Davis Bunn's Blog, page 21

A Fan of a Lifetime (Guest Column)

By Marilyn Rhoads

Oregon Christian Writers Winter Conference Director

Davis Bunn will kick off Oregon Christian Writers’ 50th anniversary celebration on March 16, 2013 in Salem, Oregon.

Why? Because a sweet Mennonite lady dressed in a white cap and calico is a huge fan and encouraged us to invite him.

This Davis Bunn fan knows no age or gender barrier, but she does know quality writing and a call to adventure that challenges the spirit and soothes the soul. She is one of many fans who have purchased more than six million copies of Davis’s novels.

She said she started reading Davis Bunn years ago when she discovered his first book, The Presence. “His writing captivated me, and I began watching for his novels. His characters are alive! The rich tales and settings draw me into the adventure, and I feel like I’ve traveled the world with this wonderful storyteller. His attention to getting the myriad of details right to create an exceptional emotional experience for the reader is appreciated.”

Oregon Christian Writers began fifty years ago with a handful of members and now attracts writers from as far away as Davis’s England. We offer some of the best in authors and teaching at our three one-day conferences and our popular Summer Conference.

Davis will present two keynote address, “The Gospel of John, Act I” and “A New Definition of Success.” He will also teach “Transforming the Outline from Drudgery to Joy.”

If you aren’t already a fan, you will be after reading one of Davis’s nineteen best-selling novels, three of which have won the prestigious Christy Award. Unlimited, Davis’s movie release, will premier in September. Don’t miss it!

Make plans to join us on Saturday, March 16, 2013, at Salem Evangelical Church, 455 Locust Street Northeast, Salem, OR, 97301. Register online at: www.oregonchristianwriters.org.

Come and meet with other Davis Bunn fans and learn techniques to improve your writing skills. The Mennonite lady will be waiting to welcome you!

Readers Ask: What is Your Favorite Writing Prompt?

With each new project, I tend to develop a series of specific triggers. The aim is similar to what happens in dealing with writers’ block, because in many cases this writing ‘prompt’ is just another word for isolating myself from the outside world and returning swiftly to the world of my current project.

When I first started writing, I ran a consulting group based in Dusseldorf. My work had me in three countries every week. I held this job, and wrote on the side, for eleven years. My writing prompts were crucial to drawing me away from the fear and the frustration and the pressures, and return me to what I wanted to do with my life. Write.

Early in that period, I read an article about Mick Jagger, who has prepped for every concert he has ever given by listening to the same artist—James Brown. I find music enormously helpful, and will often use this as a means of drawing away, and drawing in.

There are others, as I said, that are specific to the current project. You need to search these out. It is vital. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. You have to ready yourself to take full advantage when those rare perfect moments arrive.

Reader Letter: ‘Baltimore Ravens Colors are NOT Blue and Black’

Bee writes:

I just finished reading Imposter and loved every word of it. I am from the Baltimore area and particularly enjoyed the “tour of Baltimore.” However, there is an error on page 155 (hard back). The “waterfront was awash in the home-team colors of blue and black.” The Ravens, the home team, colors are purple and black. I am not a hard core Ravens fan so all is forgiven. Anyone can make a mistake, especially since you live in England.

Dear Bee,

Thank you so much for the delightful email. I have to tell you, this really does make me laugh, and for two reasons. First of all, I have received hundreds of fan mails, and a number from Baltimore residents, and you are the VERY FIRST PERSON to mention the colors. What a hoot.

And the other thing is, I am partially color blind, something I almost never mention, but the two colors I have trouble with are purple and green. So what do you know. I goofed, because for me I can’t tell the difference between purple and blue.

I can’t thank you enough for reading with such a careful eye, and am thrilled that you enjoyed the rest of the story. Just FYI, I return to Baltimore (briefly) for the first time since Imposter in Lion of Babylon.

Readers Ask: How Do You Overcome Writer’s Block?

To my mind, the method of overcoming writer’s block is less important than the guidelines. Whatever it is you use, it must achieve three goals to be successful.

First, it must utterly separate you from your current work.
Second, it must be creatively energizing.
And third, it must be singularly important to you and you alone.

Too often, the second factor is overlooked, as most methods are creatively destructive. For me, there needs to be a measure of healthy indulgence. Surfing is first on the list, if there are waves and if I am in reach of the sea. Road cycling, particularly on new roads where there is a hint of adventure, also works.

One question that needs to be honestly addressed is the issue of solitude. To completely separate yourself from your work, do you also need to isolate yourself from others?  If so, be honest. For the first five years of my published life, my greatest block-overcomer was taking a silent retreat at a monastery.

How about you, writer friends.  Do you ever experience writer’s block?  If so, how do you overcome it?

‘Unlimited’ Heads to Cinemas This September

Dear friends,

The further I progress in film, the more amazed I am by the complexities behind the camera. Because this world is so utterly different from the story being shot, I now understand why so many people involved in the industry say virtually nothing about what they do.

To begin with, the producers of a film–that is, the people who spend months and sometimes years putting together the project, who find the investors and set up the company and hire the stars and supervise the director–have nothing whatsoever to say about when a film is released. That is determined by the distributor.

