tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post504025888925266786..comments2024-02-16T15:14:36.719-06:00Comments on Wet Noodle Posse: TESTING YOUR STORY IDEAMJFredrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06881706931355203700noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-56378353788009419542008-01-16T10:29:00.000-06:002008-01-16T10:29:00.000-06:00Norah said:BTW, I can't wait to read your "Mr. Roc...Norah said:<BR/><BR/>BTW, I can't wait to read your "Mr. Rochester". My question is, whom shall I picture when I read it? Ciaran Hinds? Timothy Dalton?<BR/><BR/>Timothy Dalton, but he's mine, mine, mine!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-44572192247276033312008-01-15T17:40:00.000-06:002008-01-15T17:40:00.000-06:00Alice said:Lately, I've become convinced that I ne...Alice said:<BR/>Lately, I've become convinced that I need a concept first.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for popping in, Alice. Ladies, Alice knows a thing or two about passion. She writes the most fabulous sensual fiction for Red Sage and other pubs.<BR/><BR/>Great idea to find a hook or high concept to hang that story on. You're so much farther ahead of the game if you can.<BR/><BR/>BTW, I can't wait to read your "Mr. Rochester". My question is, whom shall I picture when I read it? Ciaran Hinds? Timothy Dalton?Norah Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01151103954061826427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-29023360790714402852008-01-15T13:43:00.000-06:002008-01-15T13:43:00.000-06:00I think I need to print this out.I think I need to print this out.Esri Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00912657945785764363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-49183041074026731692008-01-15T11:49:00.000-06:002008-01-15T11:49:00.000-06:00Great advice, Norah. Especially about having a pa...Great advice, Norah. Especially about having a passion for your story. If you don't, why should anyone else?<BR/><BR/>Lately, I've become convinced that I need a concept first. I recently became re-obsessed with Jane Eyre to the point that I feel a compelling need to write my own Mr. Rochester. But, I didn't plan the story at all until I had a "hook" to hang it on. I finally hit on "Jane Eyre meets the Tin Man."<BR/><BR/>Not a man made out of metal, but a man who's convinced he has no heart. That's a guy who's damaged and needs the tender love of my heroine (and me, lol) to recover.<BR/><BR/>So, what started as a concept became a hero I crave, and there was my passion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-85340911960670896422008-01-15T09:45:00.000-06:002008-01-15T09:45:00.000-06:00Good morning! Yes...real name is Michelle but ever...Good morning! Yes...real name is Michelle but everyone has shortened it to Chelle and pronounce it Chell or Shelley.<BR/><BR/>I love this site because of the wealth of info...but I stay in lurk mode most of the time.Chelle Sandellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03813658527826989105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-33154647967883572922008-01-15T08:54:00.000-06:002008-01-15T08:54:00.000-06:00LOL, Nora, um, after two years of scribbling I fin...LOL, Nora, um, after two years of scribbling I find the mornings work better for me. Then it's off to the day time job. I reserve the evenings for research.<BR/><BR/>The books you've mentioned are worth their weight in gold. I'd like to add Ansen Dibell's (sp??) book called PLOT.Isabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17024134017512079157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-83275203498504518942008-01-15T07:42:00.000-06:002008-01-15T07:42:00.000-06:00Diane said: My ideas dribble in, and then, they of...Diane said: My ideas dribble in, and then, they often need a lot of revising. <BR/><BR/>We must be soul-mates, Diane! I sometimes feel like an imposter in this world of wildly creative writers. :-)Norah Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01151103954061826427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-80409609205280355812008-01-15T07:39:00.000-06:002008-01-15T07:39:00.000-06:00Doglady said: ...started out as a writing exercise...Doglady said: ...started out as a writing exercise, but I fell in love with the characters, not as they were, but as they could become once they went through a little tempering fire.