Editing your Work In Progress?

Hello Writers! Are you working on edits for your current work-in-progress?
It seems time passes much faster than my mind can create these days. Maybe it's all of the pollen clogging my brain. It's been a tough allergy season. Yeah, that must be it! 😏

I set a goal. I gave myself a deadline for having this romance manuscript ready to query by April 30th. I hate it but I'm not going to meet that goal date.
I am experiencing a HUGE reality check as I read aloud my manuscript. I have not developed enough personality into my protagonist. Ugh!
My other issue is a dwindling word count. This romance has hit the low-end word count requirement. As I ruthlessly edit, the word count continues to fall.

I hope, as I give my protagonist more personality, I will increase my word count. *Remember, we can't add paragraphs just for the sake of increasing the word count. The sentences must add to the story and keep it moving along at a good pace.

As in the picture above, If I need to distance myself for a few days from this story to get a better perspective, I have another manuscript waiting in the sand pile for edits.

I'd love it if you'd share your woes, wows, and advice with me in the comment section below.

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting and Keep Smiling!

Why Picture Prompts?

Hi Fellow Writers,

A picture prompt is a writing challenge inspired by an image. The image is meant to kick-start your imagination and get those creative juices flowing.

Pictures have been used to stimulate the imagination for as long as I can remember. When I was in school, my favorite weekend homework assignment was the picture prompt. The entire class were given the same image of the most random scene with instructions to write a short story sparked by that photo.
I am fascinated at the range of interpretations. That is a WOW moment for me. It's a true pleasure to read an entirely different story inspired by the same picture.

Why not give it a try, now with the picture above. (I took that photograph last year.)

Take 15 minutes to simply look at the picture. Notice the details.
What questions come to mind?

Where is this person?
Why is he there?
What is he looking for or at?
What is the weather like?
What is the time of day?
What feeling does the image emote in you?

Are scenarios forming in your head? If so, start writing. Let the image inspire you. It doesn't have to be literal to the photo. Free write and have fun with it.

I believe picture prompts just may recharge your battery if you've been suffering from writer's block.

Take advantage of picture prompt contests.  Writer's Digest Magazine runs picture prompt contests. In fact, WD's YOURSTORY contest #97 is open for submissions right now! The deadline is April 8, 2019.
Look for details in the Writer's Digest March/April 2019 issue in print, (page 51), or check out the online magazine.
I entered this contest last week and can't wait to read the winners stories to see their interpretation of the image provided and how it differs from mine.

If you decide to write a story sparked by the above photo, I'd love to read it. I hope you'll share it with us in the comment box below.

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting and Keep Smiling!
 
 

Congratulations! Beach Fun wins award

Congratulations to Nancy Sakaduski of Cat & Mouse Press for placing 2nd with the anthology Beach Fun, entered in the 2019 Delaware Press Association Communications Contest in the category, Collection of Short Stories Published by Entrant/Multiple Authors

I'm very proud to have my story, Where's Miss Birdie, published in this book.
   Congratulations to all of the authors published in Beach Fun

Love my stocking stuffer

💖

My mother found this at a charity store. She put it away for me and slipped it into my Christmas stocking. I'm enjoying my new writing partner, every time I sit down at my desk.
The bottom of this piece states it is a piece from Barkley Crossing and is called "Barkley Biography"

Could she be any cuter?

Keep Smiling, Keep Writing, and Keep Submitting!

Update for the Serendipty Literary Agency, YA Discovery Contest - My Entry

Simply put ... I didn't place in this one.

Today I googled the website  www.serendipitylit.com

I read a blog entry dated Wednesday, 16, January 2019. The blog entry announced the top 10 author picks, along with their titles.
My name was not there.

Congratulations to the top 10, and I wish each author the very best of luck!

Keep Smiling, Keep Writing, and Keep Submitting!

Serendipity Literary Agency - YA Discovery Contest 2018

What? A Writing Contest where the manuscript does not have to be complete? Read on!


Serendipity Literary Agency runs a Young Adult story contest each year and the 2018 contest is still open to entries. Don't miss out, you only have a week left to enter.
serendipitylit.com

             Discovering new talent is the goal here.

If you have the first 250 words of your manuscript written and can put together a short synopsis of 500 words or less, then you are ready to enter this contest. You're also required to write a short bio of 150 words or less. That should be the easy part.
Your manuscript need not be in perfect, edited, submission ready status!
That's the exciting news since many new authors feel they cannot enter a contest if a work-in-progress is not complete. For this contest you may enter!

So if you've begun a great YA novel during NANOWRIMO or you have a great idea for a YA partially developed in your file folder, then you are good to submit.

**Remember when you write a synopsis, you must include the ending to your story. You MUST know how your story will end, even if you haven't finished writing it.

Great Judges, Great Prizes, need I say more?

The entry fee for this contest is $15. Deadline is 11:59 pm on November 30th.

Wishing you Great Success!
Keep Writing, Keep Submitting and Keep Smiling



 

What happens after you "place" in a short story writing contest for publication in an anthology

Hi My Fellow Writers

After I "placed" in the Rehoboth Beach Reads 2018 Contest this is how things went ...

First you get that wonderful call telling you your story has been accepted for publication in the book. In my case I heard from Nancy of Cat & Mouse Press. I was told I received a "Judge's Award" which is not a cash prize but the story receives a special judge's comment. You are then instructed that the story will receive edits. The edits are then sent to you for your review.
**We must always remember that the edits are meant to improve, tighten and make your story the best it can be. I'd like to mention though, if you don't agree with something that has been deleted or changed, don't be shy about sending the editor your comments. The editor will explain why they felt the change should happen and you may explain your thoughts on the change. Maybe with some compromise you will both be happy. Keep in mind your Editor is a professional and gives serious thought to any objections. Your story will be edited for grammar, punctuation as well as spacing for their book, POV mistakes, etc.
This process may or may not make you happy, but remember what I mentioned above, and keep an open mind. Read the edits, then sleep on it and with a fresh eye, read them again. Try not to become defensive.
 Once you and the Editor agree to the edits, your story is then given to a Copy editor. In my case I was told I would get one review of those edits before publication. There may be more punctuation edits and spacing changes to get your story ready for the book. This process went very quickly.
Then you wait until your book launch. Beach Fun will Launch on November 10, 2018.
The book Beach Fun came back from the printer much sooner than was expected and soon I was holding my author copy!

Beach Fun is available at www.catandmousepress.com/shop/  as well as on Amazon.
My story begins on page 81 Where's Miss Birdie?
I hope you'll enjoy it as well as the 24 other stories.

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting and Keep Smiling!