Barbie's Bunkhouse: Flowers in the Attic

Yes, the title of the book that started my obsession with reading "up".  Back when I was a tween/teen this was the forbidden fruit, along with anything by Johanna Lindsey. :-) VC Andrews was able to spin quite a story, and subsequent stories as well. It wasn't until, I believe, it was family members who tried to keep the storyline going and the books lost their appeal (at least to me). But the first 3 in that series were extremely good! I remember devouring them.

As I'm looking out at my own beautiful flowers (actual flowers, not my children!) the book just randomly popped into my head. I thought back to my interest in the book, it's wow-factor along with the 'forbidden' aspect at such a young age, and all of the books since then which have swept our nation from Harry Potter, Twilight and Hunger Games, to the recent Shades of Grey phenomenon. Makes you wonder how many young girls are going to sneak the copy of their mom's book to read at night - that's how I read Flowers in the Attic! some of the girls at work have already said they have password protected their iPads so their daughter's won't get curious. EEEK!!!

While I'm thinking of this, I'm pulling in bits of information from Cassy's post yesterday and the great ideas from Art. Again.... wow-factor material. All of it. Just what you need to put some thought into an idea and really make it this unique piece of work. Something which stretches the limits, causes a stir and through word of mouth becomes the next big WOW.

We all have that potential. We are writer's for a reason and the creativity never stops. It might take a much needed vacation now and then when the muse becomes overloaded (cue the margaritas), but that vein is always within us, waiting to be explored. Why not work beyond our potential, not necessarily stepping out of our comfort zone but taking ourselves to that next level.

It's easy to get caught up with our current deadlines. But what about our own flowers in the attic? What about those stories we have sentenced to a file somewhere in the depths of our computers, or in a box in the closet? Having a back list is awesome, especially during this time of self-publication. But why not take a look at those forgotten babies and see if you can incorporate some of the elements Art spoke of? You could have a killer plot that is only in need of a little "something" to make it become that story readers can't wait to get their hands on!

So.....what's in your attic??