Origins Part One

Have you ever wondered where the ideas for the stories came from for By The Bay?  Did it stem from something that happened to our authors or was it just a creative idea?

Well wonder no more!  Our wonderful author, Jenny Sparks, came up with a great idea.  Why not share how we came up with our stories.  

So, over the course of the next month we will share our authors thoughts with you.

I hope you enjoy!

Big Screen Dreams: Second Chances

So once again we get to peek inside our author's head to see who they would cast as their characters if their story was made into a movie.  Be it big screen or a made for TV movie.  That's right we dream big here.

Everyone envisions a character differently, but wouldn't it be interesting to see what our authors were seeing in their mind's eye when they wrote their story?  So here's our chance!

And please feel free to comment below on who you 'saw' this character as.  Does your idea of who the character looks like go with who the author envisions?

Michelle Davenport envisions Rick Moranis as Rick Dandes and Jewel Staite as his loving wife Anna.  Dorothy Dandes would be played by Betty White and Stella would be played by Lauren Cohan.

Stella

Of course Stella's convertible would have to be a white 1990 Mazda Miata.  And Michelle's hoping that she'd get to keep the car.

Rick Dandes

Anna Dandes

Dorothy Dandes

What do you think?


I hope you had as much fun with this as we did!

Big Screen Dreams: The Sniper Sisters

So once again we get to peek inside our author's head to see who they would cast as their characters if their story was made into a movie.  Be it big screen or a made for TV movie.  That's right we dream big here.

Everyone envisions a character differently, but wouldn't it be interesting to see what our authors were seeing in their mind's eye when they wrote their story?  So here's our chance!

And please feel free to comment below on who you 'saw' this character as.  Does your idea of who the character looks like go with who the author envisions?

Jayne says she envisions Olympia Dukakis as Evie and Betty White as Dot.

Evie

Dot

What do you think?

Big Screen Dreams: Boneyard

So once again we get to peek inside our author's head to see who they would cast as their characters if their story was made into a movie.  Be it big screen or a made for TV movie.  That's right we dream big here.

Everyone envisions a character differently, but wouldn't it be interesting to see what our authors were seeing in their mind's eye when they wrote their story?  So here's our chance!

And please feel free to comment below on who you 'saw' this character as.  Does your idea of who the character looks like go with who the author envisions?

Patrick Clark envisions Bradley Cooper as Cole Draper.

Cole Draper

What do you think?

Big Dreams: In The Trenches

So once again we get to peek inside our author's head to see who they would cast as their characters if their story was made into a movie.  Be it big screen or a made for TV movie.  That's right we dream big here.

Everyone envisions a character differently, but wouldn't it be interesting to see what our authors were seeing in their mind's eye when they wrote their story?  So here's our chance!

And please feel free to comment below on who you 'saw' this character as.  Does your idea of who the character looks like go with who the author envisions?

R.G. Koepf envisions Candace Cameron Bure as Sarah, Colin Ferguson as Scott, Rachel Boston as Becky and Danny Devito as the Man on Vespa.

Scott

Sarah

Man On Vespa

Becky

What do you think?

Big Screen Dreams: Lights On The Water

So once again we get to peek inside our author's head to see who they would cast as their characters if their story was made into a movie.  Be it big screen or a made for TV movie.  That's right we dream big here.

Everyone envisions a character differently, but wouldn't it be interesting to see what our authors were seeing in their mind's eye when they wrote their story?  So here's our chance!

And please feel free to comment below on who you 'saw' this character as.  Does your idea of who the character looks like go with who the author envisions?

Old Lady In The Dunes

Will Hopkins envisions Johnny Depp as Harry and Whoopi Goldberg as the old lady in the dunes.

Harry 

What do you think?

Big Screen Dreams: I Have A Dress

So once again we get to peek inside our author's head to see who they would cast as their characters if their story was made into a movie.  Be it big screen or a made for TV movie.  That's right we dream big here.

Everyone envisions a character differently, but wouldn't it be interesting to see what our authors were seeing in their mind's eye when they wrote their story?  So here's our chance!

And please feel free to comment below on who you 'saw' this character as.  Does your idea of who the character looks like go with who the author envisions?

