Research Trip in Reverse

Hey y'all! I'm back from the Florida Keys, rested and tan. =) I paid attention to everything around me when I was there (or at least I tried to!) so I could use the research for future stories. I still need to take the time to make notes and make sure I don't forget anything, but that's in my plan.

This trip was a little bit backwards as far as writing research goes. I'm not currently working on anything set in the Keys, but I love it as a setting so I decided I would just research (by having fun!) and let my imagination play around with whatever ideas came to it while I was relaxing and as a result I have not one, but two new story ideas starting to simmer in the back of my mind. Yay!!!!

Both of these stories started with a setting that inspired me, but the next thing after that for both of these was a character (the heroine) and her occupation. That's not always how inspiration strikes me, so it's interesting that that's how it worked this time.

So...what are y'all working on? Any fun "research" trips in anyone's future? How does a story start for you? Is it always the same?

A little bit of Starbucks, a little bit of learning, and a LOT more starbucks...

I just registered for the 2014 ACFW Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, September 25-28th! Who's coming with me??


www.acfw.com


Trust me. If you've been debating attending a conference, this one is THE conference to attend in regards to professional quality, networking opportunities, courses to enhance your craft,  etc. Not to mention the FUN and the fellowship and the worship! It's an amazing time every year.


Registration opened last night, so if you sign up soon, you can get a great rate. It's cheaper for members of ACFW, but non members are of course encouraged to come. You can also become an ACFW member (small annual dues is all that's required) in order to get the better rate. Also, hotels are discounted because of the ACFW group, so this super super classy hotel is only like $150 a night. Score! And you divide that by a roommate or two, and voila - Cheap!


This is what the conference looks like, in no particular order:


Heartfelt worship time guaranteed to refresh you!


Delicious gourmet food


STARBUCKS in the hotel (what what!!)


A fancy gala awards night where you get to dress up (come on, who misses Prom just a little!)


Meeting new friends


Reconnecting with old friends


Learning new elements of the writing craft through an amazing line up of courses


Face to face networking with agents/editors in the industry - all the top agencies and houses, all the ones you're so eager to get a foot in the door with! They will be there!!


15 minute appointments with said agents/editors in which you get to pitch yourself and your work in progress. THIS IS CRUCIAL to breaking into the industry. It's not a guarantee and of course people get published without going to conferences and having these appts, but it is a HUGE help. Editors confirm this every year - putting that face and personality to a submission truly makes a big difference.


Late night giggles and fellowship with new and old friends at the bar/lounge/lobby


Inspiring and insightful keynote address


Super nice hotel and rooms for those few hours you actually sleep


DID I MENTION THE FOOD AND STARBUCKS??? ;)


The chance to get away from home and family and the everyday and get fired up with likeminded people (fellow crazy writers) who actually GET you ;)


The chance to hug ME!!! Yay!

Research Trips

Anyone ever taken a trip to research your novel? Or just taken a trip for fun and ended up doing novel research while you were there?

My family is planning to head the beach soon (yay!!!!) and I've already got pieces of a story in my head that I think I want to do be doing some unofficial research for while we're there. And I started thinking about that and realized I'm not sure I can remember a trip where I didn't do a little bit of dreaming about a story and pay attention to the details of the setting because of that.

So, two things. First--have you done a research trip? Would you if money wasn't an issue? And where would you go? Historical writers, you might have to get creative. I know you can't go back in time, but there are old places you could visit, right?

Second--remind me what I should pay attention to. What are the details that you'd love to see included in a story that help you get a grasp on the setting? Is it what it looks like? What the characters eat? Something else entirely?

Happy Friday!

Nano Wrimo?

So I'm not a fiction writer... obviously.

But I've noticed you NanoWrimo people take this thing pretty seriously.

So with November obviously sneaking up on us (baha), give me the TOP TWO reasons I should think about writing a novel for fun.

In 3...2...1...

So It's Not Friday...

Friday is my official posting day, but y'all, I've missed you enough that I just wanted to pop over and say hi! I'm sorry for being MIA these last few weeks. It's been a rough month, but God has really gotten my family through it and hopefully we're getting some sense of routine back now. Hopefully I'll have a "real" post for your Friday, full of fabulous advice. Or, um, something like that. ;)

But for now I just wanted to check in! How is everyone? What are you struggling most with writing-wise these days? What's going wonderfully?

Assignment or Passion?

I'm a journalist. Sometimes I get socked with projects that aren't my specialty.

Yesterday I actually wrote the words, "If you’re partner’s commented that your headlights are shining a little brighter these days, it might not be imagination. Scientists believe that this hormonal shift, causing some pregnant women to literally go bright purple, is nature’s way of helping newborns find the “target” after birth."

Yup. I wrote that. I, the woman whose body doesn't believe it is capable of carrying babies... am writing about pregnancy. But I busted out the pregnancy humor and voila--found myself having fun.

So what about you? Have you ever written about something that wasn't your passion? How did you make it fun for yourself?

Congrats are in order...

So we've been a little MIA here at Scribble Chicks lately, but that's because there's just so much good news everywhere!


Erynn had her sweet little baby - CONGRATS! So, pray for sleep....(hehe)


I (Betsy) turned 30 - YIKES! So, pray for free anti-wrinkle cream.... (hehe)


Sarah Varland has signed another contract with Love Inspired Suspense - WOOHOO!! So, pray for sanity and chocolate)...  (hehe)


So tell us - what's worth celebrating in your life today?


(And for the record, so far 30 isn't too bad at all!)


Also, if you have any questions or topics you'd like us to address, please comment and let us know!


We're SO proud of you - Scribblechick readers - and your progress and the headway you're making toward your goals. We're always here to help and celebrate and commiserate with you - whatever you need.