BUT WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR IDEAS?

By Bea Tifton

But Where Do You Get Your Ideas?  Confessions of a Writer with an Overactive Imagination.

One of the most common questions writers get is, “Where do you get your ideas?” 

Recently, I was having coffee with a friend, people watching and chatting, and we wandered into discussing the progress I’m making with the book I’m writing.

“Do you ever put people you know in your books? You know, take part of their quirky little personalities or something odd you see?” she asked with a puckish grin.

“Of course not.” I replied. Then in my best legalese voice, I added, “This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to people living or dead is strictly coincidental.” 

And, we laughed and laughed. I conceded that perhaps sometimes, maybe, in a parallel universe, I just might work in some of the weirder slices of life I’ve observed, usually odd things I’ve done. 

I am an avid people watcher and a shameless eavesdropper in public places. When I was a little girl, my mother taught me to look at people we’d see when we were running errands or waiting in the car and make up little stories about them. Nothing malicious, just who they were and what they were doing. It stuck, and now I put those stories on paper.

I was thinking about my conversation with my friend as I was driving home from the grocery store.  I passed a rolled up Persian carpet and thought, Huh. Someone rolled a body up in that carpet and just left it in the rain on 8^th Avenue. I immediately laughed at myself. It wasn’t really a body burrito, was it? 

A body burrito or just a rolled carpet?

I realized I might, just maybe, be too consumed with reading mysteries and actually trying to write one. But I confess that I’ve kept my eyes on it for the past couple of weeks as it has started to break apart in the prolific rains we’ve had. The inner contents revealed themselves and it’s just a bundle of old clothes. But whose clothes? And why are they rolled up in a carpet right there on 8^th Avenue. Hmmm.

I used to live in a quirky neighborhood. I miss that. I just never knew what I would see. Two days ago I was cutting through that part of town and I saw a guy walking down the street carrying a steel ladder. Just walking down the street. Was he stealing it? Was he going to break into someone’s house? To propose to his lady love so she could sneak out of her second story bedroom to elope? And why wasn’t anyone else even giving him a second glance? Hmmm.

Am I going to open myself to litigation by including libelous characterizations of people? Oh, no. But, that said, be nice to me. Or you might just end up in my book. J

Public Domain Photo credits:

Latte by Lesly Juarez

Two Brown Wooden Ladders by Biao Xie

Girl Covering Her Mouth by Andre Guerra

Honey Beaulieu: Hot Work in Fry Pan Gulch #humor #western #kickassheroine

The Birth of Honey Beaulieu

by Jacquie Rogers

I couldn't be happier that Honey Beaulieu's story will finally be told. She's been waiting in the wings for over eighteen years—and not all that patiently, I might add.

Her wait is the story of my writing career, almost. I began writing in 1996 when I dreamed a story. That manuscript wasn't completed until two years later. About three chapters from the end, characters and situations for other books began swirling in my head, which sure didn't help to get that first one finished.

One of my critique partners told me to type them up and put them in an Ideas folder, then finish
the book, which I did. I think of that folder as my own private treasure chest. Many of those ideas developed into books--all the Hearts of Owyhee books came from that, as did Sleight of Heart.

But one of the ideas--my favorite--I knew I'd never write because the large publishers (the only option then) would never in a million years buy a non-traditional Western with a female protagonist that didn't have enough romance to be a Romance, didn't have enough paranormal to be a Paranormal, or enough mystery to be a Mystery, and at that time, there weren't any female
action/adventure protagonists.

So this idea stayed in my treasure chest, but every once in a while Honey pounded on the door. I never forgot her, but writing a book takes a very long time and a lot of commitment of resources, so writing an unmarketable book wasn't in the cards.

Then, last year, my critique partner and I were discussing where I should go with my next series. For some reason, Honey banged on the lid of the treasure chest again. Only I have to admit, her name was originally Pansy. She always did hate her name, which is why I changed it in the first reference to her in Much Ado About Marshals, and she hasn't complained since.

