The Best Story Ideas
March 8, 2009 by A Slice of Orange in category ArchivesHave you noticed that some authors always seem to have great ideas for their books? By which I mean, you read a one-line description of the story (or maybe a couple of sentences) and you think, ‘Wow, I want to read that!’
Other authors, I might love their books and buy every single one, but I don’t necessarily fall in love with their ideas. I read the book confident that I’ll fall in love with the story, but the idea never jumped up and grabbed me by the throat.
The best ideas don’t necessarily have to be out-there ideas like The Time Traveler’s Wife, or some of Jodi Picoult’s books (though out-there is great, too). I’m thinking about, in romance fiction, a story that might fit right in with the genre’s conventions, yet something about the idea grabs me and makes me think I want to read that book. (Being a writer, I usually also think, “Darn, I wish I’d thought of that,’ but I’m trying to be a better person and get over that) 🙂
So, who do I rely on for consistently “wow†ideas? Every Jennifer Weiner book I’ve read, I’ve fallen in love with the idea (Good in Bed, Goodnight Mr. Nobody etc). Susan Mallery (I’m thinking Falling for Gracie and others) and Kristan Higgins (Catch of the Day and Too Good to be True)…more great ideas gals. In young adult fiction, Meg Cabot consistently comes up with those I-love-it ideas (Princess Diaries is an oldie but a goody, plus How to be Popular, Airhead, etc).
Tell me which authors you think consistently write stories based around a great idea, or a great hook, and I’ll check them out!
Abby
THINGS THAT MAKE ME GO MMMRUH!
March 7, 2009 by A Slice of Orange in category Archives
by
Geralyn Ruane
Yeah, I think everyone in California should boycott marriage. Everyone. Until everyone has the right.
Though she makes her film debut in Daryl From OnCar, our winsome blogger adores same-sex romantic movies such as Latter Days and Imagine Me and You . Geralyn co-hosts the radio show Better Times After 50 on AdviceRadio.com and her short story “Jane Austen Meets the New York Giants†is published in the New York Times Bestselling anthology The Right Words at the Right Time, Volume 2.
Notes from Val’s Desk
March 4, 2009 by A Slice of Orange in category Archives tagged as Motivational, Notes From Val's Desk
So, I’m just writing along the other day and came to a screeching halt when I had to spell the word “commitment.” I stopped and stared at the line I was typing and the blinking cursor waiting for me to continue the entry. Next I stared at my fingers hoping that they would just magically move on their own and finally, I stared at the ceiling expecting those elusive letters to be glowing like a neon sign, but nothing happened. One “t” or two “tt’s.” Nothing. I simply couldn’t remember.
For crying out loud, how could I forget how to spell? I was once a spelling champ. I know that commitment is hanging out somewhere in my brain along with judgment. They are both sitting back and laughing at me and just too lazy to get up anymore.
This happens more and more often than I care to admit. I get annoyed (and rather distressed) at all the little things that seem to be difficult to do—mentally and physically. Actions and thoughts that used to be so easy and second-nature are now becoming past history. Oh well, it’s not like I’m the only gracefully-aging person on the planet that this is happening too. I happen to know I’m in very good company. I plan to grin-and-bear it and move along.
And then there is the definition of commitment (which is what I was thinking about in the first place):
–noun
1. the act of committing.
2. the state of being committed.
3. the act of committing, pledging, or engaging oneself.
4. a pledge or promise; obligation
5. engagement; involvement
…and 6 more definitions.
Origin:
1605–15 (Oh, Lord.)
I intended to write this blog about commitment and how important it is for success in any of life’s endeavors. I have made a commitment to write this year and finish my book. I know I can and will do this.
I’m just having a little problem with words that don’t want to come out and play anymore.Chapter Meeting Information for March
February 28, 2009 by A Slice of Orange in category Archives tagged as Chapter Meeting InformationGeneral Meetings are held the second Saturday of the month at the Brea Community Center, 695 E. Madison Way, Brea, CA 92821. For a map and directions, click here. Meeting fees are $10 for Members and $20 for Non-Members.
Meeting Schedule for March 14, 2009:
9:30 am: Doors Open / Ask an Author
10:30 – 10:45 am: Announcements
Morning Speaker: MARK HASKELL SMITH, screenwriter and novelist–“Embracing Probabilityâ€
11:50: Lunch Break (Lunch Orders available)
1:00 – 1:30 pm: General Meeting and Achievements
Afternoon Speaker: New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance, SUSAN ANDERSEN—“Self-Editing for the Most Impactâ€
3:00 pm: Meeting Adjourns
Volunteer Ask an Author for March: Jennifer Apodaca
And for OCC Members Attending the Meeting–Monthly Critique Drawings!
Volunteer Critique Author for March: Debra Mullins
2009 Dates to Remember:
March 14–OCC Monthly Meeting (Brea CC)
March 16–March Online Class: Layering a Story Concept with (For information click HERE)
April 11–26th Annual Orange Rose Contest entries due.
April 11–OCC Monthly Meeting (Brea CC)
April 13–April Online Class: Show & Tell: An Interactive Workshop with Shannon Donnelly (For information click HERE.)
May 9—OCC Monthly Meeting (Brea CC)
May 11—May Online class: Writing the Synopsis with Camy Tang (For information click HERE.)
For current Online Class Schedule and registration information, please visit http://www.occrwa.org/onlineclasses.html.For more chapter meeting information http://occrwa.org/meetings.htm
A Fantasy Life
February 28, 2009 by A Slice of Orange in category A Fantasy Life by Janet Cornelow, Archives tagged as Janet Cornelow, Janet Quinn
By Janet Quinn Cornelow
Meet Kisho and Kaisha. Loki, my son’s girlfriend, drew them. They are teenage, twin snow leopards. Their mother, the ruler of their land, has sent them to
Kaisha has magical powers. Kisho has some, but not as strong as his sister. With them are some servants, of other animals species, who have some type of magical ability. The twins are alone in
Loki came to me a month or so ago and wanted to know if I want to write a graphic novel with her. She’ll do the graphic part and I’ll do the writing part. She has part of the world developed, but really not sure of what the story should be.
Writing a graphic novel has to be sort of like writing a screen play. As a writer, I do not have to do all that description, which I tend to leave out if I can get away with it anyway. Who cares if the characters change clothes during the book. Also, I do not have to explain the action. That is shown in the drawings. I mostly have to write the dialogue and then explain what they should be doing, but I can do that in notes or talking to her.
Of course, every good story needs a love interest. Kisho has one with a fox. Kaisha doesn’t as of yet.
Manga seems to be very popular with the younger generation, so it seems like a worthwhile project. We still have to come up with names for the countries and a reason why the land where Kisho and Kaisha come from doesn’t have the technology that
If you are interested in seeing a Manga romance, ask Maureen Child. She had one of her romances come out as a Manga. It was interesting. I really liked the sex scenes. They are just up my alley.
In the meantime, I have to finish Sam’s story while we build a new world. He’s out of bed, but now he is in the yard arguing with Jubilee. I don’t think he’ll be happy staying there for long.
Art work by Loki – http://loki-rei.deviantart.com
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