Wednesday, November 24, 2004
|
CHICK LIT, KITZI STYLE
Back in August, Caren linked to a contest for amateur chick-lit writers, sponsored by the Chick Lit Writers of the World chapter of Romance Writers of America. My friend Kas was engrossed in a research paper, so I had time on my hands, and I couldn’t stop thinking about the contest.
I figured Caren wouldn’t steer us toward a scam and the $35 entry fee (roughly the cost of a bottle of Absolut) seemed reasonable enough, so I got busy. My novel is set in Montana, with the theme of a young woman getting dumped. (Remember who's sponsoring this contest.)
There were five categories for entries and mine seemed to best fit in Chick Lit on the Edge, one cited example being Carrie Pilby. I completed an entry, to my uncritical satisfaction, and submitted it a week before the cutoff. I couldn't let a whole week go to waste, so I decided to try another story, this time set in Hawaii - what a stretch! - for the contest’s Mystery category. I finished the synopsis and three chapters and submitted them a day before the deadline. Whew!
Can't say I was surprised that my name wasn’t among the finalists, but in looking at the websites of some of the writers who did appear on the list, it was clear that the competition was stiff. These are serious writers and a number of them have won several similar contests. The real value for me is in the critiques. The judging appears to have been thoughtfully and conscientiously carried out, and their advice well worth the money spent.
Recognizing that a lot of bloggers are part-time novelists, I’ll try to summarize and share the advice given to me. Watch this space.
Back in August, Caren linked to a contest for amateur chick-lit writers, sponsored by the Chick Lit Writers of the World chapter of Romance Writers of America. My friend Kas was engrossed in a research paper, so I had time on my hands, and I couldn’t stop thinking about the contest.
I figured Caren wouldn’t steer us toward a scam and the $35 entry fee (roughly the cost of a bottle of Absolut) seemed reasonable enough, so I got busy. My novel is set in Montana, with the theme of a young woman getting dumped. (Remember who's sponsoring this contest.)
There were five categories for entries and mine seemed to best fit in Chick Lit on the Edge, one cited example being Carrie Pilby. I completed an entry, to my uncritical satisfaction, and submitted it a week before the cutoff. I couldn't let a whole week go to waste, so I decided to try another story, this time set in Hawaii - what a stretch! - for the contest’s Mystery category. I finished the synopsis and three chapters and submitted them a day before the deadline. Whew!
Can't say I was surprised that my name wasn’t among the finalists, but in looking at the websites of some of the writers who did appear on the list, it was clear that the competition was stiff. These are serious writers and a number of them have won several similar contests. The real value for me is in the critiques. The judging appears to have been thoughtfully and conscientiously carried out, and their advice well worth the money spent.
Recognizing that a lot of bloggers are part-time novelists, I’ll try to summarize and share the advice given to me. Watch this space.
Monday, November 22, 2004
|
OLD DOG/NEW TRICK
Is everyone as much a creature of habit as I am?
When I cleaned the apartment the other day, I rearranged the area where I sit to use the computer so that the waste basket is on the other side of my chair. Now there is an ever-present pile of litter where the waste basket used to be.
Is everyone as much a creature of habit as I am?
When I cleaned the apartment the other day, I rearranged the area where I sit to use the computer so that the waste basket is on the other side of my chair. Now there is an ever-present pile of litter where the waste basket used to be.
Sunday, November 21, 2004
|
A BOOM WITH A VIEW
An elderly - or should I say upper middle-aged? - man was in the bar last night and asked if I'd ever heard of an Atomic Cocktail. I had, but in the context of an oral radioactive diagnostic concoction. He told me that back in the 1950's, watching atom bombs explode into mushroom clouds in the Nevada desert was a spectator sport in Las Vegas. Some motels advertised a "Great view of the tests." (They failed to warn you to shower afterward and hold your breath until you had gone 50 miles upwind.) I don't doubt there are a number of variations on the atomic cocktail but this gentleman told me a popular version was composed of vodka, brandy, champagne and sherry.
An elderly - or should I say upper middle-aged? - man was in the bar last night and asked if I'd ever heard of an Atomic Cocktail. I had, but in the context of an oral radioactive diagnostic concoction. He told me that back in the 1950's, watching atom bombs explode into mushroom clouds in the Nevada desert was a spectator sport in Las Vegas. Some motels advertised a "Great view of the tests." (They failed to warn you to shower afterward and hold your breath until you had gone 50 miles upwind.) I don't doubt there are a number of variations on the atomic cocktail but this gentleman told me a popular version was composed of vodka, brandy, champagne and sherry.
Friday, November 19, 2004
|
CHECK IT OUT
If you want to see what I look like, check out the blog of the very talented Wes. Thank you so much for that, Wes. I am honored to be in your gallery. You really made my day.
