|
Dana Marton | Change Can Be For The Best
June 15, 2010
I was asked recently where I get my ideas for my books. Well, the short answer
is: everywhere. The long answer is: I write the kind of books that I like to
read, so I usually combine my favorite plot elements to create a fun/fast-paced
story. For ROYAL
CAPTIVE, I took one of my favorite islands, Cyprus, a handsome prince, a
reformed jewel-thief, and tossed them together in an international heist. I like
it when sparks fly between characters from the beginning. Makes my job as a
writer so much easier. I really lucked out with this couple. Prince Istvan
didn't trust Lauryn as far as he could throw her. Once a thief, always a thief
in his eyes. The second Valtria's crown jewels disappeared, he was certain that
she was to blame and went after her with a vengeance. I love writing these royal brothers. They are honorable, brave and would gladly
give their lives for their country, family and the women they love. I even set
up a special page on my web
site for them, I never thought I would be partial to prince heroes, to be
honest. Originally, I submitted an idea to my editor about a couple of brothers
who were cowboys. And my editor said: "How about princes?" So I really had to
rearrange my thoughts, not to mention the plot, and the location that had to
move from Texas to Europe! By the time all was said and done, I was looking at a
brand new series. I'm so glad now that I took this direction! If reader mail is
any indication, I'd definitely taken the right fork in the road. Have you ever started out in one direction, then ended up someplace completely
different? Was it a good thing at the end? Life sure can be unpredictable! But
that's what makes things fun. (Also, can give you gray hairs, but that's another
story.) Thank you for having me here! Have a wonderful week, Dana
Comments
32 comments posted.
Re: Dana Marton | Change Can Be For The Best
Yes, I think we all have thoughts about where we should go and what we should do then reality hits us and we look in the mirror and say hey that's not who I thought I would be but it always works out. I thought I would be a very career orientated type person, turns out after 3 children I still enjoy work but my priority is my kids and family. My son currently believes he will be a sponsored bike enthusiast for his career (I will not be the one to burst his bubble) and who knows...if you don't limit someone they really can do anything :)
(Darci Paice 10:31am June 15, 2010)
Yep it happens to me all the time. I start with one thing anc change it half way through...
(Brandy Blake 11:45am June 15, 2010)
It seems to be a trend with me. I'll start out with intentions to do one thing and end up doing something different. More times than not, it has been for the better.
(Leni Kaye 12:19pm June 15, 2010)
I'm glad I'm not the only one! Darci, good luck to your son! You never know. Some wild dreams do come true. Sara, I'm glad you like the pictures. I'm still in Eastern Europe and it's beautiful here. We thought we'd be moving back to the U.S. this summer, but the transfer fell through. Well, maybe it'll be for the better, like Leni says. Although, I'm just too homesick at the moment to see the silver lining just yet :-)
(Dana Marton 1:09pm June 15, 2010)
I like to plans things out, but life does tend to shift and you have to be flexible... go with the flow sometimes...
(Colleen Conklin 1:19pm June 15, 2010)
i love the sound of this intriging story
(Debbi Shaw 1:34pm June 15, 2010)
Yes I planned to have a successful career but four children later it was meant for me to be a stay at home mom and I would not have it any other way.
(Annetta Stolpmann 1:43pm June 15, 2010)
I studied to teach Physical Education and Geology. I am a retired farm wife who drove a John Deere tractor, planted and harvested crops and slopped the hogs. Nary a regret!
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 2:46pm June 15, 2010)
Change can be fun. However, as we are learning, change for change's sake can also be disrupting.
(Karin Tillotson 3:38pm June 15, 2010)
There are many instances where I end up someplace different from my plan, but it's usually for the better.
(Jane Cheung 4:06pm June 15, 2010)
Well, it seems that most everyone had unexpected changes that took them into a good direction. As the country song says, "Thank God for unanswered prayers!" I'm actually glad that some of the things I'd planned in the past didn't work out. I planned for a fab corporate career for one. I was working for an international corporation when they closed their U.S. office. Then came unemployment. I sure didn't plan for that! But while looking for another job, I wrote my first book, Shadow Soldier. And never went back to another office job again. And I'm very, very happy about that! :-) And, if I may speak for Prince Istvan, he certainly didn't plan on falling for an ex-jewel-thief--the daughter of a tomb raider, for love's sake. He tried to resist. He really did, the dear thing. But I was writing the book, and I said, "Too bad!" Well, they were perfect for each other. I would have been a terrible writer if I didn't insist. :-)
(Dana Marton 4:49pm June 15, 2010)
Itseems like I am forever changing my mind about something, and it is usually for the better.
