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The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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In Search of Ideas

By Karen Ballon July 25, 2012
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Authors, I’m guessing you’ve heard this question over and over: “Where do you get your ideas?” I know I’ve heard it more times than I can count. Now, if you’re like most writers I know, ideas for possible stories come fast and furious—most of the time. But what to do when you feel as though the idea well has run dusty and dry?

Well! Let me share a few standards that I, and other authors I know, rely on:

The Media

That old saying that the truth is stranger than fiction has stood the test of time for one reason: It’s true! I’ve discovered that the news, whether on TV or in a paper or online, is a veritable mine of ideas just waiting to be…well, mined. <grin> It just happened to me again this morning. My dad was reading to me from the local paper about a hit and run accident in our area. At 3 am day before yesterday, a woman driving a pickup ran a red light, slammed into a van carrying workers on their way to a job, then jumped from her truck and ran away. One worker was killed, three others seriously injured. The police finally caught the woman at her home, and when they did so she was suffering from a multitude of injuries, probably, the authorities said, from the crash.

SO, I’m listening to him read, and this is where my mind goes:

What if the woman they arrested wasn’t the one driving the truck? What if it was someone who wanted to kill the driver of that van? So she stole the pickup of a woman she’d been watching, a woman who lives alone, who is known to drink excessively, who has received at least one DUI. Just before she steals the pickup, what if she attacked the inebriated woman, causing her injuries? Then she takes the pickup, T-bones the van to kill the driver, then takes off. Of course, when the authorities come after the woman who drinks, they won’t believe it wasn’t her, that someone just “happened” to attack her and steal her pickup.

And on it goes from there.

Okay, I’m not saying the idea is perfect, but what I am saying is it’s amazing how many real stories can spark a “What if” scenario, than can then become a book.

Personal Experiences

Some of the most powerful nonfiction I’ve read has stemmed from what the author, or someone close to the author, really experienced. Who are the people around you? What are their stories? What about their stories gets your heart pumping, sparks your outrage, warms your heart? Listen and ask questions. There are stories just waiting for you to discover them.

Observation

One of the best things you can do when you’re looking for ideas is people watch. Seriously! Go to the mall, an airport, the park—any place that’s busy. Then sit down, and watch. Watch the interactions between people. Watch expressions and body language. Look at how folks are dressed, what they’re doing, how they act.

We have a bohemian community not too far from us, and it’s a veritable feast of odd characters to observe. There’s the man trapped in his own world who sits on the same bench every day. He’ll watch people passing by for a minute, then suddenly he freezes in whatever pose he is in. He sits like a statue for five minutes or so, then comes back to life. A few minutes later, he freezes again. It’s as though he just catches some inner bus to another destination, then comes back. I’ve watched him a number of times and wondered…

What happened in his life that brought him to this place?

What does he see, hear, think, feel while he’s checked out?

What if he’s not really crazy, but he’s some researching watching to see how people react? Or what if he’s an undercover cop, and this is a persona he’s created to keep an eye on the bad guys? OR, what if (and this shows you how bizarre my brain is) what’s going on in his head is reality, and I’m actually a part of the delusion??

Watch people, let your imagination run wild. The ideas and stories will follow.

Okay, those are a few suggestions for sparking ideas. Now, your turn! Where do you find ideas for the books you write?

Can’t wait to read your responses!

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Category: Creativity, Karen, Trends, Writing CraftTag: Creativity, Ideas

News You Can Use – July 24, 2012

By Steve Laubeon July 24, 2012
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You Might Get Sued for Using that Photo! - Bloggers beware. That photo you snagged for your blog may not be yours to use. This article is a cautionary tale. (Beware, the author writes romance novels for the general market and her book covers are prominently displayed.) Our blog uses crestock.com and istockphoto.com for nearly all our photos. The licenses cost between $1 and $4 for each …

Read moreNews You Can Use – July 24, 2012
Category: Get Published, News You Can Use, Steve

ICRS 2012 – Observations

By Steve Laubeon July 23, 2012
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By Steve Laube

This year’s ICRS (International Christian Retailing Show) was a great time of celebration and doing a lot of business.

