tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post5573285858564146446..comments2024-02-16T15:14:36.719-06:00Comments on Wet Noodle Posse: It's Question and Answer Day!MJFredrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06881706931355203700noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-53981570242398924642007-10-28T23:52:00.000-05:002007-10-28T23:52:00.000-05:00I just got in from the Emerald City conference and...I just got in from the Emerald City conference and thought I'd just catch up on things... Wow, what a lot of comments! A few quick thoughts here.<BR/><BR/>I use EMERALD GREEN paper between synopsis and partial. Always. Why? Because I bought a ream of it eight years ago and still haven't run out. But honest, it's not important.<BR/><BR/>I almost always had that feeling I was going to final, but I was usually wrong about which manuscript it would be. The first year I won, I had already figured out Anne Mallory was going to win so I went to national with the most carefree attitude I'd ever had. But then about two hours before the awards ceremony, this little voice inside me said, "You'd better figure out what you're going to say..." I kept shaking it off and it kept coming back. "You'd better figure out..." Oh, shut up. But it wouldn't. So I wrote out something quick and stuck it somewhere, but to this day I don't know where. I still didn't believe it, yet the very second my photo and the title flashed on the screen I knew it would happen, and then it did. And I didn't say anything I thought I was going to say. The second time, two different final round judges let something slip (one of them started giggling and wouldn't stop and the other one mixed up the GH with another contest category she'd judged but I knew I hadn't entered), so I knew I would most likely win. The third time it was impossible. So I was completely shocked. I still have trouble believing that one.Delle Jacobshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09551688823035092802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-34049417749076187312007-10-28T17:04:00.000-05:002007-10-28T17:04:00.000-05:00A lovely answer, Diane - thank you!Margaret MA lovely answer, Diane - thank you!<BR/><BR/>Margaret MAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-81338154216295117882007-10-28T14:52:00.000-05:002007-10-28T14:52:00.000-05:00I'm coming in a little late to the questions day, ...I'm coming in a little late to the questions day, but I'll answer the ones I remember.<BR/><BR/>I didn't expect to final in the Golden Heart. I had received a rejection just after I entered the manuscript that WON the inspirational category in 2003. So the call was a complete surprise because I wasn't even thinking about the Golden Heart. I have never sold that book although I've sold seven others.<BR/><BR/>I also revise as I write unless I'm on a very tight deadline. I like to go back and reread and revise what I wrote the day before. Then I do at least 2 full reads after the book is finished.<BR/><BR/>I never used colored paper to separate the chapters from the synopsis, and I always numbered my synopsis separate from the chapters. <BR/><BR/>I have used Courier and Bookman Oldstyle. The manuscript that won was in Bookman Oldstyle. I never used TNR because I always hate getting that small print to read myself.Merrilleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08617320163408645299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-64718485167557399392007-10-28T13:52:00.000-05:002007-10-28T13:52:00.000-05:00Margaret M,I underline, rather than italicize, wha...Margaret M,<BR/>I underline, rather than italicize, what I would call "mental dialogue" or those internal thoughts that need more emphasis, or song lyrics, or, in my just completed ms, newspaper clips.<BR/> <BR/>But I wouldn't necessarily italicize or underline a flashback or internal thoughts. For a flashback, if I could get away with making it very clear i was going back in time and clear when I was coming back to the present, I wouldn't italicize. <BR/><BR/>It would be okay to italicize a flashback in certain instances. Stylistically that may be your choice, though. If you make that choice, either italicizing or underlining is okay. But I always underline.<BR/><BR/>The thoughts of a character, I rarely underline or italicize. Only a line here or there that is like a mental dialogue the character is having, or for emphasis. <BR/><BR/>And that has probably made it all more confusing!!Diane Gastonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14770373530197339170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-14359740508635575232007-10-28T12:22:00.000-05:002007-10-28T12:22:00.000-05:00Oh, can I sneak in one last question? When I subm...Oh, can I sneak in one last question? When I submit I underline, rather than italicize, thoughts/flashbacks. For the contest, which is preferred or have you used? <BR/><BR/>Thanks so much!