Writing Challenge #4 (Results)

The winner from the last writing challenge, plus . . .  

As a way to say thank you for your participation, I would like to choose an entry myself and offer the winner a $10 Amazon Gift Card. My chosen entry is . . . 

Neha's Shadow by Ruth

*Ruth - please email me (rhonda.ritenour@gmail.com) and we can work out the details of your gift card! Thank you!!

Below is the response regarding the chosen entry from our guest judge, Marcy G. Dyer!! Click HERE and go to the comment section to read the entry for this writing challenge.

As always, please stay tuned to Ritty's Writing Challenges for the next photo challenge!

From Marcy:

I must say choosing a winner a was difficult because there were so many great entries! I would like to challenge the entrants to flesh out the stories and finish them. They all sound very intriguing, and since the story is easier to write than the blurb, you have a half the battle done.

While all of the blurbs were good, Mixed Blessings stood out. Christina gave us a glimpse of both Virginia and Noah and why, despite the mutual attraction, they cannot be together. It was succinct and drew me in making me want to read the story.

We were asked to give some tips for improving, so here are a couple. Double-check words if you aren’t sure if they should be capitalized. For example, cholera isn’t capitalized according to the Chicago Manual of Style. I would also suggest increasing the tension regarding the cholera outbreak.

To all of the entrants – keep writing. Whether or not you’re chosen as a winner of the challenge, you all have the potential to craft intriguing, compelling stories and I would hate for any of you to become discouraged with your writing. None of the entries were bad, and choosing a winner proved to be a daunting task. The more you write and participate in critique groups, the more your writing will improve.

Christina, if you’ll contact me via my website http://www.marcydyer.com or Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/marcydyer then I’ll send you a copy of Book One in the Desert Winds Series – Down & Out.

I can be found at the following sites:

http://www.marcydyer.com

http://www.facebook.com/marcydyer

https://plus.google.com/116097132605033617528/posts

https://twitter.com/marcydyer

Marcy G. Dyer is a Registered Nurse and suspense author. Like so many other writers, she began writing at a very young age, but never took herself seriously as a "real" writer until about ten years ago when she began taking courses and learning the craft of writing. She currently has two novels from the Desert Winds Series available: Down & Out and Out for Blood. In addition to writing, Marcy is a freelance editor. She does editing for individuals, Desert Breeze Publishing, and Prism Book Group.

Marcy is an alumnus of the Christian Writer's Guild and long-time member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She hosts a small critique group for ACFW and is involved in two other critique groups. For anyone seriously interested in becoming an author, she recommends a strong, diverse critique group to help authors hone crafts.

In addition to maintaining her website,http://www.marcydyer.com, Marcy hosts a blog to help those with autoimmune diseases. While many autoimmune diseases aren't visible, they still cause chronic pain and disability. If you would like more information, please visit http://ragimp.blogspot.com

As followers of Jesus Christ, Marcy and her family are active members of Crossroads Fellowship in Odessa, Texas. Sermons are carried live via the web at our online campus - http://crossroadsodessa.tv/ at the following times on Sundays - 9:30 & 11:00 and 5:00 & 7:00 central time.

Writing Challenge #4: Vintage Photo

Photo Challenge
BLURB

Entries must be presented in the form of a "blurb", which you would typically find on the inside or back jacket cover of a book. Imagine the photo above is the cover photo for the front of your book. Ask yourself: What story is begging to be told through this picture? How would you summarize it to best catch the readers attention?

Need help? Read past (Blurb) Writing Challenge entries:

CLICK HERE (see comment area)

Rules: 

• Think! Any entries/comments deemed inappropriate by the author of this blog will be deleted. Please use common sense and courtesy for other readers before posting.

• Remember! Grammar, spelling and punctuation count.  
• Suggestion: Ask a friend to edit your "blurb" before submitting it as your final entry. 

• Winners! The top two winners will be announced the day after the contest ends. This will be part of a special blog post, in which their winning entry will be highlighted.