First I have to celebrate with Four award winning clients!

AWSA (Advance Writers & Speakers Association) Fiction Book of the Year
Susan May Warren - Heiress (Summerside)
The Christy Awards
Ronie Kendig – Wolfsbane (Barbour) – best Contemporary …

Read moreICRS 2012 – Observations
Category: Book Business, ICRS, SteveTag: ICRS, Observations

Fun Fridays – July 20, 2012

By Steve Laubeon July 20, 2012
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I love visual experiences that make me want to read more. Enjoy this unique video short (six minutes) extolling the joys of discovery found in books. The last scene gave me goosebumps.

Read moreFun Fridays – July 20, 2012
Category: Fun FridaysTag: Reading

Ebook-Originals, the Next Step in Traditional Publishing Strategy

By Steve Laubeon July 19, 2012
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Guest Post by Sue Brower

Our guest today is Sue Brower. She is Executive Editor at Zondervan in charge of fiction and thinks she has the best job in the world…she gets paid to read all day!  Zondervan is currently looking for completed manuscripts to fill the Zondervan First fiction eBook platform.  The ideal stories will primarily have romance-driven plots and vivid, realistic characters.  We …

Read moreEbook-Originals, the Next Step in Traditional Publishing Strategy
Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, Defense of Traditional Publishing, E-Books, Get Published, TrendsTag: ebooks, publishing, Strategy

Spell Checking

By Karen Ballon July 18, 2012
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Shortly after I became a book editor, I was working on a nonfiction manuscript that focused on Mormonism. When I finished editing, I ran the spell check. Imagine my reaction when the dear spell check wanted to replace every Mormon with moron and Mormonism with Moronism!

Since those long ago days, spell check has invaded countless emails, files, and text messages. As much as we appreciate it …

Read moreSpell Checking
Category: Craft, Get Published, Grammar, Humor, KarenTag: Grammar, Humor, punctuation

News You Can Use – July 17, 2012

By Steve Laubeon July 17, 2012
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The Top 10 Things That Have to be Edited in a Non-fiction Manuscript - Written to the academic market but I think it has universal applications. Check your manuscript today for these ten things.

What is the Future of Publishing? - a well done article for "Forbes" magazine.

Behind the Scenes of the Pulitzer Prize for Literature - Michael Cunningham reveals why a winner was not chosen this …

Read moreNews You Can Use – July 17, 2012
Category: News You Can Use, Steve

Fun Fridays – July 13, 2012

By Steve Laubeon July 13, 2012
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Cookie Monster sings "Share it Maybe!" (You guessed it, a Sesame Street parody of the Summer's biggest pop hit sensation "Call Me Maybe".)

I vote we request that Animal do his version.

Read moreFun Fridays – July 13, 2012
Category: Fun Fridays, Steve

Getting Our Books Into the Hands of Readers

By Steve Laubeon July 12, 2012
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Guest blog by Debby Mayne

Our guest today is Debby Mayne, an accomplished novelist with over 30 books and novellas published since 2000! She has also publshed over 400 short stories and a slew of devotions for women. She has also worked as managing editor of a national health magazine, product information writer for HSN, a creative writing instructor for Long Ridge Writers Group, and a copy …

Read moreGetting Our Books Into the Hands of Readers
Category: Book Business, Branding, Guest Post, Marketing, Writing CraftTag: Books, Marekting, readers

It’s Official – Thomas Nelson is Now Owned by HarperCollins

By Steve Laubeon July 11, 2012
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The sale of Thomas Nelson is now official.

From the press release:
“Thomas Nelson will continue to operate as an independent company with its unique editorial focus on inspirational and Christian content. Details, such as how Thomas Nelson will benefit from HarperCollins global print and digital platform, will be forthcoming.”

And if you were not aware, Zondervan Publisher is also owned by …

Read moreIt’s Official – Thomas Nelson is Now Owned by HarperCollins
Category: Book Business, Get Published, Steve, TrendsTag: Sale, Thomas Nelson
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