Tuesday 8 February 2011

My No Fear blogfest story is a winner...Writer's Platform Building Crusade...Bernard Pivot contest

Thanks to Dominic de Mattos at Writes of Passage I wrote a story for his No Fear blogfest. If you haven't read it, and really want to, go here. Surprise! Surprise! Dominic ran a vote and I was the winner. This was unexpected, especially as I was up against the amazing Roland D Yeomans at Wrting in the Crosshairs. So in accordance with my New Years Resolution to Write First, Blog Later, in this case both activities paid off with a prize. So thanks to all who wrote marvellous stories for this blogfest and those who voted for the finalists and who pushed me over the line.

Update on the Writer's Platform-Building Crusade. Rachel Harrie tells me that at this stage there are nearly 90 participants being marshalled into groups. This is going to be a blast.

For those of you who like a little quirkiness with your morning coffee, Nicole Ducleroir from One Significant Moment in Time is hosting the Bernard Pivot contest with giveaways TBA. There are already a gazillion entries so this has caught the imagination of many. Maybe it's because it won't take a lot of time (or so we think now.) You basically answer 10 questions either literally or creatively. No guesses which I'll choose! If you're looking for the badge in my sidebar, it's not there. I'm using my pichetsinparis blog for this blogfest. Bernard Pivot was French after all, and I'm hosting my Publication Party here on the same day.

Michael di Gesu at In Time... is inspiring me with his Earthly Angels posts. On Monday (well, it's Tuesday here) he posted a tribute to mums (in honour of Michael's mum passing on Feb 6 some time ago...)

Oh, here I am again. I just entered Brenda Drake's first line blogfest where you have to post your first line from a finished WIP.  I know this one is a little dull, but the idea is you're to tell me how to improve it then I post the new improved model in her comments on Feb 9. The prizes are awesome. Perhaps you'd like to pop over to Brenda's and sign up. I've left it until nearly the last moment. This time the time difference is working in my favour! So here is my line. Tell me how it could be improved...rip it to  bits...I don't mind...please!!!

The moment Ruby laid eyes on him she was smitten.

Well I'd better get to my WIPs. See you on Wednesday with the next Publication Party. Lisa Maliga is the guest speaker. Can't wait.



38 comments:

M Pax said...

Thanks for the information and congrats on the win!

Denise Covey said...

Thanks M Pax..:)

erica and christy said...

Congratulations on your win! Glad you're able to keep your new year's resolution, too!
erica

The Happy Whisk said...

How fantastic and exciting. Go you. Rah.

Denise Covey said...

erica and christy: Thanks, and yeah...

The Happy Whisk: Thank you. Go you too!

Dawn Embers said...

Yay! I voted for you.

Congratulations!

Michael Di Gesu said...

Congratulations on the win. I knew it was going to be between you or Roland.

My post was a quick little teaser.

Thanks for the shout out.

Michael

Denise Covey said...

Dawn: Thanks pal. It is a bit of a buzz.

Michael: Yeah, it got to be a 2-horse race. You're welcome.

Anonymous said...

Hi. I just read your winning story, Memories. Beautifully written! Congratulations on the win!! You and Roland are awesome!!!
Ann Best, Author

Margo Benson said...

Many congratulations on your win, your piece was marvellous, I loved it!

Welcome fellow Crusader!

I'm also in the Bernard Pivot - see you there!

I don't think your line is 'dull' - it introduces two characters at once and conveys the 'smitten' as not entirely welcome, thus ensuring more to come...

Theresa Milstein said...

Congratulations on your win! So cool!

And thanks for all the links.

Mysti said...

Congratulations! You had a great story!

How about making that first line more active. "The moment Ruby laid eyes on him, she dropped her chardonnay." Something that gives a physical reaction to her notice of HIM ;)

Zan Marie said...

Congrats, Denise! You deserved every vote.

I was thrilled to be a finalist and came in third. Not bad for my first ever contest. ; )

Ann said...