• Surprise! There will be a panel of judges (consisting of published authors), evaluating and deciding upon the top two winning entries. The judges will also be preparing a surprise gift for those in the top two & sharing words of advice during the special blog post.   

• Share! Feel free to share a link to your blog, especially if you have expanded the "blurb" into a full story. 

• Deadline!! ALL ENTRIES must be submitted in the comment area OR by "linking up" at the bottom of this post by MIDNIGHT (EST) ~ Sunday, September 1st, 2013 in order to be considered by the judges.  
• *You're more than welcome to share an entry you come up with at a later time in the comment area, but any posted after the deadline will not be considered as a part of this contest.
  

Make sure to share this writing opportunity with all your writing friends! 

 

Now, let's have some fun! 

Writing Challenge #3 (Results)

 
Below is the response regarding the chosen entry from our guest judge, Suzanne Hartmann. Click HERE and go to the comment section to read the entry for this writing challenge.

Stay tuned to Ritty's Writing Challenges for the next photo challenge!



 From Suzanne:

Please don’t feel like this win counts for nothing because you were the only entry, Christina. A synopsis requires four things, and you’ve hit them all very well. 

 

1) It is written in the present tense. 

2) You included only the highlight and basic facts, including introducing the protagonists and the setting. 

3) You included the protagonist’s goals, motivation, and conflict (GMC). 

4) You told the ending. 

 

You did all of this in an engaging manner that drew me into the story and made me empathize with the protagonist. I especially like the way you focused on the conflicts, since conflict and tension is what drives a story forward. You give enough details but don’t try to mention everything. You also paid attention to grammar and punctuation, which makes your submission clean and easy to read without distractions. It describes a book I would love to read. Well done. Even without competition, Christina, you’ve written a winner in my book. If you haven’t already written this story, you ought to! 

Special Note: Suzanne has actually written an article on her blog 

about writing a synopsis!

CLICK HERE to read!

Christina, for your prize, Suzanne is providing with you a choice . . . 

Choice #1: A copy of her book, Peril. 

Choice #2: A 10 page evaluation of your WIP. 

Contact Suzanne (see below) with your choice! 

Thank you Suzanne for being a wonderful judge and providing such great options for the prize! 

To learn more about Suzanne Hartman - click here

 

AUTHOR OF WRITE THIS WAY: Take Your Writing to a New Level

AUTHOR OF PERIL: A Fast Track Thriller (Available at on-line bookstores in print or Kindle formats)

BOOK TRAILER for PERIL

Consulting Editor with Port Yonder Press 

 

Connect with Suzanne: FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER  

Writing Challenge #3: Young Girl - Antique Photo

Photo (Inspiration) Challenge

Based on the photo above, participants can submit a SHORT synopsis (in the comment area below) of what story they believe is hidden behind the eyes of the young lady featured in the antique photo (above). Entries (for this particular writing challenge) must be presented in the form of a SYNOPSIS.

Helpful tips for writing your synopsis:

Synopsis: “A brief summary of the major points of a written work, either as prose or as a table; an abridgment or condensation of a work. It is the Summary of a story told in present tense. A brief outline or general view, as of a subject or written work; an abstract or a summary." (x)

Writers use synopsis to sell their work. They’re in present tense, and they sum up the story/idea interestingly and succinctly. A synopsis is a type of summary.  Read more here: http://writeworld.tumblr.com/post/42841871845/this-is-a-towel-summaries-synopses-and-blurbs

There are a lot more helpful descriptions via the link above (I found it helpful to read the differences between a blurb, synopsis, and summary), as well as links to other articles going into more detail on how to write a synopsis.  

Here is a link to one of the articles that I found very helpful: http://janefriedman.com/2011/10/25/novel-synopsis/.

