Thursday, August 12, 2010

At the Core



Yes, Hellie, I think I’m revisiting something you dabbled at some months back. I honestly don’t remember, but I’m gonna blame that on my age and all the rum. And my natural reluctance to address issues when first directed toward them.

I’m like that. Contrary. Dodgy.

I find if asked directly to consider something, I am blind to it. As if one of those eye diseases where I can’t focus on what is directly in front of me. I can slide around the periphery with ease… You know, it’s like trying to look directly at a dim star, you can see it better with peripheral vision than focusing on it. There’s a name for this, I learned it in astronomy class. And, of course, I don’t remember what it is!

From a purely psychological point of view, I think it’s my coping mechanism for gaining time and distance so I can consider the question. I am a reflector, not a reactor. I want to reflect and consider before responding. Even if I’m not aware I’m doing it, I do it. At least I’m figuring out that is what I’m doing! So give me some points here!

And this was one of those things I did when leaving the Award’s Luncheon at the Nationals. I figured I’d play with what she’d talked about…see what I could come up with after some consideration. I’d listened to Jayne Ann Krentz talk about the things an author needs to know. And thought it interesting, her taking the core of her stories from genre to genre. I was toying with the whole idea in the back of my brain, flitting about with what my core story would be…

Boy meets girl? Nope.

Well, no more than this is in most every book…

I generally suck at coming up with these things. I guess there is the damsel in distress…man, help me out here!

I left the luncheon feeling a bit bemused. (The desert was nice, but not the absolute ideal they served the next night, btw.) I found the Bo’sun and commented that the idea of a core to my writing was appealing, but I had no ideas what it was.

She, being brilliant, cast a look at me that just spoke volumes regarding my blindness. And as I mentioned some weeks ago, delivered to me my core. Everyone deserves a 2nd Chance.

I think I snickered. I also bowed to her sharp intellect that saw what was so obvious…to her. I’ve been floundering with putting together a nice hook for my website and business cards, something that spoke to what I wrote. What my books promise to a reader. And *bam*, the Bo’sun slaps me across the face with it.

Everyone should have someone like the Bo’sun in their life.

Perhaps it is easier to see this in someone else’s work than in one’s own. Yesterday, Hal started a conversation on the cliché/myth of most fiction. I think what I’m looking for touches on that idea, but I’m not certain.

 

(Couldn't help but insert this movie poster. So appropriate and a movie I really enjoyed...)

Krentz talked about her first book, being more in the science fiction/paranormal romance realm. Something that wasn’t really making the rounds yet. After numerous rejections, she rewrote it as a historical. And it sold. Same basic story, just minus the other world, funky critters, etc. And she really analyzed her work before figuring out how to take her core and write it in several genres. And sometimes things didn’t transition well, so she took on another pen name and began again.

I could certainly take ‘everyone deserves a 2nd chance’ and write that story in every genre out there. (Not that I care to do so. But it’s an interesting possibility!) I think I’d be drawn toward contemporary more than any other genre if I did leave behind my alternate pirate adventure erotic romance stuff.

I do like the visual of this idea…starting from the core of a world and building the layers outward…

So, what are the standard core ideas you read? What are some that you write? Or hear about? If you know yours, what other genres could you see taking your core story into?

107 comments:

2nd Chance said...

Oh! I forgot! Chicken Salad!

Quantum said...

Quite a common core is the woman struggling to make her way professionally in a man's world. JAK uses this theme quite a lot, particularly when writing as Amanda Quick, as does Adele Ashworth. The theme crosses genres very nicely as JAK demonstrates in her historicals and paranormals.

Its a theme that I like. The underdog making good. If I could do it as well as JAK, I would be tempted to retire from physics and write novels. Though like Chance, I would want to reflect and consider before diving in. :wink:

Everyone should have someone like the Bo’sun in their life.

