What does it mean to you?
Novice writers?
Articles or stories on the environment?
Writing that offers timeless appeal?
C. Hope Clark's post, Evergreen Writing, discusses the latter, and explores ways to use "evergreen" topics to sell magazine articles. You know the type, those themes that you see every year, like New Year's Resolutions and losing weight. Or holiday celebrations. Hope encourages us to research timeless topics and add a new spin as a way to sell more articles. I agree; there's always another angle waiting to be tackled. And sold.
The post got me thinking, not just about how to write creative articles, but how to expand fiction ideas too. Historical and romance novels are evergreen, aren't they? How about mysteries? What unique perspectives can we offer? Who would have thought years ago, for example, that Amish fiction would be so popular? Just think of the possibilities!
There are angles everywhere. At the coffeeshop. On the playground. Under the desk. In the laundry basket. Beside the chocolate bar in the drawer. We each see the world through different eyes. Just think of all the threads of ideas out there, waiting to be woven into something special.
Write Hope
Write Hope is a group of international writers who are auctioning books and services (donated by writers) to benefit the people of Japan. Visitors enter bids by posting in the comments; check out their latest posts here. Don't forget to peruse previous posts for items of interest.
Angel Sister Giveaway
Don't forget that the Second Blogoversary Giveaways continue through next week. This week's interview and giveaway features a copy of Angel Sister by Ann Gabhart. Deadline to enter is Friday at midnight. Click here to enter.
How green is your writing? Have you taken any time lately to explore new and different writing ideas?
Happy weekend!
Karen
Photo credit: Andrewatla http://www.sxc.hu/photo/875368
One boutique agency describes the clients they take on as writing evergreen books. Books that will stand the test of time and just aren't following a trend. So I'd heard the phrase! :)
ReplyDeleteI've not heard that phrase - interesting! A new one to add to my writing vocab.
ReplyDeletegood advice, Karen.
ReplyDeleteI haven't gone green in my writing but a crit partner has and it was great to read. Will have to think about this more. Hugs :O)
ReplyDeleteLaura,
ReplyDeleteI'd heard it too a while back, and in regard to other things too. It's a handy term!
Talli,
Seems there's something new to add to the list all the time, isn't there? :)
Linda,
Thank you! Glad you could stop by.
Diane,
It is good food for thought. I've been pondering it a lot lately. :)
Blessings,
Karen
Here in the Pacific NW, the word "evergreen" connotes lush, fresh, highly scented, always producing/yielding. What an apt condition for writing, and for living.
ReplyDeleteDear Karen,
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that term "evergreen" related to writing. I look to include evergreens in my gardens so that as seasons change, there is always the presence of life and growth. I always want my writing, which is nonfiction, to inspire life and growth. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. In season and out. Thanks for sharing this perspective.
Blessings,
Susan
I'd not heard of this concept, and yet it's so obvious at the same time. (One of those V8 moments, kind of). Glad I learned something today, thanks Karen!
ReplyDeleteKathleen,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great expansion of the term, and you're right, so appropriate! Glad you shared!
Susan P.,
Life and growth - yes, may it be for all our writing! Good point!
Lydia,
I know, I've not had my V8 yet today either...:) Glad to be of service!
Blessings,
Karen
I hadn't heard of this cocept, either and want to learn more. Think I'll link over and read it. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteI am sure the idea is old, but the term itself is new to me! It had me thinking again (like your previous post did) about different places of inspiration for my writing.... thank you Karen for yet another great post. Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteI never thought about it that way before. I like it! I think stories for kids about kids will always be evergreen. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhoa, great concept, evergreen writing. The first thing that comes to my mind is how the classics are evergreen, and Newbery award winners for children seem to be evergreen--new with each reader, and with lasting appeal. Love the idea--thanks for bringing it to our attention :-)
ReplyDeleteWarren,
ReplyDeleteI really like Hope's blog, and her Funds For Writers' e-newsletter. She's a great source of encouragement and info.
Marja,
Glad to make you think! :) I know I need to exercise my brain all the time. Keeps me out of trouble!
Shannon,
I like it too! I agree, kids' stories always have a place, and so much potential.
Kenda,
Oh yes, the classics are without a doubt! Good point. Glad you like the idea. :)
Blessings,
Karen
I love this! And yes, I have been thinking of new ideas and expanding the possibilities lately. I'm not sure if it's because spring will arrive soon, but I feel energized!
