Tuesday, October 23, 2007

WHERE IDEAS REALLY COME FROM

I didn't want to keep it to myself. It's not really fair. I have often been asked where I get my ideas. Every writer is asked that. Well I'm coming clean.

Here.

I walk down the dock.
"Hey Pat! Hold on a minute."
It's Kevin. He lives on a catamaran.
"What's up, Kev?" I ask.
"I got this idea," he says. "A GREAT idea for a book! These guys they go on this boat and then like go after these other guys on another boat and then...um...oh yeah a guy gets killed and then the CIA comes after them. It's kind of like DaVinci Code meets Mutiny on the Bounty..."
"Gee thanks Kev but..."
"Hey it'd be a good story! You just have to write it."
I continue walking down the dock.
Mike leans against his boat and waves me over."Hey Pat! Got a minute? I had this dream. It was about vampires. Only these were like fishermen. Got it? Fishermen vampires. That'd make a great story wouldn't it?"
"Gee Mike why don't you write it?"
"Aw I can't write! How about you write it and we'll split the money?"
I buy a cup of coffee at the marina store.
"You the writer?"
"Yeah" I say.
"You wrote a book?"
"Yeah" I say.
"You gonna write another?"
"That's the plan." I say.
"How about martians? You gonna write about martians landing here and then like taking all our boats. You could write that couldn't you? I mean nobody's done that yet have they?"
"No I'm sure they haven't."
"OK then you write that and then let me know 'cuz I wanna read it first."

I get into my car just to get away and drive to the North shore. Wonderful silence. The tradwinds blowing in the ironwoods. I grab my saddle and bridle and walk to the gate.

"PSSSSSSSTTTT!!!" I hear.

"I GOT THIS IDEA!THERE'S THESE HORSES SEE...AND THEY'RE IN A BOAT SEE..."

31 comments:

Zany Mom said...

LOL

Though we writers know the real truth: the stories come from the little voices inside our head...

I do always wonder how many of them are in there, and when they might stop talking to me.

Maybe I need more medication...

Bernita said...

Straight from the horse's mouth...
I love that photo, Pat.
Please offer a carrot or something from me.

Sam said...

Yup - that's Exactly where those ideas come from!!

But did ya have to tell everyone??

ORION said...

yeah and I haven't even touched the story ideas touloose and girl kitty provide- but somehow the plots all seem tired - cats taking over the world...single cats in the city...vampire cats...cats winning the lottery...

Lynne Griffin and Amy MacKinnon said...

Isn't it the truth, Pat? Happens all the time. Great post.

Amy

Melissa Amateis said...

Hahaha...my husband has these GREAT ideas for books, but he never sits down to write them, even though I know he could do it. I simply couldn't do his ideas justice.

BTW - I posted a review of LOTTERY at my blog. Hope it helps spread the word!

Tyhitia Green said...

ROFL. That is so true, Pat. I hate when people try to give me ideas and talk about splitting money. I have more ideas than I can juggle, I don't need anyone else's...great post! :*)

David said...

My dentist pulled that on me once. I was polite, because he's a great dentist and he had some kind of sharp instrument in his hand at the time.

Then there are the people who tell you how to increase sales. Like the guy I worked with who told me that I should have my books stacked in the stands by the checkout line at the supermarket, instead of back in the book section with all the other books.

kookie said...

I got an idea for a book. There's this lady who writes this totally brilliant novel that everyone really loves and she also writes this hilarious blog, and....oh wait a minute...that's you. Never mind.

Kimber Li said...

I get that from my husband and I'm usually, like, "Huh?" But, sometimes he hits on a great one. He's the one who got me started writing SHIVERS.

Besides, I really think Baby Horse may have something there.
;)

Janet said...

The joys of being unpublished. Nobody has yet "offered" me an idea.

But when it comes, I now know I should smile sweetly and say, "I steal them from people like you."

Trish Ryan said...

Heee! The horse idea might be worth pursuing...you know, if you're ever short on ideas...

:)

ORION said...

Actually I think Baby horse stole his idea from Lyle Lovett...

The Anti-Wife said...

Baby Horse really does look like he's talking - and very happy. Is he a gossip?

ORION said...

Oh a DREADFUL gossip. I hear all about the farrier and the vet...not to mention the horses in the next pasture! You wouldn't BELIEVE the parties they have...

Chris Eldin said...

These friends don't know your talent for hat making. THAT would make a great book!
:-)

Bookfool said...

The horse photo is a gem!

I promise I won't give you any great story ideas. I'll keep them for myself. Although, I did have a really cool alien dream, not long ago. You'd have to have been in my head to get it.

Cats are full of excellent story ideas, but they never translate well to human.

Heidi the Hick said...

That was awesome funny! I read it to my kids and my dog!

Aprilynne Pike said...

Awww man! That is SO TRUE!!!!

LadyBronco said...

Awwww, how about vampire horses taking on the martian horde as they try to steal all the fisherman's boats?

Well I'd read it, anyway.

ORION said...

There ya go. Vegan vampire horses.

Wendy Roberts said...

I blogged about this very thing yesterday LOL. Love to think about what animals would write about if they could. From the critters I know, I think it would be mostly cookbooks (g)

Lynilu said...

I stopped by to say thanks for your comment on my blog recently. I'm glad I did. Now i know your ideas come from solid sources. I'd hate to think you listen to just anyone!

BTW, I have an idea for you ......

:)(:

Anonymous said...

LOL. Isn't that the truth?

Someone famous (wish I could remember who!) supposedly said, "I am surrounded by ideas. It's all I can do to keep from tripping over them when I get up in the morning."

He must have been thinking of your animals. ;-)

Polly Kahl said...

That's so funny Pat. I guess there's one advantage to being unpublished!

Jill Elaine Hughes said...

I started reading LOTTERY just before I gave birth and finished it while I was in the hospital. Loved it, loved it, LOVED it. Keep 'em coming.

ORION said...

Gosh thanks Jill.
Much aloha to you!

Sandra Cormier said...

Listening to the voices inside our heads is easy. It's the ones outside our heads we gotta watch out for.

I just spent the whole day watching the Breeder's Cup and I got this idea, see... Dick Francis except with a girl, see... Can't have it; it's my idea, see.

Anonymous said...

A horse is a horse, of course, of course,

And no one can talk to a horse of course

That is, of course, unless the horse is the famous Mr. Ed.

Oh, Wilbur . . .

Michelle O'Neil said...

So funny.

BEAUTIUL horse pictures.

Kim said...

My husband's aunt is always doing the same thing - only she thinks I should write down each one of the family arguments. "You can't make this stuff up!" she says.

I can't. And there's a good reason - no one outside the family asylum would be interested. Oy.

That's why I don't like to tell too many people I'm a writer! :)