Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ellen T McKnight on May 3, 2011 at 6:00pm

To Kelly, Perri, and Carolyn, I share some of your issues and want to tell you about a wonderful resource I now use on plot and theme: Inside Story: The Power of the Transformational Arc by Dara Marks. I mentioned it once before on this page.  I got to hear Dara speak at a conference and I was so impressed that I bought the book.  She's oriented toward screenwriting, but in a way that makes sense: plot and theme are so critical there.  In any case, I find that the insights in her book help me with the areas in which I'm weak.  Hope that helps!  ~El

Permalink Reply by Kelly Garriott Waite on May 3, 2011 at 6:23pm

Thanks! I'm taking a look now.

Permalink Reply by Kelly Garriott Waite on May 3, 2011 at 5:49pm

Ha! When I figure that out, I'll let you know.  Actually, my themes deal with home.  I've lived overseas on an international assignment.  I've moved at least 8 times.  I'm currently living in the suburbs but came from a 40 acre farm.  So both novels are about place and what makes a place home. 

Permalink Reply by JoAnn Murphey on May 4, 2011 at 6:00pm

Currently, I am penning a southern fiction WIP titled "Surviving Hank," my 3rd novel, an espionage suspense WIP titled "The Mayan Serpent," my 4th novel, and a nonfiction "To Have and Let Go," my 24th nonfiction.

Jo

Permalink Reply by Jackie Chanel on May 5, 2011 at 6:15am

Hello Ladies!  I'm Jackie.  In my head I just heard a resounding "Hello Jackie".  Anywhoo, I just discovered SheWrites from a widget on Carolyn McCray's blog, so yes, those things really do work.  I'm glad to be amongst ladies who write.  When I'm not writing, it looks like I'll be spending alot of time here.  Who am I kidding?  Even if I am writing, I'll be spending a lot of time here.

To date, I've written 3 novels.  I write fiction but I have no idea of what category I'd fall in as a writer.  When I tell people I write contemporary or mainstream fiction, they look at me like I'm speaking another language. I usually follow up with Jackie Collins meets Terry McMillian but I still don't think they understand. My current novel that I self-published in March through CreateSpace (paperback) and for Kindle and Nook is called Untitled*.  It's about a young blues guitarist named Aiden who constantly struggles to find himself as a person and a musician.  It's a story about relationships, struggles, and following your dreams.

 

The novel I'm currently working on is actually the first book I've ever written.  I think I actually want to publish this one as well so I'm going through it, rewriting A LOT of it and just making it work (sorry, I've been watching a ton of Project Runway and that phrase is stuck in my head).  Everything about this book, including the title is subject to change.  It's current title is Change of Heart.  It's a little bit romancy with a ton of relationship drama, something that in the beginning, I tended to write a lot of.  It's about four people - 3 guys, 1 girl- who lives are intertwined because of the relationship that they all have with my main character.  It's coming along so my fingers are crossed that with all the editing and rewriting, it'll be great.

Permalink Reply by Ellen T McKnight on May 7, 2011 at 6:19am

I think it sounds fun and interesting.  Mine is described on pg 90 of this discussion, but like you I struggle to condense it down like this.  It's funny how many writers feel the same way.

Permalink Reply by Ellen T McKnight on May 7, 2011 at 6:47am

I know!  I actually have mine written down on a notecard in my purse.  Not that I ever pull it out, but I decided to keep it with me in case I panic.  I'm still in revisions, but I'm hoping to be done by fall.

Permalink Reply by JoAnn Murphey on May 7, 2011 at 7:13am

What a great idea!

Permalink Reply by Jackie Chanel on May 7, 2011 at 9:34am

that is a great idea and i think i'll "borrow" it.  I have a really hard time with not giving away too much of the story when i'm talking about it.

Permalink Reply by Rebecca J. Lower on May 11, 2011 at 8:54pm

Welcome, Selena! What a cool idea for a book... is one of the dreams about empty houses, or is it a metaphor for all of the dreams? Hope to read your work soon. :)

Permalink Reply by Terri Tiffany on May 11, 2011 at 2:52pm

Hi everyone--still trying to get the hang of how this site works.I'm anxious to read what you are writing about. I am starting a new novel and it is still in the plotting stages--but it centers around a woman who has escaped from an abusive relationship and looking to follow her dream of being an artist. More to it but not there yet!!

Permalink Reply by Rebecca J. Lower on May 11, 2011 at 8:57pm

Has anyone ever writing a novel based on an alternate reality of what might have happened if you'd made a different twist in your life? I'm wrestling with a story like this, a cautionary tale more than a fantasy about a life I would have liked to have. How do I move forward on something like this? Thanks in advance for tryin' to make sense of what I just wrote, too!

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