Bo'sun Welcomes Terri Osburn
We continue the celebration of our two year anniversary with a special visit from Contemporary Romance author Terri Osburn. Ms. Osburn is celebrating the release of her debut novel, LETTING GO, and has been gracious enough to grant us an interview.
Bo’sun: It is my great privilege to have with me today, the lovely and talented Terri Osburn. *crew breaks into applause*
Terri: Thank you so much. You all are so sweet. *accepts a large pink drink from Chance* Why thank you. *sniffs drink and takes tentative sip* You all look so familiar, like we’ve met before.
Bosun: Ever visited Tortuga?
Terri: Afraid I haven’t had the pleasure. Do you all hit any industry functions?
Bosun: Organized functions isn’t really a pirate’s thing.
Terri: Hmmm….Maybe it’ll come to me later. Anyway, thanks for inviting me aboard. I’ve heard so much about this group of pirates.
Bosun: And you still agreed to visit with us? Huh, how about that. *watches Terri take another drink of the pink concoction* Though I think I’m starting to see why. I’m sure your life is really busy right now with the new book being released.
Terri: Well, my life is always really busy, but this is a little crazier than even I’m used to. But I can’t complain. Seeing my book on the store shelves makes it all worth it.
Bosun: Are you always this….positive?
Terri: Pretty much. Drives my CP crazy. *takes another drink and licks pink foam from upper lip* Oh, you know her, she was here last week. Sophie?
Bosun: You and Sophie are crit partners? What a coincidence.
Terri: I know, what are the odds? Even funnier, Maureen, your Friday guest, is one of my friends too.
Bosun: Huh, small world. Since we’re here to talk books, tell us about your debut release, LETTING GO.
Terri: I’d love to. *sets drink down but not too far away* LETTING GO is the story of Bryan Riggs and Celi Cooper. Bryan is a chef opening his first restaurant who hires a marketing group to help launch the business. Celi is in charge of his account and neither is very happy about it…in the beginning. See, these two are new neighbors and didn’t exactly hit it off upon first meeting. They exchange some creative insults, but the budding attraction proves too much for them. In the end, they both have to face some fears and lingering ghosts in order to find that illusive HEA.
Bosun: I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this one and I have to say, I loved the combination of humor and angst.
Terri: I’m so glad you liked that aspect of the story. You have no idea how much of a relief that is. I’m afraid writing a story without a few laughs and some heart yanking angst is something I can’t do.
Bosun: I’m glad to hear that since I’m assuming it means your other books will be similar. Tell us what’s up next for you and will future books connect to this one?
Terri: None of my books connect, they are all stand alone stories. I never really planned it that way, that’s just how the stories come to me. My next book is called CHOICES and it’s my first effort at the proverbial love triangle. Joe loves his tiny island home, but when his brother brings his fiancé home for a visit, Joe realizes he could love her as well. Julianne and Joe both have some very tough choices to make by the end of this one.
The next book is called TAKING A STAND for right now and it’s the story of a small town English teacher fighting for her school to invest as much into academics as they do in sports. When the home town hero returns from his glory days in the major leagues to coach the school baseball team, that fight gets even tougher. And establishes Tom and Emma as instant enemies. That one is still under construction and I’m having a great time fleshing out all the issues these two have to face.
Bosun: Wow, both of those sound amazing. You’ll have to come back and visit with those as well. *bends close and whispers* I can get ARCs of those too, right?
Terri: Uhm…sure. I guess so.
Bosun: Good. Now, as you probably realize from our previous interviews, we all love to hear a call story around here. So how did THE CALL go for you?
Terri: That’s always a fun story to tell. After years of reading everyone else’s story, you wonder what yours will be like, you know? I always say I received TWO calls which makes mine nothing like what I expected.
Like most authors, I’d sent out about a million queries and partials and had a folder *cough*drawer*cough* full of rejection letters to show for it. Staying positive through THAT was not easy. But I kept at it and finally got a call from my dream agent, Kimberly Whalen. She called while I was at my day job and took me completely by surprise. I’m still not sure what I said in that first phone call except YES! *finishes drink* Can I get another one of these? *shirtless hottie shows up right away with another glass* Oh my, thank you so much. I can see now how this ship earned its reputation.
