Comments on: Reflections on Heroines

By: Suzanne Jones

Suzanne Jones — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:09:00 +0000

Terrific comments in that letter - you're nearly there, Jackie.

X

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:19:19 +0000

Oooh, Romy, you make me want to forget my current WIP and to get into rewriting this one! And you know what? She has always been my favourite heroine...

Thanks Joanne! I'm hoping the setup will work too. All I have to do is give her a reason to go on a date (the teeny, tiny complication). ;-)

By: Joanne

Joanne — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:10:05 +0000

Great post and I love your insight in to internal conflict.

Your set up sounds really good :)

Good luck with the re-writes - am sure they'll be fab :)

By: Romy

Romy — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 09:04:50 +0000

As you know, I love a good heroine and my opinion is that you have a great one here. I can’t speak for other readers, but as a strong, modern woman (most of the time!) I like heroines who are strong and independent. Add to that a few self-esteem issues that most women can identify with … and already you’ll have the reader hooked.

Add a hero to die for (which you already have) and the sparks are sure to fly …

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:22:49 +0000

Lorraine - thanks! No matter how many nice comments you get, the crows always seem to come landing.

Janette - don't know if amazing is the right word. Still haven't had anything accepted so I may be completely wrong! But thanks for your lovely comments. :-)

Caroline - thanks for that. Yes, indifference can definitely have as much or more impact on a child as criticism. I do have a reason for her mother acting in this way though, other than the fact that she didn't get the daugher she hoped for. And I have other plans for great tension between the h&h where something he does makes her accuse him of being just like her mother. Of course, again, this could all be completely misguided and it'll be a no go. I'll let you know if not! :-)

Amy - cheers! I love self-esteem being the gift that keeps on giving!! Yes indeed, it's a great conflict and the ways in which tension can be created are many and manifest. Did I mention that I love torturing my characters? Boy have I got some great scenes for these two. Poor things.

By: Amy

Amy — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:26:22 +0000

Fabulous, Jackie! As far as internal conflict goes, I think the self-esteem issue is a gift that keeps on giving . . . because there are so many wonderful (or not so wonderful for them) ways this can manifest itself between the H/H. I have NO doubt you'll turn the manuscript into something M&B can't refuse.

Amy

By: Caroline

Caroline — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:17:09 +0000

Phew! Whoever said writing was easy Jackie? Your plot sounds very interesting. I’ve toyed with the mother/daughter issue. One thing I have found out by reading around etc. is that sometimes when a mother ignores a daughter that can have more of a profound effect on a person than a mother that snipes all the time etc. This could then lead to a plot developing along the lines of the heroine having to make something out of her life etc. etc. because of her mother’s indifference. Sorry for the rambling – but that’s me! Take care. Caroline x.

By: Janette Radevski

Janette Radevski — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:08:47 +0000

Nothing really left to say except your insights into onternal conflict are truely amazing.

Yes we tend to focus on negatives don't we, but the fact that they want to work with you is testement to their faith in your ability. That is, they know a good thing when they see it!

By: Lorraine

Lorraine — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 09:24:48 +0000

Mm, interesting post Jackie.
Those comments are great, I think it’s important to pass them on to us so we can use them to help you fight the crows off if they return.

By: Jackie Ashenden

Jackie Ashenden — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:41:37 +0000

Lacey, I suppose, now I think of it, that was a slightly gratuitous posting! Argh. Didn't mean to blow my own trumpet (we Kiwis are deathly afraid of doing that), it was more a case of reasons for rewriting a rejected ms! Then again, it is nice to share nice comments don't you think?

Thanks Joanne. I am a bit of ditz not to see what was in the letter. I suppose I must have read those comments, just not really taken them in when all I could see is "No, this story is not quite there yet". :-)