If I could only shower in the liquor store . . .
It's amazing where ideas come to you.
Driving is often one. That's why I started carrying a hand-held recorder. I just need to remember to stop it when I feel the sudden urge to explain quite loudly to some driver ahead of me just exactly where the gas peddle is and precisely how they should get out of my way because I am certainly not driving to sight-see, thank you very much. ("In next chapter, could have hero - HEY, ASSHOLE! Gas peddle's on the right and pick a damn lane already!")
A hands down popular one is the shower (no, not popular as in group brainstorming sessions! Ewe! it's just I know most writers say they get ideas while showering).
Sleeping or in bed is another good place. Hell, sleep or being in bed is just good. Period.
Today, I had one in the liquor store. (Oh, stop - you are so not really surprised.)
I was staring at the rows of local white wines when suddenly, out of thin air, I realized the beginning of my first contemporary manuscript needed to start at the fountain! Sorry, that makes senses to me. What I mean is, I have all this, what I realize now, extraneous stuff happening to lead up to the scene which should now be the opening! In the few chapters before this scene, I don't reveal that much information. I should be able to rework the info in sporadically in the "new" first chapter or chapters.
It's strange because I haven't been thinking about that book at all lately. I'm working on wrapping up one story (almost done - yay!) and am half way through another one.
But there I was, contemplating a new local vineyard over an old fave when the thought slammed into my brain "the place to start it is at the fountain!".
I wonder if this is like when, just after he gets his marching orders, Arthur gets a knife lobbed at him by the aquatic tart, the lady of the lake?
Never mind. Probably too obscure a reference.
I'll just go with - it was an epiphany! In the Washington State Liquor Control Board store #97!
Go me!
Driving is often one. That's why I started carrying a hand-held recorder. I just need to remember to stop it when I feel the sudden urge to explain quite loudly to some driver ahead of me just exactly where the gas peddle is and precisely how they should get out of my way because I am certainly not driving to sight-see, thank you very much. ("In next chapter, could have hero - HEY, ASSHOLE! Gas peddle's on the right and pick a damn lane already!")
A hands down popular one is the shower (no, not popular as in group brainstorming sessions! Ewe! it's just I know most writers say they get ideas while showering).
Sleeping or in bed is another good place. Hell, sleep or being in bed is just good. Period.
Today, I had one in the liquor store. (Oh, stop - you are so not really surprised.)
I was staring at the rows of local white wines when suddenly, out of thin air, I realized the beginning of my first contemporary manuscript needed to start at the fountain! Sorry, that makes senses to me. What I mean is, I have all this, what I realize now, extraneous stuff happening to lead up to the scene which should now be the opening! In the few chapters before this scene, I don't reveal that much information. I should be able to rework the info in sporadically in the "new" first chapter or chapters.
It's strange because I haven't been thinking about that book at all lately. I'm working on wrapping up one story (almost done - yay!) and am half way through another one.
But there I was, contemplating a new local vineyard over an old fave when the thought slammed into my brain "the place to start it is at the fountain!".
I wonder if this is like when, just after he gets his marching orders, Arthur gets a knife lobbed at him by the aquatic tart, the lady of the lake?
Never mind. Probably too obscure a reference.
I'll just go with - it was an epiphany! In the Washington State Liquor Control Board store #97!
Go me!
Driving always jumps starts my daydreaming, which leads to fantastic ideas. I can plot a whole novel out on a trip out of town.
The current WIP, however, came about because of a dream.
And yeah, its just possible I might have been snockered on cough syrup at the time. But the dream was in full techno color, and so vivid it lived with me for days afterwards.
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