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Cleaning. Oh Joy!

August 10, 2008 by in category Archives

By Nancy Farrier

I hate cleaning. I mean the deep cleaning that you always put off, or at least I do. For instance, going through the black hole in my bedroom, I usually refer to as my closet. Yes, I know there are those who do this on a regular basis. I’m not one of them.

After all, that comfortable pair of sandals looked very nice. There might even be a way to fix that broken strap some day, even though super glue doesn’t work. Then there are the old clothes. I could shed some pounds and fit back into the ones I haven’t worn in years. I’m not real concerned about fashion, so it won’t matter that they aren’t in, plus by the time I fit into them they might be the height of fashion again. That would be a reason to hang onto them.

Then, there are all the bits of yarn, the only slightly damaged gift bags, the odd pieces of wrapping paper that might be the perfect size for the next gift, and the list goes on. How am I supposed to part with all those valuables?

When I do take a deep breath, gather my resolve, and begin to sort and pitch, I’m amazed at the change. I have room in that closet again. I’m not living in fear for my life every time I open the door.

I often find editing my writing to be the same difficult chore. I recall the first time I had to change scenes that were perfect. (In my eyes only.) It was hard. It was painful. Yet, when I listened to the editor, and followed the suggestions I’d been given, the finished work was so much stronger and more believable. Who knew all those ly adverbs, and flowery adjectives, weren’t necessary?

Killing my darlings still isn’t easy. However, I know the hard work and persistence will pay off. My readers will be happier, and so will my editor. As for the closet—I love to live in fear.

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It’s Worth It

August 9, 2008 by in category Archives tagged as

AN EMBARRASSMENT OF RICHES

By Kitty Bucholtz

I finally recovered from the RWA National Conference that I attended in San Francisco last week. Whew! What a week! I drove up with my friend Lori and her husband and son (both of whom are sweet and cute and fun!). Then I stayed with my friend Marcy for a few days while we brainstormed all kinds of writing-related ideas including weighing the pros and cons of me getting a Master’s in Creative Writing degree. (I think I’m going to do it!) Remember in last month’s column I was stressing because I needed to see my friends’ little baby Grace? Saw her! Spent the whole day with them and I wasn’t even asked to change her diaper – excellent!

After such a great start to the week, I was eager for the conference to begin. It was a wonderful combination of fun and work. I had “not dinner” with some OCC friends (the restaurant was so backed up, we had to leave before we got our food, so we only had bread and wine and water – which Lori termed our Biblical dinner), went to a couple of parties (remembered the next morning why I don’t generally drink champagne), and went to every single workshop session but one. And at the last workshop session, two agents gave us the secret password before the recording began. Those who query them with the secret password get bonus points for having shown up in person when everyone was so tired. LOL!

One of the best parts for me was hearing someone say, “Send it to me.” I tracked down an agent and an editor who I’d researched a few days before the conference, and both want a proposal from me. (Yea!) We heard some great keynote speakers (Victoria Alexander was a hoot!), learned from some great teachers (Eric Maisel’s “Creativity for Life” might have been my favorite class), and met a lot of people! Lori and Lynn and Kimberly and I made a challenge the last two days to give out at least 15 business cards each – and we did it! (Networking made easy!) We also made a point of spending two of our meals together brainstorming, and it looks like we’ll be getting together to do it again now that we’re home. (Plot problem solving made easy!)

The trip was expensive in terms of money and time, and it took me a few days to get my energy back and my life back in order once I returned. But as Lori mused on the long drive home, we received an embarrassment of riches. This wealth is pushing me to work harder and faster than ever before (remember those two proposals I need to get out?), but it feels great, and I totally believe it’s worth it!


Kitty Bucholtz writes romantic comedies because, well, she lives one! She wrote her first book in the NBC cafeteria, the second snowed in at a Reno hotel, and the third from a tiny apartment in Sydney. Even though she loves talking about, writing about, and teaching about writing, she’s pretty sure she knows at least three people who aren’t writers.

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Is the book always better than the movie?

August 8, 2008 by in category Archives tagged as

I’m about to make a sweeping generalization…but I hope someone out there can prove me wrong.

Have you ever noticed that when you read a book and see the movie of the same story, the book is always better than the movie?

There are a couple of simple explanations… A book allows you to get into the character’s head better, because their thoughts are on the page. And when you look at how much shorter a screenplay is than a book, you realize the screenwriters have to lose a lot of material from the book in order to fit it into a movie.

But on the other hand… A movie can be so much more visual, and can bring a book to life in an almost tangible way. So why is the book always better? Or am I wrong about this?