Now, where was I? Oh yes, the second call. That one also came from my agent, but it was six months later and was to inform me Rose Hilliard of St. Martin’s Press wanted to buy my book. Funny enough, it also came while I was at work and it’s so good that I work in a laid back office. No one seemed to flinch at my wall-shaking scream of excitement. Though I did have the presence of mind to wait until we’d hung up and not scream in Kimberly’s ear. That all feels like forever ago, and now I’m on The Revenge talking up my first release. Life sure can take you by surprise.
Bosun: Wow, I want that to be my story some day. How amazing.
Terri: You never know, maybe one day I’ll be the one interviewing you. *takes another sip and gets distracted as another hottie passes with some brownies* Delicious!
Bosun: The brownies are good around here.
Terri: Brownies? What brownies?
Bosun: *clears throat* Before we lose you completely, I think we better turn this over to the rest of the crew. To get things started, is there anything you’d like to ask our guests?
Terri: There sure is. How important is a high concept to you? Will you pick up a book if all you know about it is that it’s a wonderful, simple love story? How do you feel about Contemporaries and who do I need to see about getting this drink recipe?
Books by the Crew
87 comments:
What ARE the odds!? I love a good coincidence, don't you? You do look familiar, but I can't place where...
I love high concept and low concept and all concepts in between, just so long as the love story is well-written and the voice is compelling. You sound witty and fun--so I know your books would be wonderful to read. I'll have to go pick up LETTING GO.
I love contemporaries, but most contemporaries nowadays seem to either la Nora or have an FBI agent in it. (No offense to those you like Nora or books about FBI agents.) However, Erin McCarthy wrote some contemporary, spicy books--and the guys weren't FBI and I thought they were a lot funnier than la Nora, but just as angsty where it counted. I really loved her one about the heiress and the farmer.
I'm glad to hear that publishers are bringing back more single-title "regular" contemporaries...lovely! :) Wonderful interview, Bo'sun, and wonderful to meet you, Terri!
Terri! Yeah! I'm so glad to see your book on shelves finally! You guys, you should run out and get it now! Bryan Riggs is absolutely YUMMY, no pun intended being he's a chef and all.
And you are kinda annoying with your Positive attitude ALL THE TIME, but could be worse. *LOL* You could be like me.
Glad yer enjoyin' the Frozen Nipple, Terri. I'll be sure ta get the recipe ta ya afore ya leave. I'm surprised that Maureen left us any grapefruit juice! Thought she'd drink me supply dry!
Interestin' that ya know 'er.
*casts a suspicious eye on the author, then shrugs, lifts hands palms upward to the sky...
Well, must be kharma, the grand scheme a' the universe and all. Everlovin' life and beauty...
*sedately ducks as Hellion tosses an empty bottle at her
Thanks, Cap'n! Another one fer the recycling bin!
Now, I love a good contemporary...grand concept or not. Fact is, long as I get some giggles outta a book, I don't need much concept atall!
Anybody seen Hector about?
A tossled head rises from the lower decks and sees Terri, smiles broadly and begins to laugh... Pauses as she sees that big pink drink shining in the sun...
Is that another Frozen Nipple? Can I get one! Hector?
The scraggly looking pirate follows Friday's guest up from the cabin deck. With a grin at Chance, he saunters to the bar and begins to mix another drink.
Terri! Is that you? Isn't this just the most mondo ship, ever! Gods! You ought to snag one of those hotties and try a ride downstairs... Those hammocks...
She stops and looks around, suddenly conscious of the crew standing around. Trying not to look interested.
Uh, well. I wonder where Deux is? I really should be getting back to Monterey... Congrats on the new release! I love it! Make sure to try a Mighty Mast
*winks at Hector, downs the drink and waves good bye as Deux signals from the hovering vertrical lift plane just off the bow.
Time to go!
Let's hope Kim Whalen has herself on Google alert so she'll be ready! Your books sound great, but the Frozen Nipple scares me. I live in Maine, you know, and I see a lot of that. :)
Awesome interview, Ter!
Letting Go definitely sounds like my kind of book. I can't wait to get my hands on it. I think I'm discovering that the more I read the more it's all about the relationships for me. The FBI agents, SEAL operatives, police officers, firemen, etc. etc. are okay as long as the emphasis is on the relationship. I think your books are right up my alley!