Congratulations on your winnings. Delighted for you. Thanks for all the links. I am really looking forward to this Crusade too.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hi, Denise,

It good use a bit of juice. Describe him a bit.

"The moment Ruby laid eyes on his chiseled body and crooked smile, she(name) couldn't breathe.

Lets feel the sizzle. I don't know what he looks like, but fill in the blanks. "She" should be named, it makes the reader identify more with the subject.

I hope this helps.

Michael

Kari Marie said...

Congratulations on your win!

Denise Covey said...

Rula: Thanks so much!

Ann: As are you sweet one!

Margot: Great comments. The Bernard Pivot sounds great.

Theresa: Thanks as always.

Mysti: Thanks for the input!

Zan Marie: Not bad at all. Congrats to you too! Keep entering.

Ann: It's great how many there are.

gideon 86: Love it. It definitely needs work. Thanks for thinking about it.

Kari Marie: Thank you.

Mary@GigglesandGuns said...

Congratulations! Not at all surprised you won.
Thanks for all the information.

Denise Covey said...

Mary: You're welcome.

Mason Canyon said...

Congratulations on your win. Thanks for all the links and information.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress

Anonymous said...

Congratulations and i'll check out the Blogfest.

dolorah said...

Congrats on your win Denise. I didn't participate in that one - I've been slacking lately.

Love the first line. Rich in a romance voice.

......dhole

Alison Pearce Stevens said...

Congratulations on your win!

SM Johnston said...

Congrats on your win!

For the first sentence Blogfest - maybe instead of smitten you could show us how she physically reacted - a slow blush moved up her neck, or her stomach twisted into a tight knot and her heart pounded in her ears.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! Lots of links there, thanks. :O)

Carol Kilgore said...

Absolutely correct that putting writing before blogging is the way to go. Although I actually blog first, I limit the time I spend doing it so I have the rest of the day for writing and other things.

Kelly Bryson said...

First line comment-
Maybe reword like so-
The moment she laid eyes on his ...etc.

Give the reader something to picture, something special to hold in their mind. What's unique and special about him? Show the reader!

Good luck!

Francine Howarth said...

Hey there, Big Spender!

Hee hee, congrats on the No Fear win! ;)

I haven't got around to what else is kicking off at the mo due to barking cough and feeling like sh*t.

best
F

Tanya Reimer said...

I like your first sentence. It invites me in, just as it is.

Unknown said...

Lots of great activities to check out! And thanks so much for promoting the Bernard Pivot Blogfest!!! You're the best!

Denise Covey said...

Mason, Stephen: Thanks. Yep, go check them out.

Donna: Somehow I can't picture you slacking.

Alison: Thanks and thanks for following.

SM Johnson: Thanks so much for your input! I'm definitely looking into it.

Madeleine: Thanks. Good stuff.

Carol: Oh, it's hard. I could stay in the blogosphere all day...but...

Kelly: Thanks so much for the help. It should end up much better.

Francine: Oh, I blushed. I thought you must have been looking over my shoulder when I went on a spree! I hope that bark has toned down to a whimper by now. That beastly climate has a lot to answer for!

Tanya; Thanks. I did like it until I heard more suggestions. I don't really like the word 'smitten'.

Nicole: You;re welcome.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Congrats! Need to check out that writer's platform, although I'm not writing at the moment...

Loralie Hall said...

Congrats on the win ^_^

I think your first sentence is great, but it feels passive. Just a minor rearrange and I think you're there:

Ruby was smitten the moment she laid eyes on him

Jai Joshi said...

Thanks for all the info!

Jai

The Words Crafter said...

Wow, congratulations!!!!

Denise Covey said...

L Diane Wolfe: And why not missie?

Loralie: Thanks. Yes, it is passive. Your suggestions are good.

Jai Joshie: Hope there's something good for you.

Words Crafter: Thanks!

Tony Benson said...

Congrats on the win! Well done.

Sarah Ketley said...

Congrats on the win as well. I popped over and read the entry. Very nice. could feel the climate there by the sea :-)