professional writer is an amateur who never quit.”
ReplyDeleteDon't know who that quote belongs to, but I like it. Keep going, writers!
"If I knew I'd never final in another contest, I'd still enter, because the acceleration they lend to the learning process is phenomenal."
ReplyDeleteYes! Yes, yes, yes! Nicely expressed, NATALIE.
Congrats on being the November Contest Diva. What a wonderful teachable spirit and positive approach. Thanks for sharing.
And congrats on entering those contests :-)
Nancy C
That Rick Riordan quote Natalie put up is absolutely 100% correct.
ReplyDeleteLove your contest progress, Natalie. AND the honest judge and that you took her crit well and used it instead of ignoring it.
Hope everyone had a nice Halloween. Please enter me in the reader contest for the print book.
ReplyDeleteSome favorite quotes about writing:
ReplyDelete"I try to leave out the parts that people skip."
"A synonym is a word you use when you can't spell the other one."
"When you are describing
A shape or sound or tint,
Don't state the matter plainly,
But put it in a hint."
MELISSA!! That's Richard Bach (AKA Jonathan Livingston Seagull author)
ReplyDelete
ReplyDelete"I try to leave out the parts that people skip."
FAVORITE!! ELMORE LEONARD
Hi, Micky,
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Seekerville.
Sue, that's the best reason not to be in the GH! Congrats to you!
ReplyDeleteIt sure is, SUE! I was just counting a list of folks eligible not to enter. Unfortunately I can't list them all as one of them has a secret they aren't telling yet.
ReplyDeleteBut lots of folks have sailed off the island this year.
Tina Radcliffe said... "Don't be distracted by criticism. Remember-the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you." -Zig Ziglar
ReplyDeleteStars above that is a good quote to have, TINA!
Grazie!
(one of three Italian words I know and hope I spelled correctly) :-)
Nancy C
I don't have any quotes up, mainly because I see something I love just about every day. My house would be covered with sticky notes.
ReplyDeleteLast weekend while we were up in Salem, Mass (school trip with my daughter to Boston area!), I saw some great Nathaniel Hawthorne quotes. I'll go see if I can find any of them...
Here's one I almost bought on a mug:
ReplyDeleteWords — so innocent and powerless as they are, as standing in a dictionary, how potent for good and evil they become in the hands of one who knows how to combine them.
NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE, The American Notebooks, 1848
I can't BEEELEEVE you didn't buy me that mug, Missy.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Natalie. So happy to see your sweet face in the Contest Diva spotlight.
ReplyDeleteNatalie is such an encourager.
Yes, I'm definitely going to enter the GH, but now that I have 3 complete manuscripts, I have to decide which one since I can't afford all three.
So many great quotes in the comments, but the one that helps me most in my writing life, and really everything is "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
I'd like a chance to win either book.
What a great birthday month Seekerville had---WOW!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATS to contest diva Natalie!
Am going to peruse the unpubbed contests again---several I'm leaning towards.
Happy Friday Friends!!
Hugs, Patti Jo :)
Ah...November 1st! I love November :)
ReplyDeleteI just entered the Rita and the NRCA, both for the first time ever :)
And it wasn't nearly as nerve-wracking as hitting "send" on my first Genesis entry.
And don't put me in the drawings - I have Julie's books AND all of Tina's.
Wait a minute - hold the phone. I don't have the complete collection of Tina RUSSO books! Keep me in that drawing!
Hi Tina:
ReplyDeleteI know that asking me for writing quotes is like asking that long-winded person you are trying to avoid if they have any pictures of their grandchildren. But you asked, so here are a few. I will limit myself to just six.
“There is no right way to write a book but there are 10,000 wrong ways. Writing is a process of learning how to avoid those 10,000 mistakes.”
“The greatest writing frustration is to be smart enough to know what to do but not be talented enough to do the right things well.”
“Sometimes when you shoot a character, it sends a bullet through your reader’s heart.”
