When I confess to being a writer, people often ask, ‘Where do you get your ideas?’
They always look disappointed when I say: ‘Err.. I dunno!?’
So where did I get those ideas and decide how the storyline would go or where it would be based?
Eek! Can you tell I’m useless at talking about my novel because my mind goes into a blind panic when I get asked questions along those lines. It’s a bit like trying to unweave a tapestry of synapse connections that occurred without me noticing, but as I created them I really should be able to talk about them. Instead my tongue goes a bit mushy, sensible words coming out sounding like ‘Falafel’ on repeat. And that’s just talking to my friends. You should see me trying to chat to editors and agents. In fact, I may get one of the other Romaniacs to record an attempt. That way, if I never end up with a book contract it’s OK because I’ll be an overnight You Tube sensation.
As we are having a WIP spotlight week and I don’t have to talk out loud (falafel, falafel, falafel) I should take the opportunity to tell you about mine without a falafel in sight:
Originally this WIP was called The Shortlist. It was going to be about two friends who were working their way through a list of activities in order to find the perfect man. When I started this novel, I had no idea about plotting so I merrily plucked one item from my list – travelling – and started writing that section of the book, but then when I was several thousand words in it was no longer the dip in, dip out section it should have been and had taken on its own life.
Instead it’s become Miles Between Us. It’s part based in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park outside of Sydney, Australia and part based in Southampton, UK.
In a nutshell (I’ve never managed a nutshell in my life – look at me gabbing in between brackets to prove the point):
When there are more than miles keeping Grace and Adam apart, will they ever go the distance?
Ah – there we go – writing it down is so much easier and less cringe-worthy.
Anyway, you may be wondering about the title of this post? Well part way through writing this I realised I had for months/years had a cartoon postcard above my bed of the hostel where the story is based. When I spotted it I wondered whether subconsciously the place had crept into my mind and it was inevitably where the story would end up. Anyhoo, whether it did or not, I figure it’s a much better answer. Where do you get your ideas? From subliminal messages in my bedroom!
What about you? Do you get tongue-twisted when talking about your work? Please say it’s not just me.
