http://www.lillycain.com/blog.php en-us CuteNews http://www.lillycain.com/blog.php?subaction=showfull&id=1212692314&archive= 1212692314 Thu, 05 Jun 2008 11:58:34 -0700 http://www.lillycain.com/blog.php?subaction=showfull&id=1212419605&archive=
I want the synopsis to be sexy, to lead the reader where the story will go. But boy is it hard to get the feel of the whole thing in so few words. I want the book, which is to be 75,000 words long, to be condensed down into 5 -7 pages?? Are we crazy or what? And then you need a blurb that is only one page? And how about the pitch - approx 2 paragraphs? And I dont even want to think about the "high concept" - one sentence long!!

Lilly]]> 1212419605 Mon, 02 Jun 2008 08:13:25 -0700 http://www.lillycain.com/blog.php?subaction=showfull&id=1212026316&archive= 1212026316 Wed, 28 May 2008 18:58:36 -0700 http://www.lillycain.com/blog.php?subaction=showfull&id=1212026303&archive= 1212026303 Wed, 28 May 2008 18:58:23 -0700 http://www.lillycain.com/blog.php?subaction=showfull&id=1212026287&archive= 1212026287 Wed, 28 May 2008 18:58:07 -0700 http://www.lillycain.com/blog.php?subaction=showfull&id=1211977939&archive=
I was talking about taking a break in between drafts when things get stale for a writer. I find from my friends that this happens for everyone, even long time professionals. We all need to take a break when things get stale. But hopping from one project to another can make for dangerous times. What if you are playing around and then boom, get a request for a full that isn't complete? When should you submit?

I guess it is a matter of experience and understanding of what you can accomplish if you need to . Do you submit based on having a good synopsis, pitch and 3 chapters written? I know lots of people do, and the professionals can submit a proposal with less than that. But will you be able to complete it in time? You need to know what you can accomplish, reasonably. How fast do you write? What big events are coming up in your life? Will you be expecting other edits? Be careful.

I am a little guilty here. I have learned the hard way to be quite a ways aong in a story before thinking of submitting. Like Dark Harmony - the book is complete but needs a 3rd draft to make it great after chapter three. Therefor it was okay to submit.

Good luck all!
Lilly]]> 1211977939 Wed, 28 May 2008 05:32:19 -0700 http://www.lillycain.com/blog.php?subaction=showfull&id=1211563709&archive=

I really like the new picture. It is one of the shots I recently posed for with a great photographer, check out her work at www.thisisphotography.ca - I consider this positive reinforcement - I've got my publicity photos done for the back of my books.



Lilly]]> 1211563709 Fri, 23 May 2008 10:28:29 -0700 http://www.lillycain.com/blog.php?subaction=showfull&id=1211296491&archive=
So, as I sent out my NAL letter with my submission on Friday it seemed to me that my "resume" section was looking a bit old. So this week I will be working on enterint 2 contests: The Toronto Romance Writer's Golden Opportunity, and the New Jersey Romance Writer's Put Your Heart in a Book contest. I am not sure right now what I will be entering into those contests.

Let's hope I am disqualified as I have sold a book, lol! These contests are only open to unpublished authors.

Have a good one!
Lilly]]> 1211296491 Tue, 20 May 2008 08:14:51 -0700