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We’ve all experienced moments in our lives when something wonderful happens. Winning a spelling bee in grade school. Getting picked for select team in middle school. Getting chosen for the lead in an all-school play. Moments that are forever seared into our brains. Usually we can remember where we stood when we heard the news. Often what we were wearing. And who can forget the excitement and sense of joy that surged through our veins.
The three women that we’ll showcase today experienced this happiness when they were notified they were Golden Heart contest finalists in the Inspirational category.
First you might wonder…what is the Golden Heart Awards®? Romance Writer’s of America’s Golden Heart Award honors excellence in unpublished romance manuscripts. It is considered to be THE premier writing contest for unpublished writers.
More than 1,000 manuscripts were judged in 10 categories. Winners of the awards will be announced July 31, 2010, at the Heart Awards Ceremony to be held at RWA’s 30th Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida.
I reached out to the three finalists in the Inspirational category and caught up with two of them. I asked them what it was like to get that call, notifying them that they were a finalist in this prestigious contest.
Unforgiven by CJ Eernisse Chase
Violets and Violins by Keli Gwyn
Here’s what Keli had to say about her GH call:
I awoke at 6 a.m. and dashed to my computer. I loaded the RWA® website and two blogs where Golden Heart® finalists were shouting out their news as they received it. I wanted to see which of my writer pals had received The Call. Since I’m in California, the sites were already hopping. When my phone rang at 8 a.m., I hoped the caller wasn’t chatty because I wanted to watch for my friends’ names. To my surprise, Terri Reed was on the phone telling me I was a finalist. I owe her a big hug in Orlando.
I think most can identify with the experience. You’re hoping that your friends will get picked, get chosen, have their happy moment and you find yourself being blindsided…by joy!
Here Comes the Wedding Planner by Kristin Leigh Wallace
For Kristin, third time was the charm. Here’s what Kristin had to say about the call she received:
This was my third time entering the GH (with the same manuscript). This year I didn’t change one word. I’d always come close, but one score knocked me out. I actually forgot that the GH calls were supposed to go out. I always get the date mixed up. Then around noon I was at work and got a weird email that say only “rwa” in the subject. I couldn’t imagine what RWA wanted. All it said was someone’s name and “call me as soon as you can”. I still didn’t get it so I wrote back and said I’m getting back to you. Then I FINALLY looked at the calendar and my heart started racing. So then I called, still telling myself that it was probably something stupid. But it was about the Golden Heart. It’s been a wild ride so far and I’m looking forward to Nationals.
Everyone who offers their congratulations to these finalists and mentions something good that happened to them (at any time in their life) will be entered into a drawing to win a copy of my June release In Love With John Doe. I’ll be giving away five copies so your chances to win are good!
Congratulations to CJ, Keli and Kristin. We think you’re all winners!!
Filed in: Jaunty Post
Jul 10th
2010
7:14 am
Kristan Higgins Said:
Enjoy every minute, ladies, and congratulations! I had a lovely moment of joy the other day, when my 9-year-old niece was trying to overcome her fear and jump into the deep end of our pool. Finally, I said, “If Auntie comes in with you, will you feel safe enough to try?” And she said yes. Ten minutes later, she was jumping in and out of the pool like a little red-headed otter. But the fact that she trusted me enough to try…well, that was joyful indeed.
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Jul 10th
2010
8:26 am
kris Said:
Congrats to the finalists! What a thrilling honor!
The best thing that ever happened to me was having a baby after 11 years of trying! She is 8 now and has made my life complete!
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Jul 10th
2010
8:32 am
Gillian Said:
Look where I’m finding my GH sisters! Ladies, what great stories! I love inspirational romance; I just brought home a new one yesterday called A Vote of Confidence by Robin Lee Hatcher. I shouldn’t read it now because I need to work on more revisions…but maybe I’ll bring it on the plane. I don’t read Regency when I’m working on my own, it muddles me.
Cindy actually had the “fun” of calling me this year and listening to me rattle on about “but it’s already over. I’ve eaten my candy bar.”
I’m pretty sure I also made her repeat everything twice. And she was all kindness and grace.
I can’t wait to meet you all in Orlando, ladies.
