A Leap of Faith

Thank you Allyson for your reply. I was very sorry not to see you in the top four. In case I wasn't too clear, I personally have absolutely no problem at all with a heroine who is insecure (for whatever reason) at the opening of a novel. As you so rightly say, that allows a path of growth to happen.

My confusion lay, not with your work - which I loved, but with M&B editorial comments as to why a hero with a similar growth path was highlighted as a flaw in another writer's work. It has just confused me totally as a writer, but of course is nothing to do with your entry, which was brilliant and thoroughly deserved its place in the top 21. This must give you great confidence to get this piece finished and published.

I happen to be over 40 (like many, many M&B readers), so I am delighted to see a heroine well over 21! Especially going after a younger man. In fact my own mother did it, I did it TWICE! and I have quite a few friends in a similar position. If I had any reservation about your premise, it would be that in my experience, older women tend to be more confident in their sexuality and MORE confident about a relationship with a younger man!! Go for it 'girls'! Your sort of novel would reflect our lives so much more and be so much more identifiable with (take note M&B).

And for the record - REAL MEN (younger ones) like women who have lived a little too. Look at Demi Moore, for one example.

Allyson, you pushed the envelope, so in my book, you did good girl. X