Woohoo! I'm glad to hear that you're writing a teacher romance (I am a high school English teacher, so this always gives me a thrill).
You know, I hear the phrase "high concept" a lot and people have explained it to me a lot of times, but for some reason my brain just rebels.
I mean, any original concept is a high concept right? Is there a low concept? Someone help me with this.
Terri- it's great to have you aboard. I love your call story and LG sounds like a lot of fun. I love food, so your story already deals with a topic I adore. LOL!
Goodness, you all are busy already this morning. I'd better slow down on these drinks or I'll never be able to keep up.
Hellion - Lovely name. You're the Captain of this ship, right? Bo'sun told me about you. I knew you couldn't be like she said. How sweet of you to say you like my story. It was rough waters for us stand alone contemp writers, but thankfully the tide has turned back in our direction.
Sophie! Thanks for promoting Bryan so well. He is a bit yummy, if I do say so myself. I actually had an easier time writing in his POV than in Celi's. She was stubborn and cranky, but Bryan is like a big teddy bear. *sigh*
*runs a hand through her hair*
You weren't supposed to tell her what I said. That's what "just between us" means.
I have to say that sometimes I get tired of "high concept" and really want that straight up contemp romance - the sweet, silly, sassy kind without some crazy twist. I'm all for the simple romance!
Don't worry, I didn't actually tell her what you said.
Now, 2nd Chance, Maureen did rave about your bartending skills. Though I haven't been able to get ahold of her all weekend. Last I heard was a text about amazing hammock springs. Huh.
I'm all about Karma. In fact, I try to remind Sophie to do things for her karma all the time, but she'd rather just set stuff on fire. Now that I think about it, Bo'sun said that Captains likes to do that too.
Oops, did I type that out loud?
Maureen! There you are. Goodness, I was getting worried. That's an interesting gentleman you have there. *wrinkles nose* If you go for that sort of thing. That's the pilot you talked about? My my, he can fly me to the moon anytime.
Where was I?
Maggie - I hear congratulations are in order for you too! Thanks for stepping away from your wonderful words to say hello to me. (And between us, I was a little nervous about, you know, kind of using Ms. Whalen's name in vein, but I hope she'll see the humor and the compliment.)
Irisheyes, you have me smiling with those words. You have no idea how much this high concept thing tied me in knots. I tried, really I did. But the stories and characters that show up in this crazy brain of mine are regular people with regular stories about finding love. I'm glad I stuck with it, but there were some very discouraging moments.
Ms. Diamond - I do hope you'll like my story. My English teacher is also a single mom (like me!) so there will be many facets to this story. And I think this issue of academics vs. sports programs is a valid one in today's world. That might as close as I ever come to high concept. LOL! Medium concept maybe?
Ahoy there, Marnee Jo! I have that same mental block for lots of the *shoulds* we hear about in this writing game. The way I think of high concept is if you can say this movie meets that movie. Like Mary Poppins meets Terminator or something silly like that. From what I hear about your series-in-progress, I do believe you've nailed the high concept yourself. Even if you don't know it. LOL!
I think that's everyone now. Oh wait, I almost missed you Ms. Sabrina. Thank you so much for that vote of encouragement. Sweet, silly, and sassy are definitely ingredients in LETTING GO. I do hope you'll give it a whirl!
Hi Terri! So glad you stopped by to share your books! From the snippets I've read of LETTING GO, your stories are laugh out loud funny and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy! You have a wonderful voice that I'm sure will make you an automatic favorite for readers pondering their choices in the book store. You won't even need the back of the book blurb because a reader will see your name and grab the book. An identifiable voice trumps high concept.
I'm curious if you considered using a pseudonym (sp?) or if you always knew you would want to use your own name? (I should have asked Maureen that as well.) And also, what is the setting of LETTING GO? Did you pick a location you were familiar with or was it more random and required lots of research?
Terri! Welcome aboard the ship! And super congrats on the success of LETTING GO! Awesome interview Bo'sun!
LETTING GO flowed so well. I was just wanting to know if you could share some tips with the rest of us struggling to get started and what really helped jump start the writing motor for you? Have you always wanted to write?
Good morning, Melissa. You've have completely made my day. That would be so amazing to have readers buy my book simply on my name alone.