<BR/><BR/>Margaret MAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-17339859896036948992007-10-27T18:05:00.000-05:002007-10-27T18:05:00.000-05:00I finalled three times, in three consecutive years...I finalled three times, in three consecutive years (01-03). The first time, I was stunned. I'd only entered the GH once before, and my scores were in the lower half. <BR/><BR/>The next year, I was anxious to repeat, but didn't feel too much pressure. I did final with what I thought was a stronger story, which still hasn't sold, drat it. <BR/><BR/>In 03, I felt incredible pressure, albeit self-imposed. And I went in very nervously with the least alpha male I'd ever written, the softest entry-ending hook, and almost no whitespace as a consequence of squeezing the entry into Courier New 12. Man, I chewed my nails to the quick waiting for that call. And thank God it came! If I hadn't finalled in 03, I wouldn't be a Noodler. <BR/><BR/>I also sold in 03 after winning Dorchester's New Voice in Romance contest (the precurser to the American Title contest that our own Trish Milburn is in the thick of right now), removing the pressure to try to repeat a fourth time. :-)Norah Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01151103954061826427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-7531459440350591392007-10-27T11:24:00.000-05:002007-10-27T11:24:00.000-05:00Pris, I think that is great advice to put the syno...Pris, I think that is great advice to put the synopsis AFTER the manuscript pages. <BR/><BR/>You want to hook the reader with your wonderful writing, have them panting for more, so when they go to the less-than-sterling synopsis, they are predisposed already to love the entry.<BR/><BR/>Your synopsis is not going to win you a contest or a book contract; your writing willDiane Gastonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14770373530197339170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-50967556613224408782007-10-27T09:28:00.000-05:002007-10-27T09:28:00.000-05:00GH finalist story: I missed my call in 2003. I'd...GH finalist story: I missed my call in 2003. I'd spent the day with my local chapter, attending our recognition luncheon. I hadn't kept track of when calls were going out, so I had no idea. When I got home, there was a message on the answering machine. I was in the other room, listening with half an ear as my husband played the messages. I think they heard my scream in the next county. My husband freaked out, thinking something was wrong as I came running into the kitchen, yelling for him to rewind the message. It's a moment I will never forget. Total surprise! Needless to say, it took me a minute to calm down enough to call back the RWA rep. :-)<BR/><BR/>Questions (in random order):<BR/><BR/>I use colored paper to separate the manuscript from the synopsis, and I put the synopsis behind the manuscript pages. I don't think you have to, but someone recommended it to me years ago and now it's habit.<BR/><BR/>Revising-- My revision process is similar to Diane's: I reread the pages I've written the day before, then reread the chapter when I finish. At the end, I'll go through and reread the entire book for continuity.Prisakisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12909271289337919937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-85933672246952484552007-10-27T09:06:00.000-05:002007-10-27T09:06:00.000-05:00Thanks, Diane! And thank you, incredibly generous ...Thanks, Diane! <BR/><BR/>And thank you, incredibly generous Noodlers! I owe you all a drink in San Francisco for all your advice.Courtney Milanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03585322886111438759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-6106530041099637452007-10-27T09:00:00.000-05:002007-10-27T09:00:00.000-05:00cm asks:In describing those events, do I use the p...cm asks:<BR/><I>In describing those events, do I use the present or the past tense? It feels weird to say "His life changes forever at eighteen," and then say, "ten years later, he...."</I><BR/><BR/>cm, your dilemma seems perfect for my "synopsis formula." In the GMC paragraph, is the perfect place to explain an important piece of backstory.<BR/><BR/>I do use past tense in the synopsis to "tell" those things that happened before the story begins. I think it makes it clearer to the reader (aka judge)<BR/>And when I'm done talking about the backstory and GMC, I always say "The story begins with..." to make if very very clear.<BR/><BR/>I do not believe synopses need to be clever. I think the most important thing is that they are clear to the reader/editor/judge. To me, writing the synosis in as straightforward a manner as possible is the way to go.Diane Gastonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14770373530197339170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-55313368162317493932007-10-27T08:35:00.000-05:002007-10-27T08:35:00.000-05:00I want to echo Gillian in saying that this blog ha...I want to echo Gillian in saying that this blog has been an absolutely solid gold fount of information for those of us who are just sticking our toe in the water, so to speak! Thank you so much for the time, effort and patience you have all spent doing some helpful hand-holding and imparting some invaluable knowledge. The Wet Noodle Posse is definitely a class act and I think each of you had a heart of gold before you won the Golden Heart! (And no, I am not turning it up a bit brown, for you Regency ladies! I am sincerely grateful!)dogladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03392561174583932552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-48629902468784983162007-10-27T08:20:00.000-05:002007-10-27T08:20:00.000-05:00I don't know if anyone will still respond to quest...I don't know if anyone will still respond to questions, but I have a specific synopsis question.