I got the big R from the Medical Fast Track contest. I knew my entry wasn't going to be accepted even before I submitted it. It's funny that I've worked in the medical field for all of my adult life and can't write a medical. Figures. Anyway, I knew I hadn't put the time and effort into that entry. I also knew it didn't feel quite right as I was writing it.
Now there's another contest that's caught my eye. Problem is this one needs a completed MS. I was almost finished with my Intrigue, but of course since I'm my own worst enemy, I've started to pick it apart. The contest calls for the first chapter and a synopsis. My first chapter is pretty much done, but I haven't even looked at writing a synopsis. And, of course, the deadline is December 15th, Hmmm....
Well, honestly, it seems unlikely that I'll be able to finish the MS and write a synopsis before December 15th. Especially with work, coaching, the monkey-- and let's not forget Thanksgiving! I think I might give it a go, though. If I do finish in time I'll enter. If not, at the very least I'll be closer to submitting it the old fashioned way.
I'm not promising anything.
Thursday 18 November 2010
Friday 20 August 2010
It's a start...
Well, in my quest to submit before I turn 35, I came across the Harlequin Medicals fast-track submissions. The deadline to submit is August 24th. I have less than 2 days to finish my submission. I've written the query and the synopsis (my first synopsis, I might add, hope it's ok). The only thing left to write is the first chapter. 5,000 words, give or take a few. I hope I can do it. I plan to write as much as possible tomorrow (that is when I'm not cleaning house, entertaining the monkey, or getting ready to go out for my 6th wedding anniversary) and then as much as possible Sunday, before I go to teach a course. If all goes well, I should be able to finish it up Sunday night, after my course. I'm a bit too burnt out from work and writing the synopsis (which I did today during time I was supposed to be working) to do any real writing, but I am going to take my little notebook to bed and make some scene notes. I find it easier to write after brainstorming a bit on each scene. I'm off now. Sweet dreams.
Sunday 15 August 2010
Well,
I never was very good at this sort of thing. Couldn't keep a diary regularly either. I guess that's a bad thing for a writer. Anyway, I'll give it another shot.
So here we are, a year later and I still haven't submitted anything. Bad news, considering my 35th birthday is next month and I have always promised myself I would submit by 35. I'm just so damn busy-- between the monkey, the real job, the classes-- there's barely time to eat and sleep (I just painted my toenails for the first time this year!! I know!!).
Well, I am so very tempted to give this whole Harlequin Medicals Fast-Track Submission thing a go. The only problem is I haven't actually written a Medical. I do have one in the plotting stages, though. I think I'll see if I can finish the submission (cover letter, synopsis, 1-3 chapters) by the deadline (24th August). Oh God, that's like 9 days!! That'll never happen!! Oh well, I'll have to try at least. I better go get writing!
So here we are, a year later and I still haven't submitted anything. Bad news, considering my 35th birthday is next month and I have always promised myself I would submit by 35. I'm just so damn busy-- between the monkey, the real job, the classes-- there's barely time to eat and sleep (I just painted my toenails for the first time this year!! I know!!).
Well, I am so very tempted to give this whole Harlequin Medicals Fast-Track Submission thing a go. The only problem is I haven't actually written a Medical. I do have one in the plotting stages, though. I think I'll see if I can finish the submission (cover letter, synopsis, 1-3 chapters) by the deadline (24th August). Oh God, that's like 9 days!! That'll never happen!! Oh well, I'll have to try at least. I better go get writing!
Sunday 2 August 2009
The Muse and the Monkey...
The title of this blog seemed appropriate seeing as these two are at odds every minute of my day...
Welcome to my blog. I'm not so good at blogging daily, but we'll see. You can expect rants and raves about things like writing romance, knitting, web sites I love, and potty training. I'll try not to bore you.
I expect (or hope) to see the muse once a day or so (Or even once a week!! Hello?? Mr Muse?? Are you out there??). He's supposed to come help me with these Harlequin-wanna-bes that are eating up my computer memory. I've got a few on the go (ADHD-- it's not just for kids), all of the Intrigue/American variety. Unfortunately, my muse doesn't show up as often as he should these days. I think he's afraid of the monkey.