So for the first time since 1998, I opened the file and sent it to my friend. She loved Honey right off the bat, almost as much as I did. She pointed out that we don't have to write to someone else's specifications--I can write anything I want! Furthermore, she convinced me that my readers would love it.

I was excited so didn't tell her my misgivings--at least, not many of them. But I worried that my readers wouldn't go for the grittiness or the more bawdy tone. Even so, once I got all the books that I'd committed to writing off my plate, Honey took stage, front and center. She's not wanting to move off, either.

In my initial concept back in 1998, Honey and her two sisters were all pistoleers. Over time, she brought me around to her way of thinking--this series was hers and no one else's. Her sisters' personalities haven't changed but they aren't pistoleers, and the series is definitely all Honey's.

So please enjoy the ride along with Honey Beaulieu. She's quite a gal.  She even has her own blog!

Keep up with Jacquie Rogers' latest news at the
Pickle Barrel Gazette!

Hearts of Owyhee series

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Pickle Barrel Gazette

Romancing The West | Pickle Barrel Bar and Books

THE BOOK IDEA FACTORY

By Caroline Clemmons

One of the most frequent questions authors receive is, “Where do you get all your ideas?” One author, Bobbye Terry, says she gets them from a small factory in Ohio. That always makes me smile.

The truth is that ideas are everywhere. They pop into my head when something I read or hear sparks an idea. Anything works. When I was about twelve, my father told me a good writer could create a story about a grain of sand or a fly on the wall. I was incredulous until I thought about his comment.

Where had that grain of sand been? Had it traveled around the world on someone’s shoe or had it blown in from New Mexico on a dust storm? (I was raised in West Texas where we had frequent sandstorms and dust storms.) How did the fly get on the wall? Had it narrowly avoided a spider web? I realized my father was right—a writer can use anything as the impetus of a story.

Newspaper work is fun but didn't pay very well.

Much later I worked for a newspaper as a columnist and reporter. My job was to talk to interesting people and write about them in my column. Given that much license, I went crazy. Soon, I was filing too much content for my column and they were printed as human interest stories. I met so many fascinaing people in that job. But I digress.

You see, the idea for a book is the easy part. Yes, I’m serious. Numerous people have told me, “I’ve got a great idea for a book. Why don’t you write it and we’ll split the royalty 50/50?” Um, thanks but NO WAY!  The hard part is taking an idea and developing it into an interesting story.

Author Gene Fowler said, “Writing is easy. All you do is stare at a blank piece of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead.” Fortunately, writing is not that bad.

How do authors actually produce a book? I can only speak for myself. I’m part of a wonderful plotting group. To plot, four of us get together about twice a year for a several day retreat where we sequester ourselves in a lake house or hotel suite. (Adult beverages may be consumed to facilitate the process—as well as chips, guacamole, and lots of chocolate.) Each author brings her ideas for three or four books to the retreat.

Of course we look like this when we meet. ☺

She has to already have the hero, heroine, location, situation, motivation, conflict, and resolution in mind. Then we take turns fleshing out the book’s order, turning points, boosting sagging parts, and so forth. It was one of the members of this plotting group, Kathy Shaw, who came up with the name Bride Brigade for my latest series. The other two members are Geri Foster and Sylvia McDaniel.

Realize we aren’t “writing” the books together. We come up with a basic outline which the author takes home. The outline is like a road map when traveling. You know your starting point, your destination, and stops in between them. However, you can take side trips or add an extra stop or two on the journey.

If one of us has a problem between retreats, we meet for lunch and resolve the issue.  And we also meet to talk about marketing.  There’s always something new to learn about marketing. Keeping up is an author's constant battle.

Marketing--the author's dilemma

For critiquing the work, I am part of a great critique group of Geri Foster and Brenda Chitwood. We are constructively brutal when we read each other’s work, which means we don’t just pat one another on the back but we aren't mean-spirited. Each of us wants our book to be the very best it can be and want the same for our other members.

Now you know how we take an idea and create the framework for a novel. Then comes hours and hours and hours of time at the computer. I use a desktop PC in my “pink cave” office and tap away at the keys. I love writing. As my grandmother used to say, “I’m as happy as if I had good sense.”

Happy me in my little office

My latest release is ANGELINE, Bride Brigade book two, which came out March 1 and is available at http://www.amazon.com/Angeline-Bride-Brigade-Book-2-ebook/dp/B01CEK3W0S/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1456929859&sr=8-18&keywords=Caroline+Clemmons.

I’m still promoting my Montana Sky Kindle World, AMANDA’S RANCHER and the link to buy that is http://www.amazon.com/Montana-Sky-Amandas-Rancher-Kindle-ebook/dp/B01BL0HKPK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1456929757&sr=8-3&keywords=Caroline+Clemmons

In April, I’m part of an anthology titled COME LOVE A COWBOY. My contribution is a novella, GRANT ME THE MOON, which will be released as a single in June.

As you can tell, I have lots of ideas and implement as many as possible. 

Thanks for stopping by. I’ll give away an e-copy of ANGELINE to someone who comments today.

BLANK PAGES

Oh, the dreaded blank page. You're sitting in front of the computer, fingers poised and your brain goes blank.  Where is inspiration when you need it?

Nora (yes, the famous one) says you can't edit a blank  page. Duh! So, where can I find the key to unlock my creativity?

The story I'm working on is set in late, 1800's Colorado. My town is based on a real place, Lake City. I've mentioned it in the last blog. Small as it is, I'm sure there are hundreds of real life stories that are worth writing about.

My characters have been in the back of my brain demanding their story be told. All well and good, until I begin writing and other characters pop in. Well heck. Now I have to figure out what their part in the story is.

One writer friend sits down and pounds out 20,000 words in a couple of days. Her mind is full of interesting characters and action. It's been months and I'm just about to hit that mark.  I have to sit back and think of who these people are and what is happening to them. How do they get out of horrible situations. How did they get into horrible situations? The agony never ends.

My critique partners are invaluable. They've sat with me and gone over pages of my manuscript and offered ideas and thumped me when I forget to watch out for point of view changes. (I'm terrible at that and never notice.)

Maybe I need to do some on-site research and head to Colorado. Maybe not. I think it's snowing there already. Yeah, more than an inch of snow strikes fear in my heart. Pretty, but I'm used to a few flurries in the winter.

How do you kick start the writing juices?  Pictures? Real historical figures? Situations? Please, I need help!!

ADDICTED TO RESEARCH

By Caroline Clemmons

Historical writers—at least those of us who want our work to be accurate—delve into research with the enthusiasm of a crack addict for drugs. We never get our fill of details to add credibility to our work. Often while researching one subject, we come across information that spawns a new book idea. Lucky, right?

Not that we need new ideas. Most of us have so many plots and characters buzzing in our heads that we’re set for about a hundred years. Still, we welcome new information. Each of us wants to get better and better as our writing career progresses.

My friend Mary Adair (fellow blog member) recently sent me a wonderful research book titled BLEED, BLISTER, AND PURGE: A HISTORY OF MEDICINE ON THE AMERICAN FRONTIER, by Volney Steele, M.D. Mary knows and shares my addiction for research of the historical time period about which we write. Her time period is earlier than mine, but each of us spends countless hours making sure our books’ historical details are correct.

I’ve taken blog member Beth Trissel’s herbal medicine class a couple of times and have her herbal book PLANTS FOR A MEDEIVAL HERB GARDEN IN THE BRITISH ISLES (http://amzn.com/B00IOGHYVU). Although the title says British isles, those who immigrated to America brought their seeds and seedlings, making this book important for historical writers whose subject is America. In her classes, Beth covers Native American medicine as well as European. Can't have bluebonnets blooming in fall, can we?

Although I love my Kindle Fire for reading, for research I want to be able to thumb through print books. I underline, highlight, and stick post-it strips on pages. My book on Victorian fashions from Harper’s Bazar have post its on the pages I’ve used in my books. But I use a wide variety of research. Hence, my several book cases of research material.

