I decided that what I needed to do was take a step back and get some feedback. So I sent off what I had written to a few friends and my critique partner. About the same time I also entered a The Emily writing contest. I didn’t expect to win, but it seemed like a great way to get objective opinions from three complete strangers.

I got the results from the contest back in December, when I was feeling particularly down at the thought of my first holiday season without my mother. I hadn’t written anything but my blog and lots of email in all that time. I was a bit anxious (and hungover) when the email arrived in my inbox one morning while I was in Germany. I had no idea what to expect since my own view of the story had become so myopic and negative.

I did not final in the contest, but it must have been close. Of a possible 100 points, I got 100/100, 94/100, and 93/100. I was pleased with the scores, but it was the comments that really gave me a boost:

Judge 1:
This is a really strong entry with lots going for it! One of the strongest elements, I feel, is how well the author writes from her main character’s point-of-view. The heroine feels so authentic to the reader. We truly empathize with her—even as we suspect that she’s operating under a degree of shock and denial.

Judge 2:
The situation facing your protagonist is truly compelling and handled realistically and sensitively. The decisions Abi makes propel the story forward in a logical way. The opening chapters give just the right amount of hint of things to come: the mysterious blonde, the sight-unseen lodge, the issues with the girls and the likelihood that there’s unexpected romance lurking somewhere in Minnesota. Good job!

Judge 3:
Dialogue and characterization are fantastic. This is what’s going to get you sold. Everything else is window dressing. Your voice is killer!

These judges didn’t have all of what I had written up to the point when I got off track, but with such encouraging words I feel more confident that I can go back and pick things up again – and use their suggestions to make it a stronger story yet.

The other thing that happened in December was that the rights to my three romances with Cerridwen Press reverted back to me. I knew that was going to happen and my plan had been to have all three of those books proofed and formatted so that I could re-release them myself as soon as possible after the new year. Well, you know how things go… I hadn’t done a thing on any of them until the children went back to school after the holidays. Then this weekend, I got my new covers. To say I am thrilled with them is an understatement.

I have never liked faces on my book covers – even half a face was a problem for me on my first cover for Here to Stay because I didn’t like her hair, not to mention she looked like she is wearing a pointed hat! I didn’t care much for the font either. Needless to say I like this new cover so much more.

I truly loved the cover for One Crazy Summer and was sad to think of changing it. How thrilled was I that my designer was able to capture the same mood with the new cover? I shouldn’t have been surprised – she did the original cover as well!

Again, I really loved my original cover for All the Way Home, but I am equally pleased with the new cover. Again, my designer at Croco Designs did the original cover and yet was still able to top herself with the new cover. How does she do it?

Having survived the holidays and bolstered with the wonderful comments from the contest in addition to three beautiful new covers, I am more than motivated to get busy on writing again. I can’t wait to make my first three books available both digitally and in trade paperback. Ebooks have really taken off in the years since Here To Stay was first published and I’m hoping that setting more reasonable prices and having them available in a wider variety of outlets will get them a bigger audience this time around.

I’m almost done with the proofing for Here To Stay. One down, two to go!

I’ve tried various ways to encourage him to get the work done and out of the way – most of which includes LOUD voices and threats. Today I decided to switch tactics: bribery. Do your homework and you can have a lollipop. I’ll let you know how it works out.

But as I was thinking of how to best motivate him to do his homework, this Chris Farley skit from Saturday Night Live popped into my brain. It still makes me laugh after all these years: