Today was the day the results of the Breakthrough Novel-Writing Scholarship from Curtis Brown Creative. The prize was a 6-month novel writing scholarship worth about £3000.
I entered with a 3000 word sample of my beginning of my first novel which I’m writing at the moment. I also had to supply a synopsis and answer why I was eligible for the scholarship. 13th Feb was named as the day we’d find out who had won.
I kept refreshing my gmail at multiple times throughout the day, although I thought if I was successful they’d probably phone. Well, it got to almost 5pm when I got an email from CBC. I knew then I hadn’t managed. I made myself read it though and I was pleasantly surprised! I got a personalised message saying ‘…intriguing story with so much potential- keep going…’ I was encouraged to keep applying for similar opportunities. That was sooo lovely! Just to know that I’m doing the right sort of thing. I might not have been close to winning, I don’t know, I doubt it. However, I’m pointing in the right direction which, as a beginner novelist, it’s such a reassuring message. So I’m really happy with that.
I’ve applied for 3 other bursaries/scholarships for novel writing which won’t be revealed before the start of March.
In the meantime, I’ve written 29,000 words as of this evening. Should get to 30,000 words tomorrow. I’ll update you on how I’m doing then.
Lorna Writes a Novel 
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