More Bootcamper Success!

We received the news yesterday that THREE of our Bootcampers achieved brilliant results in the RWA's Valerie Parv Award for 2009.

Jennifer McLeod achieved a score of 95%, Fiona Gregory a score of 92%, and Anita Joy a score of 91% - all amazing results in a highly contested competition (from what I understand, the Award received an unprecedented number of entries).

On behalf of the other Bootcampers, I'd like to congratulate the girls and say I'm not surprised they did so well. You did us proud, ladies!

A Chance to Win!

Valerie Parv along with the help from some of Australia’s and New Zealand’s best romance authors have a new How-To-Book coming out in June 29th 2009. Hearts and Crafts takes you inside the world of these fantastic authors and explains how go about writing and editing as well as marketing their novels.

For a chance to win a copy of this great book, go to the delightful Elizabeth Roll’s website here:
http://www.elizabethrolls.com/Heart&Craft.html and follow the links to get the answers to ten easy questions.

Check out Elizabeth’s latest release while you’re there.





Sandie

The wit 'n' wisdom of Valerie Parv

‘Who needs a workshop, all we need are pix of Hugh, stripped down to bare essentials.’
Valerie Parv, Bootcamp 109 story structure workshop

The above quote gives some indication of the preoccupation of the 109 Bootcampers and of the wonderfully irreverent and wicked sense of humour of guest presenter Valerie Parv.

The acknowledged queen of romance writing in Australia, Valerie ran two sessions on story structure over the two bootcamp weekends. I mean, how lucky can you get?

There was lots of online chortling, snorting and ROFLs. But, when we weren’t having our way with ‘Huge Ackman’, Valerie pulled us into line and took us on a magical mystery tour of the ABC and D of story structure.

And what a trip it was, leading us to many lightbulb moments. In Valerie’s words ‘structure is not a prison or a formula. It’s more a roadmap to let readers explore the issues you’re developing in your story.’

We had to work hard for Valerie (and Huge). She gave us a challenging homework assignment and provided invaluable feedback in the second session.

That she gave every bootcamper her full attention is a testament to this amazing woman’s talents as a writer, teacher and mentor. She is an inspiration.

Thank you Valerie Parv.

You can find Valerie's website at http://www.valerieparv.com/

Day One of Bootcamping

We had our first day at Bootcamp yesterday and I have to say "Thank God we have a week until the next one." It was crazy, although I do believe we were all very well behaved. (Well most of the time), we had a few Huge Hugh moments or should I say Huge Hung Hugh LOL, this is just going to get better.

Anyway the day kicked off at 10am for we NSW gals which was cool, gave us time to get a few things sorted. Anne Gracie was fantastic, we will be kicking conflict in the butt by the end of this.

Dana ran us through a few OH&S exercises which I do believe will also be very good for my weight. A bend here a stretch there.

Then we had a chat with Christine Wells, what can I say but she is sweetheart and very giving with her advice.

The very cheeky Valerie Parv was after lunch and that was a riot, fantastic and learnt sooooo much about Romance Story Structure.

The was finished with Elizabeth Rolls and a very lively conversation on Show not Tell. I do believe I may just be getting a handle on that little problem.

So watch out everyone because we are working hard and in no time will be heading out into the big old world of publication. For now I have homework to finish.

See ya.
Sandie