I told you HERE that I entered A Bad Guy Forever in a contest and was one of three finalists.
And I learned last night that I'm a winner in the Suspense/Thriller/Mystery category.
I'm. A. Winner.
I'm always amazed at all the crummy stuff contest judges find. I think I'm entering clean copy with absolutely no typos or left out words or misplaced commas. Dream on, huh? After seeing what they found, I'm stunned to be a finalist, much less winner. Just goes to show how badly we need fresh eyes to look over our work.But now I'm thinking: should I put my other projects aside and finish this book once and for all? What do you think? Remember, I've finished the book a couple of times. Twice it was written and rewritten as a Christian romantic suspense. Then, I read Lee Child's Killing Floor and thought I should pick up the pace in my own book. I did away with backstory and a lot of introspection. After doing that, I entered A Bad Guy Forever in the Killer Nashville Claymore contest and it came out a top 10 finalist. Taking a couple of suggestions from the editor I talked with, I did some tweaking.
My gut tells me I can sell this book if I just FINISH it--ONE. MORE. TIME.
So, I'm putting aside the NF book I've been working on and will devote time to A Bad Guy Forever and my handwritten novella. Toss in a couple of romantic short stories and you have 2012 in a nutshell -- with a move to Oklahoma. That's still in the works and getting closer every day.
You do think I should fining this book, don't you? One more time?
Sign me ... Walking on Sunshine!
jess
17 comments:
Congratulations, Ms. Jess! :)
Congratulations. That's terrific! Now, are you kidding?! Do you need an engraved invitation? Finish. The. Book. :)
Keaghan - thank you. I hope your writing is going well.
Jan -- yeah, I do! Actually, it's that old fear of success thing ... AND fear of failure.
Finish the book! :) I know what it is like to be burned out from re-writes though. I'm working on my 3rd revision (2 drafts and now this one for plot holes etc). It gets long at times, but you can do it!!! No sense in stopping now :)
Congratulations, Jess!! And if you finish your book, again, I'll finish mine for the first time.
Obviously, this is a book that must be finished and published. Congrats.
Congratulations on your win. I wish you well on the rewrite.
Kelly - Plot holes--I've got plenty of them in this thing. Sometimes they jump out at me in the middle of the night and I have to jot them down so I'll remember them. :) Good luck with yours. Come back and see me.
Angie -- you got a deal! Have you been writing?
Awww, Lucy. Not obviously but I sure hope, hope, hope.
Thanks Keli - Rewrites used to be a lot easier for me. This particular book has been a challenge.
Hey, walking on sunshine, Congrats!!! You're an inspiration to us all to get our material out there. Super Job!!! Never give up! Never! Never! Never!
Oh, happy day! Congrats! I read the other day that a book usually takes about 5 years from start to finish.(Publication) So you're probably right on schedule.Don't stop now. Oh, and that 5 years doesn't include the months you ignored it because you were sick of noodling with it. :>)Pat
James - Thanks, we need to keep encouraging each other.
Pat - You always put a positive spin on things. Wait until I tell Jim I'm right on schedule. LOL
Well that's really good news. I'm glad to hear it. Congratulations and keep us informed of how the revisions are going.
Congratulations, Jessica! Yeehaw! What an honor. I wish you the very best with Left to Chance!
Susanne- thanks, but you have your Jessicas mixed up. J Keller is the big winner. I'm a baby category winner. :)
YEHHHHH! Great going. I know it is going to happen soon for you. You are ready. Tweak it again.
Yes, keep working on it!
Working as hard as my brain will let me, Lynn. Thanks for the encouragement!
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