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Monday, August 22, 2011

The Spark Blogfest


What book made you realize you were doomed to be a writer? 
What author set off that spark of inspiration for your current Work in Progress?
Or, Is there a book or author that changed your world view?

As writers, we're always striving to get out a message of inspiration to others. This blogfest hosted by Christine Tyler at The Writer Coaster is a celebration for those who have done this for us. Join the Spark Blogfest, aka Sparkfest, by posting your answer to any of the three prompts above (or make one up as long as it fits the theme).

I've always wanted to be a writer. There was no one book that made me realize it. I have poems and stories I wrote when I was five years old. A lot of writers have inspired me, but I was born with that spark.

Let's go with the second prompt: what author set off the spark of inspiration for your current Work in Progress?

My current WIP is a paranormal romance. I've read a lot of books in this genre. It's research. Yes, let's call it research. Yasmine Galenorn gave me the spark for this story. It wasn't her books themselves even though I love her Otherworld Series. It was something I read on her blog. I was deciding how I wanted to go with my WIP. I wanted it to be fun and steamy, but to stand out in a genre that has a lot of that. Yasmine wrote that her agent told her to go over the top. Don't make it idiotic and ridiculous, but whatever line you're imagining you can't cross with certain things in your book, cross it. And it worked for her. It really worked. Fans love it. It's a brilliant piece of advice if you can work it to your advantage. That's the chance I'm taking with my WIP. I went over the top. I broke a few rules. When I finally decide to submit it, I hope it works for me too.
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17 comments:

  1. M PaxAugust 22, 2011 at 3:11 PM

    Yea, for you, Christine. Stepping over those lines is nerve-racking. I've done it in my novel, but probably didn't go far enough as my crit partners were all laughing at what I thought was an R rating. They said only the mention of Ganymede made it PG. lol Obviously, I need to step much farther over that line.

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  2. Elizabeth MuellerAugust 22, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    So exciting for your inspiration! I've always loved writing since I was way young, but I fell head over heels in love with words my Junior year in High School when I was introduced to sensory detail. I love that stuff! :)

    ♥.•*¨Elizabeth¨*•.♥
    Can Alex save Winter from the darkness that hunts her?
    YA Paranormal Romance, Darkspell coming fall of 2011!

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  3. BriannaAugust 22, 2011 at 5:42 PM

    I hope it works for you too, Christine. Sounds like good advice!

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  4. Patricia JLAugust 22, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    Good luck and I hope it works for you too.

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  5. Dawn M. HamsherAugust 22, 2011 at 6:11 PM

    Good tip for any genre! Thank you for sharing.

    The Write Soil

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  6. Ruth JosseAugust 22, 2011 at 9:01 PM

    I do a lot of the same "research". :) Best part of the job!

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  7. Jolene PerryAugust 22, 2011 at 9:26 PM

    Cool :D
    I also do a LOT of reading in the genre I write - though, I think most writers do.

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  8. UnknownAugust 22, 2011 at 10:00 PM

    For some writers, they just know, even at a young age. Great entry.

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  9. Lynda R Young as Elle CardyAugust 22, 2011 at 11:50 PM

    It's good to break a few rules on occasion ;)

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  10. Philip SiegelAugust 23, 2011 at 12:33 AM

    I'm a new follower and a fellow Midwesterner... (I loved Taste of Bloomington!) While I don't read your genre, I think that piece of advice applies to any writer. Don't be afraid to cross the line. We need to work harder than ever to wow the reader, so I say go bold or go home!

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  11. Cherie ReichAugust 23, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    A Lion's Heart is definitely a fun, steamy read. It's great advice to break the rules on occasion and write the story you want to write. :)

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  12. Christine RainsAugust 23, 2011 at 1:31 PM

    Thank you all for stopping by and being so encouraging. I'm still a little worried about it, but we'll see what the reaction is when I start to submit it.

    Phil, were you at Taste of Bloomington this year? We got a chance to go in the evening. Crowded, but great food.

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  13. Alex J. CavanaughAugust 23, 2011 at 1:32 PM

    I could name an author that sparked my interest in writing but no book that gave me the idea for my own.

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  14. AnonymousAugust 24, 2011 at 5:46 AM

    I've not read any Yasmine Galenorn, might look her up at the library. Glad she inspired you to write. :O)

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  15. Julie FlandersAugust 25, 2011 at 12:42 PM

    What a great tip, and post. I'm not familiar with Yasmine or her books but now I am going to check out her work.

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  16. Christine TylerAugust 30, 2011 at 6:38 PM

    That's actually really great advice, and something I hadn't thought of! Very nice spark. Looks like your "research" has paid off! :D

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  17. Christine TylerAugust 30, 2011 at 6:38 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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