tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post7669708006425153563..comments2023-11-16T20:34:36.744-06:00Comments on ... MICHAEL DI GESU ... ... ... In Time ... ...: SMILES, SMILES, AND MORE, SMILES ...THE SMILES AWARDS!.... A DEEPER LOOK INTO THE BLINDED GARDENER.Michael Di Gesuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17047267262428143113noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-85289386293468008282011-01-27T09:55:37.969-06:002011-01-27T09:55:37.969-06:00Your story sounds so gripping - I'm sure there...Your story sounds so gripping - I'm sure there will be some young people relating to the situations. I wish you all the best with it.<br /><br />Congratulations on the award!<br /><br />So happy that the kitten found such a special home.Margo Bensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06759845391358543223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-81623650137558149092011-01-27T06:31:39.736-06:002011-01-27T06:31:39.736-06:00Michael, I can totally relate to your cat allergie...Michael, I can totally relate to your cat allergies. I suffer from them too, said the kid who brought home every stray animal as a kid. :-)<br /><br />Your pitch is intense. The story definitely sounds edgy. I just wonder if your first sentence should provide more of a hook. Something shorter, something that captures the intensity of the story? Just a thought. Best of luck!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-43786309639078385722011-01-27T01:27:13.990-06:002011-01-27T01:27:13.990-06:00Way cool! My female MC and your male MC have simi...Way cool! My female MC and your male MC have similar circumstances, but different coping mechanisms. I hope you go far with this.<br /><br />........dholedolorahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715849844092553699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-52250942295944273162011-01-26T20:10:04.630-06:002011-01-26T20:10:04.630-06:00Awesome!! Congrats!!Awesome!! Congrats!!Colene Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06086195075690893194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-85295741097241855492011-01-26T19:40:42.273-06:002011-01-26T19:40:42.273-06:00I TRIED, Michael, I really did. I TRIED to read it...I TRIED, Michael, I really did. I TRIED to read it without editing.<br /><br />I can't do it, I just can't. <br /><br />Think about this sentence, that's all I ask (well, that plus change it, because it doesn't work): "Aidan comes to the end of his emotional rope after an accusation of rape by the general’s daughter and a deadly blow out with his father send Aidan running."<br /><br />If it's any consolation, you're beating us to 150. :)<br />ericaerica and christyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13074820593371226159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-45777524066937093582011-01-26T17:48:57.800-06:002011-01-26T17:48:57.800-06:00Love the awards!! The kitty one has me giggling!!
...Love the awards!! The kitty one has me giggling!!<br /><br />True to my word I was able to stop by!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667521490706435608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-57507331908704445942011-01-26T17:28:09.163-06:002011-01-26T17:28:09.163-06:00Congrats on the awards...seems like it's the d...Congrats on the awards...seems like it's the day for them, huh? And that kitty award is just adorable!Mara Nashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14628961488068784772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-47757989414710310322011-01-26T14:19:39.039-06:002011-01-26T14:19:39.039-06:00Congrats on the award!
Can I make one suggestion ...Congrats on the award!<br /><br />Can I make one suggestion on your amazing pitch? (and keep in mind that I'm no expert) Instead of using words such as psychotic, abusive or torture in the first paragraph, give a specific example. <br /><br />What does the father do to torture his son? Beat him? Put his hand on the stove? Burn him with a cigarette?<br /><br />Perhaps:<br /><br />Seventeen-year-old military brat, Aidan, and his father, are once again on the move, this time leaving behind Southern California for Beaufort, South Carolina. Aidan counts down the days until he can leave the beating of his father's fist and cigarette burns behind. <br /><br />Just my opinion only.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12160669603997465454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-30331407617560728822011-01-26T13:48:31.280-06:002011-01-26T13:48:31.280-06:00Congratulations!
