Girls Write Out
Sunday, January 08, 2006

IRON SHARPENING IRON
No, I'm not talking about skillets or knives. :-) We wield a pen, er, a computer keyboard, but it's still a tool that we use to advance the Kingdom, and sometimes it needs sharpened. I know you're wondering what the heck I'm yapping about so I'll tell you. A bunch of writer friends got together and brainstormed ideas. There's something special writers congregating together. Only other writers "get" the excitement when an idea just gells and we see how the pieces fit together, only someone as peculiar as I am understands when I say "No, that won't work because I have to kill someone and this sounds like women's fiction." Only another weirdly bent person nods in agreement when told they have to torture their characters more and create more dissension.

I just got home from Kansas City. We call ourselves the Kansas 10: Nancy Moser (perfect hostess though she made this fabulous toffee that made me gain five pounds), Deborah Raney (who looked fabulous and skinny this year but swears she hasn't lost weight), Judy Miller (who only seems quiet until you tell her she could create more conflict if she makes one of her characters an out of wedlock pregnant girl), Stephanie Grace Whitson (Higgins) (newlywed still who reminded us all how if feels. :-)You'd never know by watching her quilting that she's a motorcycle mama), Mel and Cheryl Hodde (Always ready to help me kill off a character and have fun doing it. They're always good for melatonin or any other supplement I forgot to bring), Doris Elaine (Till) Fell (our grande dame of fiction who had us eagerly urging her to write Esmeralda's story), and my husband and me (plotting a new series set in either Wyoming or Montana. Curious yet?). If you're counting, you know that's only nine, but we were missing Rene Gutteridge this year.

Anyway, I came away from the weekend recharged, focused, and ready to hit the ground running tomorrow. I'm a big fan of brainstorming. With other writers who have other experiences you can really hone a story and make it sing. I think it makes ANY story better. If you haven't tried it, give it a shot! You'll be glad you did!
Colleen Coble  
posted at 9:59 PM  
  Comments (6)
 
 
Delicious Delicious
6 Comments:
At 10:54 PM, Blogger Rachel Hauck said...

Wow, what a great picture and great brainstorming group. :) Sounds great, Colleen, and yes, am curious about your Montana or Wyoming adventure. :)

Big blessings to you! Rachel

 
At 6:07 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

sounds like a great weekend! and cool picture too!

 
At 9:35 AM, Blogger Unknown said...

Sounds like a fun and successful trip! Great pix...I'm assuming, um, that you took lots with your new camera for your scrapbook???

 
At 11:07 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm jealous! I live in Missouri and would love to meet all of you!

 
At 6:47 PM, Blogger Rhonda Gibson said...

Hey Colleen,

You look great, too!!!! Have you lost weight? Sounds like you all had a wonderful time of brainstorming and fellowship.

 
At 9:56 PM, Blogger Pamela S. Meyers said...

Great Picture!
But can you give us a guide as to who is who? Now I know Deb, and Colleen, and the Hodde's but that is about it.

 

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The Authors
Kristin Billerbeck
Kristin Billerbeck is a proud Californian, wife, mother of four, and connoisseur of the irrelevant. She writes Christian Chick Lit; where she finds need for most of the useless facts lulling about in her head.

www.KristinBillerbeck.com

Colleen Coble

Colleen Coble writes romantic suspense with a strong atmospheric element. A lovable animal of some kind--usually a dog--always populates her novels. She can be bribed with DeBrand mocha truffles.

www.ColleenCoble.com

Denise Hunter

Denise Hunter writes women's fiction and love stories with a strong emotional element. Her husband says he provides her with all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too.

www.DeniseHunterBooks.com

Diann Hunt

Diann Hunt writes romantic comedy and humorous women's fiction. She has been happily married forever, loves her family, chocolate, her friends, chocolate, her dog, and well, chocolate.

www.DiannHunt.com

Hannah Alexander

Cheryl Hodde writes romantic medical suspense under the pen name of Hannah Alexander, using all the input she can get from her husband, Mel, for the medical expertise. For fun she hikes and reads. Out of guilt, she rescues discarded cats. She and Mel are presently taking orders from four pampered strays.

www.HannahAlexander.com

 
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