After two years of writing, I finished a contemporary romance - mystery novel. I've been trying to get this book on the market since 2004. Not one agent even requested to read the manuscript.
But I ain't givin' up!
I'm still not sure which title sounds better. I sure would appreciate it, if some of you could let me know which book, in other words, which title, you'd pick up in a book store, to just flip through ? Here are the choices:
RUN MELANIE RUN
HALF-MOON SHADOWS
THE ROAD NOT TAKEN
TO THOSE WHO LOVE US BEST
or none of the above . That's okey, I can take it

Thanks ever so much.

Hi Hannelore.....I kind of like "Half-Moon Shadows" - it sounds intriguing!

Have you any publishers in mind to submit your manuscript to? Avalon does romances - I just finished a book by a friend of mine, Constance Sprague, that was published by them called "Tall Order". Having an agent is a nice "plus" and saves a lot of time since they know who's looking for what - but you can be successful without an agent too. I wish you a lot of luck!

By the way, my husband and I are taking a Rhine River cruise August 26th through September 3rd starting in Basel and ending in Amsterdam. How will the weather be there that time of year???? Just want to make sure and bring the right clothes for the trip. Thanks!

I agree with Pam, Half-Moon Shadows leaves a little more for the imagination. Good luck with it!

I like Half Moon Shadows too.. very dark and intriguing. Mysterious.

Thank you all for your opinions.
I'm thrilled that real live authors chat here under the Baby Boomer site.
Because I live in Germany, I don't have any opportunity to join a writer's club, at least an English-speaking writer's club. My American friends have all returned to the states. Most of my German friends speak English, but still I think you have to be an American to appreciate my book.
I'm really craving for feedback, since no one on this planet, other than yours truly, has read my novel. I'm looking for an editor. Could anyone of you recommend a female editor to me?
Thanks so much, and I plan to stick with the title; Half Moon Shadows.

Hello Pam,
You will just love the Rhine river cruise. Will you be there for the Rhine fireworks? Weather-wise we have had a terrible rainy spring, and summer beginning..but I think that is over with. The clouds look exhausted. .-) Usually the weather is hot in August, and we have been having beautiful warm Septembers the past years. In the evening it can get cool, so it doesn't harm any to have a windbreaker with you.
I sent Avalon my query. My book is too long for them; 98,000 words. But thanks for the tip anyway. I'm going to check your book out on Amazon...and probably order it.

"He is a good storyteller who can turn a man's ears into eyes."

Best of luck Hannelore, as I said earlier. Persistance DOES pay off - getting a book published is a long, hard road but worth it in the end. I wish I could give you the name of a good editor....my book was published by a small press publisher and they didn't provide an editor - I was all on my own!

Thanks for the weather info for Germany. We are so excited about the trip. Sounds like it will be warm so perfect for a cruise. Haven't heard anything about the Rhine fireworks but that would be SPECTACULAR! We leave here August 26th and return September 3rd.....based on what you've said about the temps, I'll bring "light" clothing and a sweater and light jacket "just in case".

I had the same problem you did with Avalon by the way.....they wanted me to cut my book from 82,000 words to 60,000 and they would consider publishing it. I said "thanks but no thanks" - didn't want to chop my manuscript up that much!

Hannelore I write Mystery and Romance and to me the title is one of the most important aspects of any story. It is hard to pick name without knowing alot more about the book itself. In my professional editing jobs the title is one thing I am mindful of, always....

I can't tell you how exciting it is for me to be in contact with successful authors. You are all living the dream, that I hope I have ahead of me. When do you usually pick your title, chatty lady? Do you have a special method?

The Road Not Taken - WHY? Dunno...maybe because I have a "road not taken?"

Best of luck to you and WELCOME!

JJ

I guess I'm going to be the ODD one in the group. I like "Run Melanie Run" Half-Moon Shadows is dark and mysterious but I'm not drawn to that type of literature. I wish you MUCH SUCCESS and I'd like to recommend the woman who edited my book: WHATEVER! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age. Her name is Sandra Holcombe. I found her on book-editing.com. She did an absolutely superb job on my manuscript!

Hannelore, I recently edited a Mystery about a town sheriff that has amnesia episodes where he becomes a serial killer. They titled the book 'Blackouts.' When reading it I knew immediately that the killer was the sheriff during his amnesia episodes. They wanted the killer to be a mystery till the end. You don't find out till the end of the book that the killer burns the bodies in the old mill and scatters them all about the woods. I suggested the title be ASHES TO ASHES. The publisher loved it and thus the name of the book was changed. I am fortunate enough to have this talent but need to see the book or know the story so it makes sense....

