Saturday, August 12, 2017

So Many Ideas // A First Look at Future Novels

Everything I've been doing of late has been leading me back to the million actually 22 story ideas I have. And those are just the ones I love and want to be published novels someday. So I'm going to share some of my thoughts on the stories that I'm really thinking I might develop soon ... ish.


With the increased traffic on My Writings page, considering pitching at the OCW conference WHICH I LEAVE FOR IN TWO DAYS, redoing my Pinterest, and brainstorming plot bunnies with the sis, literally everything has been screaming: think about your stories!

DISCLAIMER #1: Since I am in the middle of writing Martin Crossroads (book 2 of the Martin Generations Series), that project will keep me going for probably the next two years at least. Anything I talk about here today will most likely not come to be until after this current project is complete. :)

But who cares, right?! It's still fun to dream of these babies. None of these happen to be mentioned on My Writings page. And I'm pretty sure I haven't even whispered about most of these. So count yourself blessed ;) I even have an excessive amount of mock covers because I get excited XP

DISCLAIMER #2: Everything you're about to see is purely hypothetical and mostly just my excitement. ^.^


I get excited every time I think about this one!!! The Hills of Tyler happen to be my ancestors: Samuel and Melissa Pearl Hill, who raised eight children in what my family now calls the Tyler House. It's located in Tyler, Texas and is over a hundred years old! While it could be in a better part of town, and requires a lot of upkeep, it's so precious because of its history--the Hills became very influential people in Tyler! Besides that, my paternal grandfather is the. last. living. person. who can tell me all about them. 

His mother was a Hill, and Pa knows all the haunts, hobbies, and delightful trivia. He can still show me where the warehouses are, the lumberyard my great-great-grandfather began ... he remembers that Uncle Ernest went by Buddy and invented a cream for athlete's foot called BIFF. Aunt Gladys was legally blind and had her daughter tell her the color of street lights so she could drive. Sam Hill (yes, really) built row houses for the lower income families and Pa collected the minimal rent. I mean, it goes on and on! 

People were born and died in the rooms I sleep in when I stay there. And the house is full of old books and family portraits. So why wouldn't I want to document the family that started it all? I'm slowly collecting the information on them that can only come from Pa so all those memories won't be lost with him! I'd really love to see this published while he's still here as well. (Considering he just "mostly" retired at 79, I should have some time.)


This one would be something along the lines of a time travel literary serial that I would feature on my blog in "episodes." I was marveling over the beauty of certain TV shows Doctor Who and Downton Abbey, especially the way there's a huge overarching plot for each season, some the span longer than that, and then the neat little bow plots that get resolved in each episode. I would love to be able to write like that!! So I thought, why not try? I could do "episodes" on my blog and then publish "seasons." 

As far as content, it's fairly vague at the moment, but has shards of awesomeness. Here's a first draft blurb: 
Since the beginning of time, magical creatures called Keepers have been responsible for the integrity of literature. They "keep" a Library--hidden to the menial human eye--that contains one of every book ever written. With such responsibility comes the power to enter the books' timelines when necessary. After one Keeper abuses his power, and the subtle evils he seeds in the stories must be combatted, it's up to the newly commissioned Keeper Q to discover the solution before all of the world suffers as a result of a world without story.
*tada* The goal is to feature a book per episode that has something just slightly wrong about it which must be remedied before the changes to the book's timeline become irreversible and permanently damaged. I might even go so far as to have the "end result" of the meddling be the story we have now. Who's to say what the original looked like before such interventions were necessary? The point is only that we still have good books :)


Have I mentioned these spinoffs before? I can't remember ... but that could very well make the "finish writing Martin Generations" take a lot longer! I've actually already begun planning Anneliese's story, which will take place when she is in her late twenties/early thirties. It will line up with parts of Martin Crossroads, most likely. :)

As for Farris and Emmaline's stories, I just think they'd be fun to tell, as well as a way for everyone to follow along with certain characters still. Who knows, I could do origin stories as well. (Stuart and Joy Martin, anyone?) So let me know if there's a particular character you want to follow in detail! With any luck, these would only be novella length (30,000 words or so).


