Congratulations Natalie. The girl done good. But hey, on this whole site I think a lot of "girls" done good (ooh what bad grammar!). Well done to everyone involved. What are we all going to do now? That's easy - read, write, edit... (Oh and eat chocolate, of course).
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
I loved chapter two. Actually I thought it would have made a better chapter one. You could have lost a lot of one and the writing would have been a lot tighter and more appealing for it. I don't normally find myself attracted to Christmassy stories, so avoiding the slow build up works better for me. Just my personal preference though, you are a talented writer. Best of luck in the competition and the future.
Don't take this as a criticism of your writing, as I think it is very good. My confusion lies with M&B's choices and how it helps me to understand what they are looking for. They put this entry up as a winner, which contains a heroine that is insecure about her own sexuality. Yet, in their critiques of non-winning entries, they criticise a hero with similar issues, as a weakness for them (Cat-House Kate by Susan Bergen). This does seem to be holding up a nineteenth century value, rather than a twenty-first century one (to say it's "good/OK" for a woman to be "weak/insecure" but not for a man to have similar issues). Ironically, one of the respective entries is set in the nineteenth century. It seems to me, it's the wrong one. Again I reiterate, my confusion lies with what a M&B Editor wants (??) and not with your entry, which i liked. Best of luck to you and well done, for your success.
I li ked this entry. It had well drawn characters but I haven't managed to feel that I like the hero yet. I'm sure that will come later. An interesting period. Good luck.
James, your comment on my chapter got me thinking. The necessity of a writer to get readers to relate to "Larger-Than-Life" characters like Ex-Special Forces operatives and Uber-Wealthy women, is an interesting one.
I try to get beyond the obvious dissimilarities by dealing with universal themes that readers can relate to, in my characters. For example, my heroine deals with the problem of circumstances preventing her from realising her true potential, which frustrates her and reveals flaws in her character. This is a theme that many women can relate to - ever heard of "The Glass Ceiling"? (although this is not her particular problem).
I hope I have hinted at this sufficiently in my first chapter, for readers to start making that connection.
I wonder what other readers/writers feel about this issue?
Thank you James Miller for your comments. I too find it hard relating to a wealthy woman (!) or an ex-Special Forces cynical bodyguard - so don't fret any!! [LOL]. As a first-timer I am learning so much about how to improve, which is absolutely the point. I am heartened though - the fact that you found the writing "solid" is a good foundation. I can only get better.
I agree with the previous reviewer - this one keeps playing on my mind, long after I've finished reading it.... These are great characters - so diverse but both with a tragic past (pathos) -how could you not love them? There are some great prose moments [I love the bit about the gold as payment and the manners!!!] - NOTE TO OTHER READERS: YOU WILL HAVE TO READ IT FOR YOURSELF TO FIND OUT (haha), a real touch of humour and the dialogue really brought them realistically to life for me. Well done and good luck. I want MORE, MORE, MORE.....
Great hero/heroine - I can tell there'll be fireworks around these too. I soon cottoned on to the Australian setting (took me back to the year I spent there, many moons ago). Good job! And that title has that feel good factor.
Thank you Lisa for taking the time to comment. I love imagining from the hero's perspective (is that weird?) - and right now I want to slap him myself!!! Glad the chemistry worked for you. ps I know Portsmouth too!
Thank You R Oliver for fessing up about your unfortunate rating experience. Don't worry - let's put it down to M&B Gremlins. Thank you so much for your comments. I get such a kick when a reader engages with my characters. (I love these guys!)
sue reid
Saturday 05 November, 2011, 12:34 PM
Comment on The WINNER of New Voices 2011 is...
Congratulations Natalie. The girl done good. But hey, on this whole site I think a lot of "girls" done good (ooh what bad grammar!). Well done to everyone involved. What are we all going to do now? That's easy - read, write, edit... (Oh and eat chocolate, of course).
#21 | Report this comment
sue reid
Thursday 27 October, 2011, 9:56 PM
Comment on 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
#35 | Report this comment
sue reid
Monday 24 October, 2011, 1:51 AM
Comment on Mince Pies and Mistletoe
I loved chapter two. Actually I thought it would have made a better chapter one. You could have lost a lot of one and the writing would have been a lot tighter and more appealing for it. I don't normally find myself attracted to Christmassy stories, so avoiding the slow build up works better for me. Just my personal preference though, you are a talented writer. Best of luck in the competition and the future.
#49 | Report this comment
sue reid
Monday 24 October, 2011, 12:39 AM
Comment on A Leap of Faith
Don't take this as a criticism of your writing, as I think it is very good. My confusion lies with M&B's choices and how it helps me to understand what they are looking for. They put this entry up as a winner, which contains a heroine that is insecure about her own sexuality. Yet, in their critiques of non-winning entries, they criticise a hero with similar issues, as a weakness for them (Cat-House Kate by Susan Bergen). This does seem to be holding up a nineteenth century value, rather than a twenty-first century one (to say it's "good/OK" for a woman to be "weak/insecure" but not for a man to have similar issues). Ironically, one of the respective entries is set in the nineteenth century. It seems to me, it's the wrong one. Again I reiterate, my confusion lies with what a M&B Editor wants (??) and not with your entry, which i liked. Best of luck to you and well done, for your success.
