Monday, August 6, 2012

Be Inspired

The charming Jeff O over at The Doubting Writer tagged me with the Be Inspired Bloghop meme. I don't always do the memes but I'll be brave today! :)
 
 
 
1. What is the name of your book?
I'm flip flopping between titles at the moment. Some days I call it THE NOT SO COWGIRL, other days I call it MAKES YOU STRONGER. Titles are not my thing!

2. Where did the idea for your book come from?
A lot of it came from a workshop I attended about the trauma involved in school shootings and the mental fallout for the survivors.

3. In what genre would you classify your book?
Strangely enough after that last answer, it's a romance set on a ranch. Yeah.

4. If you had to pick actors to play your characters in a movie rendition, who would you choose?
I don't know! I'm really bad at this kind of thing.

5. Give us a one-sentence synopsis of your book.
Hmm. Teacher Tori Carter heads to a Montana ranch to heal from the physical and psychological wounds of a school shooting and finds herself facing another crazed killer.
 
6. Is your book already published?
No.

7. How long did it take you to write your book?
A long time. I don't keep track. Really. I currently have 4 projects on the go - all in varying stages. I like to let things simmer and marinate for a while between drafts. I started it over a year ago. I think. :)

8. What other books within your genre would you compare it to? Or, readers of which books would enjoy yours?
I think anyone who likes contemporary romance would like it, but I actually think (hope!) the audience is wider than that because the story is about so much more than the relationship.

9. Which authors inspired you to write this book?
I've always read voraciously. I love disappearing into stories - always have. From Encyclopedia Brown to Nancy Drew & the Boys to Lucy Maud Montgomery to Agatha Christie to Anne McCaffrey to Nora Roberts to all my blogging buddies. Every book I read that pulls at my heart inspires me.
 
10. Tell us anything that might pique our interest in your book.
I love writing dialogue and I think the dialogue between the two main characters is a lot of fun.

11. Tag five people!
Okay - I've followed too many rules today. If you'd like to participate, consider yourself tagged!
 
What's your favourite part about the story you're working on right now?

52 comments:

mshatch said...

my favorite thing about the story I'm working on is that draft #1 is done and I'm revising which means that I'll soon be sending it out to be read. I'm also pretty happy that I have another project lined up :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

"A long time" - I can relate. And I'm terrible with titles.
Favorite part of my current manuscript is a minor character who became so much more.

Jemi Fraser said...

Ms H - that's awesome! I love having lots of projects on the simmer and in the lineup!

Alex - I love when those 2ndary characters step up and demand their time on screen. They're so much fun! :)

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I'm working on a book where the heroine has to be strong for a lot of people. Her problems seemed insurmountable but she never gives up. I love writing and reading strong women.

cleemckenzie said...

Your one-sentence synop is a grabber, Jemi! Get busy and write this story, okay? :-)

Jemi Fraser said...

Karen - awww! Thank you - you totally made my day with that comment :)

Susan - me too! I love when the characters learn to count on themselves! :)

Lee - thanks! I'm hoping it will be! :)

Unknown said...

Ha! Jemi - sometimes these questions are so difficult to answer, but you've done a brilliant job. If someone asked me which actors should play my characters, I wouldn't have a clue!

Old Kitty said...

Your one sentence synopsis is EXCELLENT!!! Wow!!! What a hook!! Yay!! Take care
x

Johanna Garth said...

I love the concept and titles can be sooo hard!

Jemi Fraser said...

Susan - I'm TERRIBLE at choosing actors - I never know anyone's names and I don't want many movies!! :)

Old Kitty - thanks! I hope an agent or 2 thinks so as well :)

Johanna - thanks! Titles either come to me in a flash of brilliance (only once) or it's like walking through lava... :)

T. Powell Coltrin said...

The thing I like about my MC right now is how she can't let go and because of that vulernability--she gets into hot water.

JeffO said...

Aw, shucks, I don't think I've ever been described as 'charming' before! Sounds like a great story, Jemi. Very intriguing, and rife with emotional potential. Thanks for playing along!

Jemi Fraser said...

Teresa - sounds like she's going to be facing some fun times!!! :)

Jeff - you are! And you're welcome :) Thanks - I'm hoping the story will eventually find an audience!

DMS said...

Titles are SOOOOO hard! I can relate! It was fun to learn more about you. Your book sounds interesting. Maybe someone who reads it can help you with the title. :) I loved Nancy Drew growing up, too.

Happy writing!
~Jess

Jemi Fraser said...

Jess - they really are. If they don't pop into my head instantly, it takes forever (at least) to come up with a halfway decent one.

Nancy Drew was so much fun!

DL Hammons said...

I'm actually writing this one for my son...so everytime I finish a scene/chapter I think he would particularly enjoy I get excited! :)

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I like anything with a romance.

Best part for me is that the main part is done and with my editor - now I am adding all of the website links to my book. Most I had, but I'm researching more online. I love research!

Jemi Fraser said...