Before I launch into this one, can we just appreciate that cover for a minute? Please? *happy sigh* Everything about that is 150% perfect for this fledgling of an idea. And honestly this one has been downright plaguing me of late. The playlist has come together nicely. I talked to my sister about it for a few hours the other night and we nailed down the basic plot. It's going to be epic, you guys!! 

Also, it's another contemporary. I wasn't sure for a while, but it's been officially agreed upon by me and my adviser now ;) It shall also be a non-romance. You're welcome. ((And to be completely honest, I'd love to see this one traditionally published? Maybe??))

But first I'd have to get good at pitching it -_- Summing this one up kills me, but at least there's a Pinterest board and Spotify playlist that can help me do it justice.

Basically, it follows two characters who are currently named Eliza Birch and Christopher Maddon. Eliza lives with her grandfather. He even homeschools her, and the most vital part of that education is their weekly trip to matinee showings in the small-town, old-timey theatre. While hoodies, earbuds, and poetry books are Eliza's only friends (and she's happy that way), Christopher Maddon changes that when he's the first newcomer the town has seen in twenty years. While he's less than enthused to be handing out popcorn, Eliza and her grandfather intrigue him and soon their passion for cinema begins rubbing off as he spends more time with them. Their notions on God and history baffle him, not to mention worry his parents. But more than anything, Christopher wants to be a human interest journalist for People magazine. And the Birches just might be his first story. As a thank you for everything they've done for him, Christopher encourages Eliza to join him in playing crowd people in a local movie shooting. Eliza's love for acting wins over her introverted personality when the director takes special notice and offers her a more prominent part, and eventually a multi-year contract. As Eliza launches into stardom, Christopher feverishly works his way through school, and the local cinema shuts down. When he's assigned to write an article on her, he's dismayed to find that Eliza of all people has come to believe that the face she puts on for the cameras is the real her. He'll do anything to convince her she's not the person she could be, and that perhaps this whole acting thing was a bad idea.
What are your thoughts on those?? It feels so good to be able to talk about them with you guys! As I said, any of those details could change, but the point is: they will hopefully all be physical books you can hold at some point in the next 10 years xP So in case you were still wondering, I'm totally in this author business for the long run. ;)

Talk to me! What awesome story ideas do you have? Any storyboards to share? If you're interested in learning more about my other ideas, definitely check here and here. :)

52 comments:

  1. All of these sound awesome! I think its sweet you want to write a book based on the history of your family. :D

    iviewrites.blogspot.com

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    1. I'm glad! Thanks :) I hope it works out eventually. SO much research :P

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  2. I love all of them but the last one! IT'S an INCREDIBLE IDEA!!! <3 Definitely am with you on that one!

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    1. YAY!!! ^.^ I just pitched that one to an agent so ... guess what I'm writing now? :P

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  3. These all sound AMAZING! The last one especially, but also the one about your family.

    (BTW, please remind me: Who's Emmaline again? :/ I haven't read Martin Hospitality for a while... is that the youngest Martin child?)

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    1. Thanks! Emmaline was the 13yo who helped with the younger kids, always loved holding Farris, and did the online stuff really well :)

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  4. Matinee regulars

    Me: Hm.... interesting

    Abi: It's another contemporary

    Me: Keep talking

    Abi: It shall also a non romance. You're welcom-

    Me: WRITE THIS BOOK NOW! NOW NOW NOW!

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    1. YES! This is just the reaction I was hoping for tbh XDD

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  5. MATINEE REGULARS. GO WRITE IT NOW. AND YES WE CAN TAKE HOURS AND HOURS TO TAKE PLEASURE IN THAT GORGEOUS COVER OMGOSH ITS SO BEAUTIFUL. I NEED THIS BOOK LIKE YESTERDAY.

    Also, Literary Time Travel sounds fascinating. I'm totally game for that. Bring it Abi!

