Oookay, I feel bad about not blogging for four months

I just went to one of my critique partner's websites and saw that she blogs all the time. Now I feel bad or not writing anything on here in months. So, thanks to Anne, I'm back!

Much has happened since August when I last wrote a message. Here's a rundown:

1) I entered Mending Rafe's Heart in a synopsis contest on eHarlequin and finaled, along with four other finalists. We then pitched our manuscripts in a chat room, to Senior Editor Wanda Ottewell of Harlequin Superromance. That was SCARY!! And we had to type really fast and think fast. In the end, Wanda asked to see our partials (3 chapters.)

2) Sent the partial in to Harl Canada on 9/5. Received a very nice rejection letter (as rejection letters go) from Wanda. It contained two full paragraphs on what I'd done right and what she felt needed work. She said I'd created strong characters and both were credible and contemporary. She said my heroine was determined and independent and the type they looked for. She liked the hero's balance of business-like attitude and personal vulnerability. But she felt the romantic conflict was not as strong and the hero didn't have enough at stake. She offered precise suggestions on how to fix those issues, such as having the heroine and hero not know each other previously. But she did not offer to look at the manuscript again, and that means there is no way I can apply her suggestions and fix the manuscript for her review again. I did discover that all five of us pitch winners received rejection letters, so I'm not alone. Still, it's painful.

3) Decided to try the Harlequin Presents contest. They require a chapter and synopsis by Feb. 14. I'll have to work hard and fast in order to get my entry in. But this is a line that is expanding to 12 books/month. So they *do* need new authors, or at least more manuscripts.

4) Sent The Daddy Issue out to two other publishers, in hopes that they will see the merit in Daniel's and Gretchen's romance.

5) Preparing to send Mending Rafe's Heart out to another publisher.

What I need to do now is work, work, work on my Presents contest entry. It's a chance, and chances are always appreciated.