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What Would You Ask Your Favorite Author?

December 3, 2007 by in category Archives tagged as

Our book club got to talking about favorite authors and one thing led to another and we started sharing: What would you ask your favorite author?

1. Where do you get your ideas?

2. Why this book? Why these characters? Why this place?

3. Did the story mean anything to you personally?

4. How did it feel to write that story while you were writing it? Did it jar memories or make you wish for something?

5. When I read your story it made me think of new things and stuff. Does that happen when you write it?

6. Who was her favorite hero, heroine?

7. When can I buy your next one? What is going to be about?

8. Will you come and give my husband a few pointers?We started talking about husbands then.

The Anonymous Reader

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President’s Message

December 2, 2007 by in category Archives tagged as

by Sandy Novy Chvostal

A newspaper reporter contacted me awhile back to get some information on OCC. “What makes your Chapter so successful?” she asked me. “Everyone I’ve talked to says OCC is one of the leading RWA chapters in the nation.”

The answer (like so many answers unfortunately) is complicated. Obviously, our success involves a variety of factors including our location in such a highly populated area, the bylaws that we operate under, the advantages provided by having a large membership and the variety and quality of the programs we support. But in my opinion, OCC’s greatest strength is our ability to evolve–to take advantage of the generosity and expertise of our volunteers to stay ahead.

In the upcoming months, OCC will be evolving once again as we focus on improving our website, and we want to thank all the members who are lending their expertise to this project. Goals and plans for a total redesign include a Members Only section that will include an email roster and allow members to update their own information; published members’ bookcovers featured on the home page in a revolving fashion that changes every time the page is pulled up; a booksellers’ page to feature covers and also facilitate communication between authors and booksellers; and a page for trailers. A MySpace page is also being created for OCC, which will be linked to occrwa.com; and our yahoo groups are being updated for better ease of use.

In conjunction with these changes—and because our fabulous editors are stepping down—our printed newsletter will be phased out. Published authors are requested to notify co-president Sue Phillips at suephillips503@yahoo.com about any book releases to be put on the Bookseller/bookshelf page and items for “Look at Our Members” should be sent to Sue as well.

Questions? Concerns? Suggestions? Copy me with those at Snovy617@aol.com.

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ORDER YOUR BOOKS NOW!

December 1, 2007 by in category Archives

OCC December Meeting
Saturday, December 8
Brea Community Center

Order your books now for the meeting!

CHERRY ADAIR
Afternoon Speaker
White Heat
Ballantine Hardcover
Hot Ice
Ballantine Books

SUSAN SQUIRES
Morning Speaker
One With The Shadows
St. Martin’s Press

MARIE FERRARELLA
Capturing the Millionaire
Silhouette Special Edition
Doctor in the House
Harlequin Next

LAURA WRIGHT
Rich Man’s Vengeful Seduction
Silhouette Desire

If you plan to purchase books at our monthly chapter meeting, please pre-order them by Midnight Tuesday, December 4

To place an order, go to http://www.bearlyusedbooks.com/
or
email A Great Read at agreatreadoccrwa@aol.com
or
telephone (909) 720-6226

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Two Truths and a Lie

November 29, 2007 by in category Archives tagged as

After debating topics for my first OCC blog with some friends, I decided the icebreaker I’m using today in my New Hire Seminar at work would be a fun one to use as a blog icebreaker, too. I figure it’s the best way to learn a little about me, and a way for me to learn about you. And let’s be honest, I think the rest of the bloggers have the topic of writing well covered!

My favorite icebreaker is Two Truths and a Lie. For a first meeting with strangers getting to know each other in a lighthearted way helps “break the ice” and you’d be surprised at some of the things I’ve learned about my co-workers!

Here’s how you play. Each person tells two truths and one lie about themselves, then everyone else has to guess which is the lie. The key is to make the truths as outrageous as the lie. The most fun comes in explaining the truths. So, here are my two truths and a lie. Good luck at figuring out the lie. Check this blog entry at the end of the day and I’ll let you know which is which. Feel free to comment with two truths and a lie of your own!

1. I’ve been thrown 10 feet by a bolt of lightening
2. I visited the Temple of Apollo at Delphi
3. I jumped off the top of a waterfall in Jamaica

Have a great week!

Sabrina Brayden
www.sabrinabrayden.com

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A Fantasy Life – 3

November 27, 2007 by in category Archives

by Janet Quinn

I have been spending a lot of time working in Augeas lately and finally have managed to finish story five and six. One is about an inn keeper with secrets. The second is about twins who have very powerful magic. The two tie together, which is the first time I’ve done that with a set of stories. Working with magical children was fun, but as always, working with children is a challenge. Trying to make them sound like children and keeping them from being boring is like walking a tight rope.

As with any society, when there are two races, there is interbreeding. So, the half-breeds are born and along with them societal statements. Are they accepted or shunned? Do they have magical powers like one of their parents or none? If they do have magical powers, can they be as strong as a purebred. How long will they live? So Brencis finally settled on an age. He’s not an Ancient One, however, his father was. He’ll live longer than a human, but maybe not as long as an Ancient One. Other half-breeds might live only as long as a normal human. He has magical powers, but not all of his kind does. His powers are strong, but other half-breeds have weaker powers or no powers. And what do the half-breeds want? To be accepted? To rule? Do they all want the same thing? Probably not since even the purebred can’t all agree on what they want. But the half-breeds bring another layer to the world as they hide and work within the society.
Last month I was talking about the drawings I had made and wondering if my characters wore underwear. My critique partner, Debra Young, and I finally met and I showed her the picture of Dorjan. Her comment was that because of the era, they probably didn’t wear underwear, which makes the picture even more risqué.

This month I have a picture of Carissa. She is a very strong Ancient One in one of the first set of short stories. She is middle aged for her kind with an agenda of her own.

She could see the lord’s guard. They were coming for them. She jumped up. “Grandmother!” she shouted.

All turned to stare at her.

“Quiet her,” snapped Inuus.

“No!” shouted Dyna. She looked directly at her grandmother. “Carissa, we must leave now.”

Carissa blinked at her, searched her mind, then rose.

“Sit down,” ordered Inuus.

He stood and glowered at Carissa.

Carissa smiled at him. “I must quiet my granddaughter. For some reason, she is distraught.” Carissa stared into Inuus’ eyes, unblinking. “It is nothing but a fit. I would never consider leaving before we discuss what we are to do.” Her voice came in a low, soft murmur.

Inuus slowly sank back onto the cushion.

She motioned to Govert and Elga. “Come.” She beckoned to Dyna.

“We must take the child.” Govert moved toward the back of the house.

“Leave the child.” Carissa swept past Dyna.


With each step in creating a fantasy world, as in adding half-breeds to the mix, the world changes and grows. It becomes an ever evolving society with added intrigue and layers.
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