I've gone to ground and have been hiding out in my bunker since I hit 'send' on my New Voices comp entry. It's been the most exhilirating and horrid feeling all rolled into one. Luckily, everyone so far has been kind and supportive in their comments. And for that I'm eternally grateful :) So THANK YOU.
Everyone who entered should take a bow as it takes a lot of courage to put your work in front of others for comments and ratings.
Please visit the wonderful Lacey Devlin's blog for the Wall of Fame of entrants (we all would love your support!) and the ever-supportive Francine Howarth's blog for more recommendations of entries to read.
If you're interested in reading my Modern Heat first chapter entry, head on over to the website: http://www.romanceisnotdead.com and it's under 'Contemporary Romance' by Angie Peters. The title is 'Warming the Sexy Stranger's Bed'.
I'll get the courage to mosey on over to the Mills & Boon New Voices site soon - just as soon as my stomach stops churning and the sick feeling recedes somewhat...
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1 year ago
18 comments:
Angie, I thought your chapter was great! You've got a really lovely voice. So pay no attention to that one horrible comment. It was neither constructive nor helpful (and ALL her comments have been horrible ones so it's not just you). No need to feel sick okay? :-)
I *really* enjoyed it too. I was really impressed. I added my vote/comment on the site, (though the first time it got unserted under the wrong person's story and there's no way of emailing the website to ask them to change it!) :O0
I loved your entry too! It is a brave thing we're doing putting our work out there, but it's a LOT of fun too x
You're a brave soul Angie. I'm wavering and completely terrified and I don't even know if I'll have something to enter!
I'm with Jackie. I'm actually surprised by the nasty comments. They make me want to slap the commenter and do a bit of hair pulling which I've never done in my life but, well, it's gonna happen.
I'm pretty sure that's frowned on. I should probably ban myself from comment reading...
Thanks, Jackie - you're a sweetie :)That means a lot to me given your experience and knowledge.
Yeah, I admit the comment bothered me a bit in the beginning but given the rest of her comments, I get a feeling this chick doesn't read a lot of M&B. Was it her that commented on yours that it doesn't read like a Modern Heat? *Queue hysterical laughter* Your first chap is quintessential Modern Heat - sexy, sassy, contemporary!!! If 'Talking Dirty' is not a Modern Heat, I don't know what is. Heidi Rice's comments were spot on :)
Thanks so much, Madeleine :) (Love your name BTW - the heroine in my first ms has your name!)
I appreciate your feedback and support more than you could ever imagine! It's a big, scary world out there, LOL.
Yeah, there have been problems with the site in terms of the comments and ratings - I hope they get it ironed out for the sake of the finalists in the next round.
Thank you so much, Rach :) Your entry is really popular - and with good reason! The eds have got to sit up and take notice.
Now why do I get the feeling you thrive on the buzz of a good comp? Hmm? Being the first comp I've entered, the fun factor is not there for me yet...too nerve wracking.
Thanks, Lacey :) Not brave - I just kept a promise I made to myself that I would enter the next M&B competition. It *is* terrifying, but also a wonderful experience in terms of getting your work out there and to get feedback. I've noticed your wordcount meter on your blog - you have a WIP you're working on! Can you manage to do a re-write/polish in time? I'm happy to critique for you, if you ever need it (and if you want me to, that is!).
Call me cynical, Lacey, but I can't say I'm surprised about nasty comments. It's a fact of life, I'm afraid. Human nature. There's always gotta be someone out there who takes pleasure in stomping on someone else's dream. I just take it with a grain of salt. The majority of everyone's comments on the site have been constructive anyway. But maybe some moderation on the site wouldn't go astray.
She commented that since my title sounded like Natalie's Caught on Camera with the CEO, which she didn't like, she wasn't going to read any more. Cos of course titles with similiar names MUST have similiar stories. Anyway, I took that as a huge compliment cos if my chapter was half as good as that book, I'd be in heaven.
And as for the comment that my chapter was clearly written by a man... Don't get me started.... ;-)
Ah, that's right. Now I remember...sorry about the brain fog. Yes, I remember thinking your chapter was *nothing* like Natalie's and besides, Natalie's book was absolutely friggin' fantastic. So don't understand that comment at all, even though I know reader's tastes vary. And as for the man comment - oh my! I would take that as a compliment 'cos that means you've written your hero's POV convincingly (not an easy feat!). But it sounds like the person who commented had not ready any Modern/Modern Heat's as your hero = alpha. In any event, the good comments far outway the bad. And Heidi Rice's feedback is GOLD, I tell ya :)
Chuck advice from perp authors that's a good start and get all your chapters offline. It's a promotional gig and has cfuk all to do with looking for new voices. The spin on grapevine is bestselling romance authors are rubbing their hands together in glee at free inspiration for a next bestseller _ gratis aspiring perps.
LOL psudonymous - you crack me up!!! I've got many good friends who write for M&B and you are SOOOOOOO wrong!!
Oh and Angie - meant to say that yeah... I do love a good contest. Win or lose, it's the thrill of the ride I enjoy :)
Just read your chapter - it's terrific. Well done.
XX
Thanks so much, Suzanne :)
I'm looking out for yours to come up on the site. Congrats for entering - that is really the hardest step! As I said before, it does get less nerve-wracking after the first few days.
Hi Angie! I'm just proding you to check you're not in a writing coma! Normally you comment on the blogs before you me you see so consider yourself jabbed in the arm. Please confirm all appendages are attached.
A little under 4 days till the top 10!
Thanks for the welfare check, Lacey :) I wish I was in a writing coma - it's been difficult to concentrate given the NV comp. I can't safely report that all appendages are attached, LOL. My brain's quite foggy and my head's spinning with it all :)
Congrats for finally entering!!! Where have you been hiding all this time? You're a talented writer, and I loved your chapter. From all the fab comments you've been getting, it sounds like I'm not the only one who loved it. Good luck :)
I'm having trouble concentrating myself. Thanks so much for reading my chapter, I'm so glad you liked it :). That's all any of us writer people want, the reading and the liking ;). Pretty darn easy to please aren't we!
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