Cindy

Karen Harris envisions Anne Hathaway playing Karen, Matt Damon as Clay and Debra Messing (with a pixie hair cut) as Cindy.

Karen

Clay

What do you think?

Big Dreams: Millie's Missing Key

So once again we get to peek inside our author's head to see who they would cast as their characters if their story was made into a movie.  Be it big screen or a made for TV movie.  That's right we dream big here.

Everyone envisions a character differently, but wouldn't it be interesting to see what our authors were seeing in their mind's eye when they wrote their story?  So here's our chance!

And please feel free to comment below on who you 'saw' this character as.  Does your idea of who the character looks like go with who the author envisions?

Jenny Sparks says she envisions Lauren Graham playing her and Millie would need a well trained stunt double.

Jenny

Stunt Double For Millie

What do you think?

Big Dreams: The Town Hall Incident

So once again we get to peek inside our author's head to see who they would cast as their characters if their story was made into a movie.  Be it big screen or a made for TV movie.  That's right we dream big here.

Everyone envisions a character differently, but wouldn't it be interesting to see what our authors were seeing in their mind's eye when they wrote their story?  So here's our chance!

And please feel free to comment below on who you 'saw' this character as.  Does your idea of who the character looks like go with who the author envisions?

Patrick Clark says he envisions Agent Dandridge as David Duchovny and Agent Estefan as Penelope Cruz.

Agent Estefan

Agent Dandridge

What do you think?

Big Screen Dreams: Secrets

So once again we get to peek inside our author's head to see who they would cast as their characters if their story was made into a movie.  Be it big screen or a made for TV movie.  That's right we dream big here.

Everyone envisions a character differently, but wouldn't it be interesting to see what our authors were seeing in their mind's eye when they wrote their story?  So here's our chance!

And please feel free to comment below on who you 'saw' this character as.  Does your idea of who the character looks like go with who the author envisions?

Jayne Ormerod says she envisions Elizabeth Montgomery as Jean Hollister/Stella Gardner.

Jean Hollister/Stella Gardner

What do you think?

Books For The Holiday

On November 20th the East Beach Writers Guild got together for their monthly meeting.  This month we brought children's books to donate to Toys For Tots.  Books can be a fantastic gift.  From toddlers to teenagers we donated books that we thought someone else would love.

Back Row: Gina Warren Buzby, Jayne Ormerod, Jenny Sparks & Patrick Clark
Front Row: Mike Owens, Skip McLamb, Mary-Jac O'Daniel, Karen Harris, Michelle Davenport & Will Hopkins

Big Screen Dreams: Zinnias Always Bloom

So once again we get to peek inside our author's head to see who they would cast as their characters if their story was made into a movie.  Be it big screen or a made for TV movie.  That's right we dream big here.

Everyone envisions a character differently, but wouldn't it be interesting to see what our authors were seeing in their mind's eye when they wrote their story?  So here's our chance!

And please feel free to comment below on who you 'saw' this character as.  Does your idea of who the character looks like go with who the author envisions?

Mary-Jac O'Daniel envisions Reese Witherspoon as Karen and Taylor Richardson as Makenna.

Karen

Makenna

What do you think?

Big Screen Dreams: Plein Mysterious

So once again we get to peek inside our author's head to see who they would cast as their characters if their story was made into a movie.  Be it big screen or a made for TV movie.  That's right we dream big here.

Everyone envisions a character differently, but wouldn't it be interesting to see what our authors were seeing in their mind's eye when they wrote their story?  So here's our chance!

And please feel free to comment below on who you 'saw' this character as.  Does your idea of who the character looks like go with who the author envisions?

Gina Warren Buzby told us that she envisions Lizzie Warren being played by Blake Lively and Detective Addison played by Ryan Reynolds.

Detective Addison & Lizzie Warren

What do you think?

Big Screen Dreams: Herbie Meets His Match

So not that long ago one of our authors came up with a great thought.  Who would we have cast as the character of our stories if it was made into a movie?  Be it big screen or a made for TV movie.

Hey an author can dream!

Everyone envisions a character differently, but wouldn't it be interesting to see what our authors were seeing in their mind's eye when they wrote their story?  So here's our chance!