<BR/><BR/>I've realized that in the first 55 pages, I won't be able to show my readers why the hero is doing something that looks a little stupid. There are hints, of course, but the full backstory doesn't show up until 2/3 of the way through the manuscript.<BR/><BR/>If you know his history, though, it makes complete sense. So I've decided to lead my synopsis--his GMC paragraph--with a description of what happened to change his life 10 years ago.<BR/><BR/>In describing those events, do I use the present or the past tense? It feels weird to say "His life changes forever at eighteen," and then say, "ten years later, he...."Courtney Milanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03585322886111438759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-16674370028485261232007-10-27T08:10:00.000-05:002007-10-27T08:10:00.000-05:00Just wanted to take the chance to say "Thank YOU" ...Just wanted to take the chance to say "Thank YOU" to you all for all the time and talent you have shared with us.<BR/><BR/>It's helped so very much. :)Gillian Laynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15772849187702478349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-11770292895782324872007-10-27T06:20:00.000-05:002007-10-27T06:20:00.000-05:00I finalled with Hot Shot twice, the second time it...I finalled with Hot Shot twice, the second time it was my "safety" ms, because I had such a blast as a finalist in 2003. But alas, it still hasn't sold.<BR/><BR/>I leave the name off the partial, but put it on the full. <BR/><BR/>I've finalled with both TNR 14 and Courier 12 ;)<BR/><BR/>I had a sense my 2006 book would final.<BR/><BR/>Theresa wrote: I had already warned my husband that I would probably be a little depressed that day because I knew that everybody else would be getting their calls.<BR/><BR/>I told my dh the SAME THING! Only calls went out early that year! I got a call about 30 minutes after I told him.<BR/><BR/>Patricia, I still submit Hot Shot as a GH finalist. Because, you know, it is. ;) But I no longer mention that it won different contests longer than a year back. I've been listening to conference workshops and many of the speakers list the GH as a credential, even if they've been published for a number of years.MJFredrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06881706931355203700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-20441847520736866012007-10-27T03:37:00.000-05:002007-10-27T03:37:00.000-05:00Theresa asked, "How about the rest of you finalist...Theresa asked, "How about the rest of you finalists--where were you when you got the call from RWA?"<BR/><BR/>I woke up to an email from someone I didn't know asking for my phone number because they had to contact me on RWAmerica business. The email arrived about 5am, though I didn't get it until around 10am my time (Central Australia time) and I eagerly sent off my number, holding my breath and hoping above hoping that it wasn't just a call about my subscription or some other non GH type admin thing. I had to wait until about 3pm my time (too long to hold one's breath!) before the phone finally rang and a gorgeous American accented woman told me I'd finaled in the GH. Can't remember another thing:-))<BR/><BR/>Re, whoever asked about paper - I never use/d it. If a judge can't tell the difference between a manuscript and a synopsis, then imho, they shouldn't be judging:-) Also, if they can tell how long the synopsis is because of where the coloured paper divide is, and they have a predisposition against long synopses, you might be doing yourself a disservice (oh gosh, that judge thinks, here we go again...) Again, they shouldn't be judging. But people being people, why give someone the opportunity to not look forward to your sypopsis? <BR/><BR/>But like I say, that's just my view. Could never see the point of coloured paper myself, and the lack of it didn't hurt my chances. Again, it's the story that counts!Trish Moreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06180440910057143918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-68993276943384189672007-10-26T22:45:00.000-05:002007-10-26T22:45:00.000-05:00Thanks Charity! I'm off to fiddle with it now.Gre...Thanks Charity! I'm off to fiddle with it now.<BR/><BR/>Great blog ladies. Such wonderful information. Do you guys archive these blogs under specific headers because it would be a wonderful reference guide.Santahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770231939962704822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-57456872914696128622007-10-26T22:18:00.000-05:002007-10-26T22:18:00.000-05:00I am still uncertain as to whether one should ente...I am still uncertain as to whether one should enter the GH with a manuscript that you know is STILL a rough draft, even if the partial is polished to a fine sheen. This is a tough call to make!