About the name, I considered a pen name for a long time, and I do use one for the short Erotic Romance stories I write. But the bottom line is, I need to turn when people call me and I just know I'd be at a conference or something and someone would call my name only to have me oblivious. LOL! So, I went with the real name. And technically, Terri isn't my *official* name, so it's still kind of a pseudonym.
Regarding setting, when I first started writing the book, I planned to set it in a real town on the Eastern Shore either in Maryland or Virginia. Then I drove up the Eastern Shore and realized it didn't fit my story at all. So I created a fictitious town and set it vaguely around the Chesapeake Bay, somewhere between Virginia Beach and DC.
The town is called Cedar Mills because when I was trying to come up with the name, I was living not far from the intersection of Cedar and Mills roads. So, one day while sitting at a traffic light, I looked at both signs and the town was born!
Hello there, Sin. Bo'sun told me about you as well. I promise not to make any sudden moves. :)
Tips on getting the story to flow. First, and I know Bo'sun subscribes to this method as well, you have to vomit out the first draft. Now, that doesn't mean I didn't know when a scene just wasn't right, but I couldn't struggle through every word expecting it to be perfect before I went to the next paragraph.
Once I convinced myself (and I took A LOT of convincing) that what I was doing was good enough to keep going, the words kept coming. But I have to admit, this book evolved over a long period of time. I did the pants thing for the first two years, then realized things might go smoother if I knew what was coming next. And not just the next scene, but five scene ahead of that.
So, vomit up the first draft, find confidence in the story you're telling, and do a little planning. NOTE: I did not say plotting. That original plan must have changed a dozen times. But having even a vague idea of where I was going seemed to help keep me moving forward.
Call it taking the road blocks out of the equation. Maybe that's a good way to look at it.
That's a great idea to come up with a fictitious town. I definitely find that a contemporary set in a real place has some of the same challenges as a historical to be accurate and a fictitious town would give more freedom.
In a way, you've done some world building. :) I know you've said all of your stories are stand alone, but might you revisit Cedar Mills at some point in another story?
That freedom definitely played a part, Melissa. Unless I set the story in a place where I actually lived (now or in the past) I wouldn't feel confident I could get it right. There are so many regionalisms, speech patterns, and even slang that are unique to specific areas.
I have considered writing a story for Celi's best friend, and her hero is someone who shows up briefly in LETTING GO, but the details of a full story haven't come to me. I kind of like the idea of leaving it as a "will they really?" because these two characters are the last ones you'd expect to end up together.
It's very much the wild child and the man of the cloth. :)
Terri! I am excited to read "Letting Go"! I have really only read three, maybe four contemporaries in my life, but I have expanded my horizons a tad bit. Writers like you who are so gracious to share your knowledge and experiances, make it so much easier for aspiring authors and the least we can do is buy your books and support you also!
As far as high concept goes, hmm... Yes, I think for the most part I look for it, or want it. Maybe not always consioulsy, but I do think I tend to lean toward it for sure.
Oh! That sounds interesting...the wild child and the man of the cloth. When you were writing LETTING GO, did this story of Celi's sister or characters attempt to take over? Obviously, you held your ground, but did you ever have to cut some parts with a secondary character that distracted from the hero and heroine?
Hi Terri! Letting Go sounds awesome! I love sassy, witty contemps. Those are the books that leave me with a huge smile on my face. Combine that with a bit of angst to tug at my heart strings, and you've found a reader for life :)
I love that the Eastern Shore didn't have enough of anything for you *g*. As someone who's spent the last five years bemoaning my inability to shop, I concur whole-heartedly. Though in our defense, Salisbury is growing by leaps and bounds. We got a Sonic this summer! LOL
Count me in as one who can't figure out the difference between low and high concept, and therefore doesn't look for one or the other when choosing books. At least, I don't think so. There's no telling what criteria my subconscious is using. My conscious mind just goes for the pretty pictures on the front *g*
Hi Terri!
I enjoy contemporaries. The most important part of the story for me is is the relationship. High concept, any concept--as long as it's a good story.
Oh dear, the day job called and I got behind again.
Jane L - I'm happy to hear you're venturing into contemps even if it's three or four. And I'm flattered you'd add mine to that list. That is fair that you look for high concept. If that wasn't what the masses were demanding, we wouldn't hear so much about it. I wonder if this high concept idea comes out of the popularity of movies. We want our books to hook us like the big blockbusters?
