Last night I received word that one of my stories is a finalist now in another contest (that’s two finals, one semi-final for the same work). Lovely news, which may yet prove interesting.
I used these contests as test runs on various beginnings: For the first submission, I inserted as Chapter Two the POV of my male protagonist. I quite liked it. My agent didn’t.
So, for submission to the second contest, I used a POV that carried on the action from Chapter One with the same heightened intensity. Testing, as it were, reader responses.
Only, now I discover that the same editor will judge both variations. Wouldn’t I like to be in her head when she reads them both. Perhaps enough time will have elapsed between picking up the one and picking up the other so that she won’t notice the difference. Perhaps she’ll think the first version of Chapter Two merely dropped out or was lost in the shuffle (which, if these were the old fashioned paper submissions, might have been a realistic hope). Perhaps she’ll merely laugh.
Or, if I’m very fortunate, she’ll let me know which one she likes — which will give me another vote one way or t’other.
Lovely news indeed! Congratulations. Just sent in work to Joyce, and would love your feedback and info on writing contests that are coming up. Is there a website that lists them? So new at this.
I follow a blog that lists the occasional one. I’ll send notes to your email, Anne.
The tinkerer at work! Good for you, N. So excited to hear how this turns out. You go, Girl.
Yes, ma’am. Tinkerer is the perfect word.
Thanks for your good wishes, Nicole. (And all those lovely prayers you say.)
Now that’s what I call a game plan. Congratulations, girlfriend!! Doing the Snoopy Dance with my 2 left feet!
I’d love to see that, Linda! Let’s dance.