“You can always tell the plotters in any writing workshop. They are the ones ready to teach the class if the instructor doesn’t show up.”
“While a good story tells us about people and places we didn’t know, a great story shows us things we didn’t know about ourselves.”
“Before readers can love your characters, your characters must first love your readers.”
Limit reached.
Vince
BTW: Julie’s “Romance-ology 101” is out on Kindle now and all the pictures show up perfectly. Here’s a little secret: imagine what would happen if you applied Julie’s “Kissology” insights (for turning sweet love scenes into inspirational sizzlers) – if you applied them to love scenes that were already sizzling!!! OMG! It would be the Blaze seen around the world!
P.P.S. I took a minute this morning and whipped up an entry for the Hook, Line and Sinker. Did anyone else?
Congratulations to Natalie and for not quitting. Thanks for the contest update and best wishes to those who enter this month.
ReplyDeleteContest Day already?! November?!
ReplyDeleteNatalie, I love your "Spoonfuls of Sugar" and the great chronology of your contest progress!
Happy National Author's Day to all in Seekerville!
My favorite writer quote is simple.
ReplyDeleteBICHOK - Butt in Chair, Hands on Keyboard.
This probably appeals to me as my employer's number of acronyms exceeds the number of kids with tummyaches on Halloween.
I'm defininitely in for Julie's book. (I already have everything Tina's written.)
I need to write faster. If you have everything of mine you are on my Christmas list.
ReplyDeletePat Jeanne, how are those short stories coming along? Did you see Woman's World publisher's just started a new magazine called Girl's World with short stories? Trying to get guidelines.
ReplyDeleteSherida, what's on your contest radar?
ReplyDeleteAre those all original Vince quotes???
ReplyDeleteTina: my contest radar...I haven't given up hope of entering the GH. Can someone enter online on Nov. 12 (to secure a place), then send the completed manuscript by Dec. 13?
ReplyDeleteGreat Expectations sounds like a good possibility for me.
And last week I submitted a short story to WW. Thanks for all the information!
Yes. That's exactly how it works, Sherida. You enter and send msc later.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tina!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Natalie!
ReplyDeleteThe quote I have on my desk is, Don't ever tell the reader something invisible.
Not really inspirational, more instructional.
Please enter me.
Thanks for the update on contests, Tina. There's a few things to consider.
ReplyDeleteHaven't done NaNoWriMo but I have considered it. Although I am waiting for Speedbo.
those were some great quotes.
I like Mary's. I've dealt with plan b several times.
thanks for the fun last month.
blessings
Tina
Glad you enjoyed the party!!! Us too.
ReplyDeleteIs tomorrow a regular blog post day or is it a sum up the month of parties day?
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever told you, Tina that I love that you use the word CONTEST as a verb.
ReplyDeleteIt is AWESOME
This is my motivational thought for the day! It's a quote from a leader from my church and I love it!
ReplyDeleteBe Grateful
Be Smart
Be Clean
Be True
Be Humble
Be Prayerful
Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley
I love all of you - Happy November and continued happy birthday wishes from all of us readers!
I have five quotes up around my house.
ReplyDelete1. Life is better on the boat.
2. How sweet it is to be loved by you.
3. Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value....Albert Einstein (this applies to girls, too!)
4. Sugar and spice and everything nice, that's what little girls are made of. (I've got four daughters!)
5. Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be, the last of life for which the first was made.
JAN!!! I'm excited for you! I'm so glad you entered!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteDid Mary just insult me? I need some backup here.
ReplyDeleteSATURDAY IS THE REGULAR SATURDAY WEEKEND EDITION.
ReplyDeleteWe are back on schedule. I have a life again.
I will not be answering emails for two weeks.
YES. iPad mini winner announced.
Uplifting, Valri!!!
ReplyDeleteWell I like the James Taylor one..but I think he said this too...
