2 Down, 2 Left

Currently Reading: Am buying Dragon in the System by Cindy Spencer Pape, and Wedding Jitters by Brynn Paulin. Had to push back Cheryl's book because I couldn't afford both. So I'll get it next week. I try to stay within a $10 budget...but we should have that rebate check by the weekend, so who knows how many I'll get next week?



Yes, I found out my manuscript did not make it through round #2 of the contest. Am I upset? No. Disappointed, sure. But there are several factors which come into play on this particular MS.

1) Round #2 rules state the manuscript would be judged on the entire work, and in particular romances would have the requesite HEA. So strike 1, because the one I submitted doesn't have it. Closure, yes, but the heroine goes off into the sunset to nurse her wounds after having her eyes rudely opened that the love of her life lied to her. Fast-forward nine months, when he shows up at her graduation, and she decides to get on with her life without him.

2) Strike #2 occured when, it was brought to my attention, via a very nice rejection letter last week, that my series better fits the criteria for Women's Fiction, rather than Romance! So, I labelled it the wrong genre.

3) And strike #3? There are six other authors who did not make the above mistakes, and have moved onto the final round. And five others who are sitting back and thinking how they can better improve their manuscript and send it on to another publisher.

I do have two more submissions out there; one which I should hear from by the end of the month. The other one was subbed in April, so I will probably know something by late June or July.

And as for other work in progress, I'm still trimming a short story and my critique partner is about to get another chapter of a steamy TRUE romance! I've also done some research on the fourth book, and received some helpful information.

Calling Dr. Freud...
Ever psychoanalyze yourself while sleeping?

I had a weird dream that a friend and I were taking a road trip, and all of a sudden he looked over at me and said, "So, when are you going to start complaining?"

"When the timing is right."

He gave me The Look (you know the one...all friends give you this Look when they know you're either lying or in denial!).

"I know...I said that back in 1990, and look how that turned out! Sigh....you're right...time for the confrontation. Can't I just eat chocolate and not rock the boat for once?"

"You know what you have to do."

I hate it when my subconscious is right! But I still don't wanna. I can live with this for at least another year...

Oh, look...my kids haven't found my Dove chocolate stash:)

Oops!
Today is the toddler's last day of school for the year! I thought he got out NEXT Tuesday! There will be tears tomorrow...then again, maybe not. His best buddy will be here while her grandma works, and since they play well together, I can still get some work done!