Friday, May 4, 2012

The Writer's Voice Contest

I am a very lucky girl today.  I got a spot in The Writer’s Voice contest.  It's a multi-blog, multi-agent contest hosted by Cupid of Cupid’s Literary Connection, Brenda Drake of Brenda Drake Writes, Monica B.W. of Love YA, and Krista Van Dolzer ofMother. Write. (Repeat.).  Huge thanks to all four ladies!
I'm entry #194.  :)


Plugged In - Summary:


Misty was only looking for a doll when she stepped into her mother’s art room in the attic, so finding a hidden notebook was unexpected - and terrifying.  Paper has been against the law since before she was born. 

Angry that so much is out of her control, and that she is being forced to stay away from her best friend, Berek Mulholland, Misty breaks the rules and reads the notebook.  As she digs, she finds clues to her mother’s disappearance, and more.  Berek, who is training  to become a Tech, gives her frightening new insight into their world.

Computers are self-aware.  Techs govern everything.  And people disappear frequently.

Berek’s family is taken.  Misty is threatened.  And the notebook has given her the courage to do something unthinkable – leave the confines of the biosphere.  The young couple treks into the Outland, looking for help.   And a way to fight Tech Central.



Plugged In - First 250 Words:

A strong breeze swept past Misty Evan’s face, causing her long red ringlets to twist and snarl, but she didn’t move to untangle them.  Her mind was elsewhere, her hazel eyes staring through the dense chain link as if it weren’t there, watching the water lap at the rocky shore of the distant reservoir.  She ached to touch it, to test her theory of how cold the water would be, but knew she never would.  Imagining the sound of the water kissing the rocks and the damp air touching her face, she closed her eyes and tipped her head back to soak up the August sun.

“You’ll get more freckles, you know,” her best friend Berek Mulholland whispered in her ear, and she giggled.

“Do you ever wonder how cold the water is?” she asked, squinting against the sun as she looked up at him.

His dark hair blew across his face, hiding his cobalt eyes.

“Nope.  I’m too busy trying to figure out how to get around the latest Tricks that’ve been coded in the Big Game. I’ve gotta stay ahead of the guys.”

Berek turned away from the fence to look at the mountain that towered over the west side of their city. She knew he wasn’t being completely truthful when she saw his cheek twitch.  He’d never been good at lying to her.

He wouldn’t admit it, but it had to bother him as much as it bothered her, that they couldn’t go outside of the boundary of their city.

42 comments:

  1. You had me at "Paper has been against the law since before she was born. "

    Fascinating!

    Good luck!

    Andrea #32

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    1. Thank you! It was so fun and interesting imagining a world where there is no paper.

      Good luck to you. Can't wait to read your entry.

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  2. Likewise! That's what really sucked me in, and got me curious about the story.

    Good luck in the contest!

    ~Rachel, #190

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    1. Glad you were sucked in. It was much more difficult that I though it would be to NOT use paper in the story. lol

      Good luck to you!

      Thanks!

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  3. Same here! Loved that first line of your query. I'm very intrigued. Good luck!

    Carla, #152

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    1. Yay! After the many variations of that line, I'm so glad that you liked that one. Thank you!

      Heading over to read entries. Excited to get to yours!

      Good luck!

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  4. Me too! Great query opening. I guess you know it works :D

    Best of luck!

    -Zoë #176

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    1. Thank you! I have to admit that I've had a ton of input and help from my writing buddies. Still not sure if I know how it works, but I'm learning. :)

      Good luck to you!

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  5. Great job! Totally intriguing. You have a very natural way of writing ;o) Good luck!

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  6. Interesting concept.
    Stopping by to wish you good luck in TWV. :)

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  7. Catchy query for sure. Good luck from one contestant to another!

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  8. Thanks for visiting my blog :) Best of luck to you, too!

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  9. No paper? Nooo! Awesome story and first page! Good luck! Brandi #199

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  10. This sounds like a great story. I love the idea that paper is banned and that your main character finds a notebook with secrets. This sounds like a book I would really enjoy. Good luck in the contest!

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  11. Totally with Brandi-- no paper!?!?!? I love hidden notebook/ unravelling mystery stories. Good luck with this one!!

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  12. Love this idea! The thought of no paper is obviously quite terrifying to all of us! :D Great first page too. Good luck!

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  13. Wow, sounds intense! Love tetchy dystopian. The image of your MC knowing shell never touch water is so bleak - nice job!

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  14. Thanks to all of you! It's so exciting to be part of this with all of you. :)

    So glad you like the no paper idea.

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  15. The first paragraph of the query was amazing. The last line of that paragraph completely caught me off guard. I thought it was a MG first, and then that line was like a total stopper! Amazing, amazing job; I'd definately pick up the book based off the query. Good luck!

    SC (#159)

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  16. Another late entry that deserves a chance at the glory. Talk about a hook! The first paragraph of your query is pure gold - don't change a thing!
    Good luck!

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  17. Good luck in the contest!!

    Summer #40

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  18. How is it that I never posted a response here?! (also, sorry for the heart attack that I'm sure seeing this comment will give you. *gives cookies*) Love this. Sci-fi with a twist of dystopia? I'm in! Good luck!

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  19. Illicit items are always intriguing. Good luck to you!

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  20. Beautiful atmosphere in the opening. Good luck!

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  21. Oh, I love this! Sounds to me like a cross between Fahrenheit 451 and the Terminator. Which is awesome. :) Good luck!

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    1. You may be on to something there. ;)

      Thank you!

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  22. I'm always a softy for a redhead protagonist. I love the first paragraph of your query especially. Good luck to you as the contest continues. Thank you also for stopping by my blog! WVC #28

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  23. Your world-building is cool! The fact that paper has been outlawed is super intriguing. And I'm definitely wondering what's in the Outland and how things got that way... Good luck!

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  24. This sounds like a fascinating world you've built here! Nicely done!

    Good luck!

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  25. Hi TY. I'm stopping by from the Writer's Voice contest (entry #58) to wish you the best of luck. I'm now also your newest follower, so: nice to meet you!

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  26. Such great writing! Your opening really sucked me in. Good luck!

    -Sarah #146

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  27. I love the no paper idea, and the last line of the 250 is a wonderfully hook-y place to stop! Yay for you! #23

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  28. Cool world-building and I must say, I'm a sucker for red-headed characters :) Best of luck!

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  29. Good luck! The idea of paper being outlawed really intrigues me :-)

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  30. Thanks for stopping by my entry and good luck!

    -Michelle, #75

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  31. Ooh...this sounds right up my alley! Good luck!

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  32. Your query hooked me, but your writing kept me for the 250. You painted such a strong picture for me. Fantastic! Good luck!

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  33. Oo, I love this concept. :D Best of luck!

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  34. Stopping by to wish you luck from another member of #TeamBrenda! I love concept of paper being outlawed. As a stubborn believer in physical books (despite owning a Kindle) and drafting by hand (even though I seldom do it), I fear a world without my beloved paper!

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