As far as Internet Romance site's are concerned,isn't she in everyone's life?!
She is actually the mythical 'life force', what Henri Bergson called 'The Vital Force', though he used French damn his neurons! :lol:

Is there something funny about American chicken salad by the way? I eat it all the time here in England. It's healthy, tasty and low fat! *grin*

Marnee Jo said...

Oh! I forgot! Chicken Salad!

ahahahah!!!

As for core stories.... I like stories where the characters grow somehow, where they mature. The rake who realizes chasing tail isn't as rewarding as loving one person forever. The heroine who realizes she doesn't need to change to be loved. Stuff like that. I'm pretty open minded about it. I don't think it matters so much WHAT the author's trying to say, as long as they say it in a compelling way.

Me... I think my stories all deal with what I just said about. People's maturing. How they grow as a result of loving someone else. Focusing on the things they learn about themselves. Stuff like that.

Donna said...

Nice post, Chance -- and I definitely like the "Everyone deserves a second chance" core. It does seem to suit what I know of your stories.

I've been trying to think of this aspect for my stories, since I write contemp and historical, and I've started a paranormal. I was doing it in order to "brand" myself, so that I could figure out how to get readers to follow me from subgenre to subgenre without balking.

I plan to use the tagline "Love Filled With Laughter" on my website (when I make the switch), because that really is the common denominator. I'm just not sure it describes the "core" of my stories. I'm gonna have to ponder that some more!

Oh, and Q, the chicken salad was one of the search terms that got the biggest hits on this site. I think it's attributable to Marn, but now everyone wants to use it so their stats will go up. LOL

Marnee Jo said...

Chicken Salad refers to this post (well, the original post from years ago.) But this will do....

http://romancewritersrevenge.com/2009/06/25/chicken-salad-because-marnee-needed-a-reminder-this-week/

Still rings true to me after all these years. My husband is a genius.

Marnee Jo said...

I realized it sounded like I wrote this last decade and I was in my dotage. I think I wrote it 3 years ago. So, not forever, but sometimes it feels like it. LOL!

Scapegoat said...

Chance - I left this luncheon thinking over it as well. Although the delivery wasn't as good as Nora's, I felt there was so much more useful insight.

I think Bo'Sun hit the nail on the head for the core of your stories. Having read Kracken's Mirror and knowing you, I think it captures it perfectly.

For my own writing, I'm still thinking about it. Since I'm only half-way through my first mauscript I don't have a "common" thread/core yet. I do have some ideas of what it might be, but I'm witholding judgement until I finish at least 1!

Hellie said...

Actually the joke, Q, is that we ran a stats on our website to see how many unique hits were getting, and one of the top keywords that pulls up our site is "chicken salad", referring as Marn mentioned, her brilliant and hilarious blog.

We've decided we need to mention chicken salad in every blog to encourage more hits.

Hellie said...

And if I only read Donna's comment all the way through....

Hellie said...

Core story.

I think a lot of my stuff is "everyone deserves a second chance." In fact I think that might have been my tag line when I was originally "pitching" Lucy's story, my first manuscript.

Forgiveness, acceptance, loving someone for who they are and not who you want them to be--these are things I try to incorporate into my stories a lot. These are things that are important in my life, that I'm always searching for, so it only makes sense my characters would too.

Worthiness--struggling to realize you are worthy of love, to let someone love you, to BELIEVE someone loves you with the same sort of acceptance you love people. (Self-esteem. Confidence.)

I find it rather odd I don't write a lot about family. I have a lot of Harry Potter like characters: they don't have parents or siblings.

Donna said...

Hehehe, Hellie. :) I like to sneak things in my comments.

Oh, who suggested I watch XXX with VD yesterday? I watched it on Netflix last night (gotta love instant play) and it was enjoyable. I'm still not a fan, but I got a kick out of his character. Oh, and WHY was it suggested -- I've already forgotten! LOL

Hellie said...

XXX was suggested because of the bedroom scene, the song playing when he comes into the room and the women are all writhing on his bed. It's supposed to be the "greatest sex song ever."

