Textnovel Semi-Finalist!!!!!!

            Textnovel announced the list of the Top Twenty Semi Finalist today.  I am honored to say that The Raven and the Wolf has made the cut.  Thank you for all the fine reviews, votes and subscriptions to my little opus.  This is exciting.  I am in shock.

http://www.textnovel.com/story/The-Raven-and-the-Wolfe/2218/


I have two weeks to finish fixing any bugs, typos and plot holes until the list goes down to ten.  I need all the eyes I can spare to help me catch typos and glaring inconsistencies so that I know what I have put out there is the best it can possibly be.  Let me know if you see anything that needs correcting.

Even if you have already voted, comments and views are considered in their  selection process.  So with great appreciation for the support you have already given, if you have enjoyed my story share the link with a friend who you think might enjoy it too. 

Fan Appreciation

As I contemplate writing one more query letter for The Raven or the Wolf, or tackling yet another hour spent in editing-perfecting Box Five, I began to ponder how many countries have been reached by these two stories.  Putting together a list was a bit mind blowing, because these are only the ones I know of.

Box Five has been clicked on by people from 20 different countries on one site.

The Raven and the Wolf- is posted on three different online venues with worldwide readership but not every reader discloses their location but I count at least 10.  Though this story has been posted for 9 months now and has thousands of hits and at least 100 comments/critiques.

There is no greater satisfaction than having my stories read and my characters followed and perhaps even thought of long after the reader clicks off.  It does not pay the bills in the world of free online publishing.  Still it gives me a thrill of satisfaction each time I open one of those sites and see that some one has clicked on one of my stories.  It keeps me motivated and lets that artistic inner self have a moment of glory knowing that I have touched some one.

So this is a tribute to all of my readers, subscribers and commentators.

Thank you for helping me keep the passion alive.  And thank you for wading through all the rewrites, typos and technical difficulties.  You are all beautiful.

Textnovel contest

August 31st has such a daunting ring to it these days.  My fellow textnovel followers and contestants know what I mean.  August 31st is the cut-off date for entries.  Thus will begin the harder part, finding out if any of my entries have made the top 20-30 cut to be a semi-finalist and begin the long march to November when the winner is announced. 

While I know in the grand scheme of publishing as a business, textnovel and indeed the textnovel contests are what the industry is referring to as virtual slush piles.  While I acknowledging a basic truth in that analogy, I would like to now expound how it is so much more than the sum of its parts, or contest entries. 

What textnovel has done for me is allowed me to push past personal fears, build confidence in my writing and grow.   I have received a wide range of encouragement and help every step of this journey.  My stories are being read and reaching people all over the world via the internet.  At first I was afraid of having my story stolen or losing my copy rights.  At the end of the day what I craved most was reaching an audience. 

Now I am not saying my desire for a published novel, all my precious words tucked between 2 covers has lost any of its allure.  If anything my appetite for that kind of success has only been whetted since beginning this journey.  My respect and appreciation for marketing to a reader has grown, and hopefully my skills in that arena continue to do the same. 

More than anything I value the wonderful habit of writing nearly every day.  I have posted 2 complete novels and a novella!  I have 2 others currently in early draft stages.  The opportunity I have had to be mentored and mentor and encourage others has helped be grow as an artist and word smith.  Now if they only had a miracle cure for my bad spelling and typo's. 

Thank you to all who have supported and continue to support me.  It is getting down to the wire.  Votes, comments and views (just clicking on a story) all help me gain the attention of the contest judges. 

My three projects are:

The Raven and the Wolf    - Complete  (So many drafts into it I lost count)


Box Five: Opera Ghost    - Complete (2nd draft stage)

The Strange Tale of Rose Berg   - In progress  (1st draft)


I am a little worried that I might not make the 50,000 word quota on Rose Berg but there is still time and I have 2 weekends left.  So let me know if you have a favorite that you are rooting for.  It is hard for me to pick a favorite child but The Raven and the Wolf is my first "born" and the result of 15 years of starts and stops.  It broke the barriers of not believing in myself and lead me to textnovel along with a great pitch for the site on Linkedin by a fellow author.

I wish all the best to my fellow and favorite textnovel authors (ladies you ought to know who you are by now) I continue to learn by your comments and examples. 

Happy Writing!

Leave it alone or work it to death

I have come to the conclusion that there is no right answer for this.  It is possible to over work things but it is equally possible to discover something wonderful after mining the same concept over and over again. 

There are some stories which continue to unearth layers upon treasures, like an archeology of the subconscious mind.  Where as others spring fully grown out of your head complete and fully formed.  All that is required is a light touch to perfect the language.

I made the mistake of trying to convert a story from one writing form instead of sticking with my original concept.  I did it not because I felt the story lacked, but for the very worst reason possible.  I wanted to make it more marketable.  But the tale does not work in a traditional form.

Therefore I admonish knowing when to let it go and trust yourself and your writing.

I'm back

So it has been a long and strange summer.  I thought I would take some time to explain the long wait between posts.  I apologise to all of you who have been waiting and wondering.  Since the last post I have started a new job, Mom was in the hospital (thankfully home again) not to mention having a house full.  My sister and I planned a 40th wedding anniversary for my folks.  We were grateful for the privilege.  It doesn't happen as often as it used to or should.  So we feel honored to have parents who have continued to make it work.

