I’m writing this post on Sunday. We were out of town this weekend visiting family and are flying back to Nashville today. The youngest son is flying to Nashville from Austin, and if all flights are on time and the stars align, he should arrive at the airport an hour after we land. IF. With air transportion, that’s definitely a capitalized if. Keep your fingers crossed.
For my next book, I’ve been making notes for a couple years and taking pictures of things I come across that I know are included in the story. That’s all good, right? The problem is – I have no idea what the story is exactly. I’ve even had dreams about it, found a house that’s the primary setting, a creepy gate leading to the driveway, and came across an old, twisting tree in a cemetery that fits in somehow. To the writers out there – is this something you’ve dealt with before? You have a general idea, maybe even characters that are talking to you, but you’re still uncertain what the story is about? I’m anxious to hear your thoughts on this.
I’ll still be posting a couple of reviews this week, but with family in, I might be late replying to comments and visiting blogs. To all my American friends, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! To my other friends not celebrating Thanksgiving, have a wonderful week!
Books and Such 
Sometimes, free-writing about those items helps the story crystalize for me. Other times, I have to let it percolate longer.
Wishing you safe travels. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Between you and Priscilla, this free writing sounds like a winner. I’ve done it for character development before, but not for plot. Thanks, Staci!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whoa, I just read a post on KillZoneBlog yesterday about developing ideas. The post suggested free writing with your vague ideas in mind and no censorship at all, then going back a second day and plucking out things to free write some more. Do it for a week, and a more solid story idea should emerge. I have done free writes, but for characters (developing their personality and way of speaking), not for the plot, but I’m totally gonna try it.
Fingers crossed for your family’s air travel!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m definitely giving this a try. I’ll have to look for that blog post. Thanks for the info, Priscilla!
LikeLike
I would say the seeds are being planted, Teri. Let them germinate and out will come a fabulous story! 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m marinating up a storm, Jan – letting the ideas gel and get happy!
LikeLike
So cool that you’re including photos. I really need to start doing that. So many places I see turn into a story in my head. Sorry I can’t help. I do what you’re doing–just taking notes and pantsing and listening to the characters.
Happy Thanksgiving and have a wonderful visit! 🦃🍁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sarah! I plan to get back into creating storyboards again on Pinterest. C.S. Boyack inspired me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Uh… Do tell. Please. I was just talking about getting back to Pinterest yesterday. Storyboards intrigue me so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have great Thanksgiving, Teri.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, John! You, the Producer, and the girls also.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had a dream some time ago that sparked an idea for a story. I then had other fragments of dreams that sparked ideas for the two books the led the final one. I haven’t had time to do much about these dream ideas though. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving week and all the stars align, Teri.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Robbie! Looks like the stars were in our favor and everything was on time. Waiting for him now. Dreams have also impacted my writing. Like my brain has free reign while I sleep.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it is wonderful, isn’t it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sitting down with a nice pen and journal works best for me when pieces of a story starts to percolate. Have a great Thanksgiving, Teri!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like that’s the direction I’m headed, Jill. We’ll see what spews out, lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have a fabulous Thanksgiving. I love that you have some ideas. Once you start writing it will come together. I do a mind map which helps but it´s the actual writing that makes it come together, sometimes in a way you never imagined. Good luck.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Know what you mean, Darlene. I’ve had surprises turn up when I least expected them. Usually when characters don’t follow the playbook.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Barbara – to you also!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fingers are crossed that the timing works out. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It did, Tessa. Flights on time all the way around and we got home in time for dinner with friends. Have a wonderful time with your girls!
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are both home and we are planning out who is cooking what. A good start to the holiday 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
I recently finally figured out what I was doing with a writing project I’ve had a vague idea of some elements of, but no idea how they fit together for a few years. I had bits and pieces – like random parts of a jigsaw puzzle – and an urge to put them together, but no idea where to start. Then something I was asked to do for someone sparked something in my mind, and suddenly I knew exactly how it all fit together. You’ll find that spark too.
In the meantime, I hope you all have safe travels, and a wonderful Thanksgiving.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s perfect, Tori! I’ve been waiting for the pieces to fall into place. With the end of the A36 sequel it was a song that did it. You never know what will ignite that spark.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving, Teri. Enjoy the time with your family.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Joan, and same to you and your family!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That happens to me all the time. I have reams of electronic notes I want to do something with, but I’m waiting for a complete story. Hope you all have a lovely Thanksgiving.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And I hate waiting. After the holiday, I’m definitely giving the free writing technique a go. Who knows what might come out of it. Happy Thanksgiving, Craig!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have had things show up and “want” to be in a book, so I put them in. By the end, I usually find a way to use them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That happened to me with Subject A36, Deby. One Saturday night while watching a movie, a character appeared in my head and demanded to be in the book. He wound up being the driving force in the sequel. Kind of strange the way things happen sometimes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our muses know the way!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not a writer so can’t give you any advice (sorry!) but hope you had a great Thanksgiving 👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
No problem at all, Caro – just glad you visited!
LikeLiked by 1 person