Comments on: http://www.sandy-james.com/stable/2007/10/26/41/ A day in the life of a romance author... Tue, 06 Jan 2009 04:50:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 By: Rita St. Claire http://www.sandy-james.com/stable/2007/10/26/41/#comment-11 Rita St. Claire Tue, 30 Oct 2007 07:39:30 +0000 http://www.sandy-james.com/stable/2007/10/26/41/#comment-11 I know what you mean about these ridiculous comments by contest judges. Keep doing what you think is best for your book. I've found that when you submit to a contest, so much depends on "who" you happen to get as a judge--some are very good, some middling, and some are...well, you know what I mean! I've had judge comments that run the gamut. I've received some great ideas from good, conscientious judges that I've used to improve my work. Then, again, I've also received comments that are the epitome of bias or ignorance. A friend of mine received a comment "it never gets cold in California." She and I live in California, near San Francisco. Every winter, we live in the California cold! All the best to you. Keep everlastingly at it, as you are already doing! I know what you mean about these ridiculous comments by contest judges. Keep doing what you think is best for your book. I’ve found that when you submit to a contest, so much depends on “who” you happen to get as a judge–some are very good, some middling, and some are…well, you know what I mean!

I’ve had judge comments that run the gamut. I’ve received some great ideas from good, conscientious judges that I’ve used to improve my work. Then, again, I’ve also received comments that are the epitome of bias or ignorance. A friend of mine received a comment “it never gets cold in California.” She and I live in California, near San Francisco. Every winter, we live in the California cold!

All the best to you. Keep everlastingly at it, as you are already doing!

]]> By: Stephie Smith http://www.sandy-james.com/stable/2007/10/26/41/#comment-16 Stephie Smith Tue, 27 Nov 2007 01:23:56 +0000 http://www.sandy-james.com/stable/2007/10/26/41/#comment-16 First I want to say that I got here because I read the blurb on your website about Murphy's Law. I got goose bumps when I read it. I'm sure that won't mean anything to you, but it means a lot to me. I seldom get them and when I do, it means something to me. I don't even read contemporary romance (though I've been writing one and it's finaled in a few contests. Still, my heart lies with historical romance). Anyway, there is definitely something about your story that resonates with the world of romance, but also with discovering who you are meant to be and learning to overcome the things that keep you from getting there because those are ALWAYS the things that give me goose bumps. Because that's life and it's what all of us are striving for. And yeah, I can totally relate to the "unlikable" hero or heroine. I have a heroine in my contemporary who has this wonderful character arc, which you just totally can't have if you start out pretty great to begin with, right? And I have a hero in my 2nd historical romance who's a drunk. Again, it's easy to end up great and with a great life if you start out pretty good, but who wants to read about THAT? Not me. I want goose bumps, like I got from reading the story of MURPHY'S LAW. Good luck, Sandy. I hope you final in the GH. First I want to say that I got here because I read the blurb on your website about Murphy’s Law. I got goose bumps when I read it. I’m sure that won’t mean anything to you, but it means a lot to me. I seldom get them and when I do, it means something to me. I don’t even read contemporary romance (though I’ve been writing one and it’s finaled in a few contests. Still, my heart lies with historical romance).

Anyway, there is definitely something about your story that resonates with the world of romance, but also with discovering who you are meant to be and learning to overcome the things that keep you from getting there because those are ALWAYS the things that give me goose bumps. Because that’s life and it’s what all of us are striving for.

And yeah, I can totally relate to the “unlikable” hero or heroine. I have a heroine in my contemporary who has this wonderful character arc, which you just totally can’t have if you start out pretty great to begin with, right? And I have a hero in my 2nd historical romance who’s a drunk. Again, it’s easy to end up great and with a great life if you start out pretty good, but who wants to read about THAT? Not me. I want goose bumps, like I got from reading the story of MURPHY’S LAW.

Good luck, Sandy. I hope you final in the GH.

]]> By: admin http://www.sandy-james.com/stable/2007/10/26/41/#comment-20 admin Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:33:05 +0000 http://www.sandy-james.com/stable/2007/10/26/41/#comment-20 Thanks so much for all the kind thoughts ladies!! One of my favorite things about writing is that I've met so many wonderful people -- just like both of you!! :-) Thanks so much for all the kind thoughts ladies!! One of my favorite things about writing is that I’ve met so many wonderful people — just like both of you!! :-)

]]>