Contests

On modeling assignments, I usually portray a business professional – like a CEO, doctor, or IT manager. Which is why I wanted to portray something different on my web site. Just once, I wanted to be feminine, do something fun.

So, during the same photo shoot that the uber-talented Scott Marrs took the shot of me draped in the sheet that you see on my site, we played around with some creative shots.

One that we tried was a “high-fashion” shot.

“Okay,” said Scott, “Give me a dead stare.” That is, a look that’s completely devoid of expression.

Apparently, it’s a look that fashion models must perfect.

And, just as apparent, it’s a look that I suck at. So, hundreds of shots later, we gave up.

“Okay. Now, think of something sad,” said Scott.

I stared off into the distance, my gaze barely noticing the netting that dipped over my eyes or the smoke spiraling up from the cigarette lightly clasped between my fingers.

“That’s it, that’s it,” he said softly, amid the whir of the camera shutter.

“That’s what?” I asked, after he’d signaled he was done.

“This is the look I was trying to get from you before.” And, as we flipped through the photos in his camera, I realized that I’d accidentally given him the expressionless look:

1. The Dead Stare

Rachelle Chase Dead Stare by Scott Marrs

2. The Noir Shot

Rachelle Chase Noir Photo by Scott Marrs

Now, I know what I was thinking in these shots. But, what do the photos say to you? Pretend that the woman is not me. Instead, she’s a character in a book you’re reading. Tell me something about her.

For example, what’s just happened to her? What is she thinking? What is she feeling? Write whatever comes to mind. Create a story or give me some dialogue, or just jot down a thought that says it all. It might take you a single sentence – or several paragraphs.

 

The person who leaves the response I like best will win:

PLEASE NOTE: This contest is open to any and all. You don’t have to be a writer. Perfect prose is not required.

So, please take a moment to share your thoughts - and, hopefully, you’ll win!

Blogging Tips Book CoverOn 3/8/08, I spoke about online promotion with Lorelle VanFossen and Tom Johnson at the San Francisco Romance Writers of America monthly meeting.

Afterwards, I had lunch with Lorelle and discovered that, not only is she an expert on blogging, she’s also a wonderful, dynamic, and generous person. And, she gave me three copies of her book - Blogging Tips: What Bloggers Won’t Tell You About Blogging - to give away.

Want to win a copy? If so…

Please leave a comment here and tell me what you like or dislike to read about in blogs – and you’ll automatically be entered in a drawing for a free copy.

As many of you know, I do not blog consistently. Many times, it’s because I don’t know what to say. Sure, I can – and do – share amusing vignettes, contest and book news, but … is this what my readers want to hear?

Please help me give you the news that you want to read

The second annual SOBCon08 is “the Biz School for Bloggers.” For three days in May, guest speakers will discuss the nuts and bolts of successful blogging. And I really want to go! So…

To help me help you, all I need is for you to click HERE by 3/15/08 to visit the SOBCon site.

Thank you in advance for your help! And, perhaps I’ve piqued your interest in attending the conference…?

SEX LOUNGE is finally out! And to celebrate, I’ve just launched the SEX LOUNGE Finding Derek CONTEST, an online contest that seeks the American male who resembles Derek Mitchell, the hero of my book.

We’re looking for the perfect Derek. And we intend to find him. Participants will be asked to post photos, audio clips, text, and video (later) to convince celebrity and other online judges that there’s no better Derek anywhere in the world.

Current judges include:

  • Bill Rosenfield, Executive Producer of Grammy award-winning Broadway productions, such as Oprah Winfrey’s THE COLOR PURPLE
  • Gail Jones, Owner/Director of Talent+Plus/Los Latinos Agency
  • Stephanie Block, Editor-in-Chief of Tango Diva

More judges and prizes are still being added.

We’re looking for great guys to enter and one lucky judge to enter to join our celebrity judges. Both will win fantastic prizes! And, once voting begins, so will web site visitors.

Help me celebrate by entering and visiting www.FindingDerek.com!

Best,
Rachelle

Since I launched my web site in 2005, I’ve held various contests. Some have been ‘treasure hunts,’ where visitors read my excerpts for a chance to win a free ARC. One was a chance to win a free 6-month subscription to the Aphrodisia Book Club. My biggest was the “Chase the Dream” writing contest, co-hosted with Leigh Michaels.

To my knowledge, Lynn Goodale has entered each contest. But, entering was not enough, for Lynn takes her contest entries every bit as seriously as her manuscript submissions. First, she wants to know what her odds are of winning. Then, if the odds are looking unlikely, she wants to know if she will win. Her inquiries are filled with such humor, they always make me smile.

When I’m not offering contents, Lynn still sends me the occasional email. These emails are oftentimes jokes. While I usually dislike being the recipient joke strings – namely because I’m already easily distracted by email when I should be doing other things (like writing) – I always find Lynn’s amusing. Oftentimes they are laugh-out-loud funny. And many times they come on days where I need a good laugh, where the muse has disappeared, or I have doubts about my writing, or I am feeling overwhelmed.

And as I learned from the “Chase the Dream” contest, not only is Lynn persistent, she’s a talented writer – two traits that are crucial to getting published. It’s only a matter of time before I receive the I-Got-The-Call! email from Lynn.

So, I’d like to present Lynn with the Lynn G. Goodale Persistence Award as a way of saying ‘thank you’ for her ongoing support. In addition to an award certification, here are the prizes she’s assured of winning:

Thank you, Lynn.