<BR/><BR/>More shivers here. That's what it's all about. Peeling the onion. Exposing your character's true character, which only reveals itself under pressure. Don't you LOVE it?Norah Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01151103954061826427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-43454330357078189952008-01-15T07:32:00.000-06:002008-01-15T07:32:00.000-06:00Whoops! Forgot to say, Gillian, that I agree 100%....Whoops! Forgot to say, Gillian, that I agree 100%. Bonnie V's Eygptian historicals rock! Now you have to try her Nocturnes. :-)Norah Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01151103954061826427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-33461414945492985352008-01-15T07:30:00.000-06:002008-01-15T07:30:00.000-06:00Gillian, that just gave me shivers to read how you...Gillian, that just gave me shivers to read how you dreamed that new idea and put your WIP aside to pursue it. That is such a gift, to have that kind of passion for your story. I hope it stays with you as you blaze your way through it!Norah Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01151103954061826427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-61979972854104440522008-01-15T07:29:00.000-06:002008-01-15T07:29:00.000-06:00Isabel,4:00 am??? Wow, lady. I don't think my imag...Isabel,<BR/>4:00 am??? Wow, lady. I don't think my imagination could yield up a idea exciting enough to get me out of bed at that hour! Seriously, I admire that so much. I hope you find that idea!Norah Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01151103954061826427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-37468475721742293052008-01-14T23:09:00.000-06:002008-01-14T23:09:00.000-06:00Norah, I am also someone who does not have a flood...Norah, I am also someone who does not have a flood of story ideas. My ideas dribble in, and then, they often need a lot of revising. <BR/><BR/>I love GMC, but I'm terrible at figuring it out. My crit partner, Darlene Gardner is masterful at it.Diane Gastonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14770373530197339170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-24042917047437891772008-01-14T22:33:00.000-06:002008-01-14T22:33:00.000-06:00Wow, great blog! All of those questions are someth...Wow, great blog! All of those questions are something to consider when picking which story to write. I was ten chapters into a book when the number of characters I had in it began to slow the whole thing down. One of my CPs said "Do you really need all of these people, honey?" I realized I didn't so, I went back and started the whole book sans one entire branch of the family. My CPs called it the great relative massacre! But it worked. M My GH entry, which I am just tying up and revising and well, you know, obsessing over, started out as a writing exercise, but I fell in love with the characters, not as they were, but as they could become once they went through a little tempering fire.dogladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03392561174583932552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-29281596380319923562008-01-14T21:42:00.000-06:002008-01-14T21:42:00.000-06:00The book I've finished is one I literally dreamed....The book I've finished is one I literally dreamed. I woke up with the opening scene in my head. I knew I had to write this story, now. I flew to the computer and wrote my cp's to say I was shelving my current project to write this book.<BR/><BR/>So I guess the only criteria I have now is that I'll only write stories I can't "not" write.<BR/><BR/>Thanks everyone for the great advice and a special "hi" to Bonnie V.!! I love Egypt, and adore her books!Gillian Laynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15772849187702478349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-52013815066053897902008-01-14T21:19:00.000-06:002008-01-14T21:19:00.000-06:00Nora, these are awesome tips! I'm starting a new p...Nora, these are awesome tips! <BR/><BR/>I'm starting a new project at this point, and the one idea I'm looking for --- like you and others have said--- is the one that excites me and has the strength to get me out of bed every morning at 4:00am.Isabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17024134017512079157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-29741220373709991212008-01-14T20:34:00.000-06:002008-01-14T20:34:00.000-06:00Barbara! Thanks for dropping in! I'm glad I could ...Barbara! Thanks for dropping in! I'm glad I could give you something to think about with the public stakes angle. But ladies, this gal taught me everything I know about raising the *personal* stakes. She knows how to torture a character, and does it exquisitely in her Intimate Moments and Love Inspired Suspense novels.Norah Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01151103954061826427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-32782367746221925252008-01-14T20:16:00.000-06:002008-01-14T20:16:00.000-06:00Oh, and thank you, Bonnie, for the fine compliment...Oh, and thank you, Bonnie, for the fine compliment! Though I must say, I'm at the point in my WIP when it feels more like a dog's breakfast than a gourmet meal!Norah Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01151103954061826427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-87089499059142428032008-01-14T20:14:00.000-06:002008-01-14T20:14:00.000-06:00Bonnie! Thanks for dropping by. Guys, Bonnie is a ...Bonnie! Thanks for dropping by. Guys, Bonnie is a fellow "Lollie" (Ladies of Leisure), and a fine writer. She now writes for Nocturne, as well, and I would give my pinkie finger for an imagination a fraction as fertile as hers. :-)<BR/><BR/>Great point, Bonnie, about genre bending and blending to give your project an edge. Reminds me of what Noodler Janet Mullany did with her "Regency chicklit", and we all know what a hit that was!Norah Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01151103954061826427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-92120743868187519142008-01-14T19:26:00.000-06:002008-01-14T19:26:00.000-06:00Norah, you have some great points here! I really ...Norah, you have some great points here! I really like the idea of having high public stakes. I had never considered that before, but it really makes sense.