Tagline: Could a search for missing books open a new chapter for Jessica and Mike?
Observations: As I read this story, I thought it was a great example of a "girl to the rescue" story in which the hero has a problem and the heroine helps him solve it. What was a little different about this one is that the problem is only partly solved by them working together, then Jessica takes it upon herself to find the remaining two missing books.
Notice the mini black moment when Mike thanks her and leaves? The only thing that is usually there is the heroine wishing she'd have reached out or thinking that this would be the last time she sees him.
We have a coincidence at the gas station, which might seem awfully convenient at first glance, but you know what? It really is a small world and things like that happen. It seemed real to me and the ending sentence was great. The line about starting a new chapter in her life could have been corny but wasn't.
Photo Credit: Bill Smith (Flickr cc license)
16 comments:
Kate, I was checking the list of authors on your website and it appears that most of them had work appearing seven years ago or thereabouts. Of course, you may not update that section, but still it makes me wonder about the names that are not familiar on the more current WW Romance pages. Where have these writers gone? Did they publish once or twice, never to be heard of again? All these years later, do you feel that your analyses are as relevant as they were at the time? I suppose my main question is, has the WW Romance evolved and changed over the years? That is, discounting the Harlequin stories that occupy the page once a month.
When I see Diane's name, I know I'm in for a good story and this one was great. The missing or lost book idea drew me in and I loved the characters. Plus, Diane always frame her stories. I love that. Thanks Kate for a great analysis and thanks Diane for another great read.
Thank you, Pat, for the compliment. Made my day!
Mary Jo, I don't think the stories have changed much (just gotten shorter), although, as I mentioned on the last post, in Nell Musolf's story a couple lived together; I believe that's a first for WW.
Very cute story Diane! I thought it was very sweet and since I work in a library, I especially loved it.
Mary Jo, every time I analyze a story, I label it Author: LAST NAME HERE. I have no idea where some of the authors have gone to. They haven't kept in touch. LOL As far as whether my analyses are relevant...that's up to the blog visitors. Like all bloggers, I just post stuff and let you guys decide. If it's relevant, you keep coming back. If it's not, you move on. :)
I suppose my main question is, has the WW Romance evolved and changed over the years? So, what do you think, Kate? You have been looking at these stories for quite a few years.
Mary Jo, I've been reading WW since 1989 and I can honestly say, other than the word count shrinking the stories are cozy and upbeat. If WW editors like your story they will buy it, if not they pass. Rarely do the break the mold. They passed on my blind heroine, but I have seen ONE handicapped story about a girl in a wheelchair. Until the story with the pumpkin martini, I've never seen 'going out for drinks'. One mini mystery that I can remember was from a cat's POV, but they don't really like stories other than hero/heroine POV.
All my submissions has been rejected, usually to a similar story better written. That's the best I can say. I have helped three critique partners get published in WW, all multiple times...but they have not submitted recently.
Hope this helps you.
I had a rejected story in which one of the characters was a blind woman, but she was incidental to the romance -- not the protagonist. I wondered whether her blindness was the reason (the man in question read to the blind woman in a coffee shop). I'd like to read the one in the cat's POV. Speaking of which, some of you might remember a discussion we had here about POV after one of my published stories was critiqued, and I just want to say that it was a learning experience for me. You -- Mary Jo and Kate and I can't remember any others -- helped me stay on the POV straight and narrow as I wrote a 100-page romantic story, which I am now trying to get published.
Good luck with your story Tamara. I'm not sure what can happen in 100 words, but I hope you find a market. Let us know how it goes. Yes, I cannot stand writing where the POV bounces from head to head and back again. I take it that most editors feel the same.
Mary Jo, it was a 100-page story, not 100 words -- 106 pages to be exact. It was fun writing something that includes a few steamy scenes. :) But speaking of short-short stories, there is a contest by EveryWriter for a 50-word scary story. Unfortunately, the prizes are in ads in their publication rather than cash, but I still enjoyed thinking up grisly scenarios. You can see my three entries and maybe make up one of your own on this link. The entries are way at the bottom of the page.
https://www.everywritersresource.com/every-writer-halloween-50-word-scary-story-contest/
Sorry, Tamara, I misread your comment. 106 pages isn't a story, it's a book. Are you looking at Harlequin? I will look at your three scary stories.
From what I've read, it's a novella, and there are some places that publish that size. I've sent it to Red Sage. Considered doing a book of stories and making this one the title story.
What is the word count? I apologize for getting off the subject of Diane's cute story, but I am just curious.
It's 25,817. Many pubs require 25,000 to be a novella, and some even 30,000. I think a book is 50,000.
I think authors come and go, as their career focus changes. I submitted almost 40 stories and sold one, then took a few years off to work a crazy day job and write novels and novellas. When I retired, my big goal was to sell to WW again. I was lucky and sold the first story I submitted after a long break. Now I am trying again, but so far.... But I will keep trying! There is so much great competition. The fun thing for me is when I get to the counter at my local grocery store, I pick up WW and flip to the romance and mystery pages. I am always amazed that most author names sound familiar to me (from this loop). So that is exciting! I think the stories tend to be similar to what they used to be. Every know and then there is a twist that mimics what is going on in the world - new technology, small houses, etc. But they remain sweet. Just my opinion!
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