Disappointments

The lot of a writer is often interspersed pretty frequently with disappointments. Today was one of those days.

Today was Shortlist Announcement Day for publishers, Choc Lit and their 'Search For A Star' competition. Sadly I wasn't on it.

Of course I know I need to just take it on the chin and move on to the next door and give that one a knock. And I will. But that doesn't mean I'm not going to flail around down here on the mat for half an hour. I really like my book and someone else didn't. Not a new concept for any author, successful or not. You can't please everyone. I know that. But it doesn't make it any easier. Not right now anyway.

Going back to that previous paragraph, what I pick up from that is that I like my book. And I do. Getting it prepared for that submission meant, as we all know, reading it through many times. And I still enjoyed it. I like my characters and wouldn't kick my hero out of bed. I think that's a pretty good start. It might not have been right for Choc Lit but that doesn't mean it's not right for someone else.

But I will get up, brush myself, and my book off and try again. Just not tonight.

Competitions and general stuff!

Hi all

I have been beavering away lately getting part of a novel super-ready for entry into Good Housekeeping's Get Your Novel Published competition. It's one that's been sat lurking in the drawer for some time thanks to the roller coaster that has been life for the past several years. However, when I read about this competition I mentioned to my husband that I wouldn't mind entering it, more for the challenge and sense of achievement than from any real belief that my work has a chance. He reminded me of this particular novel and so out it came, the dust got blown off and I've been tweaking and twiddling since.

I'm now on the synopsis bit. Everyone's favourite. I did once have a lovely critique (well, some of it was lovely!) in which it was said that I was good at writing a synopsis. As I generally find these harder than writing the entire novel, I was quite pleased that the blood, sweat and tears that went into that one had been worth it. I can only hope that the judges at GH are as kind!

As I mentioned, I don't really have any expectations. I am doing this more for the exercise than anything else. Don't get me wrong, I would love to win, or even be a runner up. It would be the ultimate reward. But I know there is a lot of stiff competition out there. An awful lot in fact.

So, I need to knuckle down and finish the synopsis and email my little parcel of words off into the big, wide world and wish them luck on their way.

And after that, I'm entering another one! This time from Novelicious. It's a site generally for Chick Lit style books. I started one in this genre a while ago when an idea came to me and got the first 1000 words out, finally crawling into bed about half past midnight. I just had to get the words down on paper whilst they were still there. Since that time life has got in the way and continues to do so. However, the plan is to carry on with this and see how it goes. If I think I've got something worth submitting, then I will.

So called Chick Lit has got a bad press in the past few years. I think part of it is to do with the name. Some people seem to think anything that has the word 'chick' in it automatically pushes its quality and worth down a few notches. I think it's a shame. And I think it's wrong. I enjoy a good chick lit novel as much as the next girl, possibly more. But I also adore Classics like Jane Eyre, The Count of Monte Cristo and pretty much anything Jane Austen wrote. It's good to have a varied reading pile. And I also think that many of those who turn up their nose as this genre probably have never even turned a page of one.

So, that's my plan anyway. Although you know the old saying about plans, which often seems true in my case. Perhaps I should say that's what I hope to be able to do and leave it at that.

I will keep you posted!