[ June 11, 2006, 09:12 PM: Message edited by: chatty lady ]

Hi bamgibbs, thanks so much for the tip. I immediately clicked on to the book-editing.com, and plan to fill out their questionnaire. I've heard there are a lot of unskilled editors our there, so it's important for me to get a personal suggestion.
Hi chatty lady. Would you be interested in editing my book? If you like, you can send me an offer to my private email. I'd categorize my book as a contemporary novel, because it has a bit of everything from romance, mystery and adventure in it. If you just edit mysteries; then I'm not sure you would want to edit this one.
My email is:
writeauthorfirst@yahoo.com

Hi Hannelore!
Glad to be able to offer some help. The good thing about book editing.com is the editors give you a sample of their editing style so you can see if it matches how you want your book to read. Since I'm a journalist by trade, I'm pretty skilled on grammar. I needed someone to POLISH my script, while leaving my writing STYLE in tact. I solicited samples from SEVERAL editors before I ended up with Sandra. Another thing...If they're busy with OTHER projects, that's a GOOD THING. That means they're sought out by others. Sandra was working on another project at the time but squeezed me in.

By the way, thanks for checking out my website and signing my guestbook!!! I'm off to the gym for my aerobics class.

Peace & Blessings,
Beverly
www.talk2bev.com
author, WHATEVER! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age

Hannelore I am emailing you today. I edit and have edited for quite a few years now numerous genres. In this last couple of months, theres been a group of childrens stories, a political thriller, a futuristic other world adventure and I'm working on a romance novel. These are all freelance editing jobs and then there are the self publishing books that come through Mystic Publisers. I am working on a religious book for them with two more waiting that need evaluating. So you can see that genre is not a consideration for me, I edit them all. Check out my website and it pretty much says it all....
www.geocities.com/tale2bestseller

[ June 12, 2006, 06:29 PM: Message edited by: chatty lady ]

Thanks, chatty lady. I just know I'm in good hands with you. I found this quote about Al Gore, that I thought fits in perfectly.
QUOTE

"What the film shows is that what Gore really needed in 2000 wasn’t better political consultants, but a good and sympathetic editor

Can't wait to see his movie; Inconvenient Truth. Has anyone seen it yet? It usually takes a couple of weeks before it comes to Europe.
It's supposed to be shocking. I'm a Michael Moore fan as well. But I think people will listen more to Gore.

Not me...JJ

I have to poo-hoo the Micheal Moore/Gore fan club and think they should both go to hell in a handbag, preferably one with a hole in the bottom....LOL...

Chatty, you might want to clarify that you meant you wanted Moore/Gore to go to H-e-double hockey sticks, and not the fans...I know when I first read it I thought OMG!

That WAS what you meant, right?

JJ

Whoa, Chatty Lady. I got your feathers all riled up. Not bad…I like a hot discussion, but I prefer it, without insulting someone else's opinion. Why do you feel that way? Maybe you should wait and see Al Gore's documentary before you criticise him…and the so called fan-club. He's talking about global warming, which is a fact, and no political gimmick. In the North Pole, ice burgs are melting and sliding into the ocean in a frightening pace, never before recorded. We may not want to believe it, but all these freaky nature catastrophes are just the beginning of what is heading towards our children and grandchildren.
If man's contribution to global warming has anything to do with that, then people have to stop tipping the very fine balance of nature, for the sake of future generations. I wouldn't wish anyone to go to hell just because he is attempting to open the eyes of those who prefer to ignore what's fact.

Not a fan of Michael Moore or Al Gore, but would be happy to see them both in heaven...!

1.) I like The Road Not Taken for a title.

2.) Michael Moore. Hold my hair back while I puke.

3.) Al Bore, I mean Gore...I haven't heard anything about his work yet so no comment. Sounds like a needed topic though.

If you need an editor, I have a wonderful one. You can private message me (I engaged it again) for info on her. My publisher was so impressed with how clean my manuscript was and that's mostly her doing.

Don't give up on getting published. It can take a long time. Just keep believing.

When referring to Gore and Moore above and saying they could 'BOTH' go to, well you know, I assumed everyone would know I meant THEM, not their fan club...really ladies are you just looking for things to challenge me on?

Hannelore, I am an avid supported of global warming. Its the man himself I don't care for, I have met him personally, hes acted the fool too often and has been caught in too many lies but this is one area, global warming he has done his homework on and for that I say bravo....