<BR/>Thanks!<BR/>Barbara PhinneyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-88472103969557555942008-01-14T19:18:00.000-06:002008-01-14T19:18:00.000-06:00Wonderful, wise advice Norah. Very good checklist....Wonderful, wise advice Norah. Very good checklist. You have to be enthusiastic about what you write, and at the same time have a viable market for your idea. And GMC is a great resource for the building blocks to your story. <BR/><BR/>Something else to consider is if you have a story idea you love targeted for a market that may not be hot, consider pairing it with an element from another subgenre that is. Paranormal historicals, for example, or putting a new twist on chick lit that catches an editor's eye. <BR/><BR/>As far as speed in writing, you may mature story ideas for a while, but it takes time to create a gourmet meal, which is how I think of your writing. Some of us are exquisite meals to be savored, others like me are fast food gulped down on the run, lol.Bonnie Vanakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00049125038286905202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-7084743944754211922008-01-14T18:12:00.000-06:002008-01-14T18:12:00.000-06:00Mo H said: One way I test my story ideas, for shor...Mo H said: One way I test my story ideas, for short stories, is to formulate a question that I want my story to answer. Does anyone else do that?<BR/><BR/>Ooh, great suggestion! Pose the question(s), and then consider how you'll go about answering it(them). It seems to me that would be very instructive in gauging your idea, level of conflict, etc. I'm filing that one away!Norah Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01151103954061826427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-663346246849471862008-01-14T18:02:00.000-06:002008-01-14T18:02:00.000-06:00Chelle said: I try to toss conflict ideas around w...Chelle said: I try to toss conflict ideas around with my CP's to see they think it's strong enough before I map out a basic storyline.<BR/><BR/>Oh, absolutely, Chelle. They can help you refine the conflict and heap on the torture. Brainstorming with CPs at this point is a great idea. <BR/><BR/>I think I'm my own worst enemy in that department. I'm one of those dumb@sses...er, unfortunate souls who seems to have to shelter and nurture an idea to maturity on my own, writing 3-4 sample chapters and a detailed synopsis before I can share. I guess I have to demonstrate that I can make the idea work. LOL. <BR/><BR/>BTW, what an interesting name! Is it pronounced "Shelley"?Norah Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01151103954061826427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-37610601704011926682008-01-14T17:51:00.000-06:002008-01-14T17:51:00.000-06:00Theresa said: Lots of good advice, especially abou...Theresa said: Lots of good advice, especially about conflict keeping the story moving forward...<BR/><BR/>Yes, this is SO important. And for me, it was the last piece of the puzzle to fall in place. I was one of those writers who didn't want to torture mycharacters. Instead, I was very nice to them, thereby saving the torture for the judges and editors who had to slog through my boring, boring stuff.Norah Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01151103954061826427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-79509784656882806722008-01-14T17:45:00.000-06:002008-01-14T17:45:00.000-06:00Trish said: It can have all the commercial potenti...Trish said: It can have all the commercial potential in the world, and it can still fall flat if we as the writer aren't excited about it.<BR/><BR/>Great point, Trish! I think I've read some of those. ,-)Norah Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01151103954061826427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18101458.post-55715525819872800892008-01-14T15:36:00.000-06:002008-01-14T15:36:00.000-06:00Great advice, Norah. I totally agree with you and ...Great advice, Norah. I totally agree with you and Trish and Theresa. If I have several story ideas, I always pick the one that excites me most.<BR/><BR/>One way I test my story ideas, for short stories, is to formulate a question that I want my story to answer. Does anyone else do that?Mo Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13644902211036445323noreply@blogger.com