"The synopsis conveys the narrative arc of your  novel; it shows what happens and who changes, from beginning to end. The synopsis ensures character actions and motivations are realistic and make sense. A synopsis will reveal any big problems in your story . . .  A synopsis will reveal plot flaws, serious gaps in character motivation, or a lack of structure. A synopsis also can reveal how fresh your story is; if there’s nothing surprising or unique, your manuscript may not get read." ~ Jane Friedman

Judges will be chosen and given the task of deciding their top choice for the winning entry based on how well the entries fits the description of a synopsis and follow the rules below:

 Rules: 

*LENGTH: The entry can not exceed 500 words to be considered by the judges.*  

• Think! Any entries/comments deemed inappropriate by the author of this blog will be deleted. Please use common sense and courtesy for other readers before posting.

• Remember! Grammar, spelling and punctuation count.  
• Suggestion: Ask a friend to edit your entry before submitting it as your final entry. 

• Winners! The top two winners will be announced after the contest ends. This will be part of a special blog post, in which their winning entry will be highlighted.

• Surprise! There will be a panel of judges (consisting of published authors), evaluating and deciding upon the top two winning entries. The judges will also be preparing a surprise gift for those in the top two & sharing words of advice during the special blog post.   

• Share! Feel free to share a link to your blog, especially if you have expanded the synopsis into a full story. 

• Deadline!! ALL ENTRIES must be submitted in the comment area OR by "linking up" at the bottom of this post by Saturday, August 17, 2013 ~ MIDNIGHT ~ EST in order to be considered by the judges.  
• *You're more than welcome to share an entry you come up with at a later time in the comment area, but any posted after the deadline will not be considered as a part of this contest.
  

Make sure to share this writing opportunity with all your writing friends! 

 

Now, let's have some fun!

Writing Challenge #2 (Results)

Below are the responses/chosen entries from our two guest judges, Cathy Bryant & Deborah Heal. I am honored that they were willing to take the time out of their busy lives to participate in this writing challenge! What a blessing!  I'm sure you will enjoy their insight! Thank you to everyone who participated!! Stay tuned to Ritty's Writing Challenges for the next photo challenge! Click HERE and go to the comment section to read all the entries for this writing challenge. 

From Deborah Heal:

I choose you, Christina Banks! Your entry impressed me with its fluid, well-crafted sentences. In a scene of just a few paragraphs you have characterized the un-named narrator, set the time and place, and told a mini story.

With details about the barn and the dog and his first sight of Lizzie, you have captured his delirious joy of being home. I particularly love the last paragraph--the bit about "Lizzie's eyes." There is so much love wrapped up in that little phrase.

I can easily imagine this piece as the ending of a novel full of the woes of war and separation for the couple.

My only other comment is this: You may have sacrificed some opportunities for even more tantalizing details because you chose to make this excerpt too much of a whole story. If this really were only an excerpt from a real novel, some of the comments like "after two years of war" wouldn't have been necessary to the reader. However, with this sample of your writing talent I predict great success should you choose to make a complete novel out of this exercise. Good luck.

Please email me through the contact form my website and I will send you a copy of my book Unclaimed Legacy as a prize. http://www.deborahheal.com . Let me know if you would prefer a paperback or eBook version.

A Message to the Other Entrants:

Thanks to all the writers who participated. It was fun reading all your takes on the antique photo. It's always fascinating to me the way people have such different perspectives.

As a person who never wins anything, I was sad not to be able to choose all all of the entries. But alas, that's not possible.

Submitting a piece of writing is both fun and nerve wracking. It's so much fun to win and so disappointing not to. I know this first hand. I very nearly won the annual contest for fiction at my university. But I didn't. I felt somewhat consoled when my sponsoring creative writing professor told me later I would have placed if there hadn't been interdepartmental politics ruining the contest.

I can assure you, however, that there was no funny business going on with this contest. My advice to everyone: keep writing. My own dexterity with wrangling words and sentences improved noticeably (to me anyway, lol) when I began writing full time.

P.S. I'd love it if you all would like me (if only in the Facebook sense) so I can keep in touch. http://www.facebook.com/DeborahHeal .

