SquawkRadio Comments

Hi, Carrie! You realize that you are a household name among romance fans, so bear with me if I am a bit nervous. <BR><BR>We have talked a bit on Eloisa’s BB about the PG-13 requirement for the fanlit entries. I am still a bit fuzzy about the parameters the label implies. Will you please give us some examples of Avon writers whose fiction you consider PG-13? Thanks.

Carrie - <BR>Welcome to SqauwkRadio!!<BR><BR>As an editor for a premier publishing company, what are you looking for in new writing talent, other than the obvious - a well written manuscript?

I’m really excited about this contest..as I’ll be doing my best writing chapters. <BR><BR>One thing I did notice...the prize for a gift card at saks..well I hope the winner isn’t a plus size gal, as she won’t be in luck for clothing. <BR><BR>But for me, this contest means so much more than just the prizes. And I’m really a ball of nerves right now as I wait for it to begin.

Oh haven~! I am plus size, too, but the good news is that on the saks website there is a whole plus size botique. yay! anyway… I ditto everyone elses ball of nerves… <BR><BR>and then someone had to go and call it the American Idol of Romance. Can I say how excited I am about this competition? I really can’t put it to words, but I will say I haven’t had anxiety dreams like this since college lol. <BR><BR>I have already noticed some really great WIPS over on the avonfanlit board, so I know that the voting part is going to be really entertaining, and the writing part is going to be a challenge. I have already learned a lot from helpful authors and posters over there, and I know as we move into the fall I will learn even more. <BR><BR>This contest makes me want to dream pretty big~! <BR><BR>I don’t have any questions right now. I think I am too excited/nervous about the “test” this afternoon. lol

Not sure if I should wave hand madly, as I’m sure this will be answered once things get going.<BR><BR>But in any case...what is the word count limit? Anyone know?<BR><BR>Laura- I saw that part and just really wasn’t ..inclined but I did see some slingbacks that have my name written all over them haha. Perhaps a something or ruther for the hubby for being so supportive...who knows. Doubt I’ll win, but its good to dream hehe. Ohh, and I’m with you...dreaming big is a good thing. Without that, I’d be bored.

I think it’s going to be so much fun reading the first entries.  I can’t wait!

Hi Carrie,<BR><BR>I can relate. My ten-year-old started grade five this year, too. No uniforms, but a new school. My heart was in shreds on Tuesday morning. He was so nervous, but trying so desperately not to show it, with his new messenger bag which is almost as big as he is slung so nonchalantly over his little shoulder. And… off he went.  Then there’s the seven year old, off to grade two, and next week the-- sob!-- Baby, off to Jr. Kindergarten at the tender age of three-and-a half. The only thing keeping me sane at this point is the knowledge that I will have every second day to myself to write.  <BR><BR>And I plan to. I’ll be working on my own wip, but I’ll also be participating (rabidly) in the chapter writing over at FanLit. I’m not much for posting generally, but I can’t wait to sink my fingers into my keyboard and immerse myself in the story line. The only question is, will I be able to edit my wordy self down to the requisite number of characters?<BR><BR>Aack!<BR><BR>I do have a loads of questions, but I suspect they’ll all be answered once the story line is posted and things get going. Really, I just wanted to grab this opportunity to say thanks so much for putting FanLit together.<BR><BR>J.<BR><BR>(And yeah, LauraT, the American Idol comment is not helping me much, either!)

Oh I know Teresa, with all of the talent I’ve seen over there already, I know we will be in for such a treat. I can’t wait to see how everyone writes.. esp the “faces” I am familiar with. <BR><BR>We are all a bunch of bees waiting for the flowers to bloom lol. I wonder how many hits SR and the avonfanlit board will have until the sotryline and submissions are officially opened?

I MUST get that Margaret Mitchell mug with the quote “I find in a moment of weakness I have written a book."<BR>And if I can’t find it I’m gonna have a mug made up for myself. On one side will be the words “I find in a moment of weakness I have written a blog…and I posted it”. The other side will have a picture of the painting The Scream.<BR>Carrie thank you for telling me that I don’t have to actually write if I’m not so inclined. As soon as LauraT mentioned the word Test, my Catholic schoolgirl upbringing kicked in. Then I started to feel Guilty about not doing my homework…i.e. writing a chapter. Gawd, I shudder to think about what I might come up with. And for me even Thinking about writing gets me in trouble. The last time I was trying to string properly formed sentences together in my head I was power washing the deck. My mind started to wander and…Well… lets just say that my deck looks like it has mysterious Celtic symbols etched into it.  So, I believe that the world will be a safer place if I stick to being a Reader and a Voter. Good Luck to all of you Aspiring Writers. I can hardly wait!<BR><BR>Now here is my question: <BR>How do you keep yourself organized? And How do you keep your sanity?<BR>It seems to me that having all of those Writer’s voices in your head would be very exhausting. Sort of like when my 13yearold has a sleep over with a bunch of her friends. And they’re all giddy and talking at once… And each one wants to be the center of attention. GASP… just thinking about it gives me a headache.

