Do you believe in signs?

Life is crazy at the moment and with so much supermarket stuff to focus on, writing has been taking a back seat But I got the best writing boost the other day when I found out I placed second in the Romance Writers of Australia Single Title and Loving It contest.

I was actually gob-smacked cos this story is what I call pseudo Aussie rural romance and therefore I thought it was miles away from what Diane Moggy (final judge and high up person in Harlequin) would like. But she obviously thought it had something worthy in it

Anyway this placing got me thinking. I’ve had a bad run with my category attempts lately.

*Rejection after full with revs.

*Rejection after partial and direction to sub via slush pile again

*Not placing after finalling in the RWA Oz High Five (at category aimed) contest

*Not placing after finalling in the RWA Selling Synopsis with my category aimed wip

Yet, I got great feedback from all the first round judges for the Single Title contest and lovely feedback and a fab placing from the final judge.

IS THIS A SIGN?

Is it the universe’s way of telling me I should focus on my contemporary single title and let my category attempts take a back seat for a while? I’m not sure!

So I’d love your thoughts… do you believe in signs!?

x

Rach!

Defeating Self-Defeating Behaviours

January 2nd and so far I’m pretty happy with how I’m going with my goals. Have exercised ever day this year – lol – and also devoted at least an hour to my writing dream. I didn’t actually mention but I do have ONE resolution this year and that is to write for at least ONE hour EVERY day!

In an aim to kick-start these habits, I’ve signed up for a Margie Lawson online class to try and help me beat some of the demons that are stopping me achieving my writing goals.

I’d say my two biggest demons are:

1) Self-doubt

2) Procrastination

Self-doubt stops me finishing my Single Title because I worry I don’t have a BIG enough story. Self-doubt makes me fuss too much over first drafts when I should just worry about finishing the damn book.

Procrastination means I waste valuable time online when I could be writing.

Hopefully Margie’s course will give me some ammunition to deal with these demons and others I may not yet have recognized as being a problem.

I’ll keep you updated as I participate in the course. Is anyone else taking this class?

PS. Don’t forget to read my last posts about books read in 2010 cos I’d love to know which was YOUR best book!?

Books Read in Twenty-Ten

Every year I keep a list of all the books I’ve read! This year the list is really surprising cos by no means did I think I’d managed to read this many books.

List is below – I’ve put an * next to my favourite ones

Shadowfae – Erica Hayes

A Night With The Society Playboy – Ally Blake

Heaven Can Wait – Cally Taylor *

Marriage Reunited, Baby on the Way – Sharon Archer *

Vision in White – Nora Roberts

Road to Paradise – Paullina Simons

Conflict of Interest – Anna Adams

Zombie Queen of Newbury High – Amanda Ashby

Mistress: At What Price? – Anne Oliver

Fired Waitress, Hired Mistress – Robyn Grady

Border Watch – Helene Young

To Love, Honour and Disobey – Natalie Anderson

Good Girl or Gold Digger? – Kate Hardy

Claiming His Bought Bride – Rachel Bailey

Her Secret Fling – Sarah Mayberry *

She’s Got It Bad – Sarah Mayberry *

Wedding Night With a Stranger – Anna Cleary *

Once Upon a Wedding – Stacy Connoly

Wild Fling and a Wedding Ring – Mira Lyn Kelly *

Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts – Lucy Dillon *

After The Party – Lisa Jewell

Bed of Roses – Nora Roberts

Unfinished Business With The Duke – Heidi Rice

The Newborn Gift – Nikki Logan

What Kate Did Next – Lisa Heidke

Propositioned By The Billionaire – Lucy King

The Carrie Diaries – Candace Bushnell

The Cattleman’s Runaway Bride – Karlene Blackmore

Oh-So-Sensible Secretary – Jessica Hart *

Red-Hot Renegade – Kelly Hunter

Vegas Pregnancy Surprise – Shirley Jump

Saving Cinderella – Myrna Mackenzie

A Wedding At Leopard Tree Lodge – Liz Fielding

Three Times a Bridesmaid – Nicola Marsh

Savour The Moment – Nora Roberts

Seven Day Love Story – Nkki Logan

Home Is Where The Bark Is – Kandy Shephard

Red Dust – Fleur McDonald.

Inconveniently Wed – Jackie Braun

Her Brooding Italian Surgeon – Fiona Lowe

Her Bridemaid’s Secret – Fiona Harper

Three Over Par – Cathryn Brunet *

The Truth About Melody Browne – Lisa Jewell

His Virgin Acquisition – Maisey Yates

Hopetown Wives – Fran Cusworth

Tipping The Waitress With Diamonds – Nina Harrington

Wedding Date With The Best Man – Melissa McClone

The Surgeon – Tess Gerritsen

The Most Magical Gift of All – Fiona Lowe *

Maybe This Time – Jenny Crusie

A Mistake, A Prince and A Pregnancy – Maisey Yates

Surf, Sea and a Sexy Stranger – Heidi Rice

Desire – Louise Bagshawe.

Alli’s Playground – Bec Sampson *

Her Best Friend – Sarah Mayberry *

Juggling Briefcase and Baby – Jessica Hart

An Independent Midwife – Susan Wilson *

Tabloid Affair, Secretly Pregnant – Mira Lyn Kelly

The Distant Hours – Kate Morton

Happy Ever After – Nora Roberts

Christmas on the Children’s Ward – Carol Marinelli

With This Fling – Kelly Hunter

Every Girl’s Secret Fantasy – Robyn Grady