Storming the Brain
Greetings, fellow bilgemates. Kimberly Killion here, back for another dose of merriment on the ship. I’d like to set this frig off-kilter today and dig for a little treasure. That treasure doesn’t come in the form of booty, but ideas. Where do we get them? Batten down the canvas, this could be quite a storm…
After sending in a third book to my agent, I am at a horrible place where I’m staring out into the vast blue yonder and asking myself, what now? I’ve played with the idea of writing another Scottish tale, but my agent wants me to do something ‘BIGGER’. What the bloody hell does that mean? BIGGER? I feel like that whiney grommet who was just told to swab the deck.
BIGGER?
I don’t wanna write something BIGGER! <pout>
Are you as tired as I am of hearing the words: fresh and unique? It’s easy for us to fall into the task of writing another book we are comfortable in. For me, that book would be another tale of a Scottish Laird who falls in love. It’s been done. Cooked. Baked. Burnt! Well, hell, mates! It’s all been done. Or has it?
So, pass the rum my way and let’s talk shop. If you were starting from scratch what would you do? Would you get out the ye ole globe, spin it, and point? Do you start with setting? Or do you start with plot? OR…do you start with characters?
So we don’t run out of rum, let’s start with characters and see where they take us.
The hero: Who is he? What does he do?
OR the heroine: Who is she? What does she do?
Let’s roll some bones to see who goes first…shake, rattle, roll… Cor Blimey! Snake eyes. That’s me.
Fine. I’ll start: Gareth. Aye. I like Gareth MacSomething. See I’m still stuck in Scotland. Let me try again…How about Azreal? He’s an assassin and guess who he has to kill…Lily, pure, sweet, innocent Lily. Hmmm…too cliché. How about she is the assassin and he is pure and noble. Now we are cookin’. So that’s how this is going to play out.
If given the task to write a character that is outside your comfort zone, who would you write about? Where would you set it? You don’t have to answer all these questions, just take a sip of rum, close your eyes, and…I know he’s hot…I can see him…sweat slicked, nice abs, he has a sword…but who is he and where is he at?
Okay, crew & lubbers, this is your Captain speaking (wow, I totally feel like I'm one of those AA pilots, don't you?)--the best hottie and scenerio will win some pirate booty from the Captain's own treasure chest (no, Jack, not that Treasure Chest and I could hardly share that, could I?), including a copy of Her One Desire by Kimberly Killion! Woot, woot! Brainstorm, luvies, brainstorm....
Books by the Crew
42 comments:
Hi Kimberly, welcome back!
I love medieval romance with brave powerful warriors reduced to helpless jelly by the fluttering eye lashes and tears of a maiden caught in the mire of circumstance!
Your books sound perfect for me but alas no electronic version available as yet?
I think there is still plenty of scope for novelty in this genre. But BIG is asking a lot!
I shut my eyes and momentarily blanked my mind. Low and behold I came up with a variant of Stevenson's 'Treasure Island'. Only my island is populated with gorgeous sirens, shipwrecked after their pirate captors misread the map and ran fowl of a reef. The blagards took the only boat and left my heroines to fend for themselves. Boy are they angry. Enter the hero Azreal.... Sorry went blank there!
Is this big or does it just have potential? *g*
Great to have you aboard!
Quantum: Loving the abandoned sirens. You described it perfectly. And the fact you have more than one heroine...hmmm....I see a trilogy here.
Thanks for putting your thoughts out there. I can tell this is going to be a productive day. :)
Jake Spencer is a dark, dashing eco-terrorist who meets his match when he comes to bomb blond farmer Chuck Reynold's genetically engineered corn field in Iowa. Can the city mouse find happiness in the strong arms of the country mouse over corndogs and creamed corn casseroles? Will the aquatic ecosystems become contaminated before Jake can put a stop to corn-tamination? Will Jake get Chuck to march with him to protest GE corn and laws against same-sex marriage at the Iowa State Fair?
Yeah, that would definitely be outside my comfort zone.*g*
What an awesome blog. So much fun.
I start with characters. I didn't know where my story was physically set for my last story... well, maybe on the sword *w*
Q, you were supposed to think outside your comfort zone... siren island has been done ;)
I dunno where I'd go. I know I went out of my comfort zone not writing paranormal... so I'm going to stay here and make myself cozy.
Maggie: Well...that idea would be totally out of my realm of expertise. LOL. You have given me something to think about, however. "country mouse over corndogs and creamed corn casseroles" <<<Now that's funny. HA!
Ha Tiffany! You are a coward. :)
I always start with setting which is my biggest fault. A romance writer should start with the romance and the conflict, right? Well...easier said than done.
Good morning, Kimberly! Feels like I just talked to you yesterday. ;)
I start with characters. They show up and slowly reveal their story to me. Or at least the premise of it. Out of my comfort zone would be writing any hero that shifts into something else. Just not my thing. Lets see what I can come up with...