Micheal Moore is something else again, just haven't figured out yet, what? I'd give my opinion but perish the thought, someone might take it personal....

[ June 15, 2006, 05:06 PM: Message edited by: chatty lady ]

I like RUN MELANIE RUN and HALF MOON SHADOWS. Tough choice.

How did Gore and Moore get in here. I was going to get in on it, but after reading your posts I got scared.

Never fear Saundra everyone has a right to voice her feelings and in BWS we agree to disagree with love...really we do!!

[ June 15, 2006, 10:08 PM: Message edited by: chatty lady ]

Hannelore,

I really like "Run Melanie Run", there is a certain aura about that title. I say this based on what I know thus far. I want to mention that bookcovers catch my attention instantly, together with the title. I love the cover of "David's Bridge"

Where in Germany do you live? I lived in Heidelberg 17 years. I miss the architecture and scenery there. Oh and the restaurants too. Oh okay, I miss the pubs too. Oh and I miss going to the cafes. I better stop before I get too nostalgic.

Cheers or should I say prost(SP),
Cathi

Guten Tag Optimumsteps !
Heidelberg is a very charming city. It's the nicest university city in Germany…I've been to those Café's…yummy strawberry cake. I live in Bavaria, near Muenich; about an hour away from the Bavarian Alps. It's so beautiful, especially now. The fields are in full bloom…full of red poppy, white daisies and blue cornflowers. 17 years in Heidleberg is a long time. Were you or your husband stationed there?
I had so many military friends in Augsburg; but they've closed down all the U.S. bases, and sent over 4000 U.S. soldiers home.
"Run Melanie Run" fits better to my story; but then I thought people might think it's about a jogging lady…It's actually a story about a woman fleeing from different situations. Thanks a lot for your vote, Cathi.
Thanks you too, Saundra. Maybe I'll just wait to see what my editor suggests…because I'm just plain undecided.
Aufwiedersehn

Chatty Lady,
I agree…it's good to agree to disagree. It's hard, but it's important to separate issues from the people that convey them.

Ladies,
Please tell us more about Germany living. I think it is fastinating hearing about it, and you've given some delightful descriptions of the area, food, etc. I would love to hear more about the German people there. Also, what do you feel were/are some of the "cons" about living there.

Cathi, would you want to go back and live there? I stayed in Edinburgh, Scotland for a bit and fell in love with the town and the people. I've always thought I would love to live there for about a year.

Anybody else ever lived abroad? I love hearing about it!

JJ

I would love to travel through all of Italy, seeing, smelling and tasting the food. I have relatives there and my Aunt and cousins have been there several times. Alas however I suppose I'll only see it in travel brochures.....

Here in Vegas we celebrate "Octoberfest" and the Casinos doing this invite and house a famous German chef who'll cook for the weeks celebration and honestly the food is authentic and to die for. I have gained a pound or two I can tell you.

[ June 16, 2006, 03:30 PM: Message edited by: chatty lady ]

I'd be happy, JJ, to share with you some of my impressions.
The German people, hmmm what are they like? I can't really generalize like that...you find all kinds everywhere. But if I could call them something, then I would call them: "worldly". I guess that's because Holland, Belgium, France, Luxemburg, Switzerland, Austria, Hungry, Poland Czechoslovakia, Finland, and Sweden all border directly to Germany. Italy is just a three hour car ride from our house. It's really incredible; drive a couple of hours and you're in another country. I guess that makes the people here pretty open minded, interested in other cultures, tolerant and liberal thinking.
The German's are overly sensitive about war…I would think because of their own history, they have become peace mongers…and support everything; but military force.
What do you think Cathi? Would you agree with me on this?
The cities are fascinating, because of the culture. You'll find castles and huge ancient cathedrals between modern, and very daring architecture. Almost all cities have huge pedestrian avenues…which sort of replace the mall. I think it's better, cause you get a breath of fresh air between visiting the stores.
I don't want to bore you with too much info., This was a fun question to answer, thanks for asking JJ.

I cannot imagine having the luxury of being exposed to so much beauty (I read about places alot) and having neighboring countries within a half day's ride. I have a friend who writes a parenting column that lives over there and she describes things pretty much the same way. Boring? Never. Ever!

So much history there! One of our members is taking a cruise this summer over there, but I'll let her tell about it, if she choses to. Don't want to tell her beeswax with permission!

My sister has been to Germany and she said she fell in love with the people and the country. I could sit at someone's feet and listen for hours and hours about it all. I find it fascinating! Thanks for sharing.

