tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post4618309757729367850..comments2024-03-27T01:07:03.944-04:00Comments on The Roses of Prose: The #Journey from Idea to #Reader by Brenda WhitesideAlison Hendersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-63721023890917546322018-01-11T08:39:47.671-05:002018-01-11T08:39:47.671-05:00Awwww, what a beautiful story!! I love how the boo...Awwww, what a beautiful story!! I love how the book came to be. And, it's fantastic that your offer from TWRP came on the heels of the scathing notes from the judge. I love that TWRP has helped so many authors realize their dreams. I bet it's a wonderful book. Love the cover!Alicia Deanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12003539473772776004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-37216001138139680152018-01-10T16:52:40.229-05:002018-01-10T16:52:40.229-05:00Good story, Margo.Good story, Margo.Brenda Whitesidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04162555468154752820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-85806905553251605462018-01-10T16:51:58.947-05:002018-01-10T16:51:58.947-05:00Thanks, Christine.Thanks, Christine.Brenda Whitesidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04162555468154752820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-49461057463770943022018-01-10T10:44:06.741-05:002018-01-10T10:44:06.741-05:00Forgot to mention. Back in the day, I entered two ...Forgot to mention. Back in the day, I entered two contests with what turned out to be my first published book. One morning, I went to the mailbox to find one of my entries returned with feedback, and not very encouraging feedback. Turns out I hadn't even come close to winning. Time to throw in the towel, right? Shortly after, I received a phone call regarding the other contest informing me I was a finalist! I ultimately won Third Place. Turns out the more different we seem, the more alike we are.Margo Hoornstrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00036077481652050799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-15013128373783123542018-01-09T19:33:49.677-05:002018-01-09T19:33:49.677-05:00The Wild Rose Press is a nice home for stories. I ...The Wild Rose Press is a nice home for stories. I have a few with them as well. Great journey tale, Brenda. Christine DePetrillohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00527942532875216883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-39560958082358877042018-01-09T12:51:47.329-05:002018-01-09T12:51:47.329-05:00Alison, it's always my favorite journey story....Alison, it's always my favorite journey story. But I'm going to share the others too in the months to come.Brenda Whitesidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04162555468154752820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-58167685343610203762018-01-09T12:50:29.865-05:002018-01-09T12:50:29.865-05:00Vonnie, I totally agree.Vonnie, I totally agree.Brenda Whitesidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04162555468154752820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-36466363310860538812018-01-09T12:30:28.987-05:002018-01-09T12:30:28.987-05:00I remember sitting in a classroom at the Edina Com...I remember sitting in a classroom at the Edina Community Center, listening to your Journey of a Novel presentation for this book, Brenda. I bought the book, read it, and loved it!Alison Hendersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12725250883303287946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-14985360813905239602018-01-09T11:50:58.850-05:002018-01-09T11:50:58.850-05:00I've judged a lot of contests. Many before I k...I've judged a lot of contests. Many before I knew the intricacies of writing. For many contests, all you have to do is answer an email call by contest organizers. They send you an email on how to judge and you're qualified. NOT! I rarely enter them anymore. The judges can be so cruel.Vonnie Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04636934830795471572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-7001569112917049982018-01-09T11:15:36.872-05:002018-01-09T11:15:36.872-05:00Margo, stories can come from anywhere and anything...Margo, stories can come from anywhere and anything!Brenda Whitesidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04162555468154752820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-28173776094691267742018-01-09T11:14:53.640-05:002018-01-09T11:14:53.640-05:00Oh, Andi, when that one judge from out of a black ...Oh, Andi, when that one judge from out of a black hole takes you out of the contest. I hate that. Been there.Brenda Whitesidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04162555468154752820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-3361627475972294782018-01-09T11:13:50.662-05:002018-01-09T11:13:50.662-05:00You are so right about subjectivity, Mac. Can'...You are so right about subjectivity, Mac. Can't please everyone!Brenda Whitesidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04162555468154752820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-31573930540054074072018-01-09T11:13:08.211-05:002018-01-09T11:13:08.211-05:00Wow, RE, tell us how you really feel...LOL But you...Wow, RE, tell