tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post9203011300978750570..comments2024-02-13T08:31:03.541-08:00Comments on Terri Tiffany: Writing Stories You Remember: What makes your writing a stand-out piece?Terri Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07771622379178654235noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-6333744388600029852011-02-14T08:18:06.991-08:002011-02-14T08:18:06.991-08:00That is a good question. A story may be heart grip...That is a good question. A story may be heart gripping, eye-opening to one publisher but uninteresting to another. We all love our stories, or at least we should, we just have to do our best and find the right publisher.Janethttp://www.janetsmart.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-52579111328703786892011-02-06T15:39:51.812-08:002011-02-06T15:39:51.812-08:00I've been there. I always know that I love my...I've been there. I always know that I love my story, but I'm never confident that it isn't boring until I send it to my writing group or have my husband read it. It's so hard to know what other people will connect with. I had a scene in my last book that I thought was hilarious, none of my betas got it at all.Nataliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00861022355718378425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-63010548545785040862011-02-05T09:39:06.471-08:002011-02-05T09:39:06.471-08:00Boy do you ask good questions - the really hard ki...Boy do you ask good questions - the really hard kind without simple answers. A good quality in a writer, I think. Sending prayers for your submission and your heart whatever the outcome.Deb Shuckahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03439395710731341021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-68725978691260136922011-02-05T09:32:42.513-08:002011-02-05T09:32:42.513-08:00Writing well is such a long process of learning. I...Writing well is such a long process of learning. I am amazed at your tenacity. Most books I read are written well enough, that if the story has gripped me, I will not put it down. However, if the story is weak, no matter how well written it is, I will put it down. <br /><br />I thought those puppies in the photo above were buns in the small picture on my dashboard. That is what initially drew me. The thought of food! I know, sad--really sad. Did I mention I'm trying to lose weight?Carmenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08860778037757805996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-8525187057171062942011-02-04T18:38:10.744-08:002011-02-04T18:38:10.744-08:00Oh Terri, how I wish I knew! I struggle with doub...Oh Terri, how I wish I knew! I struggle with doubt all the time, and I suppose I'm not alone. I do rely on my critique partners to help me out. If the plot sags, they have no problem telling me.<br /><br />Good luck with your story. My fingers are crossed for you!Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-32869426853314394912011-02-04T15:03:28.137-08:002011-02-04T15:03:28.137-08:00Oh, that is the essential question, isn't?
I...Oh, that is the essential question, isn't? <br /><br />I recently read several hundred of the one paragraph entries in Nathan Bransford's contest, trying to identify the common thread of what made a me want to read more. The closest I could come to identifying the miracle formula is you have to have build an emotional bridge to the reader - you have to get them to care, and you have to promise that something is going to happen. But even with that, there's still so much competition out there, you have to have a story concept/theme that really STANDS OUT. help!Margo Berendsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476308235642890474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-25705361089480828612011-02-04T11:35:12.734-08:002011-02-04T11:35:12.734-08:00I love those pups....and story...heart gripping? n...I love those pups....and story...heart gripping? not sure but you got to take a risk right...you got to try and I'm glad you did....Nikki (Sarah)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13731200601840020130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-50138944440514525672011-02-04T09:13:04.787-08:002011-02-04T09:13:04.787-08:00LOL, I do the same thing with movies...
Good luck...LOL, I do the same thing with movies...<br /><br />Good luck with your competition!<br /><br />I think you have to rely on your cp's and beta readers to determing if your story is going to work. Do they have the emotional reaction to it you are hoping for? Are they connected to the characters? Do they want to know more?Sharon K. Mayhewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07799235347319851345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-84804259907340205942011-02-03T10:48:41.504-08:002011-02-03T10:48:41.504-08:00Best wishes, Terri! I hope you win. I don't ...Best wishes, Terri! I hope you win. I don't write fiction (well, some would claim otherwise), so I'm out of my league there. I just know a great story when I see one.<br /><br />Keep us posted!Rhonda Schrockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05512423397478708632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-52733197329702446872011-02-03T03:39:17.947-08:002011-02-03T03:39:17.947-08:00A writer once told me that every page has to have ...A writer once told me that every page has to have dynamic action to hold the reader's attention. Wore me out listening to her.<br /><br />I am still developing a love of writing fiction. Write from the heart is what I do best.Linda O'Connellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15982895073903619018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-56037448317587931682011-02-02T22:18:32.158-08:002011-02-02T22:18:32.158-08:00I'm glad you entered Genesis! Nothing ventured...I'm glad you entered Genesis! Nothing ventured, nothing gained.<br /><br />My answer: I know it's good when there's nothing EXTRA, but only what absolutely must be there. It's funny when 100,000 words can feel like a tight limit. :-) And also, it has to make me cry or lift the hair on my arms at times while I'm writing.Rosslyn Elliotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11304732306399786236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-12767294725685267032011-02-02T19:42:26.287-08:002011-02-02T19:42:26.287-08:00Don't have an answer to your question but I co...Don't have an answer to your question but I completely agree with "story trumps everything"!<br /><br />Praying the your work is well received at Genesis!<br /><br />Keep us posted!<br /><br />Blessings!<br />JackieJackiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08471225291665810800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-88826390931284423502011-02-02T18:37:11.011-08:002011-02-02T18:37:11.011-08:00It's hard because that's so subjective. La...It's hard because that's so subjective. Last year with Genesis, I had a judge who loved my story, somewhat liked it, and one who didn't like it at all. That made it hard for me to re-evaluate things!Kristen Torres-Torohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15903038121623389560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-92020970341666862652011-02-02T18:17:40.586-08:002011-02-02T18:17:40.586-08:00Write what you like and there will be someone out ...Write what you like and there will be someone out there that likes it too. Good luck on the Genesis project.Sallyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05758737470750841665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-74902330540993443122011-02-02T14:50:57.006-08:002011-02-02T14:50:57.006-08:00Writing is so subjective. What appeals to one pers...Writing is so subjective. What appeals to one person doesn't for another. I'm still learning how to make my writing stronger. It's a process. Just keep plugging away. You'll get there.Kathi Oram Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11959149321213743448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-49531070251674591932011-02-02T14:33:28.992-08:002011-02-02T14:33:28.992-08:00I don't! I can only hope I've put everythi...I don't! I can only hope I've put everything together in a meaningful way.<br /><br />Good luck with the Genesis!!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-30140395048188666572011-02-02T13:09:20.486-08:002011-02-02T13:09:20.486-08:00Good luck with your submission!