(Cathy Phillips 5:23pm June 15, 2010)
Hello Dana, Please enter me in your fantastic contest and please let me know when I am a winner too! May God bless you with success always!
Cecilia
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 5:27pm June 15, 2010)
I like to plan things but change can be good sometimes!
(Gail Hurt 6:13pm June 15, 2010)
I guess I have reached the age where you never know what is going to happen or where you are going because I start in one direction and end up in opposite direction. lol
Sometimes it ended up great but other times not go good. I seem to have more of these changes as I get older. But we all have ups and downs in our life and you just have to make the best of what you are handed. One thing I try never to say is NEVER. It seems like if I say never I will forget and do it again anyway. lol
Thanks for the giveaway and opportunity to enter.
(Brenda Hill 6:38pm June 15, 2010)
I've had many forks in my road. 99% were never intended, but they all brought me to where I am today. I guess everything works out in the end.
(Cathie Veres 6:45pm June 15, 2010)
Thats the great thing about life- as long as you can accept it that is! Too many people try to stay on a single path instead of exploring different options and ideas. I'm glad that your change in direction worked out for you and it sounds like you have written an amazing novel because of it.
(Sarah Dewbery 6:48pm June 15, 2010)
I tend to follow what I begin, but there are always 'obstacles' along the way
(Mary Preston 7:03pm June 15, 2010)
I lived in the city most of my life. Circumstances changed, and we moved out to the country a few years ago. Some people didn't think we'd have what it takes to make it where we ended up, but so far we've proved them wrong, and we've loved every minute of where we live now!! I wouldn't change a thing!! I love the sights, and the sounds, and the laid-back feeling. Most of all, I love the people. You'd have to pull me out of here, kicking and screaming!!
(Peggy Roberson 7:10pm June 15, 2010)
I have definitely started out in one direction and ended up in another. GOD definitely takes care of me.
(Lisa Garrett 7:20pm June 15, 2010)
Amazing how such an innocent suggestion can change the course of things!
(Jessica Badeaux 7:35pm June 15, 2010)
No one likes changes,but that's life. We learn to adapte and become flexable.
(Deb Pelletier 8:16pm June 15, 2010)
please enter me in your contest your bboook sound facinating...I can not wait for it..
( Kate Lee 8:32pm June 15, 2010)
This sounds like an interesting series. Please enter me.
(Sigrun Schulz 9:23pm June 15, 2010)
Hello!I can't wait to read this and thank you for entering me into the contest!
(Sabrina Laitinen 9:31pm June 15, 2010)
Wow! I didn't see that one coming. I'm hooked!
(Rosemary Krejsa 9:41pm June 15, 2010)
Circumstances always altered one's goals in life. It is the question of balance the good and the bad and making the right decision with no regrets.
(Kai Wong 9:41pm June 15, 2010)
Life is all about changes, without them we would not grow as people.
(Diane Sadler 10:36pm June 15, 2010)
cool, sounds like a good read
(Sagrario Vigil 11:00pm June 15, 2010)
Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting!!! And thank you, Sara, for having me. Fun discussion!
(Dana Marton 11:02am June 16, 2010)
congrat on t he booka nd many mor e to coem to you soon
(Desiree Reilly 7:39pm June 16, 2010)
Yes I did. I was a bookkeeper for a UAW Local thought I would retire from there. Ended up leaving through a lawsuit, after 11 years, someone elses, I had to testify..... Ended up in a completely different life, totally happy, have had 7 surgery's and been married twice, but am very very happy and my life is fabulous with my hubby even though I am not working any more.
(Brenda Rupp 11:45pm June 16, 2010)
Registered users may leave comments.
Log in or register now!
| 
© 2003-2024 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy