Only a few know what a high compliment that is coming from the Dutch Man.

So funny to see a friend from the past I remember as a young buck going by the handle, Middle Age Ramblings. Thanks for the kind words. Hobbies have a way of becoming something more than that over time. So it's easier to learn the tricks up front than have to undo things later on.

From what I've seen the iPad is quite impressive as well. Perhaps a bit of vision into what books will look like in the not so distant future. Thanks for dropping by and keep up the great work at Marcher Lord Press!

Thanks for your input Alan. I agree totally with all your observations. A few of my friends here know how diligent I have been to learn from and incorporate suggestions for changes to the novel in question. In fact the first few chapters have evolved so much, my original readers wouldn't recognize them at all.

What struck me about this critique is this:

1) This was done be a professional, paid to use their expertise to carefully read my MS for consideration in a contest that cost $100 to enter with a prize of a $20,000 advance contract for publication with a recognized main stream publisher.

2) The judge confused two of the main characters. I am fairy sure the judge was referring to Jennifer not Rachel. Pretty big mistake for someone tasked with looking for any of my mistakes.

3) I didn't mention this in the original post but inconsistencies in the same judge's comments from round 1 to round 2 are a bit mystifying. Consider what was said about setting in the novel from round 1 to round 2 by the same judge.

Round 1 Score 7 our of 10: Adequately handled but I'd give the book a stronger sense of place.

Round 2 Score 9 out of 10: Setting in the book is especially strong. The indoor and outdoor scenes were given details that put the reader on the spot. Good job!

Again, I'm not really griping because there is something to learn from every step in this crazy process.

I'm researching one now that looks like a winner. In the next couple of days I'll lost my review and a link. Thanks for asking Dutch Man.

Brandilyn Collins has told me the same thing about deadlines and such. She encouraged me to enjoy writing for the pleasure of it before the contracts come along. I appreciate what both of you are saying but at 55, I'm quite ready to at least get a taste of that life while I can still see and write. :)

Thanks Athol. If anyone has taught me the value of simply writing, it is you. It's very easy to get side tracked by all the sideshow and miss the main attraction. As much as I love my local writer's group I sometimes grow impatient with hours of talk about marketing and new books about writing and marketing and so little actual looking at what we write.

Having have read and interviewed many of them, I know you are right. My focus was not so much on the writing of books but rather the tone some blogs in particular take when discussing writing and writers. The cybersphere is jammed with unending arguments about things like edgy vs safe fiction, Christian vs general market, and on an on. Most of this comes from those who are yet to be published are just recently published. I never see the kind of Big-Headedness I speak of from multi-published pros like yourself. My guess is you are far to busy to get caught up in such things.

BTW: We need to schedule an interview about Gone to Ground. Just finishing it now. Great read.

Glad it helped some Sherry. If you have some spare chill pills, I know a few people who could use them.

And this is how I have always known you Ace. BTW: My wife is still ticked you haven't gotten back to the Farraday Road gang.