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    1. Yessssssss the Matinee one sounds amazing!!!!!!!! Also, it's about Eliza ;)

      {bookstagram} @eliza.noel.writes

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    2. Well yah, of course I need a book about Eliza!

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    3. Thank you!!! Yeah, none of the character names are really set yet, but I really want to use the name Eliza at some point! And actually ... I have started writing it??? I decided to pitch just the idea to an agent o.o More on that in tomorrow's post!

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  6. Very very nice Abi <3 I like the Matineee Regulars idea. Very much :D And of course it would be nice to hear more about the Martin Hospitality characters - but I do confess I've never been big on prequels or those little books between the books of the series. And the idea of seasons and episodes - it's really fascinating. The only person I know doing this is Livy Jarmusch. You really know how to pain us - showing us all your amazing ideas when they'll only come to pass years from now. Ouch. And I might be one reason your Writings page more traffic, is because I must go there at least once a week - just to read over all the things again, because I might have forgotten something. Soon I'll have it all memorized. xD

    lisa <3

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    1. Thank you! I'm glad that one's popular since I've begun devoting time to it :D

      Okay, that's good to know. I REALLY would like to do Anneliese and Farris. But we'll see. That's a long time in coming xP

      Thanks! I don't know if I can write in episodes or not :P So I'll have to give it a try at some point! I know, I know xD I'm so mean.

      I saw that you commented on the My Writings page!!!! I'm so glad that it's something you like reading and rereading <3 It's one of my favorite parts of my blog haha

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  7. MATINEE REGULARS. OH MY WORD. WRITE IT. WRITE IT NOW. PRETTY PLEASE WITH A CHERRY ON TOP. I need it so BAD xD.

    ~ Savannah | Scattered Scribblings

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    1. GUESS WHAT I'M WRITING RIGHT NOW BECAUSE AN AGENT WANTS TO SEE IT????????? o_o

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  8. I LOVE ALL YOUR IDEAS ABI JUST GO WRITE NOW. Seriously, they all sound amazing!! Eeep!

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    1. Awww, thank you Zane <3 That's super encouraging. Because words have been fighting me of late xP

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  9. So the first one, the Martin ones (yesss Joy and Stuart!!!) and MATINEE REGULARS!!! i need them all. like now please. no pressure xD

    {bookstagram} eliza.noel.writes

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    1. I just read your description. You want to become an American Ninja Warrior? Can I just say that is so cool! Also the Air 1 Dj. That's really the only station I listen to. Anyway, that was weird and random, lol. Have a great day. (Or night depending on when you read this.) God bless you, Eliza.

      iviewrites.blogspot.com

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    2. To clarify, I meant my comment was weird and random, lol, not your description. *mentally kicks self* I'm terrible at keeping things clear. :D

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    3. Haha no I knew what you were calling weird and random :D

      Yes! I've met a few of the American Ninja Warriors and I think it would be something I would love to do someday. At this point it's mostly a dream. I don't currently workout enough to make it onto that show xD And ya I love Air1!!! And talking, and just music in general so being a radio dj would be my dream job to have in between high school and being a stay at home mom.
      Cute profile pic! God bless you too, Ivie! :)

      {bookstagram} @eliza.noel.writes

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    4. That's so cool! That's a cool dream. I think being a stay at home mom is admirable. It shouldn't be frowned upon. Thank you! I love Toothless, lol.
      Thank you for following me. I really appreciate it. :D

      iviewrites.blogspot.com

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    5. Toothless is my spirit animal. Isn't he everyone's though?

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    6. YES!!! Couldn't have said it better myself. 😁😁😁

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    7. Lol that's like the one time in my life that I'm actually kind of poetic.

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    8. Lol. Who doesn't love Toothless, though? I mean, look at his face. Have you ever seen Race to the Edge?

      iviewrites.blogspot.com

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    9. Idk, people who don't love Toothless aren't my friends. 😜 OMG YES THAT'S LIKE ONE OF MY FAVORITE TV SHOWS. Haha, I'm pathetic... Have you seen season four?? If not, tell me because I'm about to squeal about a massive spoiler.