And please feel free to comment below on who you 'saw' this character as.  Does your idea of who the character looks like go with who the author envisions?

Mike Owens says he envisions Herbie being played by Jim Parsons and Anna played by Sofia Vergara.

Herbie

Anna

What do you think?

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner This Time?

Come in!  Come in out of the rain!

With the specter of Hurricane Joaquin looming on the horizon we are so glad that you could join us for another one of our literary dinners!  I hope you had no trouble getting here.  Flooding can sometimes be an issue when we get so much rain.

I'm more than happy to tell you who all of our distinguished guests are tonight.

Anne Rivers Siddon

See those four lovely southern ladies in the corner?  That's Gina Warren Buzby and her guests.  She has invited Sue Monk Kidd, Anne Rivers Siddon and Dorthea Benton Frank.

I believe they've just been served shrimp and grits.  I wonder what they are discussing.  Maybe we can get some really good stories out of them if we let the Firefly vodka flow!

Maybe Mrs. Siddon is explaining the process of having your book made into a movie.  Now that's a conversation that I'd love to sit in on.

Karen Harris has invited St. Paul, P.D. James and Gabriel Garcia Marquez for dinner.

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?

Graham Green

The table is laid out beautifully, a centerpiece of mums is surrounded by food that makes your mouth water at the sight of it.  You are handed a glass of wine and told to choose a seat.

I'm sure at this point you're wondering what exactly is going on.  

I've just set the scene for a literary dinner party.  We asked our authors if they could choose three authors, living or dead, to bring to a literary dinner party.  So I thought I would share a few.

Mike Owens has invited Charles Dickens, Graham Green and Patrick O'Brian.

I wonder what these four men will be discussing?  

Zinnias Always Bloom Excerpt

Today is we have an excerpt from "Zinnias Always Bloom" by author Mary-Jac O'Daniel.

But first, why don't you read the blurb?

Zinnias Always Bloom is the heartwarming story about finding comfort and solace wherever one lives, and embracing the adventure and challenges that accompany all military moves. Most of all, it is about making a place home, no matter where that location may be. 

Wow!

Now check out the excerpt.

The Town Hall Incident Excerpt

Today we have an excerpt from "The Town Hall Incident" by Patrick Clark.

But first why don't you read the blurb?

Agents Dandridge and Estefan of the U.S. Secret Service meticulously plan every aspect for the protective detail of presidential candidate Scott Paige’s town hall meeting at the East Beach Bayfront Club.  Both personally and professionally, they will learn that you can’t prepare for everything.

Wow!

Now read the excerpt!

The Sniper Sisters Excerpt

 Today we have an excerpt from "The Sniper Sisters" by Jayne Ormerod.

But first, let's check out the blurb!

East Beach residents Dorothy Westmoreland and her sister Evelyn Binghamton have retired from lives of organizing bake sales and attending civic league meetings. But that doesn’t mean they're sitting in their rocking chairs.  No, not these two. They become active in their community…in a way nobody expects. 

Wow!

Now read the excerpt.

Author Interview: Jenny Sparks

Have you met Jenny Sparks?

No?!?

If you click on the AUTHOR INTERVIEW tab you will find an interview that we did with her as well as some candid photos.

Each contributing author submitted a question for the interview.  It proved to be quite interesting.

So stop by and check out Jenny's interview.

Did you know Jenny has two dogs.  Both are Goldendoodles named Millie and Twyla. They are full of love and energy and keep us laughing all the time. Twyla came after I wrote “Millie’s Missing Key.” Maybe she will be in the next anthology.

Secrets Excerpt

Today we have an excerpt from "Secrets" by Jayne Ormerod.

But first, check out the blurb!

There are no secrets that time doesn’t reveal… That’s a line from a movie that earned Stella Gardner her first Oscar.  Stella’s own secrets harken back to her youth growing up on the eastern peninsula Norfolk, now known as East Beach.

Wow!

Now check out the excerpt.

Author Interview: R.G. Koepf

Have met our author R.G. Koepf?

No?

If you click on the AUTHOR INTERVIEW TAB you'll find an interview that we did with her.  As well as a candid photo.

Each contributing author submitted a question for the interview.  It's proving to be quite interesting.

