After hearing one of my chaptermates say they got the call to judge the 2007 Golden Heart, and then bemoaning how I never get picked to judge, I went home to see an email sitting in my in-box saying ‘hey guess what, this is your lucky day!’. Well okay, it didn’t actually use those words, but I think it was implied.Yes, finally, after four years of waiting I get to judge. So...anyone know just how many submissions you normally get? Apparently my package should arrive no later than January 5th. I’m excited. I think this will be fun.
In other writing news, I haven’t written hardly anything so far this week, and only one page last week. I’m running into plotting problems. I’m going along fine and then I hit a brick wall. There’s this big empty space where I don’t know what happens. I know what happens after the big empty space, and then I hit ANOTHER big empty space. And I’m not entirely sure what my Black Moment is. Or how this whole thing ends, other than happily ever after.
I’ve been trying to figure it out, but I’m not having a whole lot of success. I know my characters background, their issues, and I know I need to tie the plot to that to bring them full circle and show their growth. So I don't know why I keep hitting the brick wall. But I do. Big, hard bricks. I need a chisel. Somebody get me a chisel, stat!
Sigh...my first draft deadline of my birthday isn’t looking good right now.
Hmm...maybe I can put off my birthday?
10 comments:
no way jose. If I had to have mine, then you ARE having yours.
Qui est this Jose of which you speak?
I got THE E-MAIL too! I'm psyched. I've never judged the GH before. Actually, I never thought I was ready, but this year I am!!!
How exciting! What a great opportunity!
Good luck on working through the plotting problems. I'm sure you'll bounce back after the holiday craziness...if not sooner :-)
Ooh, have fun judging! I've judged contests before, but never the Golden Heart.
Our speaker at our last chapter conference said that when she can't figure out what happens next, she "throws rocks" at her characters. Throw some kind of situation at them that they have to react to.
Hmm, let me try to remember. I think the first time I judged the GH I had 8 entries and the second time it was 6. Most people don't usually get more than 8.
As for the plotting problems, I hear you on that! Hope you work things through soon. Maybe your characters want a Christmas break?
I got the same email. I'm looking forward to it, I think.
I think of the black moment first. I try for at least 3 black moments and then I figure the plot and the characters. You'll think of something.
How about raising the stakes, as Donald Maas calls it? What would be the worst thing that could happen? What would be even worse? Now, even worse than that?
Yay on getting to judge the GH, Kelly! And congrats to all the others who got the e-mail too.
I'm having plotting woes as well. Part of the problem is my lack of focus this week, and part is due to the fact that I don't have enough conflict going on.
Anyway, maybe our brains are on overload right now. I think once January hits, things will fall into place a lot easier. At least I hope they will. :-)
I got my packet yesterday. Only four entries!
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