Sandra Orchard's Blog, page 43
August 29, 2011
Join me...
today at Romance Writers on the Journey for an in depth interview and giveaway. I have the privilege of being the final guest of this fabulous blog. You'll find lots of interesting author stories in the archives. My question at RWotJ is what's the quirkiest thing you've ever done?
For a list of upcoming blog tour stops, click the Deep Cover Blog Tour tab at the top of this blog. One change:
For a list of upcoming blog tour stops, click the Deep Cover Blog Tour tab at the top of this blog. One change:
August 28, 2011
The Lies We Believe
Last Wednesday, I explained how I develop my characters’ spiritual growth by looking at the lie they believe at the beginning of the story and the truth that will set them free by the end. We brainstormed ideas for the hero of our evolving story, and this Wednesday we’ll have some fun with the heroine.
But today I’d like to look at Ginny Bryson, the heroine of Deep Cover, and discuss the lies we believe.
Ginny cares for a dying mother, and is absolutely devoted to her mentally challenged younger sister. She pours her life into helping others, championing a group home for special needs adults seeking independence, and coaching a T-ball team of special needs youth.
Yet, when her mom takes a sudden turn for the worse, Ginny says to Rick, “I’ve taken care of Mom and Lori my whole life. When they’re gone, I’ll have no one. Be no one.”
But today I’d like to look at Ginny Bryson, the heroine of Deep Cover, and discuss the lies we believe.
Ginny cares for a dying mother, and is absolutely devoted to her mentally challenged younger sister. She pours her life into helping others, championing a group home for special needs adults seeking independence, and coaching a T-ball team of special needs youth.
Yet, when her mom takes a sudden turn for the worse, Ginny says to Rick, “I’ve taken care of Mom and Lori my whole life. When they’re gone, I’ll have no one. Be no one.”
August 25, 2011
Fun Friday - Tea Anyone?
I've spent the last, oh, three weeks answering (or ignoring) every imaginable question you could think to ask a debut author in a blog interview. At least, that's what I thought until Kav threw some wildly creative ones at me, to which my turned-to-mush brain couldn't whip up a single pithy reply.
For example: If you could host a tea party with four book characters, who would you invite?
Now, I
For example: If you could host a tea party with four book characters, who would you invite?
Now, I
August 23, 2011
The Truth will Set You Free
As promised, today we’re looking at how I develop characters. A technique I learned from award-winning author and mentor, Susan May Warren, is to ask what is the lie my hero or heroine believes.
Often the lie is something from his past that changed the way he looks at himself or relationships or the world around him. More than that, it changed his approach to those things.
By uncovering the lie he believes, I can frame a story that will reveal the truth that will set him free.
Often the lie is something from his past that changed the way he looks at himself or relationships or the world around him. More than that, it changed his approach to those things.
By uncovering the lie he believes, I can frame a story that will reveal the truth that will set him free.
Join me...
at Writing Faithful Romances where I'll be answering questions on a variety of topics.
August 21, 2011
The Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth?
Today, we're following up—from the heroine's perspective—on last Monday's discussion about whether a hero who lies (for the sake of his job) can be a man of honor.
The heroine of Deep Cover is Ginny Bryson who says, "I'd rather know the truth than be lied to out of some misguided notion that I'll somehow be happier or safer."
Do you feel the same? If you said yes, are you sure?
I freely admit
The heroine of Deep Cover is Ginny Bryson who says, "I'd rather know the truth than be lied to out of some misguided notion that I'll somehow be happier or safer."
Do you feel the same? If you said yes, are you sure?
I freely admit
August 20, 2011
Liebster Blog Award
I was touched today to learn my new writing friend, Jackie Layton, awarded me the Liebster Blog Award.
The Liebster Award originated in Germany, and is awarded to small blogs (less than 200 or 300 Google followers depending on which version of the award you receive). It's an opportunity to shine the light on fantastic blogs and their authors in an effort to build readership. The winner is
The Liebster Award originated in Germany, and is awarded to small blogs (less than 200 or 300 Google followers depending on which version of the award you receive). It's an opportunity to shine the light on fantastic blogs and their authors in an effort to build readership. The winner is
August 18, 2011
The Fragrance of Life
Scent is a powerful thing. The slightest whiff of a particular scent can rouse memories you haven't thought about in years, evoking unexpected emotions. The fragrance of my mom's favorite hand lotion will bring memories of her flooding back to me. For others the smell of oil might take them back to their first car, or a day spent with their dad working on the old jalopey. The smell of leather might remind you of that cool guy you dated in twelfth grade.
Since I write romantic suspense, you're probably thinking--fragrances…romance…I know where she's going with this. Trust me when I say…probably not.
Since I write romantic suspense, you're probably thinking--fragrances…romance…I know where she's going with this. Trust me when I say…probably not.
August 16, 2011
WHERE STORIES COME FROM:
The most common question I'm asked when people find out I'm a writer is: where do I get my ideas?
The answer: from everywhere.
They may come from a news report, or from an incident I see while out and about. The other day my friend called to ask me if I knew what MPAC was because some stranger claiming to be from the organization had left a note in her door saying he'd missed her and would
The answer: from everywhere.
They may come from a news report, or from an incident I see while out and about. The other day my friend called to ask me if I knew what MPAC was because some stranger claiming to be from the organization had left a note in her door saying he'd missed her and would
August 14, 2011
Undercover Cops ~ Is it possible to be a man of honor and live a life of lies?
Thank you to all who shared their hilarious pet stories over the weekend. Today, we’re going to talk about a different kind of character, or rather character trait. Being honorable.
I think it’s safe to say that most female romance readers, as well as the heroines that populate romance novels, long to fall in love with an honorable man.
My dictionary defines honorable as “having or showing a sense of what is right and proper; honest; upright: It is not honorable to lie or cheat.”
Ouch! Not looking good for Deep Cover’s hero Rick Gray, an undercover cop who’s...
I think it’s safe to say that most female romance readers, as well as the heroines that populate romance novels, long to fall in love with an honorable man.
My dictionary defines honorable as “having or showing a sense of what is right and proper; honest; upright: It is not honorable to lie or cheat.”
Ouch! Not looking good for Deep Cover’s hero Rick Gray, an undercover cop who’s...