I recommend the original Fast & the Furious. You've got cute twiggy Paul Walker AND Vin Diesel, so you have eye candy either way. Highly recommend because Vin Diesel has a "love scene" where he's picking up the girl and carrying her around in the way that's way hot.

Donna said...

Oh, that's right! The carrying part. That's how it got started. The Fast & the Furious isn't on instant play though. Oh well, by the time I remember to get the disk I'll forget WHY I was supposed to see it. LOL I'll have to ask for another reminder.

Chicken salad!

Donna said...

I hate when Capt Cha code eats my comment. Grrr.

Hellie, I was saying how I gravitate towards the kinds of themes you mentioned, and I love reading stories like that. Only I said it much better, and Capt Cha can kiss my [body part to be named later].

2nd Chance said...

Q - JAK gave an interesting talk and it was fascinating to me to realize she writes under three names! Each time something went sour, she shifed names. Or was it each time she wanted to shift genres????

Bo'sun did a search recently to see how many hits our blog recieves on any given day and what brought people here... Chicken Salad was the largest reason! Due to...I think it was Marn? who wrote the blog on how writing is like chicken salad...

Hence, the need to include chicken salad in all blogs henceforth!

2nd Chance said...

DRD - I like Love Filled with Laughter and it would see me pick up a book!

Don't you already have two genres you write in? Historical and contemporary? And now you're adding paranormal?

Look out, pirates...DRD is out to rule the world!

2nd Chance said...

Hmmmm, Marn - How would one sum that up in a pithy little sentence...

Growing up for love

Love Grows Up

Ready for Love

What do you think fits?

2nd Chance said...

Scape - Excellent point...which comes first, the story or the core?

Does a writer know the core before they write or does it develop as the story develops?

I do wish I'd heard Nora...sigh. I was being social over at the bakery and that was a good thing!

2nd Chance said...

Hels - Que ironic! We share cores! Who'd a thunk it?

But I also write characters that have cast loose from the tangles of family. Easier to manipulate them that way. I sense this may be caused by our both having a connection to our family that is strong enough that...we can't write characters with family without making that family part of the story. Since this can needlessly complicate a story, we create orphans.

From what I hear of Lucy's story, a second chance is definately at the heart of things. A&E's marriage, too.

I'm sure we have a different take on the entire manner of faith and how that braids into all of this...

Do I need to shift my core statement so we don't twinsy on my business cards?

2nd Chance said...

Hmmmm, must keep my eye out for these movies! I did enjoy Vin in that scifi one... Dang. There goes my memory again.

"After Dark" ... ?

Donna said...

Chance, I feel like I'm forced to write in different genres because they all seem to go dormant when my book is ready. LOL Plus I'm intrigued by the different challenges each one presents, so it's fun to try them.

I doubt that I'll ever do YA, though, because I can't relate to that age. Hell, I wasn't really a YA when I WAS one, ya know? I don't care for science fiction so I can't imagine writing in that. So there's a couple of genres I won't manage to kill off. LOL

2nd Chance said...

I'm with you on YA, Donnaroo. I know it's on the horizon as the next big thing, but I just can't see that inside me. Perhaps for the same reason you state. I never felt like I was a YA.

I was an adult in teenage skin.

I also don't see me ever writing inspirational or straight historical. For one, I'm not of a faith recognized by inspiration and the other? Too lazy to do the research necessary to do it right!

Hellie said...

I think core stories and brand tag lines are different things. They're connected, but I think we can both express our "same" core stories by having different branding. You have a darker, edgier theme, I think; and I focus more on humor.

I don't usually include family because mine is so dysfunctional (in my opinion and not as dysfunctional as say Lindsay Lohan's, but bad enough) that I don't want to open that vein and bleed what I really think about family on the page. I'm reading a book called, "Writing Starts With the Breath" and the author talks about how writing comes with risk. What are you going to risk? And also what are you going to be vulnerable about? I'm relatively certain I avoid family in my writing because I don't want to deal with my true feelings about my family.

