What A Week!

Do you know those weeks where everything just goes smoothly? Nothing goes wrong? Rose petals fall from the sky? You float over puddles? You accidentally win the lottery?

I’m not having one of those weeks.

From a slight ding in my car to the fact that the colon key on my keyboard works only when it wants to I’ve already had enough. If you’re interested, the printer is also on strike and doesn’t recognize ink cartridges and the DVD burner doesn’t burn which means ANOTHER trip back to the computer doctor and that’s just the computer. There’s also been several other incidences including bleeding and it’s only Tuesday.

I want a do over (imagine a smiley face here, since colon key is currently in tantrum mode).

It's not all bad though because I'm also in the final week of Shirley Jump's Revisions Can Be Fun workshop and I can honestly say that I can see a difference in my writing. This course has changed the way I think as I write and THAT is what is making all the difference. Shirley uses examples of her own work and others to illustrate techniques, as well as critiquing homework assignments so you know that you haven’t missed the point completely. I’m really thrilled with the results and there’s still one week to go!

So, what is everyone else working on?

What's Going On In The Writing World

I know a lot of people have received some Rs form the SYTYCW challenge over the last few days and I know that can be heartbreaking for a writer so I think a distraction is in order.

There’s actually quite a lot going on in our romance writing world at the moment and I wanted to share some links.

I’ve just signed up for Shirley Jump’s Revisions Can Be Fun course along with Minx Joanne Cleary. It’s only $30 for the four weeks of February and shows you “…how to really take your book from blah to BLOCKBUSTER". Minx Joanne Pibworth did it last year and says it’s fabulous so I’m really looking forward to it. The last day to register is January 31st. For more information click here.

If that’s not for you, the Nocturne Bites Editor Pitch Challenge is back for 2011! If you haven’t heard of Harlequin’s pitching competitions before, sales are often made as a result of them. In fact, two sales were made just recently from the Medical Editor Pitch Challenge. Full details of the competition are here but just in case you don’t also happen to read the comments. Moderator Rae-eHarlequin suggests holding off on immediately sending your entries because the entry guidelines will be slightly changed. Competition closes February 17th.

Last but not least, you could win a mentor for a month! Desire author extraordinaire, Tessa Radley, has kindly donated her time to the “Valentine’s Secrets”: Harlequin Mentor Challenge. All you have to do is “write a titled, 1K start to a Valentine’s-themed, secret-baby romance”. Competition closes February 12th and full details are here.

So, are you planning to enter a competition or two? Will you be joining Jo and I?