Comments on: Contest Entry Hints http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/2008/05/contest-hints/ SEXY, SASSY, SMART ROMANTIC FICTION Tue, 14 Oct 2008 10:35:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: To Hop Or Not To Hop…That Is The Question « A Field of Paper Flowers http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/2008/05/contest-hints/#comment-31804 To Hop Or Not To Hop…That Is The Question « A Field of Paper Flowers Thu, 08 May 2008 16:18:35 +0000 http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/?p=1041#comment-31804 [...] noticed a post by Helen Kay Dimon from Monday where she was offering up suggestions about contest entries.  Number [...] [...] noticed a post by Helen Kay Dimon from Monday where she was offering up suggestions about contest entries.  Number [...]

]]> By: Jill Sorenson http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/2008/05/contest-hints/#comment-31486 Jill Sorenson Tue, 06 May 2008 03:39:25 +0000 http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/?p=1041#comment-31486 Excellent advice, HelenKay! I think you hit on three very important cautions. I judged my first contest recently (I feel so special) and there were some really good entries! Others reminded me of my first novel, which I wrote entirely in present tense. So, so bad. Excellent advice, HelenKay! I think you hit on three very important cautions. I judged my first contest recently (I feel so special) and there were some really good entries! Others reminded me of my first novel, which I wrote entirely in present tense. So, so bad.

]]> By: Carrie Lofty http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/2008/05/contest-hints/#comment-31469 Carrie Lofty Tue, 06 May 2008 00:20:00 +0000 http://helenkaydimon.com/blog/?p=1041#comment-31469 Did you notice a lot of entries diving straight into the tingly feelings? I've judged so many this spring where the hero and heroine are doing something nasty, gritty, tough, or downright unpleasant--whether it's historical or paranormal--and they're distracted by "gotta get me some of that" thoughts. Also a lot of masturbation and/or erotic dream sequences in the opening chapter(s). Save it! Please! A meaningful, interesting, mutual slow burn often works a helluva lot better than cramming the sex thing where it isn't warranted. Stepping off my soap box now :) Did you notice a lot of entries diving straight into the tingly feelings? I’ve judged so many this spring where the hero and heroine are doing something nasty, gritty, tough, or downright unpleasant–whether it’s historical or paranormal–and they’re distracted by “gotta get me some of that” thoughts. Also a lot of masturbation and/or erotic dream sequences in the opening chapter(s). Save it! Please! A meaningful, interesting, mutual slow burn often works a helluva lot better than cramming the sex thing where it isn’t warranted.

Stepping off my soap box now :)

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