Melissa - Miranda is Celi's BFF and she did threaten to take the spotlight. Celi is more reserved and Miranda's background is a mix of Italian and Puerto Rican. Lets just say, she's colorful. I had to be very concious of reigning her in on more than one occasion.
Gee, what did the Bo'sun say? I mean, it's not like I hold a grudge or anything. It's not like I've had a crappy morning or anything either...
So help me if someone calls me the Devil one more time this week, heads will roll.
Hellie! I'm so sorry you're having a bad day. I can't imagine you'd have this loyal crew if you were the devil. Really, how silly.
Hello, Hal! A reader for life, that has such a lovely ring to it. LOL! This idea of not being aware that you're looking for high concept is interesting. Jane said the same thing. Maybe it's just inate in readers?
Chey - Hello there! More words to settle my nervous heart. My stories are more character driven than plot driven, which is where the lack of high concept comes into play. But I do have a plot and there are obstacles for my characters, they are just mostly internal issues instead of external.
I did NOT call you the devil. I simply suggested she might want to refrain from offering to hug you. That's all. And it was as much for your benefit as hers.
The setting thing is kind of funny, Ter. I think I spent a good week or two trying to figure out setting. I wanted to write what I know but not use a real town. So, I made one up. Who knew making one up would be such a pain in the er,... neck. Every time I thought I was being orginal or cute I'd Google the name and there it was. I'm still not set on a town name but had to move on - something that started out being fun turned very frustrating. That's one of those things I'll have to revisit.
What's interesting to me about low or high concept is the difference between what we like to read or what we want to write. I'm pretty sure I read many more books with a "low" concept than a "high" concept. I want to escape and laugh and just enjoy the relationship. But I can't seem write or want to write past the first few chapters without a "high" concept. If high concept is that element of paranormal or danger, then it's necessary to keep me enthused for writing, but definitely not necessary for reading.
Irisheyes - I think I did google and got lucky that no town existed as Cedar Mills. But really, if you pinpoint a state and find no mention of a town in that same state by the name, then I’d use it. After all, look at how many Brownsvilles there are. I’ve lived in five states and I’d bet there was a Brownsville in every one of them.
Melissa - That's a very different way of looking at it. I totally understand the needing to be interested in your own story. And I see where the high concept can add a fun element to explore.
For me, I don't even read paranormals. Jenny Crusie is my idol because she creates amazing characters and the stories, though fraught with conflict and extremely fun situations, are all about the development of those characters. My dream is to be a mix of Crusie and SEP and though that's a huge goal, if I can get just a quarter of the way there, I'll be happy. :)
Hugging would definitely be a bad idea.
Terri, thank you for the reassurance. I doubt they'd agree with you, but I thank you nonetheless.
Calling all crew members! Captain needs a giant shot of sunshine up her arse.
Do we love our Captain? Say AYE!
*eight loud AYES are heard around the ship*
Told'ya.
Hey, so cool this Harrier has an internet connection! I wanted to let Q know the book will be in his in-box late next week!
I don't know 'bout concept all that much. I tend ta write high concept books, if'n savin' the world be high concept or just common sense! But wit' contemporaries, I think it be hard ta write such a concept and make it believable.
I be perfectly happy with the concept a' livin' a normal life and findin' love. That be complicated 'nuff!
Sin - Maureen said somethin' ta me at the bar bout wantin' ta embarrass her relatives, so no pen name, no matter what she writes! And that she got no reputation ta protect. And a pen name would jus' be one more thing she'd be likely ta forget.
She be a strange one!
Jus' don't try ta hug the Cap'n. Send her sunbeams wit' yer heart, no hands.
Hands be important ta a writer, ya don't want ta lose those fingers!
Letting Go sounds wonderful. When does it hit the shelves?
I'm more of a historical gal myself, but I'll read a contemporary every now and then.
I'm still undecided on the high concept, I mean it's been shoved in my face since I started writing, but I don't know exactly how effective it is for readers.
Ah, so Maureen wants to embarrass her relatives so no pen name. Good idea. LOL
Chance - Your concepts are about as high as they get. And your right about the hugging. You learned the hard way, didn't ya lass?
Chance didn't quite get that right. I want to embarrass some of my relatives. Mainly the ones that would be offended by all the sex. Which isn't most of them. Least not the close ones... Not sure about the nieces and nephews... But they don't think old folks think about sex or even know about sex...
