March 25th… the infamous day of the year that RWA puts out calls to Golden Heart and Rita finalists!

The Golden Heart is near and dear to my… well, heart LOL.

I entered four times since joining RWA in 2002. The first year, I knew my shot at finaling was slim and well, slimmer - but entering ensured I’d qualify for my PRO pin (at the time, I didn’t have a land chapter, only an online one -so proving my completed ms would have been a PITA). I did net that pretty pin, and all the fabulous benefits that came with it. I didn’t, none to my surprise, final.

I did, however, final the next three years. Always in Short Contemporary (which is what I write, even now - since Blaze’s word count was lowered LOL)

In 2004 I finaled with HER CUP OF TEA. Oooh, I still love this story! I’ve since revised it to single title length and hope someday the rom com market turns back around so I can try and sell it.

In 2005 I finaled with RED HOT ANGEL. This story, one I really do like, is probably dead in the water. It was written with Temptation in mind, and had a really good shot… until Temptation closed. It wasn’t right for Modern Extra, and simply doesn’t have enough plot for Blaze. It has a killer love scene in it, though, complete with a leather bikini and thigh high boots.

In 2006 I finaled with UNDERCOVER SEDUCTION, which was later retitled DOUBLE DARE. Obviously this one is my favorite :wub_tb: And as much as I love the Golden Heart, I’m going to guess that for all it’s door-opening abilities, it really didn’t factor into my sale.

These are obvious reasons for me to love the Golden Heart as much as I do :rolleyes_tb: Those finals didn’t equate to sales, per se. They did, however, hook me up with some great friends in the fellow-finalists, create a certain amount (this is iffy, IMO, but my CP swears it did) of name recognition, and give me some good resume fodder.

And… well, all the parties, that beautiful lavendar ribbon at conference, the hoopla and fun of the ceremony — they totally rocked. Some day I’d love to experience them from a RITA finalists standpoint!!!

But - for now, I’m hoping to be celebrating some other finals when those calls are made later today. My fingers are crossed tight for my CP’s :thumbup_tb:–who are such fabulous writers — and my PlayPals who, each and every one, kick writing butt and deserve Golden Heart nods (or in Kath’s case, a RITA nod!!). And to all my chapter-mates, Ghophers, Wild Cards and Six-Packers - I hope you rock those finals too!!!