Judging from what I’ve seen so far, if we were all in a building you’d think there was a 90% off sale at Sears. Whew, people all over the place. <BR><BR>Btw Laura, tag your it haha.

Welcome, Carrie! *That* sounds like fun! Shopping spree, editorial spree and a deal with Fox? <BR><BR>I’m with Terri, can’t wait to read the entries. We’ve asked for entries for a couple of blogs here at squawk and the quakity (and hilarity) of the posts are fabulous

I’m curious, is anyone going to tell Kitty who wins the prizes? Knowing her she might kidnap the winner. I can just see her in a pair of those Cheetah print platforms. <BR><BR>p.s. Stupid question of the day, why do ya’ll get the short word verifications? On our Romantically Inclined blog, they are always so longgggg.

LOL haven.. how did you know I was still here. There really are people all over. I wish there was a way to track the activity and ratios of people… ok I will stop.. my analytical background in psychology (this lab rats) is going on overtime. I would love to measure the excitement though, and haven, we could totally use black friday at sears as a comparison.lol!  I am such a dork.<BR><BR><BR>(my mind goes into overtime when I am nervous). Anywaaaaaaaaaaaay, I am so glad SR is the top coverage for the competition! It makes this even more fun. <BR><BR>Carrie, if YOU could win the 1,000$$ shopping spree @ Saks, what would you buy?  <BR><BR>(LauraT who is off to find where Haven posted next~!) lol.

Ha, if Carrie could win, she’d buy designer shoes! <BR><BR>Teresa, who knows her editor well

Oh that is such a great question Laura, but I think it should be put to all the Squawkers as well.<BR><BR>So ladies, fess up..what would you buy?

Oh and we should add that our very own Eloisa is blogging over on the FanLit site today!  And I blogged over there on August 29th.  You can get some great writing and publishing tips just by reading the blogs.

ok I’ve had it. TAG you’re it Haven! <BR><BR>you haven’t been back here to post in awhile. I’ve been waiting. <BR><BR>Teresa, I am printing out the blogs and putting them into a notebook. Such great advice there.

I would buy some lovely cashmere sweaters for fall.  But then I’d wash them badly and shrink them to the size of Barbie clothes and feel really bad.

Laura, some other good places to print out are the posts over at RI. We’ve been really lucky with the authors over there dishing out advice.<BR><BR>Teresa, I love cashmere as well. But did you see some of the stuff they have for fluffy women? I wouldn’t put my in-laws dog in that haha. Although there were some really nice formal gowns that I’d lvoe to have. But in truth, I don’t think my pc would care if I wore that or my tigger house-shoes. <BR><BR>But I’m still thinking this one pair of shoes...just so I can say I’ve spent more than 20 bucks on a pair of shoes hehe.

ok haven, I am tired now, you totally won the tag game… and also I have to get ready for the day… which will be away from the PC eeek! oh well, only a few more good weather days till the snow falls. <BR><BR>I would be a great shopping consultant for the winner of the Saks Spree… first we would go into clearance, just in case, then to handbags, then to the makeup.. you could get a ton of the latest colors of clinique and chanel… and well, I would have to advise the online shopping and say that one should make a whole vacation out to NY just to go shopping in person. <BR><BR>Laura T who is handing the flowers, tiara, and lavender feather boa to haven, who won the tag marathon haha.

Haha, Laura.<BR><BR>I saw the handbags and as I would love one of those really nice ones...did you see the prices on those babies? I’d need to sign a few multi-book contract deals to afford them. I suppose you can tell I’m a wal-mart kinda gal lol. <BR><BR>Have a wonderful day, yikes, away from the pc. I’ll be doing my normal job...sitting right where I’m at.

Welcome, Carrie! And Teresa ... she would buy A pair of designer shoes. <BR><BR>I’m blogging on September 11! And I’m not including a single writing tip. So there!

And I suppose your not going to tell us the topic either Christina?? Oh so mean. <BR><BR>I think the shoes are the key item here haha. I’ve never been much of a shoe girl until watching Sex In The City...and Carrie Bradshaw’s collection just made me jealous. Suddenly I wanted at least one really really nice pair that cost an arm and a leg.

