Thursday 17 March 2011

A Bit of a Competition

Don’t get too excited, it’s not huge, but it might be fun and I promise it won’t cost you a penny. More of that in a bit.

Lynne Hackles makes a very good point on her blog
here about Diamonds and Pearls being a great research tool for anyone wanting to write for magazines (as well as raising money for Against Breast Cancer).

You’ll probably recognise quite a few of the names in the book:

Sue Houghton, Christine Webb, Kelly Florentia, Vivien Hampshire, Fran Tracey, Linda Barrett, Ginny Swart, Sophie King, Teresa Ashby, Gerry Savill, Francesca Burgess, Sue Moorcroft, Kathleen McGurl, Linda Lewis, Elaine Everest, Geraldine Ryan, Paula Williams, Jane Wenham-Jones, Glynis Scrivens, Caz Jones, Sally Quilford, Vanda Inman, June Crowe, Lisa Main
Ann West, Penelope Alexander, Jill Steeples, Catherine Burrows, Della Galton,
Dawn Hudd, Kelly Rose Bradford, Angela Johnson, Katharine Swartz,
Lynne Hackles.

So how would you like to win a copy of Diamonds and Pearls? No strings. Well there is a string, but it’s only a small one and doesn’t involve parting with any money.

What I would like you to do is to write the first line of any sort of story. Beginnings are important so make me want to read more, but all I want is an opening sentence.*

You can put your entry in the comments box or email it to me at Teresaashby at ymail dot com. The only thing I would ask is that you are willing for me to reprint your entry and name (first name will do if you’re shy) in the blog when I announce the winner (or winners if I can’t make up my mind, but don’t worry you won’t have to share the book!)

Winner gets a brand spanking new copy of Diamonds and Pearls. Oh and we’d best have a closing date. Shall we say 31st March and I’ll announce the winner on Mother’s Day, 3rd April.


*Sorry about the post yesterday with the changes - I confused myself let alone everyone else. Put it down to me being in a bit of a tizz - not thinking straight at the moment. Bear with me chaps and please accept my apologies.


24 comments:

  1. A competition - what fun! I'll ponder on this one.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am not sure if you are asking for one line or more words sorry it must be this time of night
    regards Eileen Baldwin

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ditto what Eileen has asked. First line, first paragraph? I'm unsure.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hope you'll enter, Joanne. Have removed my previous reply to you as I think it was adding to the confusion I'd created :-)

    Not the time of night, Eileen - it was completely my fault. Just the line/sentence is fine, thanks. Hope you'll enter and not be put off :-)

    Sorry, Jacula - ditto above :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a fun contest - will try to give it some thought!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sounds fun, I think I'll give this a go :o)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you, Rosemary and Karen :-)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Mmmmmmm thinking, thinking, thinking.....

    ReplyDelete
  10. I got a 'first paragraph' as soon as you asked. What I'm wondering now is if the first sentence is enough of a hook? Back to the drawing board! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hope you'll enter, Diane - would be nice to have some entries from outside the UK.

    Sorry Jac - hope you can use that paragraph as a springboard for a story :-)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for this generous competition Teresa, will have a go.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Just seen this Teresa! What a great idea. I'll give the comp a plug on my blog tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ooooh, what fun. Will get my thinking cap on.

    XX

    ReplyDelete
  15. I've rejigged first para and sent it in as a first sentence now, and, yes, it has set a story off. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  16. THanks Suzy, Womag, Suzanne and Jacula.

    Have had some great entries so far. Keep em coming :-)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Good idea for a competition, will get my thinking cap on!

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is a lovely idea for a competition Teresa. Working hard at it.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks Helen, gaelikaa and Sue :-)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Brill idea and what fun!

    Have emailed my entry :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Teresa - here's my entry:

    Claire hadn't realised just how much she fancied her best friend's husband until they were washing-up together after his baby son's christening party.

    ReplyDelete
  22. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thanks Kat and Sally - and thanks to everyone who has entered so far :-)

    ReplyDelete