Inspirations:

  • It is said that good things come to those who wait. I believe that good things come to those who work. - Wilt Chamberlain
  • A professional writer is an amateur who didn't quit. - Richard Bach
  • You don't find time to write. You make time. It's my job. - Nora Roberts
  • Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most. - Buddha
  • Luck is when an opportunity comes along and you're prepared for it. - Denzel Washington
  • I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying. - Michael Jordan

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Great Expectations

Today I found out that my entry from Love, Hospital Style did not final in the Great Expectations contest. This is frustrating because the first 25 pages finished second in the 2008 Gotcha! contest. I'm sure it has to do with the changes I spoke about in a previous post, when I tried to please all my critiquers and answer all their questions......in the first chapter. I'm disappointed in myself, but more determined than ever to make my work in progress a success. I've been doing lots of research on the Army and the war in Iraq and am totally motivated to get started on the first book in my new series. While I'm at it, I've been investigating some classes on characterization, plotting, and punctuation. Stick with me! I'll get there yet.

And if you haven't been to the movies to see Dear John, make it a point to go. I loved it! (For those of you who read the book and were disappointed there was no happily ever after, the ending of the movie is different from the ending of the book.) Enjoy!
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4 comments:

  1. Leigh Verrill-RhysFebruary 8, 2010 at 12:23 PM

    Hi Wendy. Thanks for the invitation and here I am. For most of my writing life, I have stayed away from contests. I did enter the Golden Pen recently and actually found it very useful - not placing in the finals can be hard but instructive. I revelled in the best of the comments, assessed the bad stuff and worked on what I believed needed to be changed. I think that particular book is better for some of the insights of the judges but you really are the best judge.

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  2. Wendy MarcusFebruary 8, 2010 at 2:24 PM

    Thanks for visiting, Leigh! I was starting to feel all alone here. I think my followers have gone into hibernation!

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  3. DaleFebruary 9, 2010 at 2:02 AM

    Hi Wendy-
    I'm glad you were inspired to move onto your next project and change directions. Your intuition and enthusiasm for this delicate and pertinent topic is very gripping.

    I'm sure it's difficult to move on from a manuscript you worked so hard on, but your self reflection from that experience was valuable.

    Came out of hibernaton to read your blog!

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  4. Wendy MarcusFebruary 9, 2010 at 10:23 AM

    Welcome back, Dale!
    Yes it is difficult to move on from a manuscript I loved. But it would be worse to waste time on a project that isn't marketable.

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