My Judges Reviews

Those who made it to Round Two had two top reviewers from Amazon read the excerpt, score it, and answer three questions. Those who judge the excerpts are only human, and their bias plays into their scoring, but I think they all tried very hard to do a good job and be fair. It's a lot of work for them, with very little compensation. I have a hard time believing any of them would take on this responsibility if they weren't committed to the task. I believe they were honestly trying to be helpful, in both their criticism and praise.

The reviews are posted privately, but some entrants are posting theirs on the contestant forum boards. Some posting their reviews were cut this round, others are continuing. Only a few are openly complaining. Most seem to think the reviews were fair and honest, even the ones with less than stellar comments.

To my complete and utter amazement, both of my judge's reviews were excellent. I'm still blinking back tears that two complete strangers loved my work so much! I guess I'm having what many would call a "Sally Field Moment" ...

You like me! You really, really like me!  

I have lived my whole life dreaming of the day I would become a published author, and with these two amazing reviews, it feels possible that my dreams may actually come true!

So, to the anonymous reviewers whose words filled my heart with joy, validated my passion for writing, and give me the courage and drive to continue ... thank you.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Here are my reviews, copied and pasted verbatim:

ABNA Expert Reviewer

What is the strongest aspect of this excerpt?

Amazing prose. Perfect flow and delivery. It's like being with Chuck and Tara, being a part of their story. Well done!

What aspect needs the most work?

Honestly there was nothing that I felt really needed a lot of work. Sadly the excerpt was a little short, I would have liked to read a bit of the 'present' Tara. But I won't hold it against you since we only get 10 pages!

What is your overall opinion of this excerpt?

I admit that I am not a huge romance novel reader, but I enjoy the literary romance novels, especially those with something beyond the interaction of a young, troubled couple (looking at you Nicholas Sparks!). I enjoyed the memories and the way it all played out. The reader gets a feel for how much Chuck loves Tara and then 'poof' he's gone and the reader is left with a sense of loss and a sense of sadness and sympathy for Tara. We are hooked into her story just with the near death memories of Chuck. I would very much enjoy reading more!

ABNA Expert Reviewer

What is the strongest aspect of this excerpt?

This is an absolutely breathtaking excerpt and the strongest part is the snipets of life that Chuck is seeing in his dying moments. It is written very well and easy to follow and lovely to read.

What aspect needs the most work?

There is nothing that needs any work. Great story in my opinion.

What is your overall opinion of this excerpt?

Overall, I can't wait to read the finished product. This was a very good excerpt. The story of a woman who goes back to where she grew up with her father and grandmother and where her father drowned just months after her last visit, seventeen years ago. Tara and her father had a very close relationship after loosing her mother when she was just a little girl. It is beautiful to see the way this burly cop melts in the presense of his daughter. The "pitch" tells us that Tara is going to learn things on this trip that will surprise her and she will meet a man. This promises to be a good read to the end. Well written!!

Patience

I read a lot … news, books (fiction and non-fiction), blogs, etc.  Writing is my all-time favorite pastime, but reading comes in a close second ... with author/agent editor blogs and articles being some of my favorites.  I recently found a blog by a published author who began her blog just as she was published for the first time. 

Some of my favorite passages on her blog are from her debut at a big convention in New York City.  She stayed at a very nice hotel, courtesy of her agent/publisher, and spoke of her wide-eyed wonder with all she experienced … and particularly her ecstasy at seeing her name and book name and art on a banner hanging for all to see as soon as they walked into the convention hall.  There are pictures of her posing and pointing upward to the banner.  The pride on her face is unmistakable.

I enjoyed reading of the thrill of seeing her work showcased in such a grand way for the very first time, of her reliving all the amazing things she had never experienced before.  I could completely see myself having the same reactions, perhaps even more so, as I understand this author had been to New York City before, and I have never visited there.

Everyone likes a rags to riches story … and by "riches", I mean the fulfillment of a dream, not the type of riches that pad a bank account.  Going from unpublished to published is a monumental milestone in the career of an author, and I enjoyed reading of her success … and hoping my own story will be just as inspiring for another aspiring author someday!

I can't wait to share that kind of news to the world … which will have to wait until I quit jumping up and down and screaming in excitement like a little kid being told they're going to Disneyland!  Until that day, I must wait ...

A quote by Jean Jacques Rousseau sums it up quite nicely … Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.