And military brat - I can relate....Congratulations!<br />And military brat - I can relate.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-59537502481529632592011-01-26T13:47:33.919-06:002011-01-26T13:47:33.919-06:00Congats on the awards. Your story sounds interesti...Congats on the awards. Your story sounds interesting!Karen Langehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-87454737712666179992011-01-26T13:31:22.396-06:002011-01-26T13:31:22.396-06:00Congrats on you awards. That lil kitty is so darn ...Congrats on you awards. That lil kitty is so darn cute! And Leigh is super awesome!! <br />Wow your story sounds very deep and intriguing! Keeping my fingers crossed for you!!PK HREZOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11650153097981426833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-27851657793557102852011-01-26T12:54:07.573-06:002011-01-26T12:54:07.573-06:00Congrats on the award. All success to you with ABN...Congrats on the award. All success to you with ABNA. Sounds like a great story.M Paxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-7187103211989836882011-01-26T12:34:50.384-06:002011-01-26T12:34:50.384-06:00Congrats on the awards! And wow, you're novel ...Congrats on the awards! And wow, you're novel sounds powerful. Excellent pitch! I'm certain you'll make the first cut!Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05130733681254163610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-10343090314323087062011-01-26T12:21:09.092-06:002011-01-26T12:21:09.092-06:00Congrats on the awards! Glad the Kitty got a new ...Congrats on the awards! Glad the Kitty got a new home :) I have to go check Leigh out- I don't think I'm following her. Oh and good luck with ABNA- I'm not ready this year, but maybe next!Abby Minardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963640263845561309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-82089844251601958942011-01-26T11:57:31.053-06:002011-01-26T11:57:31.053-06:00Congrats to Leigh! And, if you really don't m...Congrats to Leigh! And, if you really don't mind? I'd love to snag the cute little kitty award. So happy that yours found a home with someone to love. :) And on your pitch - wow. Intense. Your novel sounds absolutely fascinating!Donea Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15393184831994368021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-61427741939170580602011-01-26T10:53:16.186-06:002011-01-26T10:53:16.186-06:00Congratulations on the awards. I have the smiles a...Congratulations on the awards. I have the smiles award already so I'll grab the kitten. Award ceremonies will take place on my blog next Thursday.<br /><br />So glad the real kitty has a nice home.<br /><br />Your pitch is excellent. One thing I would change is: Who's the general's daughter. You say nothing about him so just use her name. I know you can edit this so go for it and win, win, win.<br />Thank you for your comment on Clarissa's blog today about my post. I appreciate it.<br />Nancy<br /><a href="http://nrwilliams.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">N. R. Williams, fantasy author</a>N. R. Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-51299517906151003162011-01-26T10:31:33.854-06:002011-01-26T10:31:33.854-06:00You know that I think your pitch is dead-on. I'...You know that I think your pitch is dead-on. I'm wishing you the best with the contest. And I'm glad your kitten went to where it was needed most. Have a great day, RolandRoland D. Yeomanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00338410857990551352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-92141327923108188022011-01-26T10:10:25.880-06:002011-01-26T10:10:25.880-06:00Dahling! :D You are too kind~ (LOL!) I try.
I hat...Dahling! :D You are too kind~ (LOL!) I try.<br /><br />I hate to hear that about your cat allergy--have you tried one of those hairless kinds? I know, they're scary-looking. But you could get it a little sweater... and then giggle at him/her *snort*... OK, skip the hairless cat.<br /><br />(yes--bring on the fussin from the hairless cat lovers! ;o) Thanks, G.~ <3<br /><br />P.S.<br />Wow--that pitch is intense. Sultry Tanya... vah vah voom~ ;p But I like the sound of Danny! Good luck!!!LTMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239077455322030275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-29014109230994873012011-01-26T10:10:03.616-06:002011-01-26T10:10:03.616-06:00Thats so sad that you had to give up your cat but ...Thats so sad that you had to give up your cat but unbearably awesome that the kitty went to such a deserving owner!<br /><br />Congrats on your awards!Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12096764010151024050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1002113089297135210.post-19489395609299078652011-01-26T09:56:54.360-06:002011-01-26T09:56:54.360-06:00Wow! Sounds interesting. Good luck and congrats on...Wow! Sounds interesting. Good luck and congrats on the awards.Christine Danekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00979611961825725350noreply@blogger.com