Thursday, May 3, 2012

The Writer's Voice Contest!

I've just entered The Writer's Voice contest! More information here. I'm in good company--best of luck to everyone!


Per the contest rules, here are the plot summary from my query and first 250 words of Olympus Gate:


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Plot Summary:

Annie always believed she was just another girl orphaned by the nuclear wars... until the anonymous package arrived on her doorstep. Piecing together the clues inside reveals that she was born thousands of years before in ancient Rome, and that time travel is possible. She discovers that she had a twin sister, who was murdered in 83 BCE.

When she learns of her sister's death, she realizes she has a choice—stay with the people she has known all her life or return to ancient Rome in the hope of saving her twin. What's more, Annie believes that by changing the past she could create a new future, one not destroyed by war, but that in doing so she would erase the lives of everyone she loves. Uncertain whether she is making the right choice, Annie travels back to Rome.


Now she's stuck in the past, hiding her true identity and falling for the guy who loves her twin. She can't find her sister. She can't figure out how to change the world. And as the ancient superstitions that led to her sister's death close in, she fears that she may run out of time for both.


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First 250:

Someone told me once that before the end of the world apples were available year-round.  People could go to food stores and expect to find them regardless of the season.  Earth had a lot more apple trees back then.  A lot more people too.


The few of us who survived the apocalypse made a new existence for ourselves, one in which apples are only available in autumn.  I guess we're lucky--that Helsa Labs had the foresight to build this underground facility before the bombs fell; lucky we had the technology to preserve some of our way of life; lucky we rescued enough people from around the world (myself included) to have the genetic diversity necessary to prevent extinction.


But sometimes I think about life in the old world.  As I reach for the first apple of the harvest I wonder—would I like them so much if I could eat them whenever I wanted?


My hand closes around the fruit and immediately I know exactly how it will taste—tart for a gala, but with precisely the right amount of crunch in each bite.  A bruise mars the flesh—a surface wound only.  It doesn't reach the perfect core with its three teardrop seeds.


No... I don't know for certain, but three sounds right.


I pivot to scan Helsa's cavernous dining hall for a place to sit and jump as two lanky arms drape over my shoulders, the gold-skinned fingers grasping my fruit.  The vegetable soup in my left hand sloshes over my thumb.

44 comments:

  1. Ancient Rome definitely piques my interest! I'd be curious to see what historical events you play with there! Good luck!

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    1. Thanks! A lot of my look at Rome focuses on slice-of-life in the town of Clusium (http://writelock.blogspot.com/2011/02/finding-clusium.html).

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  2. I also like the Ancient Rome angle.
    Stopping by to wish you luck in TWV. :)

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    1. Thank you! I had fun with the mythological aspect of setting the book in Rome.

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  3. I've always LOVED this opening! It does such a great job of weaving in the historical and dystopian aspects of the story! And, as a lucky CP, I can say the rest of the book totally lives up to this premise! Totally fantastic!

    Good luck in the contest Audrey!!!

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    1. Thanks Jamie! :D You're a great CP! Now when do I get to read the new and improved version of Time Bound?

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  4. I really like this opening! Just stopping by to wish you luck for TWV, so -- GOOD LUCK! :)

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  5. This sounds like a great set-up, good luck!

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    1. Haha, I just realized this is the exact same thing I said to you! But yours looks like a fun plot as well.

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  6. Stopping by to wish good luck! I absolutely love Rome (a lot a lot) so you definately hit a niche spot with me! Loved your voice too.

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    1. Thank you very much! I really appreciate that.

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  7. I like your main character, who is "just another girl orphaned by the nuclear wars" and feels a touching nostalgia for apples available all year round. Good luck in the competition!

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  8. This was really cool! I love a good time travel story. Good luck!

    -Sarah #146

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    1. Thank you! I love your story idea as well. Definitely caught my interest.

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  9. Oooooh, nice one! I also love the historical/dystopian mix, and I absolutely love your first sentence! Good luck!
    Kip (#20)

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    1. Oh thank you! I'm glad you liked it. Good luck to you too!

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  10. So intriguing! Best of luck!

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  11. O...M...G...this is SO right up my alley. I love dystopia, time travel, historical fiction, and ancient Rome, so...yeah...I would read this book. Good luck!

    Andrea #32

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    1. Oh thank you! I'm really glad you like the idea. Good luck to you too!

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  12. Good luck, I would never tackle time travel as I don't have the confidence not to confuse myself, lol. Kudos from April, #61!

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    1. Yeah, the time travel made it about the most complicated thing I've ever written!

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  13. Great concept. Good luck! (Amy 105)

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  14. I love this one -- hoping it gets picked! Anne #102

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    1. Aww, thank you. But there are a whole lot of great entries out there!

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  15. Hi Audrey. I'm visiting all the blogs who made the contest, to make sure I follow them, but I already know you. Congrats on making it onto the list! I've never seen a linky list fill up so fast in all my years of blogging.

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    1. Yep! Yours was one of the first names I noticed and recognized on the list. Good luck to you!

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  16. Oooh, this is elaborate!! I like it!!

    Good luck in the contest!

    Summer - #40

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  17. Hi Audrey, just a quick note from a fellow entrant to wish you luck. With the quality of writing in this contest I think we’ll all need it!

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  18. I love time travel stories, so I would definitely be interested in reading this one. Good luck in the contest!

    Dani #179

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  19. I love the thoughtful opening. That initial question tells me so much about the MC. Nicely done.

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    1. Thanks! I really appreciate the comment. Congratulations to you on your success so far!

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  20. Wow, what a cool premise! Love! Good luck!

    ~Nicole, entry 68

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  21. Best of luck, my dear! As one of your CPers, I LOVE this book! I've got my fingers crossed for you. It's truly a unique premise with a terrific voice and MC. So many scenes sent chills down my spine--I'm wishing you the best!

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    1. Thanks, lovely :) This book definitely wouldn't be what it is without you.

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  22. I love your 250. :) Best of luck!

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