Hellie said...

The sci-fi one was Pitch Black. Which I also enjoyed because there's a sexy little move he does in that one to the ship's captain (I think she's the captain? whatever), rolling her under him. NICE.

No idea what the rest of the movie was about, and don't care.

Donna said...

As I mentioned, I'm not a Vin fan, BUT I will say I noticed he had lovely hands, when he was wrapping them around the woman to give her a kiss. So props to him for that. Or those. Whatever. LOL

Hellie, I think "dysfunctional" is on a spectrum, and every family fits in there somewhere. :)

Hellie said...

I think to write a successful YA novel, you have to portray a character that knows everything--that is an adult in a teenage skin--because I remember little about it, but I remember "knowing more" than the adults. I also think when I was a teenager--things were a lot less "gray", it was one extreme or the other, black or white, right or wrong. Very easy to crusade when you're that age because your sense of justice is much more clear.

A lot of the YA novels I read have this little "I know everything, even if I'm not confident to get the boy I want" heroine who is surrounded by the battiest adults (skewed, I'm sure by the POV of the heroine). Give them a crusade. Focus on the black and white. Sometimes you even work on getting them to live more in the gray.

2nd Chance said...

Hels - Good point about opening a vein and all. I have included family in 'just for me' writing and found it quite helpful, therapy wise. Ah, the things I've done to my MIL in those bits of writing... Good times!

Though to be fair to her, I've gone many ways with that. Good for her and bad for her. Experimenting, as it were.

Yes! Pitch Black! I liked the movie for more than the one roll though!

Donna said...

Great description of the YA. I just don't "feel" it, so I can't see writing it. Heck, I don't even feel like READING it. LOL

However, I am eternally grateful that YA writers are growing and developing readers for OUR books. That's awesome.

2nd Chance said...

Yeah, what Donna said. I can see the form of YA, but I just don't feel it.

I simply don't find it interesting enough to consider revisiting what was a pleasant enough time in my life, but not enough to dive back into.

I so remember the black and white stuff! Oh, I was so sure about everything! LOL! Where now, I KNOW that I don't know everything and nothing is certain!

And I'm actually happier this way...

Hellie said...

I'm the opposite. I don't want to write YA novels because I loathed that time of my life so much that I have no interest in taking on an alcohol problem in order to get through the mental anxiety of teenage drama again. For fun and profit.

I could probably do it (not interestingly, but I could do it) because I have enough "purist" in me to pull off the black and white. And enough imp in me to make the adults look stupid.

But if I branched beyond the contemporary and "paranormal light" (I assume A&E and Lucy are paranormal?), I'd probably do a historical. Then I'd be committed to a mental hospital because I'd freak about historical accuracy.

Janga said...

I don't want to sound preachy, but my faith is the core of who I am and what I do. Given that fact, my core story is redemption. There's a quote from Flannery O'Connor that says beautifully what I believe and what I try to write: “There is something in us, as storytellers and as listeners to stories, that demands the redemptive act, that demands that what falls at least be offered the chance to be restored.”

Since my own life is supported and complicated by the bonds of family, immediate and extended, and friendships that are nearly as long and as significant as family ties, I write about characters who on some level have this experience as well. I'm still working on a tag line. Or maybe secretly I'm resisting coming up with one since I think labels, however carefully crafted, are limiting.

And I still read YA--selectively, but I read it. I always have. I don't think I could write one though.

2nd Chance said...

Hel - Yeah, I could see where that would drive you insane...the drive to make sure everything was accurate! Even if you weren't the purist you are, if you get it wrong, the remaining purists will crucify you for mistakes.

From the small amount I've listened in on the YA stuff, it seems like it's being written by people just out of the YA phase in real life, or by mothers and fathers who have YA kids.