#22 | Report this comment
sue reid
Saturday 08 October, 2011, 11:25 PM
Comment on Bonnie Bluestocking
I li ked this entry. It had well drawn characters but I haven't managed to feel that I like the hero yet. I'm sure that will come later. An interesting period. Good luck.
#6 | Report this comment
sue reid
Saturday 24 September, 2011, 1:11 AM
Comment on Armed For Danger
James, your comment on my chapter got me thinking. The necessity of a writer to get readers to relate to "Larger-Than-Life" characters like Ex-Special Forces operatives and Uber-Wealthy women, is an interesting one.
I try to get beyond the obvious dissimilarities by dealing with universal themes that readers can relate to, in my characters. For example, my heroine deals with the problem of circumstances preventing her from realising her true potential, which frustrates her and reveals flaws in her character. This is a theme that many women can relate to - ever heard of "The Glass Ceiling"? (although this is not her particular problem).
I hope I have hinted at this sufficiently in my first chapter, for readers to start making that connection.
I wonder what other readers/writers feel about this issue?
#22 | Report this comment
sue reid
Wednesday 21 September, 2011, 10:32 AM
Comment on Armed For Danger
Thank you James Miller for your comments. I too find it hard relating to a wealthy woman (!) or an ex-Special Forces cynical bodyguard - so don't fret any!! [LOL]. As a first-timer I am learning so much about how to improve, which is absolutely the point. I am heartened though - the fact that you found the writing "solid" is a good foundation. I can only get better.
#21 | Report this comment
sue reid
Tuesday 20 September, 2011, 7:53 PM
Comment on Cat-House Kate
I agree with the previous reviewer - this one keeps playing on my mind, long after I've finished reading it.... These are great characters - so diverse but both with a tragic past (pathos) -how could you not love them? There are some great prose moments [I love the bit about the gold as payment and the manners!!!] - NOTE TO OTHER READERS: YOU WILL HAVE TO READ IT FOR YOURSELF TO FIND OUT (haha), a real touch of humour and the dialogue really brought them realistically to life for me. Well done and good luck. I want MORE, MORE, MORE.....
#13 | Report this comment
sue reid
Monday 19 September, 2011, 4:09 PM
Comment on Armed For Danger
Thank you hannah rogers for your kind response. A (would-be) writer can't get any better accolade than "fantastic!" Bless you.
#19 | Report this comment
sue reid
Monday 19 September, 2011, 1:05 PM
Comment on The Farmer Wants a Wife
Great hero/heroine - I can tell there'll be fireworks around these too. I soon cottoned on to the Australian setting (took me back to the year I spent there, many moons ago). Good job! And that title has that feel good factor.
#1 | Report this comment
sue reid
Monday 19 September, 2011, 12:58 PM
Comment on Armed For Danger
Thank you, Ann for reading (and especially) for enjoying.
#17 | Report this comment
sue reid
Monday 19 September, 2011, 12:53 PM
Comment on Armed For Danger
Thank you Diane for your lovely comments. I wouldn't mind "escaping" on a flash yacht with the hero right now - and I know what's coming!!!
#16 | Report this comment
sue reid
Monday 19 September, 2011, 12:43 PM
Comment on Neptune's Island
Wish I had a boss like Leah (or do I?). Lovely start. I like the prose - it flows well. Oh - and great title!!
#13 | Report this comment
sue reid
Monday 19 September, 2011, 12:37 PM
Comment on Armed For Danger
Thank you Lisa for taking the time to comment. I love imagining from the hero's perspective (is that weird?) - and right now I want to slap him myself!!! Glad the chemistry worked for you. ps I know Portsmouth too!
#15 | Report this comment
sue reid
Saturday 17 September, 2011, 9:44 PM
Comment on Coming Home
Thoroughly enjoyable. Well done
#55 | Report this comment
sue reid
Saturday 17 September, 2011, 7:49 PM
Comment on The Kilburn Legacy
Good job. I enjoyed reading this.
#4 | Report this comment
sue reid
Saturday 17 September, 2011, 7:37 PM
Comment on The Enemy Within
This had a real thriller feel (which I like). Characters clearly have a lot of tension between them and the prose is original. Pacy. Well done.
#3 | Report this comment
sue reid
Saturday 17 September, 2011, 12:59 AM
Comment on Armed For Danger
Thank You R Oliver for fessing up about your unfortunate rating experience. Don't worry - let's put it down to M&B Gremlins.
Thank you so much for your comments. I get such a kick when a reader engages with my characters. (I love these guys!)
#10 | Report this comment