Let’s support each other during the August group meeting, hosted by Alex Cavanaugh.
Thank you to this month’s co-hosts: Renee Scattergood, Sadira Stone,Jacqui Murray, Tamara Narayan,and LG Keltner!
Today’s question: Has your writing ever taken you by surprise?
Some of my best writing moments have been surprises!
I had no clue how to write when I started my first story, Bad Blood into Good (awful title). The climax involved my hero eating poisoned food, turning his skin blue. When I returned his skin to a healthy color upon healing, one of my readers observed how this plot element exactly echoed my title. How fun when something unexpected like that happens.
I love when writing takes a surprising direction, turning out better than we planned. I suppose we also face some nasty surprises as writers.
Here’s an article for insecure writers: How to Stop Self-Doubt From Holding You Back The idea of writing about your doubt intrigues me.
Also, I’m giving away a $10 gift card as part of the Back to School Giveaway. Enter here if you’re interested.
Jennifer Lane Books 
Off to check out the article on self-doubt. One of those things I always struggle with in regards to my writing. Love the idea of someone's skin turning blue. That would keep me turning the pages Very creative!Cheers – Ellen
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He turned blue? Creepy. No one wants to be a Smurf.
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I've heard a lot of authors talk about how themes in their books unintentionally appear. That made me really happy because that's pretty much how it happens for me, but I always figured the big authors planned it all out from the get-go. I guess that's when you know the muse is guiding you.
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Nice parallel. There is a lot to be said about instincts. 😉 Anna from elements of emaginette
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If only all the surprises were good ones in this writing life! But then again, we can usually learn at least something from the bad surprises, too.
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I didn't think I'd like changes but I'm starting to change my mind. Saw your giveaway. I might start doing it too in the next few months.
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I love the surprises that end up being positive. Those with the opposite result, not so much.
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I find stuff like that pops up in my books all the time, but it's never intentional. Sometimes you have to just go with it.
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Treasure those moments.
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I'm still not sure whether or not I know how to write. I do it anyway. 😉
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Ellen, I can't remember the poison I used but apparently a blue tinge to the skin is one effect! Yep, self-doubt abounds around here.Alex, I did bring Smurfs into my latest novel so maybe that was a harbinger of things to come back in 2007.Bev, YOU'RE a big author! :-Deimaginette, instincts can get us far indeed.Madeline, good point.
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Natalie, the giveaways run by The Kids Did It and The Mommy Island always drive a lot of traffic.C. Lee, I guess we take the good and the bad as best we can.Sarah, yes! Sometimes it's hard for me to roll with the unexpected, but it can turn out better than my plans.L. Diane, it is pleasing when those moments occur.Cie, we're all in the same boat! Hope we stay afloat!
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Thanks for the article, Jen. I'm still trying to figure out who my audience is, beyond the thriller genre readers. I think my biggest hurdle is not so much the writing but the marketing and my reluctance to cash in my pension to pay for mega promo schemes.
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Feather, cashing in your pension? 😮
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