Yesterday I sat reflecting about the first idea I had for my novel. Nearly two years ago I was sitting in the vineyard, watching my dogs run like crazy. Why would I suddenly get an idea for a Jack The Ripper book in that environment? Strange how the mind works.
I tucked the idea to the back of my mind and mooched home. As I ambled through the lanes, the idea grew to the size of a walnut, the seed had taken. By the time I had reached home, washed and walked to my friend's coffee shop, it was a sapling. It had roots but needed repotting.
I ordered a filter coffee and a piece of carrot cake. Took out a small notepad and pen. The words Ripper, My Love formed on the paper in front of me. Then a brief note to myself, me and I about the idea.
Then the magical moment, those first few words ran across the page, leaving a trail of my future behind them.
He stood back in the shadows and watched as the young redhead tripped, then reached out to steady herself against the wall. She didn't look as if she had been under the influence of alcohol, as many of the women in the area were. The watcher decided to stay within the blackness of the shadows, this was not the girl for him tonight.
The funny thing is, I will probably never use these words. Emily Bryan showed me in her Red Pencil Critique, how they stopped my novel before it even got started. I had taken away the tension and suspense.
I still love that paragraph, to me it is a newborn babe, a creation of my brain cell.
The day I wrote them, is still clear in my mind. I love that day. The sun was warm, I was at peace and contented. The coffee was good and the cake was gooey and sweet. A delicious day.
When and where did you write your first few words? At a desk, in a field or coffee shop. Can you remember what they were and did you use them?
12 Comments:
My most recent WIP began as a dream about man-eating trees. The trees themselves barely make a ripple in the story I ended up with but I kept returning to that dream and turning over the idea of a world where these trees might exist and eventually a character who lived in this world emerged. After that, I just kept working on the idea until it was ready to be turned into a basic outline and then I started writing. Random thoughts and dreams can really grow if you nurture them.
The books I've written have been scribbled out all over town. :) Wherever I've had to take the children.
CassandraJade, what dreams you have! I can never remember mine.
Elizabeth, the times I spent waiting for soccer and ballet to finish, I used to write poetry. I understand exactly what you mean...LOL
Too long ago to remember exactly when I started writing. I know I scribbled stories in first grade. Then when I was twelve and reading Nancy Drew mysteries I scribbled two Susan Benson mysteries in a pencil tablet that I wish I still had. I do have a short story I wrote sometime after my second daughter was born still in my files and turning yellow! And I would write poetry anywhere, in snatches, throughout the years.
I think I scribbled mine in an old notebook when I was a teen. (Just the basic idea.)
"The watcher," I love that.
I like this story of yours, how you came about the idea. It really can come up so innocently.
For me, my first novel sprouted when we moved to this lake (four years ago). Our surroundings were so inspiring, they became the fictional locale for a book.
My trilogy was birthed after years of labor pains, still born children and partial abortions. It's taken 9 LONG years to complete and it's still a WIP. My current WIP leaped into my head a few years ago with an opening sentence. It's been growing ever since.
Happy Weekend,
Jen
Thank you all for sharing. I love to read how others have started their writing careers.
You visits cheered me up today, thank you.
Just popping in, Glynis, to thank you for your lovely greetings card and wishes. What a lovely surprise, which brightened my day. :)
I enjoyed reading this post and it made me think just how magical the imagination is. For me, ideas tend to flood through day and night but often seeing, hearing, or experiencing something triggers the seeds for a story.
Love and bright wishes, dear one. xx
You are most welcome, Carol. I am glad I brightened your day. Your gift brightened mine :) x
You might not use that paragraph in the actual book, but it does stir interest. You should consider it as a paragraph to promote your book or for the back cover...that would build suspense.
My current WIP came about from a dream. Rodolfo came to me in a dream. He was so incredibly gorgeous, and he told me his name. Now Rodolfo is not a common name here in the US by any means, so I knew I had something special.
Loribeth, I think I might use it on the back blurb. I cannot part with it!
Rodolfo, is an unusual name. A gorgeous man and a dream, is a great way to come up with a book premise. :0
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