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Jul 10th
2010
9:44 am
catslady Said:
Big congratulations to the finalists.
The biggest would have to be having my two daughters – one who recently got married and moved back to our area and bought a house. She graduated college and my youngest has one more year. Grandchildren next lol.
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Jul 10th
2010
10:05 am
Shana Said:
Good luck, ladies! I remember the thrill of getting that GH call. I was so nervous throughout the ceremony. I was glad the GHs came before the Ritas. I didn’t win, but I was able to cheer for my friend and former JQ, Kimberly Logan when she won our category.
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Jul 10th
2010
10:11 am
eap Said:
Congralations! Now if I just get caught up pm reading of the RITA finalists…:)
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Jul 10th
2010
10:17 am
Clarissa Southwick Said:
Congratulation, ladies. Good luck at Nationals. I’m a GH finalist in the historical category and one good thing that has happened to me was the chance to get to know all these wonderful ladies. Please count me in on your drawing.
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Jul 10th
2010
10:22 am
Quilt Lady Said:
Congratulations to the finalist! I think the best thing that ever happened to me was have my son. There is just nothing like the feeling of having that new born baby in you arms. This was twenty years ago but you don’t forget.
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Jul 10th
2010
10:24 am
Karyn Gerrard Said:
Congrats to the finalists! Good luck~ Saying yes to my DH when he proposed, turns out, it was the greatest thing I ever did~
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Jul 10th
2010
10:51 am
Angi Morgan Said:
Awesome feature article.
It’s always great to find just a little bit more out about our cyber buddies.
Something good? Too many to count. I’ll set aside the normal way up there things like: Marriage, Kids, Family & Friends… So… Believing in myself and that God wanted good things for me to happen. And they did.
~~Angi
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Jul 10th
2010
11:00 am
Laura Said:
I love hearing “the call” stories – even for the call of the Golden Heart. Congratulations ladies and best of luck!
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Jul 10th
2010
11:46 am
Cindy Kirk Said:
Kristan,
Your niece is lucky to have you so close. My nieces and nephews all live out of state…makes it harder to have the kind of relationship where they’ll leap into your arms.
Kris,
I can only imagine how wonderful it must have been to get that positive pregnancy test after eleven years of trying.
Gillian,
You were so much fun…I enjoyed every minute of that GH call!
catslady,
From what I’ve heard…grandchildren are sooo much fun.
Shana,
I hadn’t realized you’d been a GH finalist. I’ve learned something new today.
eap,
I know…I’m loving these GH and RITA posts too.
Clarissa,
Congratulations! Fabulous news about being a finalist!
Quilt lady,
I have to agree…holding that newborn baby in your arms…it’s hard to top that…
Karyn,
A proposal. Soooo romantic.
Angi,
God and a positive attitude…hard to beat.
Laura,
I love “The Call” stories, too!
CJ, Keli and Kristin,
If you have time and would like to share a little about your writing journey, I know we’d be interested in hearing!
And, remember, I’ll be drawing FIVE winners from those who comment!
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Jul 10th
2010
12:49 pm
Kirsten Said:
Oh Ladies Congratulations! Being a finalist is awesome I know. The best of luck to all of you!
One great thing that comes to mind is what happened when I entered my Chocolatecake in a local baking contest and was one of the finalists. It was amazing, I had spend many hours and ingredients on trying out some recipes and perfecting it in my little oven with my limited baking skills. I felt so proud to be selected from a much larger group.
When I heard the news from my sister, who had answered my phone when I was away shopping for food, I did a little happy dance. I had not won first price but got a third place to be rewarded with a cookbook! It was really special for me for my Grandmother used to make a mean Chocolatecake and I don´t have her recipe. I tried to recreate it as best I could and was real happy they loved it. My groceries stayed forgotten in the bag on the floor and I made a pot of earl grey tea to celebrate. No Chocolatecake to go with it for we ate more of that then my hips could handle.
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Jul 10th
2010
1:54 pm
Cindy Kirk Said:
Kirsten,
I am in awe of people who can cook well. It is a true talent. Congrats on finaling with your chocolate cake!!
If you were here, I’d ask for justalittlebite…cuz there are not calories in a bite…right?
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Jul 10th
2010
2:31 pm
Cynthia Chow Said:
Congratulations ladies. I hope that this leads to many wonderful things in the future on your path to getting published.
One of the wonderful things in life was the day that I got married to my husband and just being reaffirmed that he was my chose one for me.
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Jul 10th
2010
2:55 pm
Cindy Kirk Said:
Cynthia,
It’s nice to see a fellow Cynthia commenting!!
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Jul 10th
2010
7:44 pm
Susan C Said:
Congratulations and best of luck to all the finalists.
The best thing that ever happened to me was marrying my husband of 26 yrs. and having my three children!
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Jul 10th
2010
9:09 pm
Linda Henderson Said:
Congratulations to all these ladies, I wish them the best. The greatest thing to happen to me was to have my two daughters. I didn’t think I was going to be able to have children and I ended up with two beautiful daughters that have given me 6 grandchildren, one of them is a month old today.
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Jul 11th
2010
10:59 am
Tina Radcliffe Said:
Congratulations ladies. Enjoy the journey!
I wish you all continued success in your writing.
Don’t enter me in the Cindy Kirk drawing..I have the book. I wouldn’t miss a single book of Cindy’s
Tina Racliffe
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Jul 11th
2010
11:25 am
Susan Mason Said:
Congratulations, Keli, CJ and Kristin!
I feel a special connection to this category as I was a finalist 2 years ago, along with Keli and CJ! At the time, I didn’t realize the magnitude of being a GH finalist – until everyone started talking about gowns and the award ceremony! It was like going to the Oscars!
Best of luck to all three of you! But you know you’re already winners!
Cheers,
Sue
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Jul 11th
2010
11:52 am
Cindy Kirk Said:
Susan C,
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Linda,
It took me a while to get pregnant too…makes that baby even more special (if that’s even possible)
Tina,
You’re such a sweetie. Can you see me waving to you?
Susan,
You’re right…being a finalist is a big deal…as you can obviously testify.
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Jul 11th
2010
2:26 pm
Nancy Robards Thompson Said:
Congratulations, ladies! Savor every moment. You’re Cinderella and the conference is your ball. I was a Golden Heart finalist in 2000 (didn’t win) and 2002 (I won with the book that went on to be published as “Sisters.”). I’ll never forget how it felt to get those calls and to hear my name called at the awards ceremony in 2002.
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Jul 11th
2010
4:35 pm
Cindy Kirk Said:
Nancy,
I remember both those awards ceremonies….Wow, has it really been that long??
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Jul 11th
2010
4:47 pm
Keli Gwyn Said:
Sorry to be late stopping by. Our college daughter is home for the weekend, so I wasn’t online yesterday.
Thanks for the many congratulatory comments. I had the thrill of being a finalist the first time in 2008 and attending my first Nationals. RWA® treated all the finalists like royalty. The Awards Ceremony really did feel like a ball, and I felt a princess.
I’ll be in Orlando and am excited about meeting the other 2010 finalists, The Unsinkables. What a great group of talented women along our one wonderful guy, Ken. I’ll get to spend time with my awesome critique partner and meet many of my blogging buddies in person, too. It’s not long now. Let the fun begin!!
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Jul 12th
2010
7:07 am
Mary Manners Said:
Keli,
I am so happy for you! From my conversations with you, this accolade could not have been bestowed upon a more hard-working and dedicated person.
Best wishes in Orlando. I’ll be cheering for you.
Mary
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Apr 6th
2011
11:31 am
Keli Gwyn Said:
I wanted to add an update.
As you know, C.J. won the Golden Heart. I’m so happy for her and get excited every time I think about watching her joy as she delivered her speech. She sold her GH story to Steeple Hill not long after Nationals. Her debut novel, Redeeming the Rogue, will be released by Love Inspired Historicals in August. I’m eager to read it.
I completed the my revisions of my GH story in September, my agent sent it out on submission the next month, and we received two offers. I accepted one of the offers on December 7th. Talk about a great Christmas present. Wow!
My debut novel, A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California, will be released by Barbour Publishing on July 1, 2012.
I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before we’re able to join in Kristin’s First Sale happy dance.
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