Sandra Orchard's Blog, page 33
March 11, 2012
Let's Play Suspense Writer
One of the discussion questions at the back of Shades of Truth is: Kim wants to believe the best of everyone...How might that endanger her?
These kinds of questions are a suspense writer's launching pad to all sorts of mayhem.
Let's have some fun tossing around ideas. I'll start.
For simplicity, we'll pretend "Kim" could be any one of us, single or married.
What if she gets a text from her "hubby" saying he's at the bank and forgotten the password for their bank card, and would she text it to him. Does she believe him?
Of course. Her husband's notorious for forgetting passwords and his name came up on the caller ID. She has the fleeting thought that there are people who tap cell phones. But it's not as though anyone can "hear" a text message, so she quickly texts him back, and then deletes the message for security.
A few minutes later she gets a call from her hubby asking if he left his cell phone and wallet at home. Oops.
Your Turn: Who might a woman trust or believe, only to have that trust come back to bite her?
These kinds of questions are a suspense writer's launching pad to all sorts of mayhem.
Let's have some fun tossing around ideas. I'll start.
For simplicity, we'll pretend "Kim" could be any one of us, single or married.
What if she gets a text from her "hubby" saying he's at the bank and forgotten the password for their bank card, and would she text it to him. Does she believe him?
Of course. Her husband's notorious for forgetting passwords and his name came up on the caller ID. She has the fleeting thought that there are people who tap cell phones. But it's not as though anyone can "hear" a text message, so she quickly texts him back, and then deletes the message for security.
A few minutes later she gets a call from her hubby asking if he left his cell phone and wallet at home. Oops.
Your Turn: Who might a woman trust or believe, only to have that trust come back to bite her?
March 8, 2012
Fun Friday - Writing Maxims & Real Life
You've no doubt heard the saying that what's good for the goose is good for the gander. Not so when the goose is a novelist and the gander is her alter-ego--mom, wife or employee!
Today on the American Christian Fiction Writer's blog, I'm sharing how one simple trick can make an author's novel come alive.
Start late. Leave early.
Great advice for a novelist who wants to create page turning suspense. Not so great advice for how to win that new promotion at work, or your daughter's undying affection when she's playing in the championship game or making her ballet debut.
Your Turn: Do you have any maxims you try to live by?
March 6, 2012
Write Off the Deep End
Pay attention. There will be a test. There will be prizes.
Shades of Truth has officially released and it should be in stores by the weekend!!!
What does that have to do with writing off the deep end?!
Allow me to introduce my fellow Wodians. So named for our writing group: WODE--which stands for Write Off the Deep End.
Readers and writers alike often ask me about my writing process. These ladies are a big part of it. Once a month we get together to offer each other feedback on what we've written or to brainstorm new story ideas.
The group "found me" a few years ago after my RWA magazine was delivered to the wrong house. (Divine redirection!) The recipient was so excited to find another writer in our community that she hand-delivered the magazine and invited me to the next WODE meeting.
She has since become a treasured critique partner. Remember the grocery store murder discussion from January? That was with her. :)
In honor of the positive impact WODE has had on my writing career, I used the "word" WODE in Shades of Truth.
Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to find the location and email me the page number (and book version). :) In June, I will draw from a name the hat (of all correct answers) and they will receive a $25 gift certificate for their favorite book retailer.
Your Turn: Do you have a special friend or group with which you share a common interest or hobby or pursuit?
Shades of Truth has officially released and it should be in stores by the weekend!!! What does that have to do with writing off the deep end?!
Allow me to introduce my fellow Wodians. So named for our writing group: WODE--which stands for Write Off the Deep End.
Readers and writers alike often ask me about my writing process. These ladies are a big part of it. Once a month we get together to offer each other feedback on what we've written or to brainstorm new story ideas.
The group "found me" a few years ago after my RWA magazine was delivered to the wrong house. (Divine redirection!) The recipient was so excited to find another writer in our community that she hand-delivered the magazine and invited me to the next WODE meeting.
She has since become a treasured critique partner. Remember the grocery store murder discussion from January? That was with her. :)
In honor of the positive impact WODE has had on my writing career, I used the "word" WODE in Shades of Truth.
Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to find the location and email me the page number (and book version). :) In June, I will draw from a name the hat (of all correct answers) and they will receive a $25 gift certificate for their favorite book retailer.
Your Turn: Do you have a special friend or group with which you share a common interest or hobby or pursuit?
March 5, 2012
Blog Tour Announcement
Today, I'm a guest at Lyn Cote's blog Strong Women, talking a bit about the ministry behind the real Hope Manor, which inspired my fictional youth detention center in Shades of Truth
And
This week...I'm the featured author at American Christian Fiction Writers.
I had fun with one of the questions on the interview--and would like to hear your answers?
Your Turn: What's one piece of trivia that most people people don't know about you?
And
This week...I'm the featured author at American Christian Fiction Writers.
I had fun with one of the questions on the interview--and would like to hear your answers?
Your Turn: What's one piece of trivia that most people people don't know about you?
March 4, 2012
Talking about the Blame Game
Since Shades of Truth has hit Ebook readers nationwide...and I know this because it actually appeared in the top 20 on 2 Kindle bestseller lists on Friday, yee!!...
I've decided to ask a reader question from the back of my book, today.
The hero, Ethan Reed, is working undercover in a youth detention center to ferret out the person who's recruiting residents for a drug ring.
In his youth, Ethan did time in a similar facility, and based on that experience, he remarks that residents always claim incidents are never their fault.
We talked about this tendency in our Sunday School class yesterday morning. That is, we talked about how all sin begins with self-deception.
Self-deception such as:
~saying everyone is doing it or
~it can't be wrong when it feels so right or
~I'll just do it this once or
~I can always ask God to forgive me later or
~saying you can't help it, it's not your fault, because of A, B, or C
Whereas, true repentance is marked not only by an admission that yes, you did wrong, but an absence of rationalization for it, as well as a genuine sorrow about doing it (not just about getting caught!), and the desire to make restitution to any offended party.
So here's the question: When you make a mistake in your life, do you tend to blame someone else or do you take responsibility? Since this is an intensely personal question, perhaps share an example of how doing one or the other (in your younger days!) had positive or negative repercussions and what you learned from that experience.
NEWS:
If you'd like to read an interview with my hero, you'll find it here: http://craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com/2012/03/shades-of-truth-interview.html
And there's a giveway going on this week for a signed copy of SoT here: http://www.anitamaedraper.com/author-memories.html
March 1, 2012
Jury Duty Anyone?
It's finally happened. I figured it would one day.
Eventually the town had to work it's way through the alphabet, and now my turn to do my civic duty has arrived...maybe.
I've been summoned to appear for a jury panel, which means that I may or may not be chosen to sit on a jury. The suspense writer in me is intrigued by the possibility. The practical-can't-sit-for-more-than-an-hour-or-my-back-goes-into-spasms side of me is a tad apprehensive.
I can't complain about the timing. I have no looming deadlines, and despite all the crime I write about in my fictional town set in this region, we don't have any upcoming trials that would go on for weeks on end...at least none that I know about.
So...I'm excited about the opportunity to experience the process, watch the people and take lots of notes for future books!
Your Turn: Have you ever been called to jury duty? If so, how was it? If not, would you want to be?
P.S. I emailed my newsletter last night. If you're a subscriber and don't see it in your inbox, please check your spam. If you'd like to be added to my subscriber list, there's a link on the right side bar below the Goodreads giveaway (which btw ends early Sunday)
Today & Tomorrow's Book Tour Stops:
Fri Mar 2
www.loveinspiredauthors.blogspot.comread an excerpt from Shades of Truthhttp://www.lisajordanbooks.com/talking about love & romance
Sat Mar 3
http://www.pinkheartsociety.blogspot.comView my work space & process ~ picsImage courtesy of: David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Eventually the town had to work it's way through the alphabet, and now my turn to do my civic duty has arrived...maybe.
I've been summoned to appear for a jury panel, which means that I may or may not be chosen to sit on a jury. The suspense writer in me is intrigued by the possibility. The practical-can't-sit-for-more-than-an-hour-or-my-back-goes-into-spasms side of me is a tad apprehensive.
