When I
saw a note about the Harry Bowling Prize in the writers' press in 2002,
I had already submitted work to agents and publishers, and received
many rejections. The most crushing comment was, 'I wasn't convinced by
either the characters or the plot,' but I refused to give up.
I started my entry for the prize from scratch. The competition brief stated that the novel should be set in London, so I checked the London A-Z and chose South Norwood as my setting as I knew the area.
When I began to think about my characters, my heroine Juliet drove into my head in a small red car. She had a husband and children, and was leading a rather ordinary life, juggling childcare and part-time work. Then I added the 'what ifs?' What if she met a gorgeous young man who took an interest in her? What if she responded to his advances?
I wrote and rewrote the
first chapter and synopsis, posted my entry and forgot about it until I
received a telephone call to say that I had been shortlisted for the
prize. I was kept on tenterhooks before being announced as joint winner
at a wonderful reception.
I was gobsmacked - until Laura Longrigg of MBA Literary Agents asked me if she could see the rest of the novel. The rest? I had tinkered with a few ideas for further chapters, but there wasn't a complete novel as such. I didn't panic. I sat down and wrote it.
Laura became my agent, and negotiated a two-book deal with Headline. My contemporary saga 'Under The Bonnet' was published in 2004.
My second book 'Our House' will be published in hardback in April 2005 and paperback in November 2005. I have already completed my third novel, and am in the process of planning number four.
Winning gave me the opportunity to realise my dream of becoming a published author, and I am incredibly grateful to all those involved with the Harry Bowling Prize, especially Edna Bowling who has given me so much encouragement. I have had the pleasure of seeing my novel in the bookshops, and made many new friends, so, if any aspiring authors out there are thinking of entering the next competition, then my advice would be to sit down and get writing.
Cathy Woodman