2nd Chance said...

Janga, I think faith will play into any writer's system. At least I hope so.

And the power of redemption is a biggie! I've dangled close to that, but think I've kept it away from faith. Mine is almost a second chance despite a lack of faith. Which undoubtedly slinks back into some deeply held belief in faith!

Making myself dizzy again...

Melissa said...

I think finding my core story also touches on what Hal brought up about myth. Basically my heroines believe they are cursed by fate, but they don't go around complaining about it. I think they are a Cinderella versions who dream big. Cinderella thinks she has until midnight to experience the good life but she accepts her fate.

I don't have any 'you're fine just as you are' crap for the heroine to learn to change her life. She's Cinderella with evil relatives or a bunch of mice to take care of (responsibilities). She deserves to be rescued and cheat fate. Figuring out that cheating fate is possible and fighting for it (possible life with Prince Charming) is her change.

Yeah, and what's Prince Charming doing? LOL That's always harder to figure out. Hal and I (when we were CPs) once laughed about my hero being put in the cheerleader role. LOL

2nd Chance said...

Melissa! My hero often plays that role! They know there is more the heroine than she does, knows and has faith in the heroine and spends a massive amount of time trying to convince the heroine of this fact... She is already perfect as she is.

But, if you consider your heroine's more in the Cinderella mold, does that mean your core involves a glass slipper? ;-)

2nd Chance said...

Slow moving morning...I'm off to see ta the doggums...

Oh! Happy Friday the 13th everybody!

Melissa said...

Eeek! I missed that it was Friday the 13th. And probably one of the cat's hanging around my house is a black cat. Always lots of cats with my female cat in heat. Jeez, I was thinking yesterday that my personal cliche in a story was to have a noisy cat in heat in some scene. It's hard to ignore. Different cat, same story these days so it might happen in more than one chapter! LOL

Hellie said...

I love redemption stories, Janga. I don't think it sounds preachy. I think on the human level, we have that hope we're redeemable, or that someone finds us redeemable.

(I used to say redemption was one of my core stories, but I think since A&E isn't really about redemption, I've had to branch out my core theme a little, to be broad enough to include redemption as well as just the plain old 2nd chance. Though I guess they're tied, aren't they?)

Melissa said...

Oh, Donna! Welcome to the paranormal realm! :)

Bosun said...

I was wondering when someone was going to mention the date. I'm not superstitious and never worry about the Friday the 13th stuff, but today it has definitely been one of those days.

Well, I'm quite flattered by the blog and Q's mention that I'm in everyone's lives. Though he doesn't say if that's a good thing or not. LOL! I've cut back to save my sanity, but I do still get around the blogosphere, I suppose.

I would love to claim the "brilliant" bit, but I don't think I can just because I can point out the obvious. And I do think our core story is more obvious to others than to ourselves.

I don't think you're conscious of your core story, it just comes out in what you write and after a while you can recognize it. Mine is trusting and healing. The tag line on my business cards is "Healing broken hearts one book at a time."

Re: Redemption - I think there is a thread of redemption in every story, even when redemption is not the core. The point is that our characters do something for which they need to be redeemed. But that something can be spreading a rumor about another character after being hurt by them. (Mayne) Though the core of the story could be something very different.

I know when thinking about characters, I often measure on the "can they be redeemed" scale when thinking about who they are and how they behave.

Bosun said...

And I read that back and realize I sound like I'm saying your core can't be redemption, which is not what I meant at all. Dang these distractions!

Bosun said...

I completely missed the bit about Donna starting a paranormal. Which para elements are you going for?

Bosun said...

I finally show up and everyone scatters. Fine. I'm going to heat up my pizza...

Sin said...

Vin Diesel has a “love scene” where he’s picking up the girl and carrying her around in the way that’s way hot.

That scene inspired all sorts hot sex scenes in my head that had to be written out. There is something about Vin Diesel in any part he's badass that just makes my brain overload.