I know this is a discussion about other countries, but let me say also that I felt the same way after visiting Yellowstone. What an amazing place with all of the waterfalls and different animals and plants...I'd go there tomorrow if I could...so many places to visit on this great planet of ours. I've always thought I would like to see Czechoslovakia. I'm drawn to it for some reason.

JJ

JJ, you are so right. You certainly don't have to travel overseas to see such beauty. The Yellowstone park in incredible. Germans love to visit America because it's so versatile, big, and plain amazing. I get asked, quite often, how I could have left such a beautiful country. Then I point my finger at my husband...and say "he done it." We'll be married 31 years. Good thing it worked out, heh?
By the way, just spelling Czechoslovakia is half the way there. .-)

I'm laughing out loud now because of your comment "he done it" and because I copied your spelling and pasted it in my note. Otherwise it would have been phonics...

And congrats on 31 years. That's beautiful!

JJ

Well I'm happy to say I'm the friend of JJ's who's taking the cruise on the Rhine River later this summer....and I can hardly wait!

Also I did live in Weisbaden, Germany for three years when I was four years old - can't say I have a TON of memories but I can remember our house and yard and the big park across the street from our home. My Dad was in the Air Force so we traveled a LOT and I still have the "travel bug" all these years later. I have tons of old photos from our various vacations and explorations while we lived in Weisbaden. What a wonderful experience it's been to see so much of the world.

Hi Pam, I thought JJ meant you. We already corresponded about your upcoming cruise. If you get a chance; go to a wine party. I'm sure they will have something like that on the ship, or along the harbour. Those are great…like everyone just LOVES everyone. People from the Rhine area are so easy to get to know.
Do you know that the biggest Coo-Coo clock in the world is in Wiesbaden? Maybe you have photos of it. I remember standing in front of it for at least half an hour waiting for the bird to come out and scream coo-coo; nothing came out; it was a Sunday, and they turned it off or something. Jeez, that bird is probably louder than the church bells.

Hannelore I didn't know about the big clock! Perhaps we DID see it and I just don't remember since I was only 4-5 at the time. Wine party - sounds like MY kind of "activity" !! LOL I know they serve regional wines with all dinners on the ship but we'll have to check out some of the small towns we'll be visiting along the river to sample their "specialties" too. We are already getting excited about the trip and we don't leave until the end of August!

Grusskot(SP) Hannelore,

I had heard that if I wanted to make someone in Heidelberg angry, I just say Grusskot and not Guten Tag. For you ladies that are not aware. Grusskot is the Bavarian greeting. Bavaria and the rest of the former W. Germany are not the best of friends. Kind of like our Yankees and Southerners about 50 years ago.

JJ, I left Germany in 1995 and I can only tell you what my opinion is based on pre-1995.

When I first moved back to the States, I was excited about this fresh start. Four months later, I was ready to move back to Germany. I really missed the atmosphere and the laid back attitude there. Then I became concerned about my daughter because I sensed that she was expected to be perfect. When we first moved here, I was pestered a great deal about having to put her on ritalin. She was sad at the same time because she had a big adjustment to make and she was only 6 at that time. So I wondered if we didn't make a mistake in moving back here.

But now, I would go there to Germany for an extended vacation. We are so spoiled here in the States, and that includes me, LOL.

Here are some of the cons as far as living in Germany. There are not too many opportunities there for just anybody. In other words, if you want to fulfill a dream and you are willing to work at it, there may not be an opportunity like there would be in the US. The stores were always closed early, so on Saturdays, you definitely needed to be up by 8AM if you wanted to take care of personal business. There isn't much competition and a store cannot go on sale except 2 times a year. That is when all the stores can do that at the same time. Basically no competition. Therefore; the customer service was seriously lacking.

The pros of living there. The traveling, the outdoor/indoor cafes, and the restaurants. The castles and the scenery are out of this world. Now what I just said about customer service. The friendship is opposite. German's make the best of friends and they are your friends for life. I felt safe there as well. I like the fact that you are not expected to be perfect over there. There is a time to work and there is a time to relax. It isn't the hustle and bustle as we have here. There isn't too many hang up either.

As I said, I am basing this on how Germany was before 1995. Things might have changed since then.

There are times I miss the lifestyle there. But I have become accustomed to the conveniences here that it may be difficult for me to live in Germany again. Now, I didn't have internet when I was there and that might make a difference too.

Sorry I took so long to answer, I am now trying to get my house ready to put it on the market. We are trying to downsize now and we are looking to move into a condo. Unfortunately, we have to sell this place first, Ugh. Which means I have been trying to declutter, and that is always fun. Yippee! NOT!