ReplyDeleteThere'll come a writing phase where you have to defend the time, unplug the phone and put in the hours to get it done.
James Taylor
Congratulations, Natalie!
ReplyDeleteWhen asked, 'How do you write?' I invariably answer, 'one word at a time.'
Stephen King
Yes, I will enter GH and maybe submit two entries this year.
ReplyDeleteNatalie! Wahoo, contest diva! Congratulations on entering and listening to the judges! Hoping others will take the leap!
ReplyDeleteTina, thanks for the Contest Update! Some of my favorite pubbed contests are open. Will be entering and boxing books. Fun to be in the game!
Every birthday gets better, thanks to all of you!
Janet
Congratulations, Natalie!
ReplyDeleteThanks for these great contest suggestions.
Day 1 of NaNo, and I made Tina's homemade chicken noodle soup.
Then we went with the girls to trick or treat downtown. Tim stopped at a church to "speak to the minister." They were handing out hotdogs and before I knew it, he was eating a hotdog. Ha! At least he didn't complain all I fixed was soup.
Tina it was good!
Ooh, good collection this month! I see several contests that I'll be looking into. Thanks for rustling them up for us! :)
ReplyDeleteJackie, you made my soup!!!!
ReplyDeleteGo for it Anna the fiancee.
ReplyDeleteI just entered the hook, line and sinker contest right before reading this! I loved the info about contests, but I liked the inspirational quotes just as much. I think the mantra that is motivating me is Nike's ad: Just do it. I have to stop whining, pray more, and just write. I feel better when I'm writing consistently.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Natalie, for sharing your story. It's great to learn from fellow writers and your info on contest feedback is good advice. Thanks!
TINA!!! Love the contest update. Haven't entered for years, but have been lately with A Light in the Window, so THANK YOU!!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for giving Romance-ology 101 as a prize -- send me the winner's name, and I will take care of it, capiche?
Hugs,
Julie
Okay, I just, JUST got my first chance all day to stop by. What a great contest update. I'm definitely considering which contests I can enter. I wish I could enter the Golden Heart but my book isn't a romance. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on reaching Diva status, Natalie!
So many of my favorite quotes are already listed, so I won't bore you with a repeat.
Sure enjoyed the birthday party last month, Seekers. It's hard to believe it's over. :)
Hey bossy Lessman. I will NOT.
ReplyDeleteVINCE SAID: "BTW: Julie’s “Romance-ology 101” is out on Kindle now and all the pictures show up perfectly. Here’s a little secret: imagine what would happen if you applied Julie’s “Kiss-ology” insights (for turning sweet love scenes into inspirational sizzlers) – if you applied them to love scenes that were already sizzling!!! OMG! It would be the Blaze seen around the world!"
ReplyDeleteLOL, Vince ... if I could just convince others of that, I'd be in hog heaven!! :)
You also said, "P.P.S. I took a minute this morning and whipped up an entry for the Hook, Line and Sinker. Did anyone else?"
I am SO impressed, and NO, I didn't get any writing done today, but it was a good day, nonetheless.
Hugs,
Julie
Hugs,
Julie
First, find out what your hero wants, then just follow him!
ReplyDelete- Ray Bradbury
Go Lyndee! Go! Put your two in the GH! Yay!
ReplyDeleteYou too Sherida! I'm talking to you!
Piper
Thanks so much for all the great contest information! Please toss my name in the hat for the giveaway! I'm a sweet, contemporary romance author and always looking for ways to add tension to my stories.
ReplyDeletePlease add me to the romance giveaway.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for all the info.
Jan
O! Tina:
ReplyDeleteIf you think anyone but I could have written those quotes, then my voice has been shattered into a million chards of background noise. : - (
Came back to read more quotes and realized I mis-spoke! I did enter a couple of other contests last year. But there were several I meant to enter that I missed.
ReplyDeleteOkay, sorry for accidentally lying!
Now to read more quotes... :)