Kids!
Terri, I love contemporaries, and romances that evoke tears and laughter are my favorites. Betas are my faves too, so I <3 teddy bear Bryan already. I look forward to seeing LETTING GO at my local bookstores.
As for high concept, I was thrilled to read in an agent's blog recently that high concept was wasted on her since her busy life as a professional with a young child left her ignorant of most pop culture references.
And I love the idea of the wild child and the man of the cloth. My second book is the story of a bad boy and a woman of the cloth. :)
Hellie, my generous angel, your wings may be a bit bedraggled from tight squeezes in places no angel should visit, but you're no devil. Should we have San send some people to take care of someone for you?
Terri, I'm going to look at city maps to find a town name to replace Gentry, which is not working for me. Great idea!
Send her sunbeams wit’ yer heart, no hands.
That is possibly the gayest thing I've ever heard, like Smurf gay, and I dated a gay man...and the guy I'm dating now informed me he's renaming the color of his kitchen (the paint can said "Terracotta") to BLAZE because he thought that sounded less gay.
But I do appreciate the sentiment, 2nd. And what I could really use is a drink, STAT...like one of those calorie free chocolate ones...and the biggest Pina Colada/Strawberry Daiquairi layered drink you can make.
Hmmm, maybe I should dress as a bedraggled angel for Halloween. That might be entertaining, with a bent halo and smudged makeup.
I be on it, Cap'n!
Gayest thing ya ever heard? Ya may have dated a gay guy once, but ya don't live near San Francisco if'n that be the gayest phrase ya encountered so far! LOL!
I be breakin' out me super sized blender as we speak. Have a calorie free brownie while ya wait, it may help!
This name thing is tying me in nots. I'm getting an identity crisis.
Since my last name would only lead to my ex's family, then embarrassing them would be a total bonus. That is an extra perk.
Renee - Another willing convert to at least a few contemps. So good to hear. As for the release date, *virtually* any day now. :)
Janga - Beta lovers unite! I was very careful to make sure Bryan had his alpha moments, but he's pretty much the boy next door. And his southern accent? In one scene my heroine is waiting for him to arrive and says she's dreading dealing with his "southern boy drawl dripping all over her libido." LOL!
About that man of the cloth story, I'm still not sure I'm going to write it. And if I do, it will be well off in the future. Seeing as I have no plot ideas coming to me yet.
Glad I could be of service, Janga. It really was a stroke of genius sitting at that traffic light. I'm one whose brain works over stories the best while I'm in the car. I've figured out many a plot point while on the road.
I love this angel costume idea. Though I can't imagine this sweet Captain with a halo anything but polished and straight. :)
How did that happen? Is Maureen hackin' inta me comments? I'm gonna talk ta Deux about disconnectin' that wifi signal!
Good thing I'm not a writer or anything. *rolls eyes* That should be "in KNOTS."
No, I haven't been to San Francisco. Around it, but not within it. I'm sure I need to get out more.
*chews brownie and sighs* Yes, that helps. Thank you.
Well, Castro Street be an experience everyone should have.
Have another brownie!
snaps finger at passing hottie and waves the brownie plate over.
I'll have two!
I hate to leave but I have an appointment to keep. I'll check back as soon as I can. You all are making this so much fun.
Geez, I must have been living under a rock. I make a late confession that I hadn't really heard of "high concept" until here, and kind of figured it out in context. And Janga's comment of an agent not being up on "pop culture" or "the high concept being wasted on her" had me thinking maybe I don't get it. But after I Google "high concept novel" I find out it's also just the tagline or the hook, whether the novel's plot is "high concept" or not.
Terri, you are excellent at taglines and hooks. To borrow from your introduction on your blog for LETTING GO:
Sometimes what you think you want isn’t necessarily what you need. And sometimes what you need, doesn’t just land in your lap, it knocks you on your ass.
No reference to "pop culture" but it sparks interest. I'm thinking the agent in Janga's comment could also be talking about being too "cute" with the high concept of the hook. Janga, do you have the link to the agent's blog so I can find out how wrong I am? LOL
I gotta agree. Too much high concept can be too cutesie. Also it can sound ADHD, like you don't have a concept or voice of your own. "It's Jennifer Cruisie meets Anne Rice, Must Love Dogs meets Queen of the Damned..." I mean, wouldn't that make you go, HUH? So if you're going to be flinging out those sorts of references, you better have your 25 word pitch first--THEN give the pop culture reference. Still, you better hope that agent is that into pop culture. If they read for a living, how much time do they have for obscure pop culture.
