October | 2010 | Cathy C. Hall Writes

So. You know I zipped over to the Southern Breeze SCBWI Conference in Alabama this weekend, just to hobnob, chitchat and any other compound word that fits.

But Southern Breeze also sponsors writing contests and an illustration contest in conjunction with this conference. And one of the categories in the writing contests is “Fiction for Middle Grade and Teen.” Which just happens to be the category that my current work-in-progress fits. Which I just happened to send in for the contest…

AND I WON! I WON FIRST PLACE! I SQUEALED LIKE A LITTLE GIRL ‘CAUSE I WON!

I almost didn’t share the news because then there would be all this pressure. Like to finish the polishing up on the last two or three chapters. And to start doing more than the writing of the manuscript. Like to actually send it out in the world.

But then I thought, Shoot, Cathy, this is HUGE. (When I called my mom with the news, she said a writer should be able to come up with a better word than “Huge.” Oh, that mom of mine.)

Yep, it’s been a super fantastical, ginormous time here at my little desk in the world. But it’s also nose to the grindstone time. Or in my case, fingers to the keyboard, brain to the scathingly brilliant thinking time. I have a manuscript to finish and submit to an editor. ‘Cause, you know, I WON!

It’s my Birthday! Oh, yeah! I’m the Birthday Girl!

Um, technically, it’s not my birthday. But it’s coming up, any day now. And honestly, I’m one of those people who birthday out for a few weeks. So for the October Things Birthday Giveaway, I’ll be adding things as we merrily go along. Wheeee!

First off, I’m giving away a wonderful novel called The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. One of my dearest friends gave it to me, and I devoured every single word. Every single word. I loved the characters, I loved the history, I loved the story. The only thing I didn’t love was that it ended too soon.

Now, when I receive a lovely gift book, I can’t stand the thought of it sitting on my bookshelf, waiting for the day when I may pick it up again. I want to give it away, share the joy, and share the wonder of those beautifully rendered words. So I hope you win.

And if you’ve already read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, then you can give your book away and keep the other prizes in the Birthday Giveaway. They’ll be along any day now. Any comment on any Birthday post qualifies you for the drawing. Which will be…when the Birthday Girl starts singing.

So blog about the contest, become a follower, tweet or comment. You can’t win if you don’t join the party! Which reminds me. The Baseball goodies will be on their way to Donna! Thanks to all for playing the The October Things Giveaway!