I just happened to check back over here at SR since an hour or so ago and thought “Wow, this blog has really taken off” only to find out that Haven and LauraT have been playing Tag <BR><BR>My DD started 5th grade this year too! but she has been going for over 5 weeks now.  I remember when we didn’t start school until September.  It seems like it gets earlier every year.  This year has been a major adjustment for her.  They are trying to teach them to be really responsible and organized.  The DD takes after her Dad in that aspect, totally NOT organized.  She hates it.  Her Mom could not function if she was not organized.  I would just cease to exist.<BR><BR>I have been checking out FanLit when I can and debating on trying my hand at it.  It sounds like great fun, but the comparison to American Idol does make it sound rather intimidating. At least Simon won’t be there to judge.

Carrie, welcome to the henhouse!<BR><BR>I have a couple questions about editing. Do you have the same editing style for all your authors? Are there certain things that are just hot buttons for you that you have to force yourself to let slip? Are there certain little things you always like in a book?<BR><BR><BR>I think I’m the only person on the internet that wants to be an editor, not an author!<BR><BR><BR>Bene,<BR><BR>Claire

OK, I feel dumb. WHERE is this announcement on the fanlit board? Where are the instructions for this??? I’m so lost! Help!<BR><BR>Is the only condition of the story that the setting be at the Duchess of Alderman’s ball?

Lacey, don’t worry or freak out...they are holding us all hostage as we wait for them to update.<BR><BR>On the Avon message board, it was mentioned it could be this afternoon before anything is updated.

Nope, Claire.  You’re not the only one.  I want to be an editor, too.

I’m 16 and I’d love to enter the contest over at FanLit but somebody told me there was an age limit?  Is that true?

Hi Carrie!<BR><BR>It’s lovely to have you blogging! My daughter dragged herself off to Day 2 of first grade this morning saying mournfully, “I just wish it wasn’t a school day.  I just wish it was summer.” And then:  “I’m sick!” um...sure.<BR><BR>Eloisa

Hi—I have a question.  If I post my manuscript on the works-in-progress page, does that mean that Avon owns it?  I know this is kind of neurotic, so I’m doing this anonymously.  Sorry!<BR><BR>Neurotic Me

Neurotic Me <BR><BR>- They have posted that no… they don’t own your work-in-progress that you post.<BR><BR>I believe it only applies to the submissions to the contest.<BR><BR>They have all the legal stuff posted in the forum.  <BR><BR>Sarah in Aggieland.<BR>(Who is going nuts waiting on the first assignment!)

Hi, Carrie, Welcome to Squawk Radio, and thank you in advance for your help! I’d like more information about the Avon Fanlit writing program. I thought the winners would be picked by the readerrs, but there are also authors reading the chapters? Will they make the final decision?

Fan Lit is live, guys!  They’ve got the story premise up and they’re accepting submissions!

Eloisa - LOL! That most DEFINITELY sounds like a first grader. I can remember trying things like that. It’s funny what little kids think might work. <BR>On a similar note, does your daughter use big words? One of my profs regaled us with a story today about her 3 year old daughter. Apparently, the teachers at her preschool always comment on her huge vocabulary. At home she will randomly say things such as ‘Mommy, what do respectable bears eat?’ Isn’t that adorable?<BR><BR>And welcome, Carrie, to SR!<BR><BR>Michele

Carrie--<BR><BR>Welcome!  The Fan Lit story looks great and (like many Squawk readers) I’m excited to see that Regency won. <BR><BR>Quick question if you have a moment--in looking over the chapter outline I was struck by the heroine’s title as “Countess Fraser,” rather than Lady XXX, which is how you would usually see the daughter of an Earl referred to.  Can you confirm whether this was intentional?<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR><BR>Melissa, digging out her old notes on the peerage and English titles

Hi Melissa<BR><BR>The Countess is mysterious, and who knows from whence the title comes?  She could be anything or anyone.  You are going to make it up!<BR><BR>But she is not the Duchess’s daughter.  Or at least, not in our heads.<BR><BR>carrie

I’m really excited, I’ve just finished mine. Thought I might take a few minute breather before I work on edits. Then I’ll submit hehe. Yikes, Yay and all the emotions inbetween.

Hi Carrie!  Welcome back to the Squawk!  We shipped the Banana to Kindergarten today.  Miss Independent didn’t want to hold Daddy’s hand while crossing the street to her bus.  Needless to say, Daddy was devastated!  I guess I’ll have to tell the Banana to be gentle with Daddy!<BR><BR>Can’t wait to post over at FanLit.  Love the storyline!  Thank you for putting this wild ride together!

Okay my squawk buds.  I have entered and submitted, which is why I’ve been a no show today.  I’m so nervous I can barely sit still.  This is such an exciting opportunity.  I have the sweats just thinking of all the panelist and readers will be perusing my words.  I better not think about it too much.<BR><BR>Good luck to everyone whose submitting.<BR><BR>DebD