tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post978124544357681958..comments2023-06-18T06:35:42.729-04:00Comments on Christian Writer/Reader Connection: Cookie Cutter WriterSusan J. Reinhardthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-52151449377215625022010-01-19T09:09:49.357-05:002010-01-19T09:09:49.357-05:00Hi Rosslyn -
Great advice! You might want to cons...Hi Rosslyn -<br /><br />Great advice! You might want to consider doing a blog post on the subject. <br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-41289181372938551312010-01-19T00:12:45.194-05:002010-01-19T00:12:45.194-05:00What a great question. The quest to make it fresh ...What a great question. The quest to make it fresh is probably the biggest challenge in writing. I just keep remembering that freshness comes from capturing LIFE, not from imitating other books.Rosslyn Elliotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11304732306399786236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-10790051937136065682010-01-13T14:39:23.219-05:002010-01-13T14:39:23.219-05:00Hi Heather -
Brainstorming with another writer is...Hi Heather -<br /><br />Brainstorming with another writer is so much fun! Cliche alert: Two heads are better than one. :)<br /><br />Blessings,<br />SusanSusan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-81998621766231094522010-01-13T14:14:23.556-05:002010-01-13T14:14:23.556-05:00I love this thought, Susan! I hope that my writing...I love this thought, Susan! I hope that my writing never gets predictable. I agree with Jody in looking to Bell when he says to brainstorm different outcomes and go with the best one.Heather Sunserihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12552506888985553471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-77517363766883416632010-01-13T13:25:27.535-05:002010-01-13T13:25:27.535-05:00Hi Patti -
An excellent recipe for success!
Bles...Hi Patti -<br /><br />An excellent recipe for success!<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-3371113945047695922010-01-13T12:51:33.783-05:002010-01-13T12:51:33.783-05:00Sigh. That's the million dollar question, isn&...Sigh. That's the million dollar question, isn't it?<br /><br />A pinch of romance, a Tablespoon of current hotspot issues, a lifetime of reading/writing to cultivate voice and grammar and so on, a flood of the Holy Spirit's wisdom, a stream of constant study and critiquing...<br /><br />A lifetime of learning.<br /><br />Patti<br />www.pattilacy.com/blogPatti Lacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00687666130404407814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-37998857458875374712010-01-12T14:41:29.528-05:002010-01-12T14:41:29.528-05:00Hi Nancy -
It sounds like you've got a good m...Hi Nancy -<br /><br />It sounds like you've got a good mix there. Thanks for joining the discussion.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-79064649786899138952010-01-12T14:27:10.233-05:002010-01-12T14:27:10.233-05:00All of my children's novels have been quite di...All of my children's novels have been quite different in style and setting. I used to write all kinds of things: short stories, novels, poems, non-fiction. So whatever else you might say about my writing, you couldn't say I was in a rut.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163662759281341381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-46533600922232614382010-01-12T10:28:01.832-05:002010-01-12T10:28:01.832-05:00Hi Jen -
Prayer is my starting point with all my ...Hi Jen -<br /><br />Prayer is my starting point with all my writing. When the creative juices dry up, I go back to that place. "Lord, what do I do next?"<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-13400853906606906432010-01-12T10:19:18.996-05:002010-01-12T10:19:18.996-05:00Hi Carla -
Don't get discouraged. I read some...Hi Carla -<br /><br />Don't get discouraged. I read someplace that there are only a specific number of story lines. We take those basic ideas, and make them ours in the exact way you indicated. <br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-32002331016747567312010-01-12T09:21:26.117-05:002010-01-12T09:21:26.117-05:00I pray. A lot. Things like: "Give me words;&q...I pray. A lot. Things like: "Give me words;" "Help me think of a new idea for...;" and "I don't want to do this; give me motivation." <br /><br />If God's not in it, why bother?Jeanette Levelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12898750484193832082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-57429502298762175402010-01-11T23:22:39.100-05:002010-01-11T23:22:39.100-05:00I am trying to learn not to be discouraged when I ...I am trying to learn not to be discouraged when I hear of a story that is so close to some "marvelous" idea that I thought up on my own. As Solomon said, there's nothing new under the sun. So I'm trying to explore ways to keep my stories unique with original characters, goals, quirks, and plot twists. It's a challenge, but its also a fun part of writing. Even if my stories seem a little cookie cutterish, I can still decorate them with my own flair!Carla Gadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01793809172905144101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-14580582411980624002010-01-11T21:39:31.291-05:002010-01-11T21:39:31.291-05:00Hi Katie -
