First of all, cigar/cigarette analogies always scare me because I always think of those when I'm pregnant, LOL. But I haven't been able to get this line out of my head since opening my email this afternoon to find "Writing Competition" staring at me three or four lines down.
It was with trepidation that I opened this email. It started much like the letter I received after the Harlequin Presents comp last year from the Snr Editor..."Whilst we are sorry that your entry wasn't successful...your writing showed a lot of potential for Modern Romance...we loved your intense and dramatic writing style...your writing also showed you understand the appeal and flavour of the series..."
By this time my hand was shaking less and my heart wasn't threatening to jump out of my chest. Of course, I knew there was a BUT.
However, it was a good BUT! Although she pointed out one or two places where I'd gone wrong, the editor concluded by asking for 3 chapters and a synop of whatever I'm working on, plus she's asked me send it directly to her!
Whoooop!
As rejections go, this one ain't bad, in fact it's bloody good!
So I'm not going to take this as a rejection. Nooo, far from it. I'm taking it as a request for three chapters and a synopsis which will bypass the slush pile and land straight into an editor's inbox!
Now there's something to stick in my pipe and smoke! Oh, oh, another analogy. Mayhap this requires further investigation.
Ta da for now folks and happy writing!
Maya
Not a rejection at all, Maya! "Intense and dramatic writing style"- how fabulous is that?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jane. Intense and dramatic is not a problem for me, I find. The issue is finding twists that haven't been done to death, which I thought I had, but turns out I hadn't!
ReplyDeleteHere's to hoping the muse will strike soon. Thanks for stopping by.
Maya
Hi Maya,
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome. Congratulations!!
Sri.
Congratulations Maya!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely not a rejection, Maya.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the request.
Abbi
Sri, Lorraine and Abbi, thanks so much for the congrats! Writing is a lonely business and it's good to be in such good company. Thanks so much for stopping by and happy writing to all of us!
ReplyDeleteMaya
That's the category challenge, isn't it, Maya? Finding themes that work, but are done in a new way. Not easy. Funny when people look down their nose at category. Because first of all, it's awesome, and second of all, just like I couldn't sit down and write a John Grisham novel, I don't know that he could sit down and write a Presents.
ReplyDeleteAll right, ranting done! I'm so happy for you!! This is wonderful, wonderful news!! And even better that you have a few partials lying around. If you need an opinion you're welcome to email me your chapters.
Great news, Maya! Knowing your voice is suitable for the line is half the battle I reckon. Now all you have to do is get the right story. No worries! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Maisey, and yes category is a major challenge! LOL at John Grisham attempting a Presents! He'll probably tear his hair out. Dan Brown too, mostly likely!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to say my sheikh story is percolating nicely (in my head). Sad to say, my heroine's a thief, but what better platform for fireworks, ey? I should be ready to start writing it over the holidays. Thank you so much for the offer to read the chapters. Might just take you up on that.
Maya
Thanks Jackie! Yes, now I just need to win the other half of the battle and I'll be home free, LOL! Hoping the new sheikh story will be the one!
ReplyDeleteMaya
Hi Maya, Thats definitely not a rejection but a great opportunity, and they said such great things too! Well done you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sally! Good to see you here. Still doing a mini happy dance, but a little apprehensive about delving into a new story. Here's to hoping...
ReplyDeleteMaya