Cheers,
Cathi

Hello Ladies,
Just want to say; see you in the fall. We'll be away a good part of the summer. But if I can, I'll try to steal away and visit my Boomer friends.
I agree with just about everything you said Cathi. Two things have changed since 1995, though. Now the stores can have sales whenever they want to, thus the service quality is a lot better, and the stores are open till 7:00 P.M. and on Saturdays as well. They are talking about extending the closing times further, like in Italy. Hope they get that through. You live in Virginia Beach, Cathi? Please tell us something about that area, oh, and good luck with your house sale!
Here's wishing you all a wonderful summer.I'm already looking forward to coming back to you all.
Aufwiedersehn and so-long,
Hannelore

Girls, how great! I soaked up everything you've offered. I have another friend who lives in Germany right now, Christine Louise Hohlbaum. I'm going to ask her if she has anything to contribute. I would love anyone's opinion about the Czechoslovakia areas as well.

Funny we were discussing Yellowstone as I watched a special on it last night. Everything they showed I kept saying, "Hey, I've been there! I've been there!" A documentary doesn't do it justice. It's so amazing. I don't think I would ever get tired of being there. Unless of course I had a "up close and personal" with a bear!

JJ

ps -- Hannelore, have a wonderful summer! Check in whenever you can but know we are thinking kind thoughts of you!

JJ

JJ you are sooo sweet, I just had to say that before signing off. All your mails, to other members as well, seem so genuinely sincere; they come from the heart...You've made me smile and sometimes giggle dozens of times. Here's sending you a hug over that big blue ocean.

Hello Hannelore,

I hope you have a great summer! It is hard for me to stay online in the summertime. I like to sit out on the deck and read, write and just do some bird watching. Perhaps imagine that I am at those outdoor cafes on the Haupstrasse, LOL. Or having a drink in the Mandraki Harbor in my hometown of Rhodes, LOL. I can dream can't I?

Virginia Beach is alright. It has changed since I moved here about 10 years ago. We have a mayer that seems to love the developers and it is getting a bit crowded now. For example, the one beach I liked going to had a really nice cozy seafood restaurant. It is now a high rise condo and the only ones that can enjoy the view of the ocean are the residence. This is something that saddens me. The weather seems to be getting hotter and more humid each year. Or perhaps it is my hot flashes, LOL. But at the same time, it is home now and in my belief, it is what one makes it out to be.

Thanks for letting me know how some things have changed in Germany. I am glad to hear that they have loosened up a bit on the businesses. I had a friend that had a nice boutique in downtown Heidelberg. She eventually sold it because she didn't like the fact that she couldn't service her customers the way she wanted to. It would be nice for her now.

Anyway, have a great summer.

Cheers,
Cathi

JJ, I would love to go to Yellowstone Park. In fact, there are so many places to go in the USA. You are right about documentaries, it seems that they never really do a place justice. What they need is Da Queen to spice them up a bit. I am serious.

Cheers,
Cathi

Honey, I had that exact idea a year or so ago but couldn't find a sponsor. I would love to pack up da Trixster and head state to state and give an account of all of the great places to visit!

Remember the "Where's Wally?" Well, this would have been, "Where's da Queen?" Only most people would probably have renamed it, "Where's da Royal Pain?"

I even wanted a trike (3-wheel motorcycle) and a side car for Trixie. All painted purple (royal) with my book title on it, and of course, BOOMER WOMEN SPEAK! I would have a small trailer carried behind it containing my books and sell them along the way. Can't you just see the TV and radio's in each town picking up on the fun, "Where's da Queen today?" Kinda like tracking Santa...same size, that is...

Sigh........................$$$

JJ

Ah Queen, as you know the US weather is unpredictable for the most part and I would much prefer to see you in a purple motor home with a huge picture of you in your crown painted on the sides, with writing in large gold letters Boomer Women Speak and of course a smaller (sorry trixster) picture of the dog being pulled along on the long train of your robes....Picture that!!! We can't have our royal 'whatever' dripping wet in the rain, frozen from the cold or dry and shrivelled from the heat. And left the best part for last, every Queen needs a servant or in this case a driver, will a chippendale with a pocket full of Oreo's do???

Ladies, pardon my french here, but Damn Chatty! I love the way you think! LOL! Sign me up!

Hannelore - that was such a sweet thing to say! All the women here (yourself included) are like sisters to me except we don't swap clothes. I love you all dearly.

We look forward to your return and I bet you'll have lots to share with us from your time away from the forums. Do drop in if you can!

JJ