It might be one of those "file fo...Hi Katie -<br /><br />It might be one of those "file for future reference" items. :)<br /><br />Blessings,<br />SusanSusan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-76711528386532557842010-01-11T21:37:52.349-05:002010-01-11T21:37:52.349-05:00Hi Karen,
Me too! Cindy Wilson had a good post on...Hi Karen,<br /><br />Me too! Cindy Wilson had a good post on plotting today. Might want to take a look-see.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-69831249969971150722010-01-11T21:24:16.611-05:002010-01-11T21:24:16.611-05:00I don't think I'm at a place in my career ...I don't think I'm at a place in my career where that's a valid worry. But it's definitely interesting/good to think about. i hope my writing is always fresh. That's a lovely goal to strive for!Katie Gansherthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09150375338556869812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-58529516800764041842010-01-11T21:22:13.535-05:002010-01-11T21:22:13.535-05:00This is a good thing to think about. I'm worki...This is a good thing to think about. I'm working on this very thing:)<br />Blessings!Karen Langehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-23981758106388647842010-01-11T19:48:56.596-05:002010-01-11T19:48:56.596-05:00Hi Sharon -
I've read a bit of your first boo...Hi Sharon -<br /><br />I've read a bit of your first book. Your MC is anything but scripted and boring. She'll keep readers on their toes. :)<br /><br />Blessings,<br />SusanSusan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-39530345881713279372010-01-11T19:46:42.880-05:002010-01-11T19:46:42.880-05:00Hi Quiet Spirit -
I'm glad you're enjoyin...Hi Quiet Spirit -<br /><br />I'm glad you're enjoying the discussion. Thanks for letting us know you're listening in on it. :)<br /><br />Blessings,<br />SusanSusan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-10221891275531118942010-01-11T19:44:21.349-05:002010-01-11T19:44:21.349-05:00Hi Terri -
Unique characters always help give a s...Hi Terri -<br /><br />Unique characters always help give a story freshness. I'm working harder at developing my characters' personalities. My latest research included looking up Type A traits.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-26387587738863434302010-01-11T19:05:51.120-05:002010-01-11T19:05:51.120-05:00I need to get a little more experience under my be...I need to get a little more experience under my belt before I can truly answer your question, but I will be on the lookout to make sure my writing is as fresh as I can make it. I'd hate to bore readers by being predictable and scripted.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00750046720665201328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-9379857825226860142010-01-11T18:29:44.893-05:002010-01-11T18:29:44.893-05:00This is an interesting discussion.
I'm sorry I...This is an interesting discussion.<br />I'm sorry I can't add to it.quietspirithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06086016141181470311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-34660897855839163492010-01-11T18:23:34.981-05:002010-01-11T18:23:34.981-05:00I have two going but I find if I have unique chara...I have two going but I find if I have unique characters going, that mixes it up well enough.Terri Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07771622379178654235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-27504752651330227812010-01-11T11:32:49.402-05:002010-01-11T11:32:49.402-05:00Hi Eileen -
This problem isn't limited to wri...Hi Eileen -<br /><br />This problem isn't limited to writers. I've heard excellent speakers only to discover they have a few set talks they rotate. It's like canned veggies versus fresh produce.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-8683606640461739402010-01-11T11:20:20.579-05:002010-01-11T11:20:20.579-05:00Hi Kristen -
I keep thinking how upset I'd be...Hi Kristen -<br /><br />I keep thinking how upset I'd be if my story was almost perfect from and technical standpoint but lacked the spark of originality.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2252285009517721143.post-82255234601971575942010-01-11T11:11:34.338-05:002010-01-11T11:11:34.338-05:00Hi Shmologna -
Yes, real life is often stranger t...Hi Shmologna -<br /><br />Yes, real life is often stranger than fiction. Whenever I weave real situations into my work, I make sure they're changed enough that they become fiction. <br /><br />Even something as simple as choosing names can be a minefield. I don't want to name a nasty character after a favorite relative. I also try to watch for repeating names from book to book unless it's the same character.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.com