Lately, however, my ideas have not been coming in the middle of the night, so my notebook remained empty. Or so I thought. The other day I grabbed the notebook to write something down, and found that I had four pages filled. In my handwriting. Creepy.
Then it hit me! What if the inspiration fairy wanted me to find these pages, and incorporate them in my next book. It's fate!
So, below, I present my brilliant middle of the night ideas for my next book... the sequel to ECHO. They are presented in their original form. I will translate in case you can't read my handwriting, and then at the bottom, I will attempt to put these stellar ideas into story form.
"I won't share my Pirate's Booty. Chicken Nuggets"
"Music Radiohead Creep. Addicted to Playstation. Units"
"Things we lie about. Shawn Colvin. Portugal. I thought you said Brazil."
(*Note* I had to cut this one in half, because apparently, in the middle of the night, I can swear like a sailor.)
"I must've broken my toe, unbeknownst to me. You can't break something unbeknownst? It's arthritis."
We know our heroine has some good taste (Radiohead's Creep) but she also has a nostalgic soft spot for UNITS clothing, so no fashion sense. (UNITS was a deplorable clothing line from the late eighties. If you haven't heard of it, look it up. Hilarious. Apparently, I even dream about that decade). Geography is not her strong point, as she cannot tell the difference between Portugal and Brazil. She is also a compulsive liar.
I have no idea what Shawn Colvin has to do with any of this.
Story Climax: If you steal her Pirate's Booty, or her Chicken Nuggets, she will unleash a torrent of swear words, so appalling, so shocking, just hearing them will break your own bones. And trust me, the breakage will be very beknownst to you!
What do you think? Editors, publishers, please line up in an orderly fashion. You know who my agent is. (Sensei Ted). The bidding war will be conducted by him.
I'm not sure what scares me more. The truly crappy ideas that hit me in the middle of the night, or the fact that I've reached a point where I can write them down without waking up at all.
The sad part is, what if they were originally really good ideas, but they got lost in translation?
Okay, first all: this post was hilarious.
ReplyDeleteSecond: I loved Units. My mother used to make them for me in alternating colors of peach and mint green. So flattering, don't you think?
Third: I thought Ted was a sherpa, not a sensei?
Fourth: Have I ever mentioned that you are hilarious? Good seeing you on Saturday!
actually, Bree, his full name is "Sherpa Ted, the Sensei of Cool."
ReplyDeleteunits...i remember those!
ReplyDeleteyour posts are ALWAYS funny...
and i need a notebook by my bed, in my car and anywhere else i can write down swear words so that my kids can quit telling me to stop swearing (see if i write them all down, they (the kids) don't have to hear them! right???
Great post. I like how you acted like you swearing like a sailor only happens when you are groggy or late at night. I will keep your secret that is the only time when your language is, shall we say, colorful.
ReplyDeleteI always knew my wife was talented but to be able to write in the middle of night, half asleep with the lights off...well, not just anyone could do that.
And like I always say, you haven't slept well if you haven't dreamt of Shawn Colvin, Pirates Booty and Units.
Yo, Bro!
ReplyDeleteYou are a most inspired writer. But just one question...are you trying to plagarize my ideas for a novel? It is about a girl (circa 1980's) who finds romance while wearing her Units, eating chicken nuggets and swearing. Now, you can't call that mere coincidence!
In my unbiased and totally objective opinion, you are the most gifted author since Time began. I got a second opinion...and your Dad is in complete agreement! Mom and the entire Clot
Um, Yeah. Thanks... Mom.
ReplyDeleteOh UNITS! That bring back memories of an all glass store at the Cottonwood Mall and half of my ninth grade wardrobe! Love the notes...
ReplyDelete