us how you really feel...LOL But you do speak the truth. Thanks.Brenda Whitesidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04162555468154752820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-2345346693837403502018-01-09T10:53:48.105-05:002018-01-09T10:53:48.105-05:00What an entertaining journey to publication. The i...What an entertaining journey to publication. The idea for one book I sold to TWRP came to me when my hussband fell out of a tree he was trimming, leaving the limb and saw intact, I might add. He’s fine!! LOLMargo Hoornstrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00036077481652050799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-75530571094892814322018-01-09T10:38:22.338-05:002018-01-09T10:38:22.338-05:00I think most of us have stories about awful contes...I think most of us have stories about awful contest judges; I certainly do. There was one contest for my first book where it came in 4th--just outside the winners--because 2 judges rated it in the 90s and the 3rd absolutely shredded it. Goes to show how subjective it all is. Glad your journey ended with the publication of what sounds like a super book.Andrea Downinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11553961600937196102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-44902560015620908562018-01-09T10:30:14.473-05:002018-01-09T10:30:14.473-05:00What a fun publication path, Brenda. And how cool ...What a fun publication path, Brenda. And how cool is it that you shared the adventure with a sister you love? Good for you for believing in your story enough to submit. Just goes to show how subjective the industry is. Mackenzie Crownehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14495228596521457813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-45074343890215099732018-01-09T10:26:14.129-05:002018-01-09T10:26:14.129-05:00I'm glad you didn't give up. There is no e...I'm glad you didn't give up. There is no excuse for a contest judge to be mean-spirited in their remarks.<br />It's like I always told my children, "You can say anything you want to me but you'd better watch how you say it." <br />This is certainly true for Contest judges - really, all reviewers. They should be instructed to criticize the large areas where they see room for improvement. They should be reminded not to nit-pick every little detail.That's fir the editor to do and isn't the reviewer's job.<br />That isn't the end of a well-done review. A well-rounded critique will balance the negative by adding a list of the writer/story's positive aspects.<br />How's that? I just gave a review or reviewers. :) remullinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02803012686654154333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-74643025001464021962018-01-09T10:20:42.310-05:002018-01-09T10:20:42.310-05:00I sure did, Jannine. What is funny is, my brother ...I sure did, Jannine. What is funny is, my brother never read the book...too afraid of what he might find out about my sister. LOLBrenda Whitesidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04162555468154752820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-27037408351446310672018-01-09T10:19:37.800-05:002018-01-09T10:19:37.800-05:00Diane, yeah, not so fond of contests anymore unles...Diane, yeah, not so fond of contests anymore unless they are judged by industry professionals like librarians or editors. Readers let their own tastes get in the way.Brenda Whitesidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04162555468154752820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-37602337622125469302018-01-09T10:18:31.118-05:002018-01-09T10:18:31.118-05:00Thanks, Leah. I haven't been a big fan of cont...Thanks, Leah. I haven't been a big fan of contests yet. It happened to me for another book I published which I'll probably relate next time.Brenda Whitesidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04162555468154752820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-20988826496361537852018-01-09T09:41:26.801-05:002018-01-09T09:41:26.801-05:00What an interesting journey to publication. I bet ...What an interesting journey to publication. I bet you dedicated this one to your sister for all that motivation! LOLJannine Gallanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01047728297429025804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-51548123112438375712018-01-09T09:13:02.057-05:002018-01-09T09:13:02.057-05:00Fascinating journey, Brenda. I've had a couple...Fascinating journey, Brenda. I've had a couple of contest judges like that. What a know-nothing. As Leah said, you showed her/him. I love how your story evolved.Diane Burtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03754105332297068271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023937099212820339.post-59118820833732330412018-01-09T06:22:37.781-05:002018-01-09T06:22:37.781-05:00What a great story, Brenda! And how awful for that...What a great story, Brenda! And how awful for that contest judge to respond with such negativity. You showed her...or him (whoever it was). This sounds like a fantastic book. I'm going to check it out!Leah St. Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11004006100786260893noreply@blogger.com