"Two wrongs may not make a right but a thousand wrongs make a writer.”

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Breakthrough Novel Award Contest

I made the first cut in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest in the General Fiction category. It was a shot of adreneline to find my name on the list. There were ten thousand entries so I guess that's pretty cool. If nothing else, I know my query is effective. I have the folks at Agent Query and She Writes to thank, as well as the amazing Mindy McGinnis at Writer Writer Pants On Fire, who also just so happens to have a short story in SPRING FEVERS. Her debut novel NOT A DROP TO DRINK is coming out in 2013 but you can add it to your Goodreads shelf if you have one. While you're there, you might as well add SPRING FEVERS too.

I've decided that Twitter might be a cool way to connect with people. If the creator of Spring Fevers can find time to Twitter, than I can too. One can only buck the current for so long. So if you see me out there floundering in a headwind, please offer me shelter on a branch.

I hear sleet against the window. Dare I wish for an "ice day". A free day to sit at my computer and make up stories? Delve deep into my imagination and bank of memory? This brings up an interesting discussion I started with Tricia over at Talespinning.

Do you think memory can be imagined? The mind is a fascinating thing. Dark and beautiful and mysterious. How do you know you don't know something and how do you know that that embellished memory is authentic? We all embellish memory, tweek it and edit it. Then there's memory loss. How much of your self do you retain if you lose your memory?

Keep a diary. It's the only sure way to remember the past with accuracy. That or sit down with an older family member or an old friend who can set you straight. But you might not like what they tell you.

Off to imagine some stories. Come on sleet. Come on.


P.S. I posted this accidently before all my links were in place. Sorry Mindy. Corrections have been made. And, no, I didn't get that free day.

17 comments:

J.B. Chicoine said...

Congratulations on making the first cut on ABNA! it is a thrill to read your own name on a list like that. All the best to you for the next round!

...meanwhile, it's snow and ice and sleet here too. I'll be all set, snugly and writing if the power doesn't go out!

Anne Gallagher said...

Congratulations Yvonne! That's fantastic. Best of luck in the process.

Funny thing memory. Somedays it's as clear as glass, sometimes muddled with fog.

We just had a big lightning storm. No rain, just thunder and lightning. Scary.

Steven J. Wangsness said...

That is too cool. I mean the Breakout Novel thing, not the sleet.

I'd probably be nominated for a Nervous Breakdown Novel, if there were such a thing.

Laura Canon said...

Congratulations!

Liza said...

What great news. That is huge! Best wishes for further success!

rebecca said...

Congratulations Yvonne! How wonderful! And as far as memories, I find that when something affects me deeply (especially dreams), I write it down and somehow embeds itself into my memory forever.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Congratulations on making the first cut! That is awesome. I'm on Twitter - I'll go find you.

Anthony Duce said...

Congratulations… Memory and imagination work together well. It’s the story in the end that counts.

Yvonne Osborne said...

JB,
Thank you. Yes, if the power went out all my plans would be ruined. I'd have to get out pencil and paper but the going would be tough.

Anne,
Thank you so much. I just saw some lighting out my window.

Steven,
Thanks! Nervous Breakdown is what it feels like some days.

Laura,
Thank you so much! How've you been?

Liza,
Thank you. I appreciate it!

Rebecca,
Thanks! Yes, writing something down seems to enhance the memory. Good to hear from you.

Alex,
Thanks! I just completed my Twitter profile but I'm a little upset because it won't take my picture. I don't want a different one. I want the same one I have on my blog. I'm upset! I don't want to be a rotten egg.

Yvonne Osborne said...

Tony,
Hey, thanks!! I think there's a story in there somewhere.

BBC said...

Big congrats to you Yvonne! You earned it! And thanks for the shoutout!

Talli Roland said...

Massive congrats on making it into the next year! What an achievement!

It's sunny and lovely in London (for once). Spring has sprung!

Yvonne Osborne said...

Mindy,
Thank you. I wouldn't have made it without your help.

Talli,
Thanks! I'm jealous of your weather, but it won't be long....we'll probably be complaining about the heat.

Hold my hand: a social worker's blog said...

Congrats!!!!


Doris

Yvonne Osborne said...

Doris,
Hi! Thank you so much. Off to check out your site.

Suzanne Casamento said...

Great questions about memory. I have to borrow them since I sure as heck don't know the answers. ;)

Yvonne Osborne said...

Suzanne,
Thanks. I'll expect to see one of them!