Log in to WRAL.com with one click using your favorite social network:
OR
Log in using your WRAL.com account:



Wrong email/password combination.

Forgot password?

Register with WRAL.com using your favorite social network:
OR
Register for a WRAL.com account using our web form.

Login Options

5:02 p.m. • 2-12-12

Weather Forecast for Raleigh

  • Mon: Partly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 50° F
  • Tue: Rain.
    • Hi: 53° F
  • Wed: Partly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 57° F

Other Locations

> 7 Day Forecast

Doppler Image

Marketplace Links

Social Links

Main Menu

Bill Leslie

Bill Leslie's Carolina Conversations

"People are always asking me where to take vacation. What’s a cool place? What’s the most scenic drive?" WRAL News Anchor Bill Leslie attempts to answer those questions and others in his Carolina Conversations blog.

RSS Feed

NC Novel

Posted: February 12, 2008

You have received a hefty advance from a prominent publisher who has hired you to write a novel set in North Carolina. Your deadline today is to let the publisher know where in the state your tale will begin and what your opening sentence will be.

Sound like fun?

Well, let’s get started. Here’s the plan. We will take in as many ideas as possible today. Tomorrow we will vote on the most interesting idea. And on Thursday we will write a chapter in the book using the creative talents of our many bloggers.

Don't be shy. There are no bad ideas.

If you need some inspiration to get started I would suggest reading a passage or two from the marvelous new book Literary Trails of the Western NC Mountains by Georgann Eubanks. Feel free to pick a spot anywhere in NC for your intriguing tale.

Copyright 2011 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Read More Posts from this Blog
e-mail print friendly

19 Comments


WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

page 1 | 2
<prev    next>
sort order: oldest first | newest first
I vote for Southport by mdoodle.
Click to view my profile no more - no less
February 13, 2008 1:28 p.m.
[abuse] Report abuse
As I stepped out of my car onto the sandy shores of Roanoke Island, I realized that a colony was not the only thing that had been lost in this place.
Glomae
February 13, 2008 8:16 a.m.
[abuse] Report abuse
Wow, ginnyh24, I am so gratified that I have you intrigued. I guess I'll have to keep writing!
Click to view my profile mdoodle
February 13, 2008 8:02 a.m.
[abuse] Report abuse
The snow had set in and the power was out; therefore our mountain cottage in Blowing Rock was cold, dark and the errie wind noises where enough to to scare old man winter right out of town. That is the reason we were moritified to hear the slow footsteps outside and then a loud knock at our secluded cottage door.
Click to view my profile MaplesMom
February 12, 2008 5:29 p.m.
[abuse] Report abuse
It's almost sundown at Cape Hatteras, the breese is cool and sand still warm as I sit gazing out over the ocean. In the distance a sailboat appears, reminding me of childhood stories of Blackbeard. Why is this boat out so late? Why has it been in the same position for almost an hour? What's happening out there?
jakiret99
February 12, 2008 3:58 p.m.
[abuse] Report abuse
The rumbling bellies were no match for Pastor's divine words of faith. Upon finishing his prayer and offering up his heartiest "Amen!," parishoners spilled out of the pews, scrambling for each available exit. Ladies decked out in uptown dresses and spectator pumps lean carefully into car trunks to retrieve trays of fried chicken, pimento cheese sandwiches and 12 layer, chocolate cakes. Eager, little feet in Buster Brown shoes run toward the tables to claim a spot in which to reach for the prize of a drumstick and all the sweets they can pile onto a styrofoam plate. Men in polished Florsheim's pull out chairs for the elderly and offer their spots in line to children. It's dinner on the grounds at Live Oak's annual Homecoming...
MyKidRox
February 12, 2008 3:40 p.m.
[abuse] Report abuse
mdoodle, when you finish that book, I want to read it. I'm already intrigued.
Click to view my profile ginnyh24
February 12, 2008 3:23 p.m.
[abuse] Report abuse
I step onto the deck and deeply breathe in the warm salt air. I look out over the waves and search the water for signs of dolphins. The brisk wind blows my hair, but no one cares at the beach. It's another beautiful day on Topsail Island.
softballmom
February 12, 2008 2:22 p.m.
[abuse] Report abuse
correction: broken for borken on last post
truesue
February 12, 2008 12:30 p.m.
[abuse] Report abuse
The rough color and pitch pine smell of wind-borken loblollys entered the senses as a bit of lower heaven. Rowena lifted her skirts, stepped into the surf from the rowboat and lifted her chin to view the treetops of Roanoke.
truesue
February 12, 2008 12:14 p.m.
[abuse] Report abuse
page 1 | 2
<prev    next>
sort order: oldest first | newest first

Featured Blogposts

  • scotty and mr wuf
    Go Ask Mom
    Weekend Plans: Scotty McCreery, table tennis, circus, more

    American Idol and Garner native Scotty McCreery performs at N.C. State's Hoops 4 Hope. The circus is in town. And Olympic-level table tennis stops in Cary. Here's what's happening this weekend.

  • Hoops 4 Hope on Feb. 15, 2009
    What's on Tap
    Charity events planned around Hoops 4 Hope

    The Hillsborough Street Community Service Corporation is sponsoring Play 4Kay events on Hillsborough Street starting Feb. 8 to support Hoops 4 Hope and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

  • Heart
    WRAL SmartShopper
    Love for Less: frugal Valentine's Day tips

    Showering your loved ones with goodies is always fun to do on Valentine's Day, but not if it leaves you drowning in debt! With a little planning and creativity, you can show your loved ones you care and stay within your budget.

Other Recent Blogposts