The distributor is absolutely crucial, both because they determine what films actually are shown on the screen and because they make the P&A investment–Promotion and Advertising. In the case of a small-budget film like Unlimited, the P&A budget is often more than the production budget, which in our case was just under two million dollars.

For most of this year, we labored under the specter of not having a distributor. Initially we thought we would be signing with the biggest group in the inspirational film business, Sony-Provident. But they were badly burned by their two main releases last year, neither of which even came close to earning back the P&A budget. And this budget must be earned back before the producers see a single solitary cent on their initial investment. That is the basic structure of all film deals.

As a result, Sony-Provident agreed to take Unlimited, but only if we found our P&A capital elsewhere. There was no way our little group could round up the two million dollars required. So in November it appeared we would be cast in the abyss of going straight to DVD. Which in film terms is not good. Not good at all.

Then, out of the blue, in December we learned that a mainstream distributor who has never, ever worked on an inspirational film project was thinking of taking us on. There followed six long, nail-biting weeks before we learned that yes, they agreed. The contract is now signed. We are going into cinemas in September.

This will be what is called a graduated roll-out, where the film opens initially in 100 cinemas nationwide. If we meet the target audience that first week, generating a half a million dollars in ticket sales, this number of cinemas will be increased to 200 the second week. If the target audience rises accordingly, in week three it will grow to 1,000 cinemas in the US and Canada.

Almost as important as the possibility of this increase in cinemas is the fact that we have a distributor at all. In terms of both DVD sales and possible television placement, having a mainstream distributor and this base of promotional budget is a crucial stamp of public and commercial approval. Our relief, needless to say, is huge.

Added to this is the fact that inspirational films as a rule do not pay anything up front for the screenplays. Which means that I have received nothing for the eighteen months of work invested in this project. I am paid when the film makes money.

I am not complaining. Not at all. Despite everything that we have endured, this project has been a huge blessing. I mean that sincerely. There are two immediate positives from this, beyond the possibility of having a slow-growing hit.

First is the simple joy of learning. This is my first screenplay that has made it onto film, and the process of both the rewriting and learning the commercial world of film has been a great joy.

Second is the possibility of what may come. The publishing world has been going through its most difficult time in decades. I first became aware of the potential hazards behind these changes at the same time I was first offered a chance to work on this film project.

From the beginning, I treated this as an investment. Some people follow the stock markets or invest in land or take whatever may come their way as a means of adding to current risks in order to gain, possibly, future benefits. That is how I saw film work. I invested my most precious assets–time and creative talent–in a new direction.

This week, as a result of the work on Unlimited, I was approached by a production group attached to Hallmark and asked if I would adapt two of my existing titles to film. For which, this time, I may actually be paid.

Readers Ask: Do You Donate Books for Mission Events?

Rick writes: 

I am leading a Mission Trip to Guyana, South America. One of the things we will be doing is building libraries out in the villages for the villagers.

As we prepare for this trip, we need as many Christian books (fiction, non-fiction, children’s — nothing secular) to be donated so we can fill these libraries.

Would you consider donating some of your books to our church so that we can take them on our trip?

Happy to help, Rick. I’ll send out a half-dozen books. I wish you and your mission group every success.

To all other readers:  If you are planning such a mission event and would like a signed copy donated to your school/church/organization, let me know.

Readers Ask: What Sport Would You Choose to Pursue?

Q: If you could pursue only one of the sports you enjoy for the rest of your life, which would you pick and why?

Davis Bunn: Up until recently, the answer to this question would have been instantaneous. Surfing has been a vital component of my life since my early teen years.

But six years ago, at the urging of my brother, I began cycling. This has become a new and unexpected passion.

I honestly don’t like to think about being ever forced to choose between them. Hopefully I will be able to continue enjoying both for many years.

Writing for Life Workshops Comes to Silicon Valley

By C. S. Lakin

Guest columnist

It all started with a conversation. I was sitting at a writing conference talking with best-selling author Davis Bunn, saying how I wished someone would put on multi-day writing intensives with authors like Davis.

There didn’t seem to be any venue anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area that held such events, despite the fact there are thousands of serious writers living in this region. Sure, there are some annual conferences in which great author/instructors teach for an hour or two, but nothing intensive. Davis then expressed with excitement his interest in doing such a workshop.

This was three years ago, and when I told another author friend, who also is an outstanding writing craft instructor—James Scott Bell—about my idea to start hosting these multiday workshops, he got excited too and said, “Count me in.”

I figured it was time. Since I had run plenty of businesses over the years and hosted workshops at my bed and breakfast on the North Coast, it seemed like an idea whose time had come.

I spoke with both authors and set some dates, and Writing for Life Workshops was born.

I’ve since teamed up with author friend Geraldine Solon of Fremont Area Writers with enthusiasm over this new year’s lineup:

A three-day workshop June 28–30 with James Scott Bell
A two-day workshop September 13–14 with Davis Bunn
A two-day workshop October 19–20 with Hollywood consultant Michael Hauge.

I met Geraldine at a one-day event she was hosting for the Fremont Area Writers, at which I was a presenter, and wanted to enlist her help in marketing and promoting these events. We’re both very excited to be diving into this venture.