Yeah, that's pretty much what I'm doing - coming up with names and if it doesn't show up in the state I'm in, it goes on the list. I just have to find one that sounds right. It's almost as hard as picking character names - and that is downright painful! This from the person who couldn't decide what to name her daughter. The nurse finally said to me - "We are not letting you take her home without a name, you realize that, right?!"
You know, Hellie, that is exactly what I was struggling with the other day - the too cutsie factor and the pop culture references (or references to songs which I just love to do). It seems to all be a part of the write it/delete cycle I get in at times. LOL
Janga, I think Gentry is a very cool name for a town.
Terri, “southern boy drawl dripping all over her libido.” I love that! :)
Yay!!!!! I figured out how to italicize! *taking a bow*
This conversation about the gay phrases got me thinking. My brother is gay and I can't think of anything he says where I'd go, "That is so gay." Other than his positive comments about the appearance of other men, that is. But I'm pretty sure he wouldn't know terracotta from orange. His partner is a hair dresser, so I bet he'd know.
Now, back to the topic. LOL!
Melissa - That tag line sort of came out of nowhere and I worried it was too vague. But I'm happy that it peaks your interest. Thank goodness something is working. LOL! I'm interested to see this link to the agent as well. Hope Janga stops back.
Hellie - Now that you mention it, if someone said "My story is SAW meets The Hills", I'd be clueless. Any of this Gossip Girl type stuff, I know nothing about. I keep seeing these pictures of young, wispy things on red carpets and they could be anyone to me. They don't even look remotely familiar.
Irish - I'm lucky in that my characters introduce themselves with their names. And usually, those names are not changable. Like I have a secondary character that happens to have the same name as the last guy I dated. Only I named him years before I met this dude. I considered changing it because the name makes me have not so happy feelings, but I can't. That's his name, I'll just have to live with it.
I'm glad you liked that line. As much as I love those UK accents, there's something about that southern boy drawl that can curl your toes. You know, when they aren't saying something stupid like "Hey y'all, watch'is!" or "Load up the beer and the guns, we're headed to the woods!"
About half my characters come with names. The other half I obsess over. I named my heroine Naomi, and then started hanging out with a girl named that. We've at that stage where we're friends, but we're not super close. And I was all worried that when she found out my heroine's name was Naomi that she'd think I'd named the character after her, which would be weird at this stage of the friendship :) And yes, I obsess over the most absurd things. Like her thinking I'm a weird stalker or a possible gay lover or.....you get the idea.
The other day, I was walking through the living room, and there was a commercial on, and I pointed at the TV and yelled, "That's him! That's Callum!" Apparently he's in my next next novel, is named Callum, and has awesome full-sleeve tattoos. His history, his name, his role -- everything just popped into my head at once the second I saw his face. Bizarre.
I'll have what Hal is drinking.
What commercial was it?! Now I'm curious. And do you mean next next as in not the next one but the one after, or was the extra next an accident.
There are times a character will pop up, always secondary, where I have to toss around a couple names in my brain. But it doesn't usually take long before something sticks. It's more of a feeling than a knowing, ya know?
Melissa, I'm sorry I don't have a link to the blog. It wasn't one I visit regularly, jusy something someone twittered and I checked the link.
I think the term "high concept" was borrowed from screenwriting where it means the essence of a script expressed in a marketable terms in a single sentence. But in application, it frequently became "Little Women meets The Matrix" language. It was the latter the agent was
addressing.
Thanks, Irish. After checking local streets, I decided to stick with Gentry. I did consider Seminary Springs, but very briefly. :)
Can I have whatever Hal is drinking as well? (And yes, I worry that if I had a character named something--and someone else has that name, they'll think I named the character for them.)
You're right about the "gay sounding" comments. How would I know what actually sounds gay? All a matter of context. And we never go around saying, "That sounds so straight!"
I don't even know why I cared, other than I was afraid 2nd might want me to start singing Pirates of Penzance songs, and I don't know any.