Now the monkey, I see the monkey every day-- usually between 5 and 6 am, even though I don't have to get up for work until 7. You see, he's 2 and hasn't figured out yet that sleeping in is cool. He also hasn't worked out that 'Micka Mouse' is not on that early no matter how loud or long you cry. So, every morning I'm woken by a sweet little voice saying 'Mummy... Mummy?' Followed by a not-so-sweet screaming and wailing until I drag my grumbling, swearing, rear end out of my nice warm bed to retrieve him.
And so I get up and start my day. Coffee, shower, clothes (for both of us), a drop off at 'school', and I'm off to work. I spend 7 1/2 hours a day being smart-- or trying to be. I love my job-- no really, I do. I work in cancer research. When I was 5 my grandfather died of cancer and for the next 12 years I told anyone who asked that I was going to 'cure cancer'. Recently, a surgeon told me that even if I live to be 105 it will never happen. It's true, but I still think that every bit of tumor I remove and bank is one step closer to that cure. So, my days are split between educating patients, standing in on surgeries (mainly liver and colorectal these days), and dissecting tissue for research.
After work, I pick up the monkey and bring him home. For the next few hours, he tears around the house like a Tasmanian devil before fighting over 'night'nights'. If I'm lucky, I get a whispered 'Yub ew, Mummy'. Then I go downstairs to eat, study (for work), knit (to stay sane-- it really is meditative), or write. Lately, I'm just too damn tired to write. I can't even string 5 words together, let alone 1000 (my goal for each day).
Nonetheless, I am trying to finish a MS that has been in the works forever now in hopes of pitching it at the Harlequin Intrigue Editor Pitch. I need to write about 2 1/2 more chapters and polish the whole thing. I also need to write a one-page synopsis (oh God) and a high-impact log line for the pitch. All of this before November.
So, I think I'll have to stock up on coffee and try to convince my muse that the monkey doesn't bite (he did for a short time, but it was just a phase). Starting now. I'll keep you posted...
K
Welcome to my blog. I'm not so good at blogging daily, but we'll see. You can expect rants and raves about things like writing romance, knitting, web sites I love, and potty training. I'll try not to bore you.
I expect (or hope) to see the muse once a day or so (Or even once a week!! Hello?? Mr Muse?? Are you out there??). He's supposed to come help me with these Harlequin-wanna-bes that are eating up my computer memory. I've got a few on the go (ADHD-- it's not just for kids), all of the Intrigue/American variety. Unfortunately, my muse doesn't show up as often as he should these days. I think he's afraid of the monkey.
Now the monkey, I see the monkey every day-- usually between 5 and 6 am, even though I don't have to get up for work until 7. You see, he's 2 and hasn't figured out yet that sleeping in is cool. He also hasn't worked out that 'Micka Mouse' is not on that early no matter how loud or long you cry. So, every morning I'm woken by a sweet little voice saying 'Mummy... Mummy?' Followed by a not-so-sweet screaming and wailing until I drag my grumbling, swearing, rear end out of my nice warm bed to retrieve him.
And so I get up and start my day. Coffee, shower, clothes (for both of us), a drop off at 'school', and I'm off to work. I spend 7 1/2 hours a day being smart-- or trying to be. I love my job-- no really, I do. I work in cancer research. When I was 5 my grandfather died of cancer and for the next 12 years I told anyone who asked that I was going to 'cure cancer'. Recently, a surgeon told me that even if I live to be 105 it will never happen. It's true, but I still think that every bit of tumor I remove and bank is one step closer to that cure. So, my days are split between educating patients, standing in on surgeries (mainly liver and colorectal these days), and dissecting tissue for research.
After work, I pick up the monkey and bring him home. For the next few hours, he tears around the house like a Tasmanian devil before fighting over 'night'nights'. If I'm lucky, I get a whispered 'Yub ew, Mummy'. Then I go downstairs to eat, study (for work), knit (to stay sane-- it really is meditative), or write. Lately, I'm just too damn tired to write. I can't even string 5 words together, let alone 1000 (my goal for each day).
Nonetheless, I am trying to finish a MS that has been in the works forever now in hopes of pitching it at the Harlequin Intrigue Editor Pitch. I need to write about 2 1/2 more chapters and polish the whole thing. I also need to write a one-page synopsis (oh God) and a high-impact log line for the pitch. All of this before November.
So, I think I'll have to stock up on coffee and try to convince my muse that the monkey doesn't bite (he did for a short time, but it was just a phase). Starting now. I'll keep you posted...
K
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