Happy 2011!
Happy New Year everyone! I hope 2011 is a positive and fruitful year for you.
When it comes to writing, 2010 was an amazing year for me. One of the top highlights was finalling in BRAVA/RT’s Writing with the Stars contest. Kensington editors Alicia Condon and Megan Records selected the 10 finalists for the online voting contest. To have an editor at a publishing house select my work out of all the entries was great validation.
The contest is ongoing. Today, Sunday, Jan. 2, is the last day to vote in Round 3. I hope you’ll take a moment to check it out and will consider voting for my entry, Seducing Charlotte, a historical romance set against the backdrop of the Industrial Revolution.
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| Me with Madeline Hunter at the NJ PYHIAB conference |
I also attended my first writers’ conference in 2010. Seducing Charlotte placed first in the New Jersey Romance Writers Put Your Heart in a Book contest.
I was thrilled that one of my favorite authors, Madeline Hunter, was among the judges. I met Ms. Hunter at the conference and she was lovely – amazingly generous. I ran into her in the lobby and she spent a good 45 minutes discussing my writing with me. I learned so much about plot, conflict and layering from both our discussion and the workshop she presented at the conference. As a result of that discussion, I’ve gone back and started revamping the first manuscript I ever wrote, Compromising Willa, which placed 2nd in the PYHIAB contest. It’s already a much better manuscript.
If you’re an aspiring writer, I strongly suggest you try to make it to one of the chapter conferences. They are well worth it.
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| I got this saucy apple green cover with my Kindle. |
I also became a Kindle-ista in 2010. I received a Kindle for my birthday and never looked back. I wavered on whether I wanted the e-reader – it made me feel a little unfaithful to traditional books. But now I enjoy both e-books and tree books. I still haven’t discovered how to lend an e-book to a friend but I hope to figure it out in 2011.
I actually launched this blog in 2010 – as a result of the Writing with the Stars contest. It’s been a lot of fun. I’ve tried to provide interesting information about publishing, the romance industry and just reading in general.
I plan to continue blogging away into 2011. Happy New Year and I hope you’ll be back to visit often!
Congratulations on your accomplishments this year. Good luck with the Brava contest! I voted for you.
Thanks for your support, Jen. I’m keeping mh fingers crossed that I make it to the next round. I hope you have a great 2011!
I got a Kindle for my birthday in 2010 and I wasn’t sure I would like it either, but WOW! I’m so spoiled now and I love it so much that sometimes I feel guilty, like I’m betraying my bound books… LOL
But hands-free reading and never having to worry about losing your place when you get interrupted really rocks! :)
Lisa
Lisa,
I love never having to worry about a bookmark – especially since I always seem to lose them!
Happy New Year – I wish amazing things for you in 2011!