Janga, I think you should stick with Gentry. I think Gentry is a perfect sounding small town.
Little Women meets The Matrix--I didn't even *like* the Matrix, so I'm not sure how this would go down...would the sisters all be dressed in black leather and sunglasses?
*singing*
I am the very model of a modern major general...
If Laurie fell in the woods but none of the sisters were there to see it, did he really fall? Or did the world fall up and smack him in the back?
Okay, I didn't really see the Matrix, but I took a shot anyway.
I'm not drinking anything - I think that's the problem :) somebody freeze a nipple and scoot it my way!
It was the google MyTouch phone ad: http://tinyurl.com/m2vgco
It's actually Jesse James (Sandra Bullock's hubby), but I didn't know that until I looked up the commercial. Picture him with that body and tattoos, but with darker, olive-y skin (he's half Spanish, half Irish in my head) (and I didn't mean next next - just one next. In the book I'm plotting now, he's a secondary character).
Oh, I love Jesse James. Used to watch his show all the time. Now I think he's on a channel I don't get. I did think he and Sandra made an odd pair, but as far as I can tell, it's working.
If he showed up to you that strongly, do you think he'll end up the hero of a future book?
Yeah, Ter, I think so. This is the second in a very loosely connected series, and I know he's not the hero, so I have a feeling he'll be a hero of a later book, or the third book.
*singing along
I am the pirate king...
Ya know, I love that musical. I should get a copy, the one with Kevin Kline...
I can't say what sounds gay, but I know it when I see it. Me bro-in-law is gay and he does somethin's that just trumpet that he's gay. But I can't think a' what they are!
Yeah, that sounds so Irish! Or that sounds so short! It is funny, how that sort a' stuff jus' sneaks inta the lexicon!
We need a blog on high concept pitches... Independence Day meets Jane Austin!
With aliens! Whoop!
Good for you, Hal. I hear you have some amazing things happening for you lately. If characters come this well formed, I can understand why.
Too late, they've already put Zombies with Jane Austen. And vampires. And sea monsters. And werewolves.
We do say "That sounds so granola" around here. So that's something.
OK, Independence Day meets...Jack Sparrow!
I caught Becomming Jane the other night on cable, so she be on me mind.
That movie breaks my heart.
That reminds me, they played the third Pirates movie all weekend along and I watched to get me prepared for this visit. I think it helped!
I have to head out for a little while, but I'll check back in a few hours for any late stragglers.
I thought there should be a Pride & Prejudice: The Musical. Which songs revamped from Grease.
"Elite is the word
Elite is the word, is the word that you heard
It's got airs, it's all condescending,
Elite is the time, is the place is the motion
Elite is the way we are spending"
And the Summer Lovin' one...that'd be fun. It could be the song at the dance where she overhears that he doesn't think anyone of interest is at the dance, and certainly not Eliza Bennet who no one wants to dance with....
I cannot wait for this book!
I have loved your writing since you were writing drabbles on EJ's board (before JQ). I voted for you, based on your voice alone, so count me as one who will be in line to buy this the day it's released.
Di
Cap'n? Are ye a frustrated musical producer? ;)
Hellie, you should do a Jane Austen review with songs for key scenes from all six books. :)
Di, those EJ-board drabbles showcased a lot of talent that has reached or is reaching fruition. I can brag about them without vanity since they were not my forté.
Janga,
I loved to write the drabbles, I just didn't have the courage to post them. However I learned a lot in the writing of them.
Di
Hellie - That is hysterical. Janga is write, you need to take on all the Austen books.
Di R - You are too good to me. I adored writing those drabbles and that will always be where this crazy ride started. And those drabbles taught me how to write tight, which really helped me find my voice.
Janga - It is fun to see how many of us started with those. I always feel good when I remember that I went up against Maggie, Tiff, Hellie and several others and felt good having my work next to theirs. And you can hold your own whether with 500 or 85,000 words. :)
I loved the drabbles! They were a blast. Remember the take offs (by gum, I guess they were FanLit) on EJ's Essex Sister men?
And, Terri, I've loved this story. I can't wait for it to go out on query!
Santa, darling! *wraps Santa in a bear hug* What do you mean, go out on query. You're such a joker.
*leans in and whispers*
I sort of let them think it's already sold. Play along or they'll turn that Sin character on us. I hear she has...weapons.
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