DL - that's so awesome! I love that you have your ideal reader right there in real life! :)

Diane - me too! I find it so easy to get caught up in research. I've spent a few hours today on policing - all for a very minor plot point in the book! :)

Natalie Aguirre said...

Loved hearing about your book. And could relate to it taking a long time. Sometimes I wonder if mine will ever feel done.

Jemi Fraser said...

Natalie - I know the feeling. I think my inner coward would be quite happy to revise forever! Thankfully I have crit buddies to kick me into gear!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I love the title, THE NOT SO COWGIRL. Brilliant! And I love the premise. It's great to get to know what you've been working on. Now hurry up and get it published so I can read it ;)

klahanie said...

Hey Jemi,
Well done on being 'tagged'. I've been 'tagged' so the 'blogging authorities' can monitor I don't write beyond my curfew. This means, I must hurry up with this comment.
Glad you love writing dialogue. And I always appreciate your dialogue with shy, humble me.
Take care, eh.
Your starstruck fan, Gary :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Lynda - yay! I'm glad you like it! :) I hope it's out there one of these days!

Gary - Don't break that curfew! The consequences are dire!! We do have our fun, don't we!! :)

Anonymous said...

Your synopsis is great. This is an interesting premise.

With my current WIP that I'm closest to finishing, I like that it's historical and I had a wonderful time researching for it.

Jemi Fraser said...

Medeia - thanks! I like it - just hoping an agent and publisher will one day too! :) I love getting caught up in the researching. I'm starting a new wip right now and I keep getting sidetracked :)

Beth said...

I'm not very good with titles either.

Your book sounds really compelling!

Talli Roland said...

Wow, Jemi, I like your one sentence description! Sounds like a gripping read.

Jemi Fraser said...

Beth - I'm so glad I'm not alone in this title deficit - it does help! I'm glad the story sounds intriguing :)

Talli - thanks! I hope it will be!! :)

Anonymous said...

I'd read your book for the very reasons you say...crosses genres! Romance and the struggle to survive surviving, er, if that makes sense. There's an old YA title called Cowboys Don't Cry. Sounds like yours could be Cowgirls Do Cry. Thanks for sharing your book!

Jemi Fraser said...

Deb - yay! I like your twist on the title! I'm glad you like the concept :)

Shelley Sly said...

Jemi, it was so nice to learn more about your writing, and your book sounds like something I'd love! I'm not great with titles either, so I can totally relate. Best of luck with your project!!

Jemi Fraser said...

Shelley - thank you! I hope people will enjoy it! :)

A said...

Your plot sounds really really interesting Jemi!!

Jemi Fraser said...

Agnes - thanks so much! :)

Anonymous said...

I loved this inside, up close and personal look at you, Jemi. It was fun. I'm glad you decided to join in =)

Jemi Fraser said...

Elsie - thank you! It was fun putting it together! :)

Jack said...

I like both of your title ideas! A lot. I also like the plot idea, it sounds very good. I don't really like romances or ranch stories but this one sounds like one I would read. I like the idea you have.

Jemi Fraser said...

Jack - thanks! I'm never quite sure with titles. And I'm hoping my story would interest more than a typical romance audience. I think it's more than that! :)

Christina Farley said...

Great points. I think I'd love a romance set at a ranch.

Jemi Fraser said...

Christina - yay! I loved writing the story - I'm hoping someday people will get to read it! :)

Leslie S. Rose said...

Ranch and romance. Hello! Hooked already. I'm all for simmering as well. I see so much more when I've been separated from the piece for a spell.

Jemi Fraser said...

Leslie - yay! I'm glad it sounds interesting to you :) I need that bit of separation to really see what needs to be done as well.

nutschell said...

I didn't know you were an Anne McCaffrey fan! I love her Pern novels and was happy that I got to see her son (and successor) Todd at his booksigning :)
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com

Jemi Fraser said...

Schell - I'm a huge McCaffrey fan! I love the dragons and the holds. The world is incredible! I'm so jealous you got to meet him! He's doing a good job continuing the series!! :)

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

That was great, Jemi! I loved hearing about one of the projects you are working on. It sounds really good. I love contemporary fiction.

Jemi Fraser said...

Sharon - thank you! I love contemporary fiction too - so much fun!

Theresa Milstein said...

Jemi, I'm glad you got tagged, so I could hear about your manuscript. I wish you the best as you continue with it.

Jemi Fraser said...

THeresa - thanks! I'm hoping it will be out in the real world some day! :)

Anonymous said...

I'm working on a battle engagement that uses nuclear weapons. The research is fin and I should finish this section of the draft in the next day or so.

Jemi Fraser said...

Stephen - sounds like fun! :) I do love doing the research - just have to watch getting caught up in it :)

Patricia Stoltey said...

I love knowing these goodies about your book...and I know how it is with titles. I have one I'm calling NaNoWriMo novel and hoping as I finish it I'll suddenly get inspired.

Jemi Fraser said...

Pat - thanks! I wish titles would come at the beginning. I always figure something will pop up when I write it ... but it rarely does! :)