I can't complain about the timing. I have no looming deadlines, and despite all the crime I write about in my fictional town set in this region, we don't have any upcoming trials that would go on for weeks on end...at least none that I know about.
So...I'm excited about the opportunity to experience the process, watch the people and take lots of notes for future books!
Your Turn: Have you ever been called to jury duty? If so, how was it? If not, would you want to be?
P.S. I emailed my newsletter last night. If you're a subscriber and don't see it in your inbox, please check your spam. If you'd like to be added to my subscriber list, there's a link on the right side bar below the Goodreads giveaway (which btw ends early Sunday)
Today & Tomorrow's Book Tour Stops:
Fri Mar 2
www.loveinspiredauthors.blogspot.comread an excerpt from Shades of Truthhttp://www.lisajordanbooks.com/talking about love & romance
Sat Mar 3
http://www.pinkheartsociety.blogspot.comView my work space & process ~ picsImage courtesy of: David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
February 28, 2012
10 Character Lessons from a Special Guest
Hi Bella here. I'm the furry one.My mistress is exhausted because she spent yesterday entertaining little miss, so... I volunteered to do this post.
I saw that my kissing cousin, Simba, did one for Kav last week, and have wanted to try my paw at it ever since.
Then I saw that a little dog was even at the Oscars, and actually spoke. People are finally realizing that we have lots of important lessons to teach!
Now you've probably read some version of these lessons around cyberspace before, but honest (cause I can't even cross my toes to tell a lie like all my mistress's heroes do in their undercover work) I really live this stuff.
#1 Eat with gusto and enthusiasm...rubber boots, hubcaps, vinyl siding...it's all good!
#2 No matter how often you're scolded, run right back and be friends. Guilt trips are for cats.
#3 When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
#4 When a loved one comes home, run to greet them.
#5 Delight in the simple pleasure of a long walk.
#6 Be obedient...when it's in your best interest.
#7 Avoid biting when a growl will do.
#8 Romp and play daily and take plenty of naps.
#9 Never pass up the opportunity for a joyride.
#10 When someone is having a tough day, sit close by and nuzzle them gently...and offer to write their blog. "grin"
Your Turn: How'd I do?
Oops, my mistress said I need a better question than that. How about...
What have you learned from a dog, or cat (since I know not everyone likes my species, but c'mon...
my mistress's cat sits on the couch and waits for me to walk by so it can swat me. What's with that?
I'm a good dog. I don't lie on the couch. I, um, took a bite out of it once, but I've NEVER lied on it. lain? laideded? I can't figure out your grammar. Anyway, thanks for reading this far. Hope you have a woofing good day!
February 26, 2012
What's in your Heart?
I'm blogging over on the International Christian Fiction Writers blog today.
I hope you'll stop by and say hi! Of course, because it's in a different time zone, it doesn't go live until 7 am EST.
A recipe from Shades of Truth is also being featured today on The Yankee Belle Cafe
AND...did you notice the new widget on my sidebar? This week I'm having a giveaway on Goodreads for my March release. It's open to residents of the US, Canada, Australia and Great Britain, although you have to join Goodreads to enter if you're not already a part of the community of readers.
Have a great day!
I hope you'll stop by and say hi! Of course, because it's in a different time zone, it doesn't go live until 7 am EST.
A recipe from Shades of Truth is also being featured today on The Yankee Belle Cafe
AND...did you notice the new widget on my sidebar? This week I'm having a giveaway on Goodreads for my March release. It's open to residents of the US, Canada, Australia and Great Britain, although you have to join Goodreads to enter if you're not already a part of the community of readers.
Have a great day!
February 23, 2012
Fun Friday - What would you do...?
Since reading Nipped in the Bud last weekend, a question has plagued me all week...
What would I do if someone threatened me with a gun?
We see this happen all the time in TV shows and movies. The person with the gun usually gives the victim some compelling reason to come along quietly. Often a loved one is threatened if they don't cooperate. Similarly the character in Nipped was presented with a couple of very compelling reasons to stall, but part of me was screaming at her to...well...SCREAM.
