CAROL BURNSIDE / ANNIE RAYBURN

>Golden Heart Scores

Posted on April 25, 2007 by Annie Rayburn/Carol Burnside

>Like so many do, I entered the 2006 Golden Heart Contest sponsored by the Romance Writers of America. This year I entered A Suitable Wife, my most recently completed WIP. It was a re-write of the first manuscript I ever wrote and had been entered in the GH back in 2004. Back then it made the top half and the scores were 8, 7, 8, 5, & 7 for a total of 35.0.

This year, I was pleasantly surprised to find that my scores put me in the top quarter, with an improved overall score of 38.1.

In the Golden Heart, there are 5 judges. More and more these days, the judges are encouraged to use point delineations (such as 8.2, 8.5 etc.) because of the narrow margin of scoring. My 2007 scores were 8.7, 8.5, 7.5, 7, and 6.4. Final scores equal to or greater than 35.2 were required to make the top quarter.

Overall, I’m happy with that increase of 3.1 points of improvement. Hopefully, I improved the manuscript by re-writing it, improved my writing skills in the interim, and the scores reflect that.

Currently, I’m taking an online course from Margie Lawson, titled Empowering Character’s Emotions. It’s proven to be very valuable, even though I had a few personal glitches that prevented me from participating in the online exercises. I’ve saved the lectures, poured over them, and done as much of the exercises off line as time has permitted. I’m sure another sweep through A Suitable Wife would improve it again. I know more ways to make my writing stronger, more interesting, more ways to strike an emotional chord in the reader.

At this point, A Suitable Wife awaits a verdict on a Silhouette editor’s desk. I SO want to get at least a revision letter, but am afraid to hope for it too much.

Dang, this is a tough business! But if perseverance counts for anything, I WILL be published one day in the not too distant future.

Thanks for listening. I’m continuing improvements on my current WIP.

Posted in Books | Tagged Writing | 7 Comments

>Tuesday Tidbits

Posted on April 24, 2007 by Annie Rayburn/Carol Burnside

>Wow. Two posts in one day. Something in the world must be off-kilter. LOL!

Awhile back I blogged about having a Saturday Showcase where I’d highlight a book. This Saturday that feature will be back with cover art and a great excerpt from a wonderful paranormal. Don’t miss it.

And another (rather long) tidbit: I was blog-hopping and came across a Sanjaya (American Idol) mention on Liz Faulkner’s site. Which brought to mind the whole “Vote For The Worst” ridiculousness. On their website, VFTW claim that they’re doing this because the producers mock so many people during the tryouts, that they keep the worst around because it’s good reality TV, not because they have a shot at AI and it’s somehow cruel.

Seriously? (Sorry, Gray’s Anatomy, couldn’t resist!)

Let’s see…AI has been on how many years now? And how many of those ‘worst’ auditioned just so they could be on TV and KNEW hoped they’d be kept on because they were screaming/warbling/screeching so badly? We’re talkin’ 15 seconds/minutes of fame, baby! Those people weren’t destined to be singing sensations. AI isn’t destroying their career – a dream, maybe. Even the deluded ones have to know that there’s a good possibility they’ll be made fun of. You put yourself in that position, you deserve the result – or need a good wake-up call so you can get over the delusion and get on with life.

As for the contestants who make it to the top 24, they usually have talent, or a winning combination of talent and charisma that makes not only for good TV, but a decent shot at winning. Lot’s of contestants have started out mediocre, but have used the AI advantages and feedback to improve and actually go farther in the competition. That’s the cream rising to the top.

VFTW actually hurts careers, and that’s not fair to those that get voted off, who would have made it to the top ten and have a chance at huge exposure through the AI tours. VFTW readily admits that every vote counts, but turn around and say that AI skews things toward the contestant they want to win. Sounds contradictory to me. The audience votes and the results pick who stays and goes, regardless of AI’s efforts to sway people.

As Simon is so fond of saying, “This is a singing competition.” Let’s keep it that way, shall we?

Posted in Random Bits, Tues Tidbits | Tagged Misc | Comments Off

>Right Brain? Left Brain? ???

Posted on April 24, 2007 by Annie Rayburn/Carol Burnside

>I can never remember which side of my brain controls what. Sometimes, I’m very creative (like with writing) and others times I love to do all kinds of puzzles and logic problems. Where my writing is concerned, I like to plot some, do some pre-writing, then let the creative side take over. Maybe this Blogthing explains why I’m part plotter, part pantster:

You Are 40% Left Brained, 60% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning.Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others.If you’re left brained, you are likely good at math and logic.Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet.
The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility.Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way.If you’re right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art.Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

Are You Right or Left Brained?