Contest

[2weevils]

Does anyone know if Rachelle Chase is doing her "Chase the Dream" contest this year?

Christianne

[LeighMichaels]

The second Chase the Dream contest is tentatively scheduled for this fall. Rachelle and I both ended up with too many commitments this spring to give the necessary time to a contest.

But Chase the Dream was WAY too much fun -- and the new twists we've planned for the next contest will make it even more so.

I'll announce it here when we have more details.

Happy writing,
Leigh

[2weevils]

Yeah! Thanks!

Christianne

[ChristineM]

I'll be waiting. I have my 1000 words picked out and polished.

[cariann92]

With some twists added, the 1000 words might need a little spit to go along with the polish.

Maybe instead of the first 1000 words of a novel, they might want the last 1000 words, the happily ever after.

Just a thought.

Cariann

[lavenderlass]

What was that about? What was the Chase the Dream Contest?

Lynne

[LeighMichaels]

Ah, I'm SO glad you asked!

Last year erotic romance author Rachelle Chase and I co-sponsored a contest called CHASE THE DREAM. It was Rachelle's idea, because she wanted to pass on the help she'd gotten from me through the Gotham classes and from author Lori Foster, who'd sponsored a contest which Rachelle won.

CHASE THE DREAM asked entrants to email the first 1,000 words of their romance novel (or novel with a romantic theme). Each week Rachelle chose a finalist, based on how well the 1,000 words drew her in and made her want to read more. The winning entry was posted on her website. At the end of the eight-week contest, she opened up voting for readers, and the top winners received nice prizes. Among the prizes were autographed books, a manuscript critique from me, and a class from Gotham Writers Workshop.

Though we didn't make editorial attention a formal prize, we were able to wheedle editors and agents into reading the finalists. And, as it turns out, each of the eight finalists received at least one request for the full MS from an editor, and several received requests for the full MS from an agent. If my count is right, three of the eight finalists are now published -- but I may have missed some.

There were also benefits for all the entrants, including discounts on classes and critiques and a feature where each week we chose one entry and did a mini-critique. I believe those might still be accessible on Rachelle's website, www.rachellechase.com.

The contest was free, and the author could submit each week -- either repeating the same entry or sending a new one. Only the finalists couldn't keep entering.

We've got some big plans for the next contest, and we hope to offer it in late fall 2007. To be sure of receiving notice, you can sign up for my newsletter (at www.leighmichaels.com -- click on the Newsletter button, fill out the little form, and watch for an email which asks you to click on a link to confirm your address) or Rachelle's (through her website at www.rachellechase.com). And get to work polishing up those first 1,000 words!

Happy writing,
Leigh

[dixielandgrl]

You know, I'm kinda glad. I need some more time with my story anyway. Maybe by the fall it will be finished! Can't wait to actually enter something of mine in something. Up till now I haven't had the nerve. That's been a great side effect of posting my work here. I'm braver about readers.

[lavenderlass]

That sounds great fun! I don't know if any of you have seen the amount of people Leigh's helped towards publication, but it's loads! See http://home.mchsi.com/~leighmichaels/student_news.htm I'm determined I'm going to be one of them.

I used to be shy about posting my work too Dixie, but I've done it so much now between here and Gotham and I've got so much help and improved so much I never give it a second thought now. I'm going to do another Gotham course it was so good,

Lynne

[dixielandgrl]

I have state tax money coming and am very tempted to do the Gotham course. If nothing else, my sanity could be saved. Mental stimulation is priceless to SAHM's.

[LeighMichaels]

I would love to have you, Dixie!

Leigh

[lavenderlass]

I loved that course Dixie! In the last ten weeks I have conquered my pov problem, plotting, and pace, now I want to sign up again to sort out my telling not showing and adding emotion. It's just like it is here, except more so and individual attention, you paste big chunks of your own text, 750-1000 words every week that Leigh comments on, and 3 times 2,500 words that Leigh and the whole class comment on. we comment on other people's large submissions too and that helps because sometimes it's easier to see faults in someone else's work and avoid them on your own, or sometimes you can't see their problem until Leigh points it out to you.

Then we have a daily sort of email list, the blackboard, where you can post all your questions anytime and Leigh comes on every day (well, except perhaps one or two) and the other students help. Just to be able to ask those idiot questions we all have can save writing loads wrong, like the time I was saved about writing about a heroine who really should have been in some sort of institution she was so daft! Or she might have an idea how to save a heroine who might just make it.

It was well worth doing that course, I learnt loads, now I want to sort a few things more so I'm signing up again,

hope to see you there,

Lynne.

[cariann92]

Lynne,
That synopsis of what goes on in the Gotham classes makes me really want to take the class.

Leigh,
I know there is a class from April thru June. But I would like to take the class when I don't have to work. Is there one right after this one, July, etc?

I went online to the website and filled out a form to win a free class.

http://www.writingclasses.com/ContestPages/index.php

is the link to get to the page where the form is. Aren't I nice to share this and take the chance that you will win instead of me?

Cariann

[dixielandgrl]

Cariann you rock! I have bad contest Karma though, so you are safe. If reincarnation exists, I must have run a gambling mafia or something, and this is my punishment.

[LeighMichaels]

We schedule classes only one term at a time, but typically Romance 1 is offered at least four times a year, starting in January, April, July, and October.

And I'd love to have you there. Lynne, thank you for posting your experience -- the Gotham classes are very intimate (usually no more than 10 students) and some groups have bonded so well they're still in touch years later.

We've also had a number of Gotham students go on to be published -- and more coming soon!

Best,
Leigh

[dixielandgrl]

Oh to be in that number!

Thanks for the information Leigh. Hopefully, it can be my present to myself.

I am off the computer for a few days here over our holiday. I won't be able to do any assignments till we get back, or, knowing my Mom's dinosaur computer, comment on or respond to anything. Everyone enjoy your Easter! I can't wait to get cracking on the next subject.