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    10. Of course I've seen it!!! And season five comes next Friday. I think I already know what you're gonna squeal about. I just love that show so much!!! XD

      iviewrites.blogspot.com

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    11. OMG THERE'S A SEASON 5?!?!? *runs to mark it on my calendar* Same, that show releases my inner child. Aren't you excited about the 3rd movie? I'm ready to see it with tissues and everything lol. But we have to till 2019.....stupid release date keeps getting pushed back.

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    12. Is it being released on Netflix?

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    13. Season five of Race to the edge will be released on Netflix. As for the third movie (which I'm dying waiting for) will be released in theaters like the other ones, but will probably come to Netflix at some point, just like most movies. I saw the second one on Netflix when we first got Netflix, but they've removed it. If you have Netflix, I highly recommend Dawn of the Dragon Racers. That is awesome.

      They keep pushing it back. I don't understand why. But, hopefully that means the movie is really awesome. I can't wait to see it.

      There will be six seasons of RTTE in all. Kind of sad that they will end in two seasons, but I'm excited to see what happens next. *jumps up and down*

      Do you have a blog?

      iviewrites.blogspot.com

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    14. Oh okay, I'm so excited for everything!!

      Yes I do, but it's a private blog for only the friends I know in person, sorry. But if I ever get a public blog, I promise I'll drop the link in a comment somewhere in the blogosphere lol.

      Do you have a blog? I keep seeing around that you do, but I can't find the link lol. What kind of things do you post?

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    15. I post about writing, rants, and stuff like that. Here's the link. Just copy and paste.
      https://iviewrites.blogspot.com/ It'll take you to my homepage. :)

      I talk about HTTYD more often than not, lol.

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    16. The link takes me to your site, but then it keeps shooting me over to a poll about waffles and pancakes and then another one about writing and lifestyle or all the above? Is that a thing you set up? Cause I can't get around it to view the blog.

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    17. That's odd. I have a poll, but it should just be on the sidebar. Are you using a mobile device?
      I'll try to link you to a different spot, my about me page, and see if that works.
      https://iviewrites.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html Let me know if that works. :D
      Sorry for the inconvenience.

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    18. Okay, I'll give it a try. And yes, I'm doing it from my phone. If it doesn't work, no biggy.

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    19. Nah, it didn't work. I'll try it later on my computer and see if it works. :)

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    20. Okay. Hopefully it works on your computer. :)

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    21. Yay, someone who wants the Joy and Stuart one <3 I just feel like how their relationship got started (because they're basically opposites!!!) would be fun to tell.

      I love it when you guys have a full blown conversation in the comments xD

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    22. I finally read Martin Hospitality, but I was totally speed reading, so please pardon this absurd question but...

      Who are Stuart and Joy? I can't remember them to save my life.

      Lol, Ikr? Having full blown conversations in the comments is the best. It's what makes public blogs so great, unlike mine which is private.

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  10. *excessively flails over all the stories* I LOVE THEM ALL! (I must say the last one is my favorite though...I'm fascinated by the whole theatre experience idea.) Can't wait to see some of these finished and maybe alpha or beta for them? (Hint hint... :P)

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    1. Thank you!!!!! Yes, of course ;) That would be super fun! I've actually kinda begun writing it??? o.o

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  11. Oohhh Matinee Regulars looks AWESOME!!! Sort of like La La Land but different and better. :) You should go write it immediately.

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    1. EXACTLY. I had the idea before La La Land, but then I loved the movie and was like "yep, I can do this." And overall it was well received which is encouraging :D

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  12. I. Need. More. Abi. Stories. These all sound amazing!

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  13. THESE ALL SOUNDS AWESOME. I would like them ASAP please. Thanks ever so much. XD

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    1. Trying trying, I promise!! xP I'll be posting on why I began writing Matinee Regulars tomorrow >.>

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