On the writing front:

I have been submitting The Raven and the Wolf.  No takers yet but I did get at least one request for chapters so I know that my queries are getting closer.  I have also begin the second draft of the sequel.  The title for the new novel is The Hunter and the Healer.  I have 10 sample chapters up on textnovel.com.  If you are following me there stop by and leave a comment.

I have finished Box Five and am currently editing two versions.  One in the original concept of the cell phone novel which can be found on www.textnovel.com.  The other version I am converting the jaunty phrases into more traditional prose.  Though I am merging the concept of Erik's voice staying in the poetic format and hers taking on the more traditional narrative.   I have posted a few of these chapters on fanfiction.net.  I have never used this site before so I am on a learning curve.  I chose it because there I can tap into the very specific fanbase  of Phantom to get their reaction.  They have never read the cell phone version and I don't have to face comparison with myself (my worst fear).

The Strange Tale of Rose Berg.  I have left my title character such an enigma it is difficult to write her story.  She only whispers to me sometimes, but when she does I am startled by the emotion and imagery.  I can't lead her and her pacing is a little slow.  So what I thought I was writing has turned into something else completely.  But I have lots of other projects so I don't need to force it.

Now I am off to that new job.

The Cell Phone Novel

In pursuit of the fact that one of my favorite sites is www.Textnovel.com, designed to highlight the new genre of the Japanese Cell phone Novel, I decided I need to try my hand at something new.  An artist must always grow and try new mediums of expression.

I have taken an idea that I have had rattling around for some two decades.  Those most of the cell phone novels I have read are truly YA.  Mine is more universal.  It is I confess more of the fan fiction fare, which is why I have not tackled it before.  There are few who do not know the story of The Phantom of the Opera, melodramatic in it original form-as French literature of the time tended to be.  And a bit of fan fiction itself only with an unhappy ending, if you pick up on the rather obvious Beauty and the Beast themes.

In my defense, when I first read the novel I was struck by all the unanswered questions that Gaston Leroux left us with.  Most notably, who was the mysterious lady he plied to Madame Giry to retrieve a footstool for, who left behind gloves and a fan.

As he gave us no answer but to assume it was a delusion of the phantom, I conceived my own idea of who she was and how she effected the events of the story.

Box Five - tells her story.

Please enjoy these first few chapters.  You may follow the story and sign up for updates on your cellphone at www.textnovel.com  Amazingly I have already posted more than two hundred chapters.  So you will have some catching up to do if this sparks your interest.

Chapter 1:- Mademoiselle

A black and terrible beauty lived inside him.

Those deaths were not his fault.

I was to blame.

He killed to find me,

to protect me.

Chapter 2:- Headlines

RETIREMENT GALA FOR MM DEBIENNE AND POLIGNY MARRED BY HANGING

Chapter 3:- Headlines

INQUEST RULES THE DEATH OF JOSEPH BUQUET WAS A SUICIDE

Chapter 4:- Mademoiselle

I was not sorry.

Joseph was no friend.

Erik has remembered after all these years and has avenged me.

I ought never to have prevented him in the first place.

Perhaps it this a message

Chapter 5:- Headlines

CAN THE OPERA'S NEW MANAGEMENT MANAGE THE MYSTERIOUS O.G. AS DIVA REFUSES TO PERFORM?

Chapter 6:- Mademoiselle

I laugh and wonder.

They ought to listen to him.

He just wants to make sure I am watching.

I am listening.

I always hear you.

Virtual Slush Pile

So in the quest for feedback from fellow writers and the odd chance of garnering an editor or agent's notice I have embarked on yet another way to build my fan base on the web.  The sight is sponsored by Harper Collins and called Authonomy.

It has worldwide membership and from what I can tell more traffic to the site than textnovel.  Also the focus is on actual novels verses the Japanese cell phone novel.  I am only posting a portion of The Raven and the Wolf.  There are no contests just a lot of great constructive comments from some very polished and talented writers.  This community is very serious.  The caliber of work on the site is staggering.

It is populated with a worldwide pool of talent, published and unpublished authors alike.  In less than a week I have received nearly 100 backings and dozens of comments, including helpful criticism of my pitch (the dread of any author).  All novels must be in English.  Every month the top five stories make it to the editor's desk.  Nevertheless, even without this notice many in the industry view the site.

Stories have been picked up for publication of representation from exposure on Authonomy.  While you will receive help from the community to polish your work, this is definitely the place to put your best foot forward.  I recommend the most polished manuscript you can post.  

You will be asked to write a short pitch of 1-3 sentences or 25 words, and a long pitch of no more than 250 words.  To be considered for the monthly editor's desk selections you must post a minimum of 10,000 words.  If you make it to the desk, they will read the first 10,000 words of your novel (even if you have more posted) and give you a professional assessment of your pitch and your story.

There are no guarantees for publication for working your way to the top.  It will require hard work and a readiness to reciprocate reads, reviews and backings.  However, it is a great way to learn about building a fan base, working with literary community and making valuable connections.  Writing, as any author should know, is not simply the art of what you put on the page.  It is also a business and like any business you have to be able to sell, connect and adapt.  Of course what you have to sell ought to be worth the buying.  So yes, while Authonomy maybe HarperCollins version of the virtual slush pile, at least this one 'talks back.'

Happy writing to all and perhaps I will connect with some of you on www.authonomy.com or on www.textnovel.com.