Don't stress ...Good luck with your submission!<br /><br />Don't stress over it, I'm sure it will be wonderful! :)<br /><br />I understand your worry though, I have the same one, what if people don't like it? What if I'm the only one who does?<br /><br />I read somewhere that if you don't feel passionate about what you've written, others won't either. So let's give it all the passion and faith we've got, and hope for the best! :)WritingNuthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16326756274887055685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-17701281312519825852011-02-02T11:59:31.121-08:002011-02-02T11:59:31.121-08:00I have the same problem. But I think if we write a...I have the same problem. But I think if we write about something that is important to us or moves us in some way it will show through in our plot and our writing. I know we still have to worry about pacing etc. but I'm hoping it all falls into place as we're shaping the story.<br />At least I hope so:)Karahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03925811510913201292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-33661231740781380812011-02-02T11:52:13.951-08:002011-02-02T11:52:13.951-08:00Aw, what a cute li'l soft puppy pile! Love the...Aw, what a cute li'l soft puppy pile! Love the photo. Makes me want to pick one up...<br /><br />Argh, you're right--story trumps everything. Although perhaps not VOICE. But I've seen books still be popular/published that don't have much voice, and yet the story still sucks people in. It's so subjective, too. <br /><br />What makes gripping fiction? Hmm. I think uniqueness counts, something people haven't seen before. A humorous situation, perhaps, or a plotline that really hits in people's guts. Luckily, there is a variety of people out there in readership-land, and the snooze factor is all somewhat relative.Carol Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14092209912983783974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-67757431101045781262011-02-02T09:26:18.488-08:002011-02-02T09:26:18.488-08:00Way to go Teri! Good luck on your entry!Way to go Teri! Good luck on your entry!Rita Garciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08588011563404981558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-25869376385879873852011-02-02T09:22:23.421-08:002011-02-02T09:22:23.421-08:00Yay for entering Genesis! I hope good things for y...Yay for entering Genesis! I hope good things for you my friend!!! <br /><br />I love that you point out the motivation and conflict. i'm going to have to start doing this because it seems like such a good exercise! For me, i have to feel the emotion and get lost in all the drama. That's how I know.Tanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10518718614911804428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-79572190794921103562011-02-02T09:11:28.906-08:002011-02-02T09:11:28.906-08:00Congrats on submitting, Terri!
And, of course, I ...Congrats on submitting, Terri!<br /><br />And, of course, I "just know." NO clue ;)Joanne Sherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03892365662470655717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-55325312476980031902011-02-02T08:13:30.255-08:002011-02-02T08:13:30.255-08:00My hubby and I are always looking for signs, symbo...My hubby and I are always looking for signs, symbols, and Monarch mind control in movies. Forget plot, hidden Illuminati symbols are way more exciting. :) Good rhythm in writing will carry a reader through. That's what I'm working on right now--my rhythm.Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05536293384635588296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-14851310761873530922011-02-02T06:37:09.114-08:002011-02-02T06:37:09.114-08:00I'm going to be absolutely NO help to you with...I'm going to be absolutely NO help to you with this one. My guess is that it all has to do with audience. <br /><br />The conservative reader in our midst MIGHT like my story, but the ultra-liberal would probably write me off as one of those whacky religious types (I hate it when that happens ...). If the author isn't deemed worthy, watch out what happens to the baby they'll toss out with the bathwater. My guess.<br /><br />Praying your book is a HUGE success!<br />KathleenKathleen https://www.blogger.com/profile/05245926913888212148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30652620.post-37148178550481283792011-02-02T05:40:41.202-08:002011-02-02T05:40:41.202-08:00Entering the Genisis contest is the perfect way to...Entering the Genisis contest is the perfect way to find that out! The feedback is so detailed that if there's a problem, you'll know about it. Feedback from that contest has really helped me, anyway.<br /><br />P.S. I love the puppies. :)Emily Conradhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17263098241486921751noreply@blogger.com