Stand and Stiletto

In a desperate attempt to motivate me off my backside and write, I'm entering a competition.

I've come to a bit of a standstill with my book because of the daunting nature of the editing that I'll need to do in the next chapter. I open the file, stare at it hopelessly, go and make a cuppa, take another look in the hope that something has miraculously changed, and then start doing some housework. Yes, it's THAT bad. For me to procrastinate by doing housework instead of writing gives you an idea of the task before me.

The competition requires a maximum 5-page synopsis plus the first 35 pages of the novel. It's a chick lit competition so if you suddenly think you'd like to enter it too and you don't write chick lit, I'm afraid you'll have to think again. Here is the Stiletto blurb:

Has your manuscript been shredded in other RWA contests because it's not quite romance? Do you write fun, sassy, contemporary fiction centering around the journey of the heroine? (Maybe you don't even have a hero at all.) Do your manuscripts not play by the romance rules? Do you strongly believe that chick lit isn't a flash in the pan? That, despite what the publishing houses may say, it's hip, hot, happening and here to stay (even if it's called something else)?

If any of the above apply, then this is the contest for you!

The Get Your Stiletto In the Door Contest is open to all chick lit writers who have not signed a publishing contract for novel-length fiction with an RWA-approved publisher within five years of the contest deadline. The entry must have a projected minimum of 75,000 words (35,000 words for Young Adult).

I set myself the task of the synopsis for this weekend. I had an initial bash on Saturday and posted it on WriteWords.org Synopsis group for some feedback. I was quite pleased that the comments that came back didn't annihilate it en vrac straight off, but gave me some good advice on making it more complete.

Sunday's task was therefore to make the adjustments. I got them done in the morning, and then realised that I had better check out the first 35 pages of the actual book. I got rid of some dross and found myself with a workable synopsis and a good beginning.

Even if I don't win, the idea is to spur me on to make it as good as possible. Then I'll feel happy about sending it out to agents. If I win the competition, I'll be $1000 better off, so it's a win-win situation!