jordansummers

I think everyone goes through a competitive stage. If they say they don't, then they're lying. I know it's not polite. Women in general are taught from a very early age to get along. Yet, from the moment school starts until the end of your life, you're competing in some way. Whether it's for a mate, a job, or a social position. I think the key is realizing when the competition should be against yourself and not others. That's the stage I'm at now. My writing is about to veer from the path I started out on. I don't want to be anymore alienated than I am right now. It's hard enough to get people to understand where you're coming from and what you're doing. Why shun the only people who 'get' you? Now that said, I'm not free with sharing my story ideas. I've heard of too many people who've been burned over that very thing. I also know published authors who won't do group pitches because they've had authors who are a little higher on the food chain (ie established) take their idea straight to their editor and get it published. All these 'horror' stories have made me wary of being open. I do think you have to let a few people in. How else are you going to be able to critique? I'm VERY selective with who I allow to read my work. I have to feel trust. If I get burned, I get burned. So far, I've been fortunate. Jordan www.jordansummers.com

I haven't decided what my goals will be yet. I definitely want to get into fighting shape again. I'm going to think about them while I'm abroad. They need to change from what I originally put. I think I'm going to consider Sherrilyn's pearls of wisdom before putting them to paper. Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday. 'See' you soon. Jordan

:shock: Do you know what that sound is Sylvia? It's the countdown to your future book deal. :bom: Congratulations Woman! You are seriously walking on sunshine. :sunny: Jordan

Sylvia, Congratulations!!! You shouldn't be shocked. You're on a roll girl. Way to go. The final judge is terrific! Fingers, toes, and eyes crossed for you. Hang on, the latter kind of hurts , but I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed. Woo Hoo! Best, Jordan

I decided that since I put some of my own on Alison's site I'd pick a few from my TBR pile. 1. They'd told him he wouldn't feel it when the energy beam ripped him apart. 'Jane's Warlord' by Angela Knight 2. She woke to the knowledge that she was a murderess and that she would kill again. 'Dark Destiny' by Christine Feehan 3. Hey, where's Cinderella? 'Getting What You Want' by Kathy Love 4. Tillie Howard supposed the night could get worse, but in all truth, she couldn't imagine how. 'Lady Whistledown Strikes Back' by Julia Quinn, et al 5. When the thunder bolt hits, duck, baby, duck...'Tall, Dark, and Cajun' by Sandra Hill 6. Sophie Dempsey didn't like Temptation even before the Garveys smashed into her '86 Civic, broke her sister's sunglasses, and confirmed all her worse suspicions about people from a small towns who drove beige Cadillacs. 'Welcome to Temptation' by Jennifer Crusie 7. Francesca Honeycomb (oh, come on, if you think that in my fantasy life I'd be noble enough to keep the name my parents gave me you've got me all wrong) lived a life without compromise. 'Dog Handling' by Clare Naylor 8. Nothing but nothing scared Charlee Champagne except black widow spiders and wealthy, long-legged, brown-eyed, handsome men with matinee-idol smiles and a day's growth of beard stubble. 'License to Thrill' by Lori Wilde 9. I'd been waiting for the vampire for years when he walked into the bar. 'Dead Until Dark' by Charlaine Harris 10. Two things pain can do for you: sharpen you up or dull you down. 'I Thirst For You' by Susan Sizemore This final one is actually two lines, but it captures you all the same. 11. Carlotta Anne Fairleigh was coming out. Unfortunately, what she was coming out of at the moment was both her elaborate ball gown and the second-story window of her aunt Diana's Mayfair mansion. 'One Night of Scandal' by Teresa Medeiros These all sucked me into the story. There are many more, but I've been a blog hog today, so we'll leave it at eleven. Jordan

Sylvia, Thanks for not torturing me. I'm afraid it would be a case of the blind leading the blind. LOL! I'll let you know how the cheesecake turns out. We're looking forward to trying it. Jordan, who loves new recipes...

Sylvia, KO! Looking forward to it. Of course, don't expect a lot of feedback on that sypnosis. LOL! Jordan, who hopes to make the cheesecake this weekend... :D

Sylvia, Let me know if you need another set of eyes for that vamp story. The ever cheeky, Jordan

Hopefully you'll 'hear' something soon. <shaking head> Jordan

Sylvia, I'm glad you have it finished. I know EC is a bit behind. You aren't the only one talking about not hearing anything back from them. You should be reaching the maximum in 'length of wait' time. (I believe they said four months.) Hopefully you'll here something soon. For all our sakes. I don't want to have to wait for this one. Don't worry about the edits, unless there's something drastically wrong with the story. The editors will take care of it after they accept your work. (Thinking positive here. :-)The series reminds me of one of Angela Knight's stories she wrote for Secrets. It was about vampire bounty hunters in space. Very hot. I'm sure yours will have much success too. Hang in there. You're having a banner year. Jordan

Sylvia, Sorry to hear you're having message board problems. Didn't this same thing happen to Alison? I'm sure it'll get straightened out soon. BTW I loved your excerpt for the contest. Have you finished that story? You sucked me in. Jordan

First, congratulations on being a finalist. You are kicking butt this year. Second, you're right about having to choose a couple of genres to concentrate on...unfortunately. You can lose readers by switching often. Also it makes it extremely difficult to build up a following when you focus on more than one genre. (Twice as long I believe. ) They say to build a following in one genre takes approximately five years. :shock: This subject is currently near and dear to me, since my agent told me I'm going to have to choose a couple and concentrate on them. I hope you have an easier time of it than I'm having. :roll: Jordan, who wants to write EVERYTHING...

