Where’s Jenny? is the debut novel by Arthur Hollister. Mr. Hollister is a former editor and freelance writer, but he fails to deliver on his first book. Set in California, the story revolves around a homeless man looking for his long lost daughter, Jenny. While the characters are colorful, Mr. Hollister’s long passages of introspect and description leave the reader bored. If Mr. Hollister had put his editing skills to good use, he would have cut the majority of this version and produced a tighter, more fulfilling story.

Unfortunately, this novel is filled with so many inconsistencies and clichés, that by the time the reader reaches chapter ten, if they even make it that far, they won’t care where Jenny is, they’ll just want to throw the book across the room.

Lisa Cardon lives in South Carolina with her husband and son. She writes children’s stories and is currently working on her first mystery for the young adult audience.

Bored With Details?

I received an email from an acquaintance a while back inviting me to his web page to read his latest works. I recently visited the site and began reading. The first chapter I read was rather dull and I had a difficult time keeping my mind on the story. I found myself skimming parts just to get to the good stuff. The author had failed to keep my attention.

Several chapters later I was lost with the story. I had to go back and reread several dull and over descriptive paragraphs just to figure out the connection between two characters. The little detail was tucked in a large paragraph describing a scene. He did a good job 'showing' the events taking place in the living room, but gee whiz, I didn't need to know every single thing that was in the room!

I realized that by skimming the tiresome text that I may be missing more important elements of the story. So, I started over. My mind was screaming, "ok, I see it, but get on with it!"

With that in mind, I sat down at my computer the other night to work on a story. I had my mind set on 'Show, Don't Tell'. I was determined to get it down right. I typed away, but soon discovered that I was boring myself. I stared at the screen and knew that if I were bored then the reader definitely would be. I realized that I was getting carried away. I read back over my text thinking as a reader. I knew after reading the first three paragraphs that I did indeed go overboard. I deleted everything, but couldn't bring myself to start again.

I began thinking about 'showing' as a reader. I know when I'm reading a story I want it to capture my interest. I don't want to be bogged down with so many details. Sure, I want the author to show me, but don't waste my time or put me to sleep with a whole page of showing me one aspect. Show me some Drama!

I think trying to show the reader every detail all at once is a mistake. You don't have to show every single thing about a character or the setting. Give the reader a good visual and add to it if necessary. You can also slip details in with dialogue. Whatever works for the story to keep it moving is your best answer. Showing does dramatize, but too much can be distracting. It can also slow the drama down. Best advice is to read your story out loud as if you were reading to an audience. Think about what details are important to the reader at that moment and which can wait until later. Think like a reader and not the author of your own piece.

About the Author

Elaine Lemons is an author on Writing . Com http://www.writing.com/

To read more of her writings visit her portfolio: http://www.writing.com/authors/october2002

Winning Writing Contests

New writers are always looking for a way to get their name and work into the public eye. Did you know that writing contests are a great way to do that? Writing contests can provide several advantages to writers. Winning a contest is a great way to get your name in print and in front of potential readers. It also provides you with professional credits for your writing portfolio, and prize rewards to increase your income.

But even just participating can get a new writer into a writing regiment. It helps to grow confidence and provides a new writer with practice, practice, practice.

No matter the reason for entering a writing contest, you should be realistic about your expectations. The odds of winning are not terrific, but there are ways of improving those odds and stacking them in your favor!

You should start with flair! A complicating situation or an unsolved problem makes the reader want to know how the story is going to turn out. If the first page - more specifically the first paragraph- doesn't make the judges want to read more, you're in trouble. Judges will generally weed out entries by discarding those where the first page does not compel them to read on.

Your story should stand out. A well written entry with originality is the best way to do that. Find an original angle or an unusual twist. Create offbeat characters, or use an unusual setting. The judges are looking for something new - not the same old storylines. They have to have a reason to notice your work.

Your characters have to be believable and authentic. Their dialogue should be relevant and it should move the story along. They should talk naturally and convincingly, not stilted and awkward. The beginning, middle, and end is a must. A clear central theme should be followed throughout the entire story. If you're unable to define your theme in one sentence, rethink it!

A positive ending should be delivered. This doesn't mean "happily ever after" (unless you're writing romance, in which case "happily ever after" is almost a rule), or happy and upbeat, but if should be openly and plainly expressed and have a positive meaning to it.

Proofread! Before you submit your entry, you should proofread and check for errors in spelling, grammar, sentence and story construction. If you don't feel comfortable doing this, have someone else do it for you. Neatness is important. Your entry should identify you as professional and capable, no matter your publishing history.

Enter your story as soon as possible - well before the deadline. Many judges read entries as soon as they arrive and early submissions will certainly have them more engaged than entries that arrive after they have already read hundreds of other submissions.

Read submission guidelines extremely carefully and make sure your entry complies in every way. If your entry breaks rules set forth by the contest, it will not be looked at. Don't put yourself in that position! Don't make yourself lose before the story is even read!

Increase your odds of winning! If guidelines state that more than one entry is allowed, go for it! You'll increase your odds of attracting a judge's eye.

Contest judges are looking for stories that involve the reader. If you can make the reader laugh, think, or cry, odds are the judges will too. You could have a winner on your hands right now!

About the Author

Amanda Baker writes for All Things Pondered http://allthingspondered.com/

I received the following announcement from Marion Tickner. Thank you for passing this along to us!

How hard is it to write for teens? Lauren Burnholt will discuss writing for teens in an interview on Thursday, February 16, 2006. Join us at http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/index.shtml

The time is as follows:

9 - 11 PM Atlantic/Canada

8 - 10 PM Eastern

7 - 9 PM Central

6 - 8 PM Mountain

5 - 7 PM Pacific

Lauren Burnholt is the author of upcoming REALITY Chick, from Simon Pulse, junior agent at Firebrand Literary, and co-author of upcoming book about writing for teens. Anybody wanting to write for teens won't want to miss this interview.

If you have an announcement you would like to share with us, please e-mail me at:

sandy@coolstuff4writers.com

email: sandy@coolstuff4writers.com

phone: 732-364-3993

web: http://www.coolstuff4writers.com