There are some movies I’ve enjoyed without ever reading the original novel. You’ve Got Mail, based on the book The Shop Around The Corner. Heartburn, from the book of the same title. I can’t comment on the book v. movie question there.

And I have to say, The Sound of Music (my favorite movie) was better than the book The Von Trapp Family Singers. But it doesn’t really count, as the movie was only very loosely based on the book. It wasn’t an adaptation of the book for the big screen.

Some great books have been transformed into terrible movies. The Bonfire of the Vanities (horribly miscast, IMHO). Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. And my kids tell me they didn’t enjoy the Eragon movie (they loved the book). Reportedly, The Other Boleyn Girl was a poor reflection of the book, but I haven’t seen that one.

There have, of course, been some excellent adaptations—the Harry Potter movies, a couple of John Grisham stories, Stephen King’s Misery—but I wouldn’t say they were better than the original books.

I haven’t read The Diving Bell And The Butterfly, nor read the book. Apparently they’re both great – I don’t know which to do first. Any recommendations?

When I hear that a book I love is being made into a movie, I’m cast into nail-biting anticipation about how good the movie will end up. Can Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic heroine Becky Bloomwood be as brilliant on screen as she is in the books?

I wonder what the secret is to turning a great book into an even better movie…if that’s possible. I’ll bet Blake Snyder knows—he’s a Hollywood screenwriter who gave a brilliant talk about story structure at the Romance Writers of America convention last weekend.

What do you think about the book v. movie question? Give me your recommendations for “a great movie from a book,” and I’ll go rent the DVD.
Abby

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RWA Forever!

August 6, 2008 by in category Pets, Romance & Lots of Suspense by Linda O. Johnston, Writing Conferences tagged as , ,

Linda O. Johnston
www.LindaOJohnston.com
www.KillerHobbies.blogspot.com

I’d imagine I won’t be the only OCCer to blog on the Slice of Orange about how great the Romance Writers of America National Conference was last week! I, for one, had a wonderful time.

When I registered, the block of rooms in the conference hotel was already booked, so I found a hotel across the street. The Mosser Hotel room had charm but not a lot of space, but since I shared it with my husband things worked out just fine.

These days, most of what I do at an RWA conference involves networking and promotion, and I had a blast with both–not to mention all the parties I attended, including a couple at the OCC suite!

I also had fun making sure that my keychains, bookmarks and excerpts were available in the Goody Room as long as I was around. People must have liked them, since I always had to add more.

I admit I didn’t attend many workshops. I did go to the opening session of the PAN retreat and enjoyed the motivational speaker, and I also popped into some other workshops when I had time. That was one regret, since I know I missed some fine talks. And I also had to leave early, so I wasn’t around for the presentation of the Golden Heart and Rita awards.

I’m already making my plans to attend in Washington , D.C. , next year… and you?

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Book Buyers’ Best Contest Winners!

August 5, 2008 by in category Archives tagged as

The 2008 BBB (Book Buyers’ Best) Winners were announced in the Orange County Chapter/RWA Hospitality Suite at RWA National Conference in San Francisco.

Series Short Contemporary
AN IMPROPER AFFAIR
(Silhouette Desire)
by Anna DePalo

Series Long Contemporary
SUMMER AFTER SUMMER
(Harlequin Everlasting Love)
by Ann De Fee

Single Title Romance with Romantic Elements
MONKEY STAR
(New American Library)
by Brenda Scott Royce

Historical and Regency
DESIRE NEVER DIES
(Avon)
by Jenna Petersen

Romantic Suspense/Mystery with Romantic Elements
OVERKILL
(Berkley Sensation)
by Linda Castillo

Paranormal/Time Travel/ Fantasy
THIRTY NIGHTS WITH A HIGHLANDER HUSBAND
(Pocket)
by Melissa Mayhue

The “TOP PICK” was chosen by Sue Grimshaw, Romance Fiction Buyer for
Borders, Inc.and Pam Nelson, Advertising and Promotions Levy Home
Entertainment, LLC.

This year, both the national buyers chose the same book for their Top
Pick–

OVERKILL
(BERKLEY SENSATION)
by Linda Castillo

As “TOP PICK”, Linda Castillo will be featured for one full year on a
special webpage at www.occrwa.org.

Congratulations to all of the winners!

OCC/RWA would like to thank all of the judges, including Sue Grimshaw and Pam Nelson. And a special thank-you to BBB Coordinator Lori Pyne for a second year of hard work and dedication.

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