The Earl of Swiffer, Charles Blackburn, has a secret. By day he's staunch aristocrat, dark hair, dark eyes, lean body. But by night he fights for justice and protects the weak as a werewolf. When out on a night mission he meets and saves Lady Emma Swanson, his entire life is turned upside down. Can he protect her without revealing his secret? Or is she the one woman he can trust with both his secret and his heart?
I don't write historical either, so do I get extra points? LOL!
Greetings, Terrio!!! I'm sensing a wee bit of deja vu myself. ;)
Love your idea. I admit though, when I read the Earl of Swiffer I had an image of a muscular warrior wielding one of those dust mops instead of a sword. Now, there's a story. The warrior maid. Hehehe...
Oohhh...I really love your ending. See, you start with characters and emotion and give them secrets and conflict. Thanks for sharing. I think there is a story in there somewhere.
Outside my comfortzone.
Lt Sarah Heidel was just doing a routine inter-galaxtic planet check, when her 4788-Hover crashed on a planet not on her GPS. And to add to her problems: SPRINT also doesn't get any bars here either, so she's stuck making nice with the natives. At least until someone misses her and puts out a search, but that might not be for another 40-50 years. How long was Crusoe on that island again?
Kaylon Craystrom wants to free his people from the tyranical rule of Head Mudthrump Dyck Gonsun; and the last thing he needs is a political prisoner who Dyck can use as ransom and buy more power. But it's clear the Lt can't be left to wander around by herself. She doesn't know the first thing about survival...or staying out of trouble.
When she is kidnapped and made into Dyck's head sex slave, will Kaylon find her before she's brainwashed into believing Dyck is the new Johnny Depp?
Sorry. Sorry. I tried to stick the exercise as long as I could....
Morning Kim! What a great blog! Thanks for brainstorming with us!
I write historical paranormal, so if I were to jump out of my comfort zone..... Hmmmm....
When Kevin Sheridan's best friend decides he needs to lighten up, he doesn't take him on a vacation or out for drinks; he hires him a call girl. Though the bookish CEO intends to send the girl on her way when she arrives (with a hefty payment for her trouble), his plans are turned upside down when his new companion is none other than the girl who broke their engagement, and his heart, Lauren Michaels. As the attraction between them reignites, can the man who's buried himself in his work to forget her ever learn to trust her again?
Hellion - that Captain Jack Sparrow sure does get around, even to other planets, huh? LOL!!
His ex-fiancee is a CALL GIRL? *LOL* Now that's funny!
LOL! It's contemporary erotica, of course. Though she's not really a call girl.
Kim - I was trying to come up with a name and the first thing I saw was this swiffer thing. So swiffer it was. LOL!
Hellion - Think of the world building! LOL! I say go for it.
Marn - I'd read that!
Ter - I was just sitting here thinking I could write that. I wonder if it might be fun.... I don't know if I could write a full novel, but maybe a short....
PS. I like your were idea....
Marn, I'm thinking if you could write that story, then you need to go further outside the box. Take it to Siberia or something. Think anyone could write a romance that took place in Siberia?
I'm signing off likely for the rest of the day. Off to the new apartment and hopefully, the cable dude will have me up and running over there by five. Wish me luck!
And someone pray for my knees....they're already about to give out. Oy!
Ahoy, Kimberly! Awesome blog. There's the truth of it!
Stepping out of me comfort zone is talking like a pirate. Aye, and writing contemporary. :-)
I start wit me characters AND setting. I picture them in a place and build from there.
Scottish hero hunting near the grounds of his keep is suddenly met by a band of women, descendants of Boudicea, who've come to claim him to service their Queen and keep their blood taint free. Little do they know he's the laird of a special band of Scots, men who aren't men, men waiting for a queen who'll arise to power and erase their curse by sacrificing her identity.
Argh! Cliche?
I think to go out of my comfort zone I'd have to write a straight romance, about falling in love and all the troubles you have to go through to make it work. I feel more comfortable firing a rocket launcher or handling a flame thrower than writing that. Writing about a flame thrower doesn't leave you very vunerable. LOL
Kathy, every time I read anything you write I always hear it in a pirate voice. LOL
OMGosh! What did I miss...I have to get caught up on all the story ideas...
Hellion: *waving fiercely*
Ok...this cracked me up: 'SPRINT also doesn’t get any bars here either' I'm wondering if that would be an internal conflict or external. LOL
'Dyck is the new Johnny Depp?' You went astray... :(
Marne Jo: I love the ex-fiance/call girl story. I wonder if we could pull that off in a historical. Now, that's got potential. Don'tcha think.
:( I know. I couldn't think of anything good. Plotting is not my strong point.
Oh Terrio...hate to see you go so soon. Good luck with the cable dude and your knees. Hmmm...is there a story there. ;) ;)
Sin: I couldn't agree more. Emotions are tough for me. Put me on a battlefield with swords and blood and I'm all happy to be a writer. Tee-hee
And Kathy: I was rolling reading your post. I think that storyline just might work. However, why should he have all the fun. Can we flip it around: 'Scottish *HEROINE* hunting near the grounds of *her* keep is suddenly met by a band of *men* Yes, yes,...I'll take two.