The venue chosen is centrally located—The Courtyard Marriott in Newark, next to the Dunbarton Bridge, allowing for easy access from all parts of the Bay Area as well as close to major airports (San Jose and Oakland).

All events will include a full lunch as well as offer much-discounted hotel room rates for participants. Our aim is to provide a high-quality event in a comfortable, inviting setting, with attendance between 60 and 100 to keep a feeling of intimacy.

These three events are planned as the first of many, with all three of these first presenters wanting to make this an annual affair.

I can attest that in my 25+ years writing novels that I have learned more, and in the shortest time, the most invaluable writing tips and techniques by attending intensive workshops like these. Having numerous hours over a number of days with just one instructor is like an immersion.

Instead of a short talk that can only skim over a few points, writing intensives like these help important material to sink in and really help take writing to a new level.

One of the most powerful and helpful workshops I took was a five-day morning track with Davis Bunn at the Mount Hermon Writers Conference in CA.  This drove home to me the value of a workshop that went deep into technique, and Davis has this is spades (had to throw in the Britishism since Davis teaches in the UK!).

We hope to branch out and do more events, including smaller one-day workshops that focus on different market segments, such as children’s writing and memoir writing. But for now, these three major events are the only ones on the docket for 2013.

Information on these events can be accessed at the Writing for Life Web Portal. Writers can register and pay at this site and will be put on an e-mail list for news and updates.

Registration opened January 14 and to celebrate the launch of this new endeavor, Writing for Life is throwing a registration party  through January 20!

Everyone who registers for any of the three events will be entered into a drawing to win a whole lot of great prizes, including free books, consulting, and editing services, a free night at the Marriott, and even a Paperwhite Kindle.

More prizes will be added at benchmark registration numbers. The party will also be held on Twitter (hash tag #writingforlife) and winners will be awarded their “cyber” door prizes at the workshop they attend. There will also be drawings for other prizes and giveaways at the event for all attendees.

Early bird pricing will be available for all events for a limited time, so register early.

Space for these events is also limited, so mark your calendars AND go to www.writingforlifeworkshops.com and sign up for the newsletter to be reminded of the registration party and be kept up to date on all new events and news.

You can also contact us at writingforlifeworkshops@gmail.com.

C. S. Lakin is the author of thirteen novels and works full-time as a writing coach and professional freelance copyeditor for the book publishing industry. She teaches workshops on the writing craft, focusing mostly on using cinematic technique in fiction writing. You can check out her popular blog for writers—Live Write Thrive— and check out her Amazon Author Page to see her many novels.

Readers Ask: Where Can I Find a List of All Davis Bunn’s Books?

Fran writes: 

Where on your site exists a list of all of your books?  If you do not have one, would you put one on please.

I’m a huge fan And my husband reads your books also… And now my sister…

Dear Fran,

My website, davisbunn.com, contains a list of all books that are currently in print. As I have been a published author now for 22 years, it is inevitable that some of these books will drop off the publishing schedules. But hard, just the same.

As things continue to change on the e-book front, it looks likely that within the next 24 months virtually all of my books will be made available in that format. As that happens, my site will be updated.

Here is a downloadable PDF of most of my books.

Please visit the Books page on my website for detailed information about my books in print.

Readers Ask About Heirs of Acadia Series

Beverly writes:

Just finished your first book of the Heirs of Acadia series and have started book 2.

It was absolutely amazing! I am in awe of your and Isabella’s writing; never read anyone’s that was as spellbound as yours.

Dear Beverly,

‘Heirs’ is a series that seemed to gain energy and depth as the books came out, something that has only happened with two other series I’ve written, the Priceless Collection (Florian’s Gate, The Amber Room, and Winter Palace) and the final three books Janette Oke and I did together (The Centurion’s Wife, The Hidden Flame, and The Damascus Way). I’m delighted to learn of your connection to these tales, and wish you great reading.

Jennifer writes:

I wanted to contact you on behalf of my grandmother who is technologically deficient! She LOVES your books and was very excited to read The Loyal Renegade.

There was a “teaser” in the back of another book that she had just finished. Our little public library couldn’t find it in any of the libraries in IN. I have scoured the net, but I myself am not the greatest surfer of cyber warehouses so I thought I would shortcut and contact you directly after coming across your information email address.

Can you give me any information on this book?

Dear Jennifer,

The Loyal Renegade was never written. I became caught up in work with Janette Oke on a new series—her last, at least for now, due to her health—and because we did not know how much time we had to work on this, I combined that story and the final in the series into one book, Falconer’s Quest.

Please tell your grandmother that my wife, who lectures at universities in the UK and the US, is almost on the same level as she is when it comes to computer thingies. I have to write out instructions for the TV remote.

**Note: If you’d like to read the Heirs of Acadia series, the books are available from online booksellers and from your local library. Here is a list of all five books in the series, in order:

Book 1: The Solitary Envoy

Book 2: The Innocent Libertine

Book 3: The Noble Fugitive

Book 4: The Night Angel

Book 5: Falconer’s Quest

And here are links to the books in the Priceless Collection series: