Stealing Ideas

I’ve been doing a lot of non-fiction writing, along with working on my current wip. I’m also reading how-to books trying to strengthen my skills. I recently read how often writers claim their ideas are stolen. Now I’ve read this many times in my career but it always fascinates me. Who are we to say someone stole our ideas? As writers we’re always looking for new ideas. It’s very possible to come up with the same idea as another writer. The difference will always be the voice – in fiction or non-fiction.

Back about 15 years ago (likely longer) I loved Danielle Steele books. I wanted to write like her. I did write a book with the same type of tone, setting, etc. that book stills sits in a drawer somewhere and will likely never see the light of day. So much has changed since I wrote that book. For one cell phones came in to play. Anyway, I came up with a great idea for another book. I started writing it. Six months later Danielle published a book…it was THE idea. I don’t want to say MY idea because frankly she wrote the book and subbed it long before I thought of it. But at the time I did wish I’d written it before her and subbed it. Though, the likelihood of me being published back then was slim to none. I had no clue of the publishing world. To say I was naïve was an understatement.

Some days I’d like to go back to those days of naivete. Life was simpler. I just wrote and didn’t worry if I’d sell or if readers would accept me. The only thing I did know was no one was stealing my ideas.

Drop by my blog tomorrow for a chance to win a copy of my print book Ignite the Flames. This book has three of my stories – Splashing Good Time, Ignited and Research Required.

http://amberskyze.blogspot.com

Happy Tuesday 

Ignite The Flames

Three books for the price of one! Now in print at Ellora's Cave

Splashing Good Time
Reece Collins craves a no-strings-attached, torrid sexual encounter. Problem? The only person offering is ten years her junior.Nathan Donovan has lusted for Reece forever. One brief encounter leaves him yearning for more, but when she splashes cold water on his plans, he has to choose between walking away or spanking some sense into her.

Ignited
Nikaya is celebrating her birthday with a new Mustang. As she races up the side of a mountain in her new car, a police officer comes out of nowhere. He pulls her over, spanks her then whisks her away to a secluded cabin. There, the officer—and a friend—have a few surprises for the birthday girl.Surprises that include whips, floggers, blindfolds and more.


Research Required
On the run from the mob, the last thing Ethan needs is a distraction like Bailey. She’s sexy and sassy—and he wants to take her where she stands. Of course, Bailey would never have sex with a stranger. Then again, Ethan is her best friend’s brother, so that makes him a friend too, right? And what’s a little sex between friends?

Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone

The other day I was preparing a blog for a guest appearance spot over at Nine Naughty Novelists. I was writing about adding real life to your stories. It got me thinking of the old adage, write what you know.I’ll admit I’ve written many stories based off of things I know.

Body Shots has a hero who is a singer. Music is my first love. Back in high school thru my early twenties I dated musicians. I know more about drums than I possibly need to. I’ve spent summer nights just attending concerts. When I was growing up in Upstate New York, every teen spent the summer at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. This was where all the good concerts took place. In 2003 when I was sowing my royal oats (I was celebrating my freedom from my ex), my best friend and I traveled all over to see concerts. In fact once at 5pm on a Saturday night we drove from Albany NY to the Comcast Center in MA (it was the Tweeter Center back then) to see Disturbed and Korn. A three hour drive one way AND we drove back home after the concert. Okay, so we were a little crazy what can I say.

Splashing Good Time the hero owns his own pool company. I’ve been in the business in the past and again in my present, someone close to me owns a few pool stores.

Gettin’ Lucky my heroine owns her own grocery store. My ex-husband and I owned a corner grocery store for almost ten years. And like Marcy, my heroine, the store was in a poor section of town.

Another story that will be published under my real name is about a woman’s journey to motherhood. She’s not taking the conventional way. After finding herself single, because her ex-fiancé doesn’t want children, Hailey decides to take out an ad for a sperm donor.

Granted I’ve never taken out an ad, but I’ve journeyed through the fertility process – more times than I’d like to admit. So I can add those little details to my story that make it that much more believable. Obviously my heroine will get a HEA, but the bottom line is I KNOW fertility.

But should we always write what we know? I say NO. Eventually you’ll come to a point where you want to diversify and move in a new direction. To do this you’ll have to learn something new and experiment. That’s what I plan to do.

I’m embarking on a new chapter or journey in my writing career. I’m taking on a subject and genre that is relatively foreign to me. But guess what? I’m excited about it. I may stumble along the way and I may suck at it, but I won’t know unless I try.

I’ll be honest – I’m scared witless. But that’s the thrill. That’s how I know it’s the right time to do it.

I’ve become too comfortable in my writing. I haven’t challenged myself in a very long time. A friend has thrown down the gauntlet and I’ve accepted the challenge!

Do you only write what you know? If not, how do you step out of your comfort zone?

PS...If you get a chance please stop by Nine Naughty Novelists. I could use some support! Thanks.