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Today’s post is a little different from the rest in the series. Instead of talking about what’s in the Transformed world, I’m going to talk about some things that have been taken out and also the importance of having writer friends.
In my upcoming novel, the fifth book of the Transformed series (likely to be titled Duplicity), a group of otters were removed from a scene. How did otters get into a vampire book to begin with? Believe it or not, I didn’t even put them in there.
How is that possible? Well, I was running spell check and somehow my misspelling of “others” became otters. Imagine my surprise when I was reading and came to the sentence where my main character was aware of the otters around her. It was a good thing I caught that, or my beta readers would have been rather confused.
Thanks to spell check, in another part of the same book, another character left her father’s house with her furnace. Any guesses as to what that was supposed to be? If you give up, it was supposed to be fiancé. Again, I saved my beta readers from confusion.
When I shared these humorous errors with one of my writing groups, they not only had a good laugh, but the whole thing exploded into a life of its own. We now constantly share otter jokes (and sometimes furnace jokes) and we have probably posted every otter meme known to the internet. Oh, and now our mascot is an otter, as evidenced by an otter cover in our Facebook group.
Being a part of a writer’s group is an experience like no otter. You can share your ups and downs, questions and advice, and build friendships through your mutual love for writing. I’m in several writing groups and they have all helped me, but what I tend to appreciate the most is the friendships and connections I’ve made.
Sending a shout-out to my otter-loving, furnace-weary friends. You guys rock! We otter write a book together or something.
Want more otters? You won’t find them in Deception or Fallen, but you can get them for a steal. Deception is on sale for 99c and Fallen is free.
See the list of all my posts in the A to Z Challenge.
First image by Gidzy
Second and third images by mikebaird
Fourth image by pipilongstockings
Oh, the pun – it made me laugh out loud. Otters look so adorable, hard to believe they’re predators. I remember seeing the sea otters in Vancouver where the hubby and I went on honeymoon. My most often encountered error when typing is instead of ‘be back in a sec’ I end up with ‘be back in a sex’, which is an entirely different meaning from what I was going for 😉
Tasha
That’s not the error you want to send to the wrong person! 🙂 I often have some strange typos because I type so fast, and spell check isn’t much help either!
It’s hard to believe that otters are predators. They’re so cute and cuddly! I love going to the aquarium and watching them swim around. They actually remind me of my pet ferrets (no longer with us).
Awww!!! Otterly hilarious! LOVE our group. Love how this “mistake” has taken off… And it’s awesome to be part of the support network!
Great post, Stacy! 😉
Another otter pun! 😀 I never would have imagined how far it was going to go. I just thought it was a funny story that you guys would get a chuckle out of. Have an otterly great day!
I hope I am one of the otters you speak of! I love being a part of our otter loving group and I am super excited to be included in the fun and friendship. Writing is such a solitary endeavor, it can be so lonely at times. it is good to feel like your square peg finally fits somewhere. 🙂
I’m buying Deception and downloading Fallen! Excited to read and get into your worlds!
Most definitely, Pam! 🙂 So glad that you’re a part of the group! I think you nailed it about why being a part of a writing group is otterly amazing.
Otterly hysterical. Absolutely love our group and how we can laugh, cry, and scream together. Let the otter meme’s commence!
It will be a real challenge to find an otter meme we haven’t already used! 🙂
It must be pun day today! I’ll just have to turn the otter cheek and groan along with everyone else! ;P
Sophie
That’s a good one! 😉
Hi Stacy, great post, beautiful photos. I’m so glad to be a part of the ‘OtterNFurnace’ group. I cannot think of any otter people I would want to spend time discussing writing with. We Rock!
I couldn’t agree more. So grateful for our group! Team Otter and furnace! 🙂
An otter great post, Stacy. So glad to be a part of TeamOAF! (I’ve had pics of otters on my phone for years. They’ve always been one of my favorite animals. Must be fate!)
Thanks, Staci! It must be meant to be! 🙂 I’ve always thought that otters are like big ferrets, and we used to have five ferrets…so I’m definitely a fan!
I’m otterly overcome with love and emotion. Our group rocks, and I’m better for it! Actually, I wouldn’t have a book without it!
You are unlike any otter. <3
Love the puns! 🙂 I’m so glad that you’re a part of the group too. I can’t wait to read Finding Eliza when it’s published!!
Me, too. I’m at home there. I’m so blessed to have met you! <3
They otter know they’re adorable!
Love it!
I am so glad to be a part of the otter group. Everyone is so helpful and encouraging…and, of course, we have fun!
Love how you tied this to your book. 🙂
Thanks Joan! I’m so glad you took the time to put the group together! So glad to be a part of it!
All it takes is one little spelling error to change the whole context of a sentence!
So true. Sometimes it can REALLY change it! 🙂
Yes, thank goodness for spell check, editors and writer’s groups! Love the pics of the otters!
“Being a part of a writer’s group is an experience like no otter.”
HA! Good one. 😉 Incidentally, aren’t otters adorable? I love them.
I did this once with a story. On final proofread, I found that the main character was musing introspectively not about their “lives,” which was of course what I meant, but about their “livers.” !!! Amazing what an error one misplaced letter can make. 🙂
Stacy, great post! I really like your A-Z series! And so fun to read the history of the Otters (and a little about furnaces, too). Glad to be a part of the group 🙂
Thanks, Sandra! I’m glad you’re part too!
You absolutely have to add otter characters to your next book.
I wouldn’t mind finding myself in a group of otters!
I think this is something we encounter even more now with auto correct when texting and the pure amount of written communication we take part in each day….Still makes me laugh every time though! And makes me nervous for sending an accidental inappropriate text or something!