If you want to see what I look like, check out the blog of the very talented Wes. Thank you so much for that, Wes. I am honored to be in your gallery. You really made my day.
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
|
CHARDONNAY CHAT
I stopped at the store to pick up some catfood for Joan's cat and while I was there, I selected a bottle of Syrah. When the clerk rang up my purchase, she said, "Chardonnay would go better with the Friskies Ocean Whitefish."
I stopped at the store to pick up some catfood for Joan's cat and while I was there, I selected a bottle of Syrah. When the clerk rang up my purchase, she said, "Chardonnay would go better with the Friskies Ocean Whitefish."
Sunday, November 14, 2004
|
POWER OF IMAGES
CBS Sunday Morning had a piece today about Magnum Photos. In case you didn't know, or had forgotten, back before I devoted my life to mixology, I studied photojournalism.
There have been a number of photographs that influenced me to take up that particular field of study. Stuart Franklin's photo of the student in Tiananmen Square in 1989 is an example. And I am constantly impressed by the strength of a single still photograph to convey so much. Some of the photos taken on 9/11 in New York can still tear me up. The close-up photograph of the Marine in Fallujah taken by Susan Meiselas is currently getting a lot of attention.
Maybe someday I will use my training for something besides sending pictures home to Mom.
CBS Sunday Morning had a piece today about Magnum Photos. In case you didn't know, or had forgotten, back before I devoted my life to mixology, I studied photojournalism.
There have been a number of photographs that influenced me to take up that particular field of study. Stuart Franklin's photo of the student in Tiananmen Square in 1989 is an example. And I am constantly impressed by the strength of a single still photograph to convey so much. Some of the photos taken on 9/11 in New York can still tear me up. The close-up photograph of the Marine in Fallujah taken by Susan Meiselas is currently getting a lot of attention.
Maybe someday I will use my training for something besides sending pictures home to Mom.
Monday, November 08, 2004
|
FUNDAMENTALIST THINGS APPLY
Yes, I am well aware that we had a national referendum last week and its resultant implications. But however Iraq is a year from now or five years from now, I'll bet it won't have been worth 1,000+ lives of Americans and its allies and untold thousands of lives of Iraqis. Not to mention those injured and the lifetimes of sadness of the relatives of the victims.
Yes, I am well aware that we had a national referendum last week and its resultant implications. But however Iraq is a year from now or five years from now, I'll bet it won't have been worth 1,000+ lives of Americans and its allies and untold thousands of lives of Iraqis. Not to mention those injured and the lifetimes of sadness of the relatives of the victims.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
|
"The fundamental things apply..."
Found this quiz on Tamara's site. It fits. I love old movies.
"You must remember this, a kiss is still a
kiss". Your romance is Casablanca. A
classic story of love in trying times, chock
full of both cynicism and hope. You obviously
believe in true love, but you're also
constantly aware of practicality and societal
expectations. That's not always fun, but at
least it's realistic. Try not to let the Nazis
get you down too much.
What Romance Movie Best Represents Your Love Life?
brought to you by Quizilla
Found this quiz on Tamara's site. It fits. I love old movies.
"You must remember this, a kiss is still a
kiss". Your romance is Casablanca. A
classic story of love in trying times, chock
full of both cynicism and hope. You obviously
believe in true love, but you're also
constantly aware of practicality and societal
expectations. That's not always fun, but at
least it's realistic. Try not to let the Nazis
get you down too much.
What Romance Movie Best Represents Your Love Life?
brought to you by Quizilla
Monday, November 01, 2004
|
ALOHA CLOSE CALL
Hawaii traditionally votes Democratic and its 4 electoral votes are usually not worth the trip for the Big Guns among the candidates. But evidently polls show a close contest here so Vice President Cheney honored/dishonored - take your pick - the state with a campaign visit. He reminded attendees at the convention center of December 7, 1941 which is/isn't relevant to ongoing events of 2004, depending on your historical perspective.
As John McCain and Joe Biden agreed on Bob Schieffer's show yesterday, regardless of tomorrow's outcome, after months of animosity and worse, let's hope we can reunite as a country on Wednesday.
Hawaii traditionally votes Democratic and its 4 electoral votes are usually not worth the trip for the Big Guns among the candidates. But evidently polls show a close contest here so Vice President Cheney honored/dishonored - take your pick - the state with a campaign visit. He reminded attendees at the convention center of December 7, 1941 which is/isn't relevant to ongoing events of 2004, depending on your historical perspective.
As John McCain and Joe Biden agreed on Bob Schieffer's show yesterday, regardless of tomorrow's outcome, after months of animosity and worse, let's hope we can reunite as a country on Wednesday.
