Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Two Years, Two Editors, Two Ways to Win


Today marks the second birthday of this little blog. Gosh, what a couple of years it's been. We've met some wonderful people through the comments, laughed a lot, and, we hope, taught you all a new trick or two along the way.

We're very grateful that anyone reads this blog. Really, if you think about it, it's rather shocking. Two women quibble over participles and fragments -- at length, sometimes at great length -- and people actually read it. Thank you for that.

We want to celebrate. We also want to come up with a list of top posts for the sidebar, but we don't think we should be the judges of our own posts.

So here's what we would like to do.

Email your favorite post or posts to edittorrent@gmail.com. Include either a link or a title or a date, something to help us identify the post. (Or posts. If you want to recommend more than one, that's great!)

Everyone who does this will be entered in a random drawing. We'll pick two winners, and those winners can send us the first ten pages of a manuscript, plus a synopsis of not more than three pages, for a little editorial input. Alicia and I will divvy them up and give them a spin through the editing machine. We won't post your work on the blog. This is not for public consumption, but rather a touch of private coaching. It's our way of saying thanks, but it's also our way of getting you to come up with a short list of recommended posts. (Clever, ain't it?) You don't have to have a romance manuscript to play along. We'll look at other kinds of fiction, too, and do our best to help you.

Get your entries in by December 31, 2009. Questions? Ask in the comments.

Thanks for a great two years!

Alicia and Theresa

25 comments:

Phyllis said...

Two women quibble over participles and fragments -- at length, sometimes at great length -- and people actually read it.

Yep. I've been following for about half a year now, and you've made a whole new layer of writing accessible for me. Thank you!

Oh, and have a happy one!

Deb Salisbury, Magic Seeker and Mantua-Maker said...

Happy second birthday!

I love it when you quibble over participles and fragments. It reminds me to be careful - and to go back and check for them before I submit a story.

Jami Gold said...

Congratulations!

Really and seriously, if I ever get published, you two will be thanked in my 'Acknowledgments'. It's been mentioned before, but you have a great combination of tips for writers of all levels - from beginner to advanced. I can't imagine ever "outgrowing" you guys. You constantly surprise us with new ways to look deeper into our work and I appreciate that so much. In the 6 months or so that I've been here, I feel like I've progressed from a beginner to a 'might be ready to be published'. Almost all of my growth is directly attributable to either this blog, or the insight I've received from other regulars on this blog. *waves to Murphy*

Truly, you've already given us all a great gift. :) (and you know I'm not submitting to Red Sage, so all these praises come straight from the heart - no ulterior motives :) )
Jami G.

Edittorrent said...

Aw, thanks! And enter the contest! :)

Theresa

J.B. Chicoine said...

I have read and reread your posts on Participle Phrases, even directed others to them. To be honest, I didn't even know what a PPP is, and was a little freaked out. You helped agreat deal. Thanks.

em said...

Happy second Birthday!! I've learned so much from you guys! You guys are the best! I follow a lot of blogs, but this one is the best of the best. It has the best of the best commenters as well. Hi Murphy! GK! JT!
I'm going to enter the contest, but which one to pick????:)

Evangeline Holland said...

I've loved this blog since it's inception. The more I read the more I learn and grow both as a person and as an author. Keep up the excellent work!

Wes said...

Congrats!

I am very happy I found your blog. I've learned much from you, so much I've quit querying until I finish a rewrite using what I've learned.

What great prizes!!! Murphy will hate me if I win.

Riley Murphy said...

Alicia and Theresa:

This is totally awesome! *sigh* Doesn’t it seem just like yesterday you were posting stuff and waiting to see if anyone had anything to say about it? And now look - you’ve got a pile of regulars with tons more besides! Good job ladies and congratulations! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Your professional generosity is unparalleled. Thank-you. Thank-you. Thank-you! You deserve a loyal readership. One that won’t hijack your thread, on occasion, to discuss other things...namely, keeping tabs on a leprechaun in red stilettoes, who drinks dirty martinis, and designates the young ‘uns to DD for the cougars for the night. ;) Here’s to you! (Imagine me holding up my martini glass, while I try to catch hold of the teetering twisty straw, so I can take a drink) Congratulations!

Hi JG! *waves* back! I’m so glad you found this blog. It wouldn’t be the same without you here to piss me off with your Point-Dexter tendencies. I mean that...No, REALLY, I mean it! :D

Hi Em! I agree with you! There's so many smart people who comment on this blog. It’s crazy! That’s why I love it around here. :)

Wes? You gotta be freaking kidding me! I’ll hate you if you won? Sheesh! I could never hate YOU. No siree! My mom always taught me to respect my elders - especially when they’re delusional. To do so, would be just plain mean! :D You win??? Ha! (imagine the gauntlet brandished about a bit before I smack you in the face with it). On guard!