ReplyDeleteHow neat! I was just thinking along these lines, today. I really want to be that fresh voice, but not so far off the mark I'm more purple (weird) than green. ;)
ReplyDeleteOnly way I know to write my spin... but then I am a novice :)
ReplyDeleteJules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
Inspiring thoughts. Loved this post!!
ReplyDeleteJill,
ReplyDeleteEnergized is good! Spring can't be too far off in your neck of the woods!
Tana,
Yes, we'll go for green. I'm in too!
Jules,
You have more to say and more ways to say it than you know! :)
Cheryl,
Thanks a bunch for taking a few minutes to stop by!
Blessings all,
Karen
Hmmm...the only really new thing is Book Blurb Friday which does seem to be opening new genre ideas for me. I'm generating ideas through the meme that I would not have had reason to think of before. I've never tried sci-fi, but I might now. How to make sci-fi green. . .I guess Star Trek did that back in the day with underlying topics of basic humanity. I'm no Gene Roddenberry, but will still have fun with it. :)
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, Karen, I had never heard of this word before. Thanks for teaching me a new word. Finding a green theme for one's books is a wonderful way to ensure that the book gets readers to read them time and again and to make sure its appeal does not fade over the years.
ReplyDeleteLisa,
ReplyDeleteI say go for it. Even things that don't go to publication teach us things. And you just never know!
Rachna,
Glad to be of service! :) I like how you said that - "appeal does not fade". Good way to put it!
Blessings,
Karen
Whenever I hear the word 'green' in this context, I think of the line from a Robert Frost poem "Green is gold, its hardest hue to hold" (I hope I got that right). Staying fresh can be tricky. Photography helps me to see with a different eye, with a new perspective that spills into my writing. Thanks for the links.
ReplyDeleteHi, Karen,
ReplyDeleteMy initial step in doing that is to get that book you recommended some time ago. I like the reminder that creative prompts are everywhere. I think I need to be more deliberate in looking for them.
Thanks for this.
Rhonda
Amigo, I've found that creative prompts are all around me on the farm we live on. The smells, the sounds. But this idea of green is very fascinating. I love it. Shall follow the links, oh cool one. :) Thanks for a great post. Love you.
ReplyDeleteSome things never get old as long as there are new voices to express them. You've expressed some thouhgts that encompass one of my basic philosophies.
ReplyDeleteLee
Tossing It Out
Twitter hashtag: #atozchallenge
Lynn,
ReplyDeleteThat is a good thing to remember! I'll have to find that poem. It sounds familiar. :)
Rhonda,
I know, I think we get busy and forget to look. Everywhere!
Robyn,
Ah yes, you would have lots of ideas at your fingertips! You should probably keep a pen and tablet on a necklace so it's handy wherever you are! :)
Lee,
I agree! This is a good basic philosophy to have!
Blessings,
Karen
Reading this post has me motivated to write! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi Karen,
ReplyDeleteI definitely cannot hide my chocolate in a drawer! It will surely be found. But the next time I find a story idea hidden away with my chocolate, you will be the first to know.
Hugs,
Carol
I'm dropping in from Sally's blog to wish you a green day from the Northwest.
ReplyDeleteAlisa,
ReplyDeleteAnd that is a good thing, I'd say! Glad to be of help!
Carol,
Hmm, well, we'll just have to find another spot for you then! :)
Rosaria,
Nice to meet you! So glad you stopped by!
Blessings all,
Karen
Hi Karen. Thanks for stopping by Seekerville, today. I decided to follow you over here and see what's going on. Great blog.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen .. Evergreen seems to be a 'common' word for things that have been there forever, or people .. they live forever!
ReplyDeleteHowever .. ideas .. there are so many out there .. lots of thoughts and directions we can go .. Evergreen .. cheers Hilary
Mary,
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome. It's always a pleasure when I am able to stop over. Thanks for stopping in!
Hilary,
Yes, I agree! So many good things to write about. Your blog is testimony to that! :)
Blessings,
Karen
Thanks for turning me on to Hope's blog.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have a name like Hope. :)
Sandra,
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! Love Hope's blog and newsletters.
You could adopt Hope as your middle name. :)
Blessings,
Karen