OK...were are dangerously close to setting the ship off-kilter.
I think that the whole ex-fiancee call girl as a historical has lots and lots of potential. How about an ex-fiance call girl historical and the call girl has magic powers.... Sounds like the plot of my next book, maybe....
Oooh, oooh....how about ex-fiance/call girl with magic powers and the opener is a public witch burning. Who is going to save her???
I verily believe I blush, Sin. ;-) Thanks!
Kim, I love the turnabout on that diddy!!! Och, now. That could really be somethin'. But he would have to sacrifice his identity in order to break the curse upon her. What curse are ye speculatin?
A curse you say...hmmm...she is cursed with multiple toes. Every time she falls in love she grows another toe making it difficult to walk. The hero hides his identity as the keeper of toes because now he has fallen deeply in love with the woman as he was born with an odd foot fetish???
Ye ol' toe fetish, eh? Zounds! :-D
I already have Her One Desire, so no need for me to take another when someone else can get it!
Out of my element would be writing a historical. I love period dramas and BBC's Pride and Prejudice, but my voice is way too contemporary. I think all my characters would sound 21st century as opposed to 1800s. LOL.
Ahoy, me hardy maties! Glad to see you here Kimberly Killian! Shiver me timbers, 'tis 'International Talk Like a Pirate Day'. Naturally, I've forgottent the link but it's by those fun lovin' pirate guys who have that whole site dedicated to all things pirate.
And, on that note, I'll say that writing of pirates is out my comfort zone. Don't know where I'd start but I've had some ideas germinatin' for a while.
I love the whole idea of female pirates (a nod to the lovely mates on board here) which brings to mind those prostitute ships that were headed for Australia back in the day when Australia was one big holding cell. What if the women, led by a wrongfully arrested maiden (natch), took over the ship, taking the smug, hard ass (literally and figuratively) captain captive.
Hmmm...we'll have to see!
I'm back online! The comp is on the floor and I have yet to set up the wireless (wish me luck!) but we're up and running!
Now I have to go find food. LOL! I'm starving! Be back later. Can't wait to see what happens to all the toes. LOL!
Enjoy ye new abode, Terrio! Don't forget to post ye ol' flag so's not to give off the wrong signals. :-D
Pirate wenches capturing the ship and torturing the captain with their lusts. Aye, that be a tempting tale, Santa. What will the hero do wit his wand? ;)
Hey Elyssa!!! Glad you could join us!
Santa: You have a great idea there. Lady Pirates. I almost feel sorry for their captive. Almost. ;)
Welcome back Terrio! Good lusck with your comp. Hopefully the floor is only its temporary location. Could be hard on the back.
And Kathy advances the story again...
Here's an update: Hot guy with a foot fetish gets taken captive aboard a pirate ship full of women. The pirate queen turns out to be his ex-fiance/prostitute whom he hasn't seen in ten years. THEN...the sails catch fire, but the hero just so happens to be good with a needle and thread and makes sails out of the women's clothes. Now what to do. They are all naked...hmmm...what next...what next...oh...did I mention this hero looks remarkably like Johnny Depp...NOW, what's next?
*guileless look* I have no idea, Kimberly! *tapping finger to lips* Hot Johnny Depp lookalike, a bunch of naked women...what, oh what, could they do? Hmm.
Tough one.
Oh, his wand comes in handy alright.
Terri! I forgot about your knees! I'm resting my feet today. That'll teach me to walk ten block in the city with heels! I hope your cable dude hooks you up - in a cable way not in the vernacular way!;)
*g*
I'm imagining intelligent alien librarians entering Earth's cyber space and reading this stuff as their first exposure to Earthling literature.
If there really are little green men about, I hope they have a sense of humour! :lol:
God I need a drink.....Kimberly won't you join me?
*passes round pints of rum in preparation for a toast*
"Hearty pirate thanks to Kimberly for devising this awesome experiment and long may the ideas resonate through the galaxy"
All together now pirates....bottoms up and down the hatch!!!
Mucha thanks for the rum, Quantum.
Can you imagine. I mean really. What would alien life form think? What if they didn't have a sense of humor? What if they thought this was how earthlings really lived? YOu know...they would probably do one of two things...1) Leave as quickly as possible or 2) Make plans to take over the world without fear of complication as we appear to be less than intellectual.
Kimberly, You know, If I was running the SETI project (search for extraterrestrial intelligence) I would want to transmit a sample of this together with a short video of Sin fluttering her eye lids. I'll bet the aliens would come running!
Have another pint dear, helps the neurons to fire in sync.
Good Night All, its 23.30 here in the UK!
I wanted to pop in quickly before I retire to my captain's quarters and thank Hellion once again for having me on the ship. Ya'll are great fun. I always enjoy spending time here.
Cheers! Skál! Huzzah!
Thank you for coming aboard the ship once again Kim! It's always a great time when you're around!
Huzzah!
Using me as Alien bait... Nice, Q.
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