Donna said...

I don't really THINK of it as a paranormal, but it involves vampires, which of course are not in favor anymore, so I may just write the book to amuse myself (although my agent loved it when she read the partial I've done so far). It was an idea I had that could only be written as a paranormal, but I don't think I'll be staying in that genre. :)

It of course has lots of laughs with the love, and that's when I realized that's what carries over in all my stories. Maybe that's my voice, not my core.

Hellie said...

Teresa Medeiros, who is one of my favorite authors, primarily writes historicals, but she also has stories in contemporary setting and paranormal. I think she's done them all well--though I like her best as historical. :) I think that could be us: we could probably write in any genre, technically, but there would be genres we were just naturally better.

Hellie said...

Bo'sun, I see redemption in every story--because I like it so much--but I do think there are certain stories that redemption is clearly the core story for the book and/or author. I think a lot of Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark-Hunter stories are about redemption; and I think redemption is a core story for her because it seems to carry over to her other series and stuff.

Bosun said...

Donna - My guess would be funny is your voice and there's something deeper for your core story. But since you keep your plots locked up tighter than the Jonas Brothers jeans, I have no idea what that might be.

:)

2nd Chance said...

Sorry to be gone so long, crew. Starbucks let me down. Their system wasn't working, so I hurried on home!

Melissa - A noisy cat in heat can signify so many deeper things. Not just a nuisance! I remember the first time I heard it and was convinced there was a crying baby somewhere out in the night...

Donna said...

Bo'sun -- you crack me up. (Awesome analogy, BTW. LOL) I get a little freaked out about talking about my plots -- not because they're awesomely original, but because I'm afraid someone will say, "Oh yeah, so-and-so did it -- you didn't know that?"

The other day I read a snippet of Teresa M's new book, and the hero goes into a church to take the heroine away -- and I FREAKED, because I've had a scene like that in my historical, and I wrote it YEARS ago. It's nothing like hers, but I'm worried people will think it "inspired" mine since hers will be published, and mine isn't yet.

So yeah, I'm a little whacko. Not a spoiler though, right? LOL

2nd Chance said...

I agree with Hel, redemption stories are powerful and if done right, offer hope to everyone.

I fear my background links redemption with martyrdom and though I've done it in stories, it isn't something I'm comfortable with. Sacrifice I can get...

Now, why I don't see the two as the same thing, I don't get!

But it is what it is!

2nd Chance said...

Twas your brilliance, scared 'em off, Bo'sun. As I mentioned above, redemption is a hard one. It's always there, but I like how you make it something that can be seen as small, yet integral to the story.

Which begs the point...are villains unredemable? I wrote one I believe was just that...

Course, I also wrote a heroine who didn't believe she deserved redemption, but that gave the hero something to do...prove to her she was!

2nd Chance said...

Donna - Can core and voice be separated? Interesting idea...

2nd Chance said...

Wow, Vin is just appearing over and over again in the blog. Should we make him an honorary pirate!?

2nd Chance said...

Hel - I find it encouraging that authors write and are successful in multiple genres. Makes me feel like the world is my oyster...

2nd Chance said...

Donna - We're all wack-o in one way or another. I bleed plot points, you hold 'em tightly.

Whatever works for each us, works!

Donna said...

If Vin is made an honorary pirate, he's not allowed on my end of the ship. Maybe his hands. But that's it. (He'll probably be the reason for some good blog stats though. LOL)

I don't know if core and voice are separate, or intertwined. I'm getting a headache. LOL

2nd Chance said...

Come on, Vin ain't that scary! I saw him in a comedy...can't for the life of me rememeber the movie title. Of course.

But he did well!

Bosun said...

The Pacifier. Which I haven't seen.

Vin can hang at my end of the ship. Then again, he's a dare devil, so I imagine he'll spend a lot of time in the rigging with Sin.

Bosun said...