Good luck to one and all! This is a terrific opportunity. I encourage everyone to enter - it’ll be fun!

Murphy

Anonymous said...

Well done on two years!

I found your blog back in April. Ever since then, yours is one of the few blogs I visit every day. I might not have time to comment each time, but I devour every word I can. I'm sure my husband secretly rolls his eyes each time I talk about your blog! He knows who you are, trust me ;)

I'm with Jami G too, if the dream of ever being published actually happens, you're in my acknowledgements too! Ah, the fantasties wannabe authors have ...

(yes, Theresa, that is a deliberate ellipsis, I'm off in fantasy land.)

I've a list of my favourite posts from your blog, which I'd happily let you know even without the encouragement of such a drop dead gorgeous prize (what a prize! It'd beat a Versace anything every time!).

I've lost count of how many people I've recommended to your blog. I hope some of them, particularly the writers, find you so they too can benefit from your fountain of knowledge (and fun, too! Too! Too!).

I'm excited to see what makes your top ten list. That'll be a handy list on your sidebar, particularly if my hubby upgrades my computer and I loose my bookmarks (nearly happened the other night).

Murphy - loving that teetering twisty straw image, lol!

Unknown said...

This blog is brilliant! I've taken away so much from each of your posts. It's going to be hard to find a favorite. Keep up the good work and Congrats on your second year Anniversary ladies!:)

Wes, are you going to let Murphy get away with that? I would of I were you.;)

Edittorrent said...

Ooh, Rachelcapps, you have been paying attention! *grin* at the ellipsis.

Theresa

Anonymous said...

I discovered your blog recently, and in addition to checking in regularly, I am loving the breadth of topics covered in the archives. Thanks for providing a valuable and inspiring blog!

Sarah Ahiers said...

Happy Anniversary!

Seriously though, i can't believe you started a blog in the midst of the holiday season...

My fav post is coming your way!

Wes said...

Ouch!!!

Edittorrent said...

Falen, when you're already as busy as we are, holidays don't matter. All the months are crammed. Alicia and I were in the same place at the same time on December 15, 2007, and used that rare convergence to build the blog.

Of course, I say holidays don't matter, but I'm having dinner for 12 here Sunday and dinner for 50 here Thursday, so my opinion may change next week. ;)

Theresa

Laura K. Curtis said...

12 on Sunday and 50 less than a week later? YOU ARE INSANE!!!!

Happy blog birthday, though. I link to you guys all the time on my own blog because I think you have so much good stuff to share. It's a wonderful blog and I so appreciate all the help you give.

Dave Shaw said...

Congratulations, ladies! I still have Alicia's announcement email that she sent out to the members of her Writers Corner mailing list. It came on 12/18/2007, 3 days late, at about 10:00 AM, and I had to wait another 2 whole hours (until lunch time at work) to make my first visit. I remember it as if it was 2 years ago. Hehe.

Now I have to go figure out which posts I've liked best in the past 2 years. Wish me luck.

Unknown said...

Wow! What a great opportunity. I know I cuold use some insight!

Pauline Allan said...

Happy Birthday to a great blog! I have enjoyed reading all the wonderful posts and comments. The great thing about this particular blog is that it covers information for the aspiring writer as well as the established. My writing has come a long way with the valuable information provided on this site. Thanks to Theresa and Alicia for the insightful wisdom and encouraging words. And hey, thanks for putting this contest into your hectic holiday schedule. We really appreciate the opportunity.

Pauline Allan

Anonymous said...

Hi A & T

Nothing new to add over whats been said, so i'll just rehash: This is by far my favourite stop over in the web-land and I have learnt so much from you guys, so thank you

MrsMusic said...

A belated happy birthday! I find it hard to believe that you have compiled all this wonderful, instructive, inspirational stuff in only two years! You have quickly become my favorite writing blog, because you really go into the details and don't rest on the surface of the all-too-often heard generic advices on writing. And even the grammar posts, which are not relevant for me as a writer (as I am writing in German), are great for me - I have learned so much about the English language! So, thanks a lot, and keep growing.

Unknown said...
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Anonymous said...

I wasn't going to do this, but now I'm tying to and I just wanted you to know that it's unbearably hard. I went back to January and started there. No, too many. OK, just go with when you started really reading the blog...but there are a few really good ones and what about the ones that just got your word/language geek on? Should you seperate them as to ones you loves just because and ones that helped you the most? What are my personal qualifiers??!!*pulls at hair*


Eva, who still hasn't signed into her google account

Melanie said...

Thank you for all the hard work and excellent advice. I've only been reading since late summer, but I've learned a lot!