<BR/><BR/>Doglady, you're right, it is a tough call to make. It depends on how rough the rest of your mss is. If you final and your mss isn't up to par, maybe it will hurt your chances of WINNING or it could possibly hurt your chances of making a sale to the finaling editor judge, BUT in the event you did final, you could use your finaling status in a query to editors and agents. Finalists are notified in March, so you would have until then to polish the rest of your mss. for future requests. I say go for it, but I'm sure others will disagree.Theresa Raganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15815320170046221853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-19467189205482543822007-10-26T21:15:00.000-05:002007-10-26T21:15:00.000-05:00Thank you, Diane. I doubt I'll be getting the call...Thank you, Diane. I doubt I'll be getting the call before the deadline! LOL. Hmmm. Though I can always hope... :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-32039550271204352752007-10-26T20:43:00.000-05:002007-10-26T20:43:00.000-05:00Good evening, Ladies!! Wow, everyone has asked som...Good evening, Ladies!! Wow, everyone has asked some great questions! I am going back to take copious notes. I am still uncertain as to whether one should enter the GH with a manuscript that you know is STILL a rough draft, even if the partial is polished to a fine sheen. This is a tough call to make!dogladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03392561174583932552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-9538206158873345092007-10-26T20:26:00.000-05:002007-10-26T20:26:00.000-05:00Santa,Word 2007 and headers:You can double click a...Santa,<BR/><BR/>Word 2007 and headers:<BR/><BR/>You can double click at the top of the page and the header space should appear. <BR/><BR/>If that doesn’t work, try Insert > Headers, and then Word gives you more choices than anyone in their right mind would want. <BR/><BR/>If you want to adjust the vertical placement, I’d use the vertical scroll bar. <BR/><BR/>If you want to insert a different header for different pages (for whatever reason), you need to insert a section break first.<BR/><BR/>That’s Page Layout > Breaks > Section >Next Page. <BR/><BR/>Double click on the header again and select Link to Previous (so it’s no longer highlighted).<BR/><BR/>I’m not sure if I answered your question. Let me know. I’ve been playing around with Word a lot since my writing partner uses an older version and we’ve had a few formatting issues.Charity Tahmasebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14208740898666710699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-79300959987973259332007-10-26T20:22:00.000-05:002007-10-26T20:22:00.000-05:00Thanks, Diane!I was just curious, not getting ahea...Thanks, Diane!<BR/><BR/>I was just curious, not getting ahead of myself or anything. ;-j<BR/><BR/>My ms has a polarizing contest history, so it's a complete and total cr*p shoot. <BR/><BR/>Anybody else sick of their GH entry? I love my story and all, but I'm dying to move on, and clear the slate to start the next one for NaNoWriMo!Jane Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03199994711829637247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-77815423654111542812007-10-26T20:10:00.000-05:002007-10-26T20:10:00.000-05:00janegeorge,Finalists usually do form a yahoo group...janegeorge,<BR/>Finalists usually do form a yahoo group these days, to share the experience and answer such important questions as, "What are you going to wear to the Awards Ceremony."<BR/><BR/>Not all of them stick. The Wet Noodle Posse has been exceptional. The Romance Bandits are going strong, too. I'm sure there are others, too.Diane Gastonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14770373530197339170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-50645654351708535142007-10-26T19:58:00.000-05:002007-10-26T19:58:00.000-05:00Ami asked:Wow, so much info here. I hope I'm not t...Ami asked:<BR/><BR/><I>Wow, so much info here. I hope I'm not too late! My ms is with an editor right now. Is it still okay to enter it? If not--since I already paid for the entry before this occured to me--what should I do? Can I sub another ms in? Which, actually is very unpolished...<BR/>Ami :)</I><BR/><BR/>Not too late, Ami. <BR/>Having a manuscript with an editor doesn't prevent you from entering. It is only if you have had that coveted "Call" by the due date. <BR/><BR/>From the RWA rules: <BR/><I>The Golden Heart contest is open to writers who have not accepted a publishing offer from a non-Subsidy, non-Vanity Publisher for a novel or novella by the contest entry deadline. Entrant must retain all rights to the entry and not have granted any of them to a publisher or any other party by the contest entry deadline.</I>Diane Gastonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14770373530197339170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-47722704389256593902007-10-26T19:14:00.000-05:002007-10-26T19:14:00.000-05:00I've got an easy one:Do every year's GH finalists ...I've got an easy one:<BR/><BR/>Do every year's GH finalists form an on-line support/chat group?Jane Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03199994711829637247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-15366451265143210352007-10-26T18:37:00.001-05:002007-10-26T18:37:00.001-05:00Wow, so much info here. I hope I'm not too late! M...Wow, so much info here. I hope I'm not too late! My ms is with an editor right now. Is it still okay to enter it? If not--since I already paid for the entry before this occured to me--what should I do? Can I sub another ms in? Which, actually is very unpolished...<BR/><BR/>Ami :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com