Extract from _Pages From My Heart_, by Veronica Faux:

    "I'm sorry, Katherine," her father said reluctantly, looking up
    from the papers strewn haphazardly on his rosewood writing-desk,
    "but unless we can pay, the estate goes to your uncle next year.
    There's absolutely no way I can raise that kind of money."
    
    "But father," began Katherine hotly, her clear blue eyes flashing
    rebelliously as she considered the ignominious fate in store for
    her family, which must inevitably lead to a hateful marriage of
    convenience for her rather than the match of true love she feared
    yet craved (though she was not yet ready to admit as much even to
    herself), "there must surely be *something* we can do do! There
    simply *must* be!"
    
    Katherine's father sighed heavily, and shook his head. 
    
       *   *   *   *   *
       
    Later that night in her room, Katherine reached into a drawer
    and pulled out the much-read letter that lay within. She smoothed
    the paper flat on her dressing table and scanned the contents again.
    
    "...romance genre novel ... required by February latest ... agents
    in Inverness ... of much interest to us ..."
    
    Her mouth tightened. So be it. If writing a romance novel by
    February was the only way to earn the money she needed to save the
    estate... She reached for her pen and ink.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Announcing: RomanceNovelComp!

Games must be written in the style of a romance novel (either serious or
parody). This means that, for example, a genre sci-fi game with a
gratuitous sex scene thrown in will probably not be considered suitable
for the competition.

All entries must be submitted to me via email by the 1st of February.
(I would prefer submissions several days in advance of this deadline,
if possible.) A panel of judges carefully picked for their knowledge of
IF and/or romance novels will review the games. All the games and the
judges' comments will be released to the public on the 14th of February.

In the great tradition of romance novels, entrants are encouraged to
submit their games under suitably enigmatic pen-names. (You don't have
to set up a secret Hotmail account to do this; just tell me your pen-
name and I'll preserve your anonymity.) You decide whether you want your
real name to be revealed when the games are released.

Cross-platform entries are preferred, as the judges will be using a
variety of operating systems. Single-platform entries may not be
played by all the judges.

Again, the important dates are:

 1st of February 2002:  final date for submissions
 14th of February 2002: games and judge's comments released
 
Feel free to email me if you have any further queries.

-- 
Storme Winfield 
(stormew@yahoo.com)

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