Unless there are other bad guys who have my loved ones this minute, I'm thinking this is between you and me, buddy. And I will not go gentle into that good night.
If there are people around, I'm going to scream, "Gun. Don't shoot. Don't shoot."
Then I'm going to run like a mad woman. Most people really aren't that good a shot. Chances are they're not going to hit me, let alone kill me. Chances are even better that they won't want to draw anymore attention to themselves so they'll slink away and wait for another opportunity.
Of course, that's where the being petrified for your loved ones ramps up to hyper mode.
But c'mon if I let him shoot me, how do I know he wouldn't then go off and shoot them anyway?
Your Turn: You're at an outdoor event, or a mall parking lot with other people around, and someone threatens you with a gun. What are you going to do?
What would I do if someone threatened me with a gun?
We see this happen all the time in TV shows and movies. The person with the gun usually gives the victim some compelling reason to come along quietly. Often a loved one is threatened if they don't cooperate. Similarly the character in Nipped was presented with a couple of very compelling reasons to stall, but part of me was screaming at her to...well...SCREAM.
Unless there are other bad guys who have my loved ones this minute, I'm thinking this is between you and me, buddy. And I will not go gentle into that good night.
If there are people around, I'm going to scream, "Gun. Don't shoot. Don't shoot."
Then I'm going to run like a mad woman. Most people really aren't that good a shot. Chances are they're not going to hit me, let alone kill me. Chances are even better that they won't want to draw anymore attention to themselves so they'll slink away and wait for another opportunity.
Of course, that's where the being petrified for your loved ones ramps up to hyper mode.
But c'mon if I let him shoot me, how do I know he wouldn't then go off and shoot them anyway?
Your Turn: You're at an outdoor event, or a mall parking lot with other people around, and someone threatens you with a gun. What are you going to do?
February 21, 2012
A Rose by any other Name...
Okay, getting back on track today with our "conversations about characters"!
Over the weekend, I read Susan Sleeman's cozy romantic mystery, Nipped in the Bud. I don't often read cozies, but Nipped's quirky humor was a fun change from my usual fare.
Since I've written a mystery/suspense series that features a herbal medicine researcher, I was particularly taken with the clever idiosyncrasy Susan gave her character of thinking of each person she meets as a flower.
Lots of questions we could discuss on that front, such as if you were a flower, what would you like to be? Or what kind of flower do you think others would say you are?
I'd like to think of myself as a sunflower. My hero in my October release gives the heroine sunflowers because they are bright and cheerful like her. And like sunflowers, I strive to keep my face looking toward the sun (son)!
On the flipside, sometimes in life we attach labels to people the minute we meet them, and treat them accordingly, only to find out later that we were wrong.
Now, for my undercover cops, snap judgments are a survival skill, but most of us need to be careful about unwittingly doing harm to others as the result of a less-than-stellar first impression.
Your Turn: If you were a flower or plant, what would you be...or like to be? Any suggestions for guarding against making snap judgments of those we meet.
Over the weekend, I read Susan Sleeman's cozy romantic mystery, Nipped in the Bud. I don't often read cozies, but Nipped's quirky humor was a fun change from my usual fare.Since I've written a mystery/suspense series that features a herbal medicine researcher, I was particularly taken with the clever idiosyncrasy Susan gave her character of thinking of each person she meets as a flower.
Lots of questions we could discuss on that front, such as if you were a flower, what would you like to be? Or what kind of flower do you think others would say you are?
I'd like to think of myself as a sunflower. My hero in my October release gives the heroine sunflowers because they are bright and cheerful like her. And like sunflowers, I strive to keep my face looking toward the sun (son)!On the flipside, sometimes in life we attach labels to people the minute we meet them, and treat them accordingly, only to find out later that we were wrong.
Now, for my undercover cops, snap judgments are a survival skill, but most of us need to be careful about unwittingly doing harm to others as the result of a less-than-stellar first impression.
Your Turn: If you were a flower or plant, what would you be...or like to be? Any suggestions for guarding against making snap judgments of those we meet.
