A time for every purpose...

It strikes me that there is a time to be modest, and a time to be utterly, unredeemably, unashamedly boastful.

So today I'm going to boast. Settle down and pay attention: this doesn't happen very often.

A little background... I'm a member of the glorious, wonderful, fabulous Romance Novelists Association. I'm a member under what they call the New Writers Scheme, which is membership for unpublished writers, who have a chance to submit a MS every year and receive a detailed critique from a published author.

With me so far?

Good.

Now, if an NWS MS is deemed of publishable quality, it gets a second read. If the second reader agrees, then the writer is given a chance to polish it up, and then the RNA submit it to an appropriate publisher or agent on their behalf. A second read is a real achievement, rather like finalling in a contest. Only a few MS get a second read each year.

My MS got a second read. The second reader loved it too.

I'm going to polish it up and they're going to submit it for me.

Life is good.

Quotes

It certainly passed the wanting-to-turn-the-page test. The plot, too is exciting and you are good at both the thrill of the chase across the desert as well as the sex scenes, which are erotic without being prurient.

I'm sure that you have plenty of natural talent but your typescript also shows evidence of understanding of plot, how to keep up tension and so on.

There are a number of things that I want to look at - I have every faith that you can deal with them.

... this is a page-turner and extremely readable. It has an exciting plot, well-drawn characters and a vivid setting.

Their relationship sizzles and it is at the heart of the book.

I thought you showed the emotional tension and the developing relationship beautifully and very much in the style that the publisher is looking for.

Overall I would say that this is the sort of book you don't want to put down.

See - I said I was going to be boastful! There are, of course, things to work on. But nothing I can't do. And THAT, my friends, feels wonderful.

I will be thanking my readers appropriately, but in case they're reading this - THANK YOU! I've been in a very bad place writing-wise, for too long. I can't begin to tell you how welcome, and how desperately needed, this sort of boost is.

There. Boast over. Now I'll go off and be embarassed...