Don’t think we writers want our research to appear as such in our books. The style of a woman’s dress, the flowers blooming, the style of house, and the miles a rider covers by horseback are examples of details we want to be correct without being pedantic. No, we want our research to enrich our books without the reader ever noticing those details. They’re supposed to slip into the story without distracting. I do enjoy knowing what the women are wearing, don't you?

When I read a book and see an anachronism, not only am I distracted but I lose faith in the author. That’s why my friends and I work so diligently to prevent this happening in one of our books. I hope I’m succeeding.

Do you notice anachronisms when you read? If so, do they detract from the story?

AUTHORS ASK "WHAT IF?"

By Mary Adair

I have been asked where I get Ideas for my stories. My answer is everywhere I look. And of course the two most important words to an author, “What if”.

My husband and I took a trip to Heavener Runestone Park in Heavener, Oklahoma. It was a warm, overcast, misty sort of day. As we walked along the path that leads downward into a world of trees, large boulders, waterfalls and small ponds. I was entering a world long past. It was beautiful.

I wondered if it looked just this way when the Native Americans lived and thrived in that very spot several hundred years earlier. I wondered what if… during a hunt, they camped in one of the shallow caves created by the rocky overhanging ledges and just above them crept warriors from an opposing tribe?

We soon made our way to the carvings. They were protected by heavy glass, but were easily visible. I wondered how the area looked when the Vikings wandered through these woods and asked myself why they would trek downward rather than stay on higher ground.

What if…they were avoiding detection? Why did they carve into the side of the huge boulder? What if… It were actually a code? What if…the carvings were not made by Vikings? What if…they were travelers from a galaxy far, far, away? Better yet, what if… they were time travelers?   

I thoroughly enjoyed that trip. After we left the park we went to a small café in town. We walked toward the back and my dear husband, knowing I love to sit where I can watch everyone and everything around me, pulled out the chair with its back to the wall.  

While carrying on a delightful conversation with my husband I observed a darling little girl dressed up as a ballerina. Would she grow up to be a famous ballerina and travel the world over? What if…her mother was a world famous ballerina and wanted her daughter to follow in her footsteps? What if…the little girl hated to dance and wanted to be an astronaut instead?

A cute couple came through the door, I would say in their early twenties. They were holding hands. He was strutting like he had something to be proud of, she was flushed and looking at him adoringly. Were they newlyweds? Were they on their first date? Were they eloping? What if…he was already married and she didn’t know? What if…she is a serial killer and is playing to his ego till she could get him where she wanted him? 

I find that coming up with ideas for a story is not hard. Turning that idea into a full story can be tricky, but oh so much fun!

Brain Freeze by Paty Jager

Tink my co-pilot.

I wish my mind didn’t freeze up when I click a tape recorder on. 

Years ago when I told my mom that I carried a notepad and pen with me in the car to jot down story ideas when they came to me, she bought me a mini tape recorder. She didn’t like the idea of me driving and writing in the notebook.

The only problem with having the tape recorder, is no matter how I tried to outfox myself, as soon as I heard the “click” of the button to start the recording, my mind would go completely blank. It’s as if I can’t think of things to say if I’m not using a pen or a keyboard.

As much traveling(driving myself with Tink as my co-pilot) I do, I could get so much more writing done if I could just talk and have my stories on tape and then plug that into my computer and have it transcribed for me to then go through and clean it up.

  

I imagine there are such technological devices available, if only my mind wouldn’t freeze at the thought

.

I’ve mapped out scenes while driving. Had scenes play in my head between characters to show me more about them, also scenes from their past that will never get into the book other than as a mention to show the reader a more rounded character or why they act like they do in certain situations.

Story ideas have come to me while driving along, sometimes because of things I see, or people I meet at rest areas or small towns. As a writer everything around me is fodder for stories, and I keep my mind open to all possibilities. I take photos, I jot down snippets of a person’s description, or a phrase I heard. If a town, building, or area captures my attention, I take photos, write my impressions and file it away for future use.

Do you know of an application I could use that would possibly click on quietly when I start to speak so I can outfox my mind? 

Paty 

patyjager.net
patyjager.blogspot.com