Kathleen Woodiwiss would never win a contest.
You’ll have to forgive the unkind comment. Please bear in mind that I am not in any way cutting down Kathleen Woodiwiss. I admire her work greatly, and if told I had to be stranded on a island with only one book to take with me, it would be The Rose in Winter. Or The Wolf and the Dove. Or perhaps Shanna. Well, you get my point. What I am trying to say is that the reason Woodiwiss is beloved by so many is that she refused to write a cookie-cutter romance. She loaded her books with backstory. She told instead of showed. And she had heroes who were human and fallible and needed to grow. All of these are things that are constantly criticized by contest judges in my work.
My introspection comes from mailing what I consider my swan song of contesting. I know I have morphed into somewhat of a contest diva, though I doubt I’ve entered as many chapter contests as some think. But I am ready to end that part of my “career.” With a kiss and a prayer, I sent Murphy’s Law to RWA for Golden Heart competition.
My story won’t final. I’m sure of that. Sending it in anyway is my statement of inner strength. It’s my way of thumbing my nose at the notion that all stories are created equal. Murphy’s Law is unique. It doesn’t contest well, and I often receive comments that range from “your hero is unlikeable” to “your heroine is too independent and needs to soften up.” Odd thoughts, in my opinion.
Seth — my hero — is on a journey of redemption. Perhaps the contest judges might realize that by actually reading the quote that begins the manuscript. (…the only redemption is when a person puts himself aside to feel deeply for another person. Tennessee Williams) I would think that offers some insight that this is a story of change and growth. Yet, the judges don’t like Seth and rate the manuscript poor in the “hero” category.
Katie — my heroine — is independent. She’s feisty, stubborn, and not looking for love. And that makes her a bad heroine? Puhleeze… Why does a romance heroine have to be a sniveling, clinging vine to receive high scores from judges?
I sent Murphy’s Law in to state my own independence. To show that I think the world of romance is so much more than the stereotype. To show that it has room for characters who have the capacity to change and for heroines who are their own women. To show that a good story with fresh writing is always welcome in the world of publishing.
And if it finals, I’ll be truly amazed.
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!
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.
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!!