Congrats Sylvia! I'm darned upset that I tossed my October RT out already. I didn't get to see it. (This is what I get for reading it too quickly.) I'm still happy for you. Jordan

Hang in there girls. Have a cocktail or two if you need to. The truth is the game is JUST beginning. The hard work begins AFTER you get the call. :shock: I'm speaking from experience here. Jordan

I wanted to add that most editors can tell from your submission whether they want to read anymore of the story. Rumor has it you have about three paragraphs to win them over. Yikes! :shock: I never believed that until I started judging contests, but it's true. The good ones stand out. In this case, there are a lot of good ones, just like last year. So much goes into the decision like whether or not there have been a lot of stories released like your submission, whether someone just submitted a similar storyline, your voice, etc. All you can do is write the best story possible. The rest is a crap shoot. Jordan

Sylvia, Yeah, that was to let people know whether or not she wanted to see more of their work. I remember that email, because I couldn't seem to get in touch with her. I was ready to send out carrier pigeon toward the end. In the email, you were supposed to contact her. If she wanted to see the rest of the story, she gave you submission information. If not...you get the picture. :shock: Jordan

Sylvia, I don't believe she did. What I think she's said time and again is that you shouldn't wait for her to look at the finalists and pick. She said you should just send the first three chapters and a synopsis into her. I know last year she bought a girl, who was a finalist, after the second entries were posted for viewing. (Long before the contest ended.) The reason was the girl had already sent in her manuscript to Kate. She probably sent it in at the same time that she entered the contest. I know that Jen Wardrip/Nicholas and I were the only ones to officially get 'the call' last year. The year before I believe Kate picked MaryJanice Davidson, who's now a NY Times Bestselling author. There are ten of us who've been chosen from the last three contests. So that's a little better than three book deals per contest. Pretty good odds. Jordan

Congrats Larissa! I hope you guys realize how wonderful and utterly against the odds this actually is to have so many 'friends' becoming finalists in the same contest. I think it's terrific! You all deserve big kudos. Keep in mind you don't have to win to get asked to submit to Kensington. That's the beauty of this contest. Best of luck, Jordan, who is SO happy she's not competing this year...

Congrats Sylvia! You're really on a roll. I think it's wonderful. The same thing happened to me...right before I got published. Jordan, who has her fingers crossed for you...

Peter, I've only done karaoke one time. Let's just say the words 'beer' and 'Vegas' were involved. LOL! :oops: Other than that, the only singing I've done is with various bar bands and in the recording studio. (I used to write my own material.) You're right that it never sounds quite like you think. Actually, I believe it's easier to sound good singing with a band than it is to do karaoke. Jordan, who really doesn't miss the challenge of keeping a band together...

Congrats on the contest Sylvia! That's super news. You're golden right now. Enjoy the rush and the ride. Jordan

Sylvia, Yep, in another life I used to sing in bands. 8) Jordan, who's glad that life is over... :)

1.) You're a TV or Movie character. Who are you and why? My first reaction was to say Mulder, because I'd love access to all those files if they were real. ;-) But it would be way cool to be part of the X-men or Charmed, if I could have telekinetic abilities. If I couldn't, then I'd have to pick Spiderman. I'd just have to get over that fear of heights thing quick. <wg> 2.) Favorite Villian. The latest Mummy. 3.) Trapped with your favorite hottie. Who is he or she? (We've got guys on here too! ) Hmm...this is hard. Pardon the pun. I guess I'd have to pick Stuart Townsend, Lestat from Queen of the Damned. Of course, he'd have to wear the costume and fake teeth. :oops: Did I say that aloud? ;-) 4.) Favorite All-Time Book and why. This is virtually impossible for me. I have too many and none are my all-time favorite, so I'll just pick one of my favorites. Mine To Take by Dara Joy. I wish the hero in that book was real. Whew! 5.) What is your favorite school subject and your least favorite? Favorite: Creative Writing/History up to 1880 Least Favorite: Chemistry/Trigonometry 6.) What embarasses you the most? Singing in front of a crowd. 7.) Do you have any nicknames and what are they? Not since high school and we definitely aren't going to go there. :shock: Jordan

Jim Decker- Blood and Kisses - Angela Knight Michael Windham - Love's Prisoner - MaryJanice Davidson Dayan - Dark Melody - Christine Feehan Gian Ren - Mine to Take - Dara Joy Rejar - Rejar - Dara Joy Blade Lombard - Blade's Lady - Fiona Brand Christian Hawksblood - Desired - Virginia Henley Shane Hawkhurst - The Hawk and the Dove - Virginia Henley Devil Cynster- Devil's Bride - Stephanie Laurens Jack - Captain Jack's Woman - Stephanie Laurens Jordan

Congrats Sylvia!!!! I'm so happy for you! Way to go! Don't worry, your stomach will settle in a month or two. Jordan, who knows EXACTLY how you feel...