by Margie Senechal
The number one question writers are asked has got to be, "Where do you get your ideas?" For writers, it's an easy and hard question to answer.
Some days you feel like, "Where don't I get my ideas?" Other days, it's "I wish I knew." and still others, "I steal them."
For me, the initial idea is easy. I have a folder of ideas--along with sticky notes scattered along my desk, news clippings on my bulletin board--to prove it.
The real work comes in the harvesting of the idea. We're kind of like farmers like that. We find a seed, we plant it, and then we have to nurture and care for it before it comes into it's glory.
Take Suitcases if you will.
The seed was a story about a girl who collected suitcases but never went anywhere. I had a compelling first paragraph and page.
Why doesn't she go anywhere? That's the planting of the seed. Once I thought that, I couldn't let her go.
As I wrote/write it, things have morphed. Originally, I was going to have her mother manipulating her into not going anywhere. But that couldn't sustain an entire novella, let alone an entire novel.
When Chessie arrived on the scene, I thought she was related to one character and now a third of the way through, I realize she needs to be with a different one. (Which will be ironed out in the rewrite, Jana)
During the summer, I read Amy E. Reichert's The Simplicity of Cider. The book is about a woman trying to save her family orchard through her apple cider business. And one of the things she does is create new apple blends by splicing and grafting. Think of a wine master with apples. Great book, btw.
It's a lot like the process we go through as writers during our cultivation period--which I have to admit, could be my favorite part of writing. The creation of goals, character, plot...before I have to start trimming and deadheading. But, that's another post.
Suffice it to say, next time you meet a writer, don't ask where they get their ideas. Ask instead, how do they cultivate their ideas? And then hurry back here and tell me.
Happy Thursday!
The number one question writers are asked has got to be, "Where do you get your ideas?" For writers, it's an easy and hard question to answer.
For me, the initial idea is easy. I have a folder of ideas--along with sticky notes scattered along my desk, news clippings on my bulletin board--to prove it.
The real work comes in the harvesting of the idea. We're kind of like farmers like that. We find a seed, we plant it, and then we have to nurture and care for it before it comes into it's glory.
Take Suitcases if you will.
The seed was a story about a girl who collected suitcases but never went anywhere. I had a compelling first paragraph and page.
Why doesn't she go anywhere? That's the planting of the seed. Once I thought that, I couldn't let her go.
As I wrote/write it, things have morphed. Originally, I was going to have her mother manipulating her into not going anywhere. But that couldn't sustain an entire novella, let alone an entire novel.
When Chessie arrived on the scene, I thought she was related to one character and now a third of the way through, I realize she needs to be with a different one. (Which will be ironed out in the rewrite, Jana)
During the summer, I read Amy E. Reichert's The Simplicity of Cider. The book is about a woman trying to save her family orchard through her apple cider business. And one of the things she does is create new apple blends by splicing and grafting. Think of a wine master with apples. Great book, btw.It's a lot like the process we go through as writers during our cultivation period--which I have to admit, could be my favorite part of writing. The creation of goals, character, plot...before I have to start trimming and deadheading. But, that's another post.
Suffice it to say, next time you meet a writer, don't ask where they get their ideas. Ask instead, how do they cultivate their ideas? And then hurry back here and tell me.
Happy Thursday!
This is why I don't write fiction. Too much cultivation, not to mention trying to remember all the plots and characters. But I sure like to read them when other people write them. Hoping to read Suitcases this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI can’t wait to hear what you think!
DeleteMargie
What an excellent point! I am loving Suitcases, BTW.
ReplyDeleteThank you! And yay!
DeleteMargie
If I didn't say it in my email, Margie, I loved Suitcases. I hope I made a comment or two that's useful to you.
ReplyDelete