Donna - Can you maybe just give an overall summation? Something for us to go on? Or even just look at the blurbs/pitches for your stories and see if you can find a common denominator besides the funny.

2nd Chance said...

Yeah! The Pacifier! I thought it was sorta sweet!

I have this vision of Ranger and Vin, spitting at each other in the rigging...

I'd be cool serving Vin... OK, I'd be a puddle of ooze, but I do love his voice and eyes...and hands...

Wonder how old he is?

Bosun said...

Ha! He's 4 years older than me. Finally, someone who isn't a child. LOL!

2nd Chance said...

UH, so still a bit younger than me...sigh.

Donna said...

Chance, I don't find Vin scary, he just doesn't appeal to me. I like a little more "polish" (and his shiny head isn't enough. LOL)

Terri, you're gonna make me WORK? LOL I'll ponder it as I go rustle up something to eat. . .:)

Oh, have you commented on the Borders blog today, about why we love contemps? She said she's showing the info to her publishing friends -- every little bit helps!

Hellie said...

Polish! Interesting! *light up gleam* Okay, did you see Sweet Home Alabama? Which man did you prefer?

2nd Chance said...

Oh, her husband! Of course! ;-)

Donna said...

You guys crack me up. LOL I can't remember the guys on Sweet Home Alabama (you all are better at movies than I am).

And I like tough guys, but not his version of it. Not sure why.

Besides I'm fickle. My celebrity crushes only last a few days -- like a head cold. LOL

Hellie said...

Well, Vin does look like he's spent a lot of time in jail...which might not be preferred. He's one of the few tough guys I like. I can't stand Arnold, for instance.

I do adore Dwayne Johnson. *swoons* Now that's polish and thuggish all in a fell swoop.

Bosun said...

Hellie - Will you be seeing The Expendables this weekend? Talk about a delicious buffet of beef cake.

Bosun said...

I just heard "Can you smell what The Rock is cooking?" in my head. LOL!

Bosun said...

How could you not remember Josh Lucas and Patrick Dempsey? Donna, you're going to have to cut back on the rum benders...

2nd Chance said...

Vin does look very thuggish, but in a polished sort of way! And I love The Rock, he's just so good with comedy!

Yes, I like a guy who can do good comedy as well as be the tough guy.

Julie said...

So, what are the standard core ideas you read?
When I read do I like to be entertained?
Of course.
But … The thing that I’m really looking for in a story is that “something more”. That ahhh moment that happens when I read a passage , or maybe just a single sentence, that makes me pause.
And think…
I’m looking for wisdom. The kind that leads to Personal growth. Not just intellectually, but on an emotional and spiritual level.

If you know yours, what other genres could you see taking your core story into?
Ha. To this I say …
“I plead the 5th, Chance.”

2nd Chance said...

Man, you're greedy...you want five chances? ;-)

I'm with you though, I love personal growth. I'd like to think my characters find personal growth through the chances they find...how's that for tying it all together?

Donna said...

Hellie -- what's that over there?

*steals Dwayne Johnson*

I fell in love with him one of the first times he was on SNL, and he was such a good sport, willing to make an ass of himself -- I love that in a man. I'm probably wrong but Vin SEEMS like he takes himself a little too seriously. But hey, more for you guys!

And I don't watch that many movies, I guess, and the ones I do, I don't remember all that much! LOL

Hellie said...

Yeah, I read Vin used to be an English major, so that's probably why he takes himself so seriously.

I love Dwayne's sense of fun--that is preferred for the long term, but under direction of camera lights, Vin does exude that sort of sex appeal that I haven't quite seen Dwayne do yet. Mainly because I don't think he's played that role yet. He plays hot, funny guy roles and not bad guy on the run with a girl roles.

2nd Chance said...

Ah, Donna, you need to see The Pacifier! Vin is more than willing to play the fool... Any buff guy who will act with kids in a comedy...winner in my book.

I loved Dwayne in that goofy one where he's a football player who discovers he has a four year old daughter...who is wicked good with her bedazzler!

