Guest Blogger -- American Title Finalist Lindsey Brookes

And instead of your regular Wednesday blog with the Playground Monitor, today we have a really special treat -- Lindsey Brookes, who is a finalist in the Romantic Times American Title III competition. She's been kind enough to share a little about her writing journey and the AI contest experience. Please give her a big Playground welcome.


Three calling birds….Two French hens…and an American Title vote for me...

Have Yourself A Merry Little Voting Round...

O come, All Ye Voters...

Sound a little nutso? Welcome to the world of an American Title finalist. While everyone else is starting to get in the Christmas spirit, I’m consumed by each new American Title III voting round and so grateful to have made it through. It’s not a contest for the oversensitive. That’s for sure. The judges’ remarks can be pretty biting at times – Note: Full body armor required. But they can also be constructive in a positive way. You have to be open to criticism and willing to admit your book isn’t perfect. You can always make it better. The good thing is you aren’t going through this contest alone. There are nine other finalists to share the ups and downs with.

The American Title III finalists have formed a Yahoo group to support each other along the way and we are fortunate enough to have past American Title I winner, Janice Lynn – www.janicelynn.net and American Title II winner, Gerri Russell - www.gerrirussell.net on that loop. They’ve been through this before and have given us great advice on how to be a finalist and maintain our sanity throughout the coming months.

Those of you who know me know that I’ve been trying for a very long time to realize my dream of selling, of seeing my book out there on the shelf where others might actually have the chance to pick it up and read my words. So this is such an incredible opportunity for me. I now have a one in eight chance of seeing my dream come true. I hope that if you haven’t voted, you’ll head on over to the Romantic Times website (www.romantictimes.com ) and cast your vote for OPERATION: DATE ESCAPE.

A little about me. Like most writers, I began writing in utero. I write both adult romantic fiction and young adult fiction. All my manuscripts have humor in them because I love to make people smile. Between my incredibly supportive family, agent and friends (waving to my pals!), the long and winding road to publication has been a lot less lonely. Now that I think about it, that road should come with a ‘Dangerous Curves’ ahead warning. Unless you’re one of the few lucky ones who sell their first book right away, there are write and rewrites, rejections, requests (yippee!), then close but no cigar rejection letters – please try again. And I do. One thing I’m not is a quitter. My motto, if you’ve been to my website – www.lindseybrookes.com -- is Never Give Up On Your Dreams. That’s true for every writer. Hopefully we’ll all have the chance to see our dreams come true.

Thanks so much for asking me to come play on your blog.

Lindsey Brookes
American Title III finalist – OPERATION: DATE ESCAPE
Voting this round open until November 26!

P.S. from the Playground Monitor: I know all the writers here can relate to Lindsey’s post and the “Dangerous Curves” that the writer’s life contains.

But what about you non-writers? What big goals and dreams do you have for yourself? Do you write them down? And how to you stay focused on them and see them to fruition?

One of today's lucky commenters chosen at random will win a copy of JANE MILLIONAIRE, the first American Title winner, a book thong and a magnetic refrigerator memo pad that reads “Go in the Direction of Your Dreams.”

P.P.S. KarenG is yesterday's winner. Please email Problem Child to make arrangements for your prize.