Connect with Deborah via her website: http://deborahheal.com/ or her Facebook Page (see above).

From Cathy Bryant: 
 
This was an enjoyable experience. To me, each entry was intriguing. I wish I could select every entry as the winner, as they were all very interesting. However, I have chosen Maree Long. As with one other entry—Christina Banks, I believe she has the makings of a great romance novel.

I found myself wishing I knew more of the backstory as well as what the future holds for Mr. Esmond and Miss Charlotte.

As judges for the contest, we were asked to offer helpful suggestions. As is often the case with my own writing, I noticed a couple of punctuation issues; but other than that, I loved the story.

As a prize for winning Rhonda’s writing challenge, my co-author and I will be sending Marlee our latest novel, Grandmother’s Namesake.

Connect with Cathy via her website: http://shop.bryantdormanbooks.com/ or Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/cathy.harveybryant/photos_all

Writing Challenge #2: Antique Photo

Photo (Inspiration) Challenge

Entries must be presented in the form of an excerpt from a story. This can be from a current work in progress or one you have not yet created. Who knows, this picture and this writing challenge may be the stepping stone you needed for your future novel! 

Imagine, the photo above is representing a moment, frozen in time, from the life of your characters. Ask yourself: What might my characters dialogue sound like, if I were to reach in the middle of my story, and pull it out? What intriguing excerpt would draw the reader in and cause them to read more?

*Remember: This is different than a blurb, which we did in the last writing challenge. This is not something you would find on the back of a book, but rather, within the first couple pages, providing a teaser for the reader of what's to come. 

Rules: 

• Think! Any entries/comments deemed inappropriate by the author of this blog will be deleted. Please use common sense and courtesy for other readers before posting.

• Remember! Grammar, spelling and punctuation count.  
• Suggestion: Ask a friend to edit your entry before submitting it as your final entry. 

• Winners! The top two winners will be announced the day after the contest ends. This will be part of a special blog post, in which their winning entry will be highlighted.

• Surprise! There will be a panel of judges (consisting of published authors), evaluating and deciding upon the top two winning entries. The judges will also be preparing a surprise gift for those in the top two & sharing words of advice during the special blog post.   

• Share! Feel free to share a link to your blog, especially if you have expanded the "blurb" into a full story. 

• Deadline!! ALL ENTRIES must be submitted in the comment area OR by "linking up" at the bottom of this post by Friday, August 2, 2013 ~ MIDNIGHT ~ EST in order to be considered by the judges.  
• *You're more than welcome to share an entry you come up with at a later time in the comment area, but any posted after the deadline will not be considered as a part of this contest.
  

Make sure to share this writing opportunity with all your writing friends! 

 

Now, let's have some fun!

Writing Challenge #1 (Results)

 

Below are the responses/chosen entries from our two guest judges, Tamara Leigh & Rosemary Hines. I am honored that they were willing to take the time out of their busy lives to participate in this writing challenge! What a blessing!  I'm sure you will enjoy their insight! Thank you to all who participated. Stay tuned to Ritty's Writing Challenges for the next photo challenge! Click HERE and go to the comment section to read all the entries for this writing challenge.

From Rosemary: 

Although I was impressed by all the entries, my selection for this week's winner is Christina Banks and "Trouble in Tranquility." 

In addition to the catchy title, I loved the succinct opening phrases:  

A missing girl
A murdered man
A mysterious clue

They immediately caught my attention and drew me into the story idea. Christina did a brilliant job of giving just enough information to compel me to read the story without giving details that I would prefer to read in the novel itself. The genre was clear, the plot intriguing, and the characters captured my heart in one short paragraph. I found myself caring about Detective Reed and his daughter, eager to open the book and find out what would happen. 

 

What a great writing exercise, Rhonda! As her prize for being a winner, I'd like to offer Christina a free ebook of the first novel in my Sandy Cove series, Out of a Dream. If she has already read it, I'm happy to give her an ebook of Through the Tears or Into Magnolia ~ her choice!

