Thanks for the reminder.  What an evil laugh!

Thanks Kydd! You are a living doll.

But, I think I'll continue to sit on the sidelines and watch the real talent battle for the prize. But, I do make one helluva cheering section!

Oh! And thanks for teaching me the most perfect evil laugh! Bwahahahahahaha!!

See? I learn well.

Right back at ya, Jliz.  Good luck everyone.

Good luck to all!

WAHOOOOOOO!!!!  I did it, I did it, I did it!   Just posted chapter 3 AND the MS shows up in the strongest-whateveritis_six entry list.   THANK YOU one & all for all your patience and guidance.   

Now I just hope somebody reads the stuff...

BTW, from the stories I've been reading & reviewing so far, I don't think I'm going to be paying money for books again for one very, very long time.   Way too much good stuff right here!

Bonnie,

You'd make my daughter proud. You know the words to her favorite Dora song, lol! Except you forgot the "yay". Glad you made it in time.

Well, sigh, the deadline has past I believe.  11.59 pm eastern time. June 22.  Time to raise a glass of something yummy to your entries!

A huge thanks to my incredibly helpful reviewers. A complete re-submission of my first three chapters had taken place. I'm exhausted and excited... What a fabulous site this is--I feel so fortunate to have found it! Keep up the great work everyone and good luck!

XOXO,

Luggage Lady

Lucy, I see what you mean.  But that time post is way off.  It says 20:11:13 in military time.  I think that means 8:11pm and 13 seconds?
But I posted around 11pm central.

Oh well.  Pretty sure it's closed.  Good luck to all.

Lucy Rice wrote:

Vern!

I banged out the first three chapters of The Girl with Green Hair in honor of the deadline. She's not pretty, but she's started.

The deadline tis a good motivator ain't she. I wasn't going to enter, then decided what the heck a couple weeks ago and whacked out the first chapter; figured there was plenty time for the next two. But I got sidetracked and thought I'd just disqualify myself by not doing the other two until finally I couldn't put it off any longer. So, we slid under the wire together, lol. Glad you got yours in; interesting title; I'll have to check to see if she has any green eggs and ham to go with that hair, lol. Good luck. Take care. Vern

Hi Raphi.  Yeah, the Strongest Middle Contest would be good.  What I've learned from SS is that every single chapter should pull the reader forward in a powerful way.  As I'm rereading my novel -- I'm seeing that the opening has a good pulling effect.  But the middle chapters kind of drift a lot.  The ending chapters are compelling.

I'm trying to teach myself what is it in books that pull me vigorously throughout.  It's not something easily answered but worth seeking.  No single writing book has answered that for me.  Yes we know a compelling goal and obstacles are important.  But you need much more I think.  I read SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE and was amazed how compelling that whole read was.  Partly because Vonnegut is such an interesting and vivid writer.  Partly because of the implied time travel in the book, alternating with the present and past.  Mainly, the author constantly made me return to his book to see what would happen next.  To see how the plot lines would come together.  It's not a simple linear story.

I'm reading a book called A STORY IS A PROMISE by Bill Johnson to see if he can shed any light.  I think it's part of every writer's journey to answer that question for his or herself.  How do I make the reader unable to put down my book?  How do I build an unforgettable roller-coaster ride?

Best of luck to all entrants! I can't wait to see the outcome.
>^..^<