Again, I do not remember the title! Today is a totally worthless memory day for me!

Donna said...

under direction of camera lights

Wait a minute. Did I miss an announcement, Hellie? LOL I didn't know you and Vin were doing a "movie". :)

*scratches out the line of dialogue: "balls to the walls"*

2nd Chance said...

So, at the core, these guys are muscles with a hidden clown nose?

And yes, I mean a nose, not some euphamism...get yer minds outta the gutter!

Donna said...

LOL, Chance -- I like that -- muscles with a hidden clown nose -- perfect! Because, if he wants to make me LAUGH, he's definitely interested in PLEASING me. :)

Oh, and our minds are embedded in the gutter. They've been placed there like those Hollywood stars on the Walk of Fame. LOL

2nd Chance said...

Balls to the walls...full steam ahead!

Bosun said...

You know what they say about the size of a man's...shoes. Those clown shoes are mighty big.

2nd Chance said...

*snicker

Julie said...

*more snicker*

Donna said...

Well, Julie DID say she likes "something more".

Hey! Somebody was gonna say it! LOL I just wanted to say it this time. :)

2nd Chance said...

Damn, now I want a candy bar!

Julie said...

Like I said , Chance...
I like to be entertained? and I want an ahhhhh-moment.

Julie said...

Minus the "?"
Cuz there's No ?-question about it.

Bosun said...

Man, that went down hill fast.

2nd Chance said...

At the moment, I want peanuts, caramel and chocolate...

Donna said...

Well, I've got to dash out to Target (the Tortuga one was out of everything I need -- LOL)

Hope you pirates have a nice afternoon with Vin. :)

Julie said...

And please note:

I was being very serious before Donna started me off onto a tangent. Wicked Thing that she is.

Hellie said...

Well, I didn't want to advertise, clearly since the movie went straight to DVD. But that wasn't because of me. It was because Jessica Simpson has a walk on role.

2nd Chance said...

Downhill? How do you sail downhill? Oh, that's right, you drop right off the edge...

Yup, we went there...

Bosun said...

What do you mean, how do you sail downhill? Simple, you turn the ship until we're headed due south. Which is our usual course, I admit.

2nd Chance said...

Well, the temps are more friendly that way...

Sin said...

Well, I didn’t want to advertise, clearly since the movie went straight to DVD. But that wasn’t because of me. It was because Jessica Simpson has a walk on role.

LMFAO. Hells, I love you. Thank you for making my day.

2nd Chance said...

Mellow, mellow afternoon. Sun has finally made an appearance here by the bay. Time to get the dog out again...

Donna said...

You pirates were pretty tame after I left. LOL Everyone's sprawled in their hammocks, sleeping off a rum-induced haze. . .

WAKE UP! LOL

*runs away with the rum bottle*

2nd Chance said...

*sneaks fresh rum bottle from beneath bar, ignores DRD

Donna said...

At least we got to 100 comments -- I like even numbers like that. :)

2nd Chance said...

Me, too!

Donna said...

So are we the only ones here, Chance? Why don't we have the Hotties rehearse a dance number for us. . .

2nd Chance said...

It's much more fun to have them act out scenes from our MS...

Great blog today, Donna. I love the idea of learning to right the first draft all over again. At least that is what it feels like to me right now. Trying to learn how to write like it's a first draft again. Sigh. So stuck!

Donna said...

Oooh, I like the way you think, Chance! That might be even better than reading it out loud. LOL

Thanks for the compliments -- I feel like I had to learn how to write a first draft again too. I mean, I'm glad I learned so much about writing and revising this year, but I didn't like feeling like I'd lost the freedom to CREATE. That's one of my favorite parts!

2nd Chance said...

Yeah, it's like the story and the imagination are all on line, but can't connect with the actual writing process. Could drive one to drink. More.

Julie said...

Def ... more.
What
a
Day.