The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

The Next Big Thing

Tag! I'm it.   Cathy C. Hall tagged me. She answered these same questions on her blog. I've answered them about my NaNoWriMo, which has crashed and burned (NaNo-wise).  

After you read my answers, hopefully the following bloggers will accept being "it" and will post next Tuesday. Inquiring minds want to know...

Val--You're tagged! http://unbaggingthecats.blogspot.com
Lynn--You're tagged! http://lynnobermoeller.blogspot.com

And without further ado ("Wake up!") here are my answers:

What is your working title of your book? The WWWP Critique Group and SD Society 

Where did the idea come from for the book? The idea came from the pee-in-your-pants fun we have in our writing critique group...and the support and encouragement that flows like the Mississippi River--without the nasty sludge that comes with river water.
What genre does your book fall under? Chick lit, I suppose. Although for anyone blind enough or addled enough to think of me as a young "chick," all I have to say is, "I have a slightly used, like-new, chewed-by-a-dog size 11 pair of Crocs I'd like to sell you. And they're tres chic."
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? Meryl Streep, Kathy Bates, Anne Lamott, Hillary Swank and---negotiations are still taking place over the fifth role. 
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? Five women begin by supporting each other's writing but their camaraderie eventually turns to committing a felony.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? That's putting the cart out before the horse is even out of the barn. I don't think I would be the type to go the self-publishing route, and yet I'm too smart to never say "never." I've known some impressive writers who publish their own books, so it would something I might consider... 
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? We're still in present-tense land, not past tense. I'm about 30,000 words into it. I was doing well with NaNo, and then this little cherub (my granddaughter) came into town from Florida for a two-week visit. The writing had to be put aside so the spoiling could commence...So, even though NaNoWriMo is not over yet, I am surrendering to NaNo but I'm not giving up on this novel. In fact, the more I work on it, the more I'm enjoying it.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? That is a tough one. Maybe Sandra Dallas' Persian Pickle Club? She so deftly paints the strength of the women in that novel, and I definitely want to showcase the power of my characters. 
Who or what inspired you to write this book? Lynn Obermoeller. She wrote a book for NaNoWriMo and it's incredible. But beyond the engaging story is the way she's stuck with it.  When it's gotten hard or frustrating, she feels compelled to continue with the revision process because the manuscript is insisting...it's whispering to her. I really admire (and envy) that.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? Well, here is the opening, which will hopefully intrigue a few people:


         All five of them were hot. Well actually, four of them were sweating and beet-red and fanning their necklines open because of the hot flashes that plagued them. They had passed up their hottie phase decades ago and were now dragging it behind their cellulite-ridden rump like a rusty red wagon.

            The fifth member of the group—Bri—would make most men and all women strap on their drool buckets. Men who saw her drank in the slender legs that never stopped, the long, ash-blond hair, and the confident, come-take-me way she had of striding across the room. Women envied the casual but chic way she wore her clothes, her flawlessly-lovely legs, and the fact that not one ounce of fat had the guts to land onto her frame and take up permanent residence.


15 comments:

  1. Love, love, love this, Sioux! But I have to ask--have we met? Because when you described that writer, Bri...well, I just wondered. :-)

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  2. Ha haa! Sioux, if your book is anything like this blog post, it will be hilarious! I laughed while reading it and now I can't stop smiling. Let me know when the book is done - I want a copy!!

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  3. Kathy Bates? Thanks a lot! I can't wait to find out what kind of felony we/they commit. I have an idea :)

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  4. Is Shirley MacLaine in negotiations for a part? You had me at the cellulite-ridden rump dragging the rusty red wagon.

    I shall have to consider this tag. My WIP is quite amorphous as yet. A real shape-shifter. I might better spend my time nailing Jello to the wall.

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  5. Cathy--Thanks. And yes, of course--Bri is pure you! ;)

    Debra--I can't wait until it's done, either. Thank you. It helps if you have a group of hilarious women surrounding you--then all you have to do is try to remember the brilliant, hysterical things they said.

    Hey, you DO have a group of writing friends like that...

    Linda--Meryl Streep wouldbe playing you. Kathy Bates is all me.

    Val--Please do. Your WIP can be terribly rough or far from finished. Shape-shifters are welcome. And yes, Shirley WAS hockeying for a part, but we could not afforde to pay for all the channeled past lives that came with the package.

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  6. When you said "Tag, you're it." I went over to your blog, but didn't see this post. And now... oh my... I'm glad you gave me until next Tuesday. I was really touched that you said I inspired you! HA. Now I'm feeling a wee bit guilty because I haven't worked on that story in a while -- another one has been haunting me that I can't seem to push aside, but right now I'm knee deep in dust from remodeling... I like Val's comment... "I might better spend my time nailing Jello to the wall." And I'm with Linda, I can't wait to find out what kind of felony we're committing. Yeeha. And one more thing... you're doing great - 30,000 words!!!!

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  7. Lynn--I love that "nailing jello" quote, too. Sometimes a specific story beckons, and we can't ignore it.

    You are inspiring in many ways, Lynn. Your craftiness...your culinary skills...your thoughtfulness.

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  8. This is awesome! You know I'll be front and center to read the finished product. :)

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    1. Lisa--Thanks. I'll be front and center too if it ever gets finished! ;)

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  9. Lovelovelove the beginning. Now get that sucker done so I can find out what felony we commit! And do we get caught? Does it involve uromicitisis like Jerry had?? Am I Anne Lammott? I agree Lynn is VERY inspiring!! I think it should be NaNoWriYe. Or NaNoWriSixMo, maybe.

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  10. What a great idea for a book. I bet it's a best seller in the making. Let me know when you're having your book signing cause I'll be there!

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  11. Thanks, Donna. I will be thrilled if that ever happens!

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  12. I want to read it. Hurry and finish!

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    1. Mary--Me, too. ;) I want to read (the finished manuscript) too.

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