So stop by and check out R.G.'s interview.

Second Chance at East Beach Excerpt

Today we have an excerpt from "Second Chance at East Beach" by Michelle Davenport.

But first check out the blurb!

The Dandes family is in need of a second chance, a second chance at their lives together.  Fortunately for them, The Fates have decided to give them a helping hand.  Will they take it?  

Wow!

Now check out the excerpt.

Author Interview: Will Hopkins

Have met our author Will Hopkins?

No?

If you click on the AUTHOR INTERVIEW TAB you'll find an interview that we did with him.  As well as a few candid photos.

Each contributing author submitted a question for the interview.  It's proving to be quite interesting.

So stop by and check out Will's interview.

Did you know Will's favorite sport is cycling?

Plein Mysterious Excerpt

Today we have an excerpt from "Plein Mysterious" by Gina Warren Buzby.

But first check out the blurb.

Wow!

With a passion for plein air painting, an East Beach artist sets out to paint a masterpiece outdoors when she discovers a body and a prospective husband.

Now read the excerpt!

Author Interview: Mary-Jac O'Daniel

Have met our author Mary-Jac O'Daniel?

No?

If you click on the AUTHOR INTERVIEW TAB you'll find an interview that we did with her.  As well as a few candid photos.

Each contributing author submitted a question for the interview.  It's proving to be quite interesting.

So stop by and check out Mary-Jac's interview.

Did you know that sports have always been a part of Mary-Jac's life?   She's not one to watch sports unless it’s the Olympics. She cannot remember a time, when she was not involved in some competitive sport. Her favorite sports have changed through the years. When she was younger, she was a marathon runner, but gymnastics was a favorite sport. (She says she just wasn’t talented enough to be competitive). In her late 20s and early 30s, triathlons were the favorite sport. And presently, she's always up for a run; however, competitive sailing is her latest love. 

Millie's Missing Key Excerpt

Today we have an excerpt from "Millie's Missing Key" by Jenny Sparks.

But first check out the blurb.

What happens when you forget to bring your house key with you on your morning walk? Follow Jenny and Millie as they retrace their steps to find the missing key. A light hearted look at the life of East Beach dogs and their owners. 

Wow!

Now read the excerpt!

Author Interview: Karen Harris

Have you met our author Karen Harris?

No?

If you click on the AUTHOR TAB you'll find an interview that we did with her.  As well as a few candid photos.

Each contributing author submitted a question for the interview.  It's proving to be quite interesting.

So stop by and check out Karen's interview.

Did you know Karen has two cats?  In her words, a  small, feisty black cat named Antigone and a young and crazy lynx-point Siamese named Figaro.

Lights On Water Excerpt

Today we have an excerpt from "Lights On Water" by Will Hopkins.

But first check out his blurb!

Harry Bynde needs a miracle.  He's got a dead end job, a hopeless deadline and a busted-down convertible stuck in the sand of East Ocean View.  Harry might not get his miracle tonight, but maybe a mystery will do.

Wow!!

Now read the excerpt!

Author Interview: Patrick Clark

Have you met our author Patrick Clark?

No?

If you click on the AUTHOR INTERVIEW TAB you'll find an interview we did with him.  Along with a few candid photos.

Each contributing author submitted a question for the interview.  It's proving to be quite interesting.

So stop by and check out Patrick's interview.

Did you know that Patrick's favorite sport is football?  Yes, we have another football lover in the group.  His favorite teams are the Wisconsin Badgers on Saturdays and the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

In The Trenches Excerpt

Today we have an excerpt from "In The Trenches" by R. G. Koepf

But why don't we check out the blurb first?

Mysterious noises and events in East Beach keep Sarah on edge during the week she meets her new neighbor. To add to the mystery, an architect and city inspector are both missing.

Wow!

Now check out the excerpt!

Author Interview: Gina Warren Buzby

Have you met our author Gina Warren Buzby?

No?

Well if you click on the AUTHOR INTERVIEW TAB you'll find an interview that we did with her.  Each contributing author submitted a question.  It's proving to be very interesting.  

So stop by and check out Gina's answers.

Did you know that Gina's favorite sport is football?  And her favorite team is the Clemson University Tigers?