 

Blessings,

Rosemary Hines

www.rosemaryhines.com

https://www.facebook.com/RosemaryHinesAuthorPage

 

 

From Tamara: 

 

Hi Glynis,

Congratulations on being chosen as a winning entry of Ritty’s Writing Challenges.  Your book blurb caught my eye and made me itch to have the novel in my hands. Send your email address to tamaraleigh@comcast.net to claim your prize of a choice of any one of the following ebooks:

1) Stealing Adda
2) Dreamspell: A Medieval Time Travel Romance
3) The Unveiling: Book One in the Age of Faith series

And now for a little feedback via editing and comments for, "A Perfect Peace" (Note: suggestions only; take what works for you, toss out what doesn’t):

Gone are the carefree days of youth when Lacey Dobbs and James Hanson ran barefoot through the grass and spent hours together on Silver Lake (I think you should insert the name up front), dreaming about the perfect lives that lay ahead of them.

Fifteen years later, Lacey, a divorced and single mother, returns to her hometown. Disappointed in herself and needing the strength of her family, she discovers they are more intent on displaying perfection to the outside world than fixing the broken people inside.

James has never left the shores of Silver Lake, convinced he doesn't need anyone or anything except his secrets and dreams. (“secrets” is a great hook, but I would expand this a bit more to include, perhaps, a mention of Lacey; i.e.: But then Lacey returns and…).

Thrown together by circumstance and unable to forget their dreams of the life they should have shared, is this finally their time for love? Or are they destined to drift along Silver Lake—separate, missing the crucial pieces that would bring them a perfect peace and the realization of their dreams?

Why did I like your blurb?
 
1) Well written
2) Concise
3) The set up: brief back story, the heroine today, the hero today, and the possibility of a future together providing they can overcome the conflict that’s keeping them apart.

Congratulations, Glynis!
 

Writing Challenge #1: Two Boats

Photo credit: Rhonda (aka Ritty)

Photo (Inspiration) Challenge

Entries must be presented in the form of a "blurb", which you would find on the inside or back cover of a book. Imagine the photo above is the cover photo for the front of your book. Ask yourself: What story is begging to be told through this picture? What title would match this cover photo? 

"There are many reasons for choosing a book, but most involve a summary of the story that draws you in. It turns out that the inside jacket cover may be the most important piece of writing that an author produces. Once the book is in hands, it's often those few paragraphs that decide whether or not the reader will commit. It's the first impression; the not so subtle flirt that seduces us into the story. It must deliver enough character, setting and story to cause us to beg for more." 

(quote from Austin Partners in Education: The Jacket Cover Synopsis)

Rules: 

• Think! Any entries/comments deemed inappropriate by the author of this blog will be deleted. Please use common sense and courtesy for other readers before posting.

• Remember! Grammar, spelling and punctuation count.  
• Suggestion: Ask a friend to edit your "blurb" before submitting it as your final entry. 

• Winners! The top two winners will be announced the day after the contest ends. This will be part of a special blog post, in which their winning entry will be highlighted.

• Surprise! There will be a panel of judges (consisting of published authors), evaluating and deciding upon the top two winning entries. The judges will also be preparing a surprise gift for those in the top two & sharing words of advice during the special blog post.   

Say, "Hello!" to our judges by clicking on their names below!

Rosemary Hines

Tamara Leigh 

• Share! Feel free to share a link to your blog, especially if you have expanded the "blurb" into a full story. 

• Deadline!! ALL ENTRIES must be submitted in the comment area OR by "linking up" at the bottom of this post by Friday, June 28th, 2013 ~ MIDNIGHT ~ EST in order to be considered by the judges.  
• *You're more than welcome to share an entry you come up with at a later time in the comment area, but any posted after the deadline will not be considered as a part of this contest.
  

Make sure to share this writing opportunity with all your writing friends! 

 

Now, let's have some fun!