Cranking Up The Idea Machine

It never fails. When people discover my dark horror writing hobby and connect the dots between who I am and what I write about they always end up asking "Where do you get your ideas from?" By now I should have a standard answer for this but instead I usually rely on a sly smile and slow roll of the shoulders.

That all changed yesterday, however, while taking in the "talent" at the Hudsonville Fair here in west Michigan. It's a bit of a family tradition – taking the skids to play a few games, ride a few rides, and sample far too many of the food vendors. There's another reason we go. The kids don't know it and I am only starting to suspect that my wife realizes; it's the "people watching". Nothing brings out the "talent" like a good carnival in the sticks.

In the span of four hours yesterday I was able to witness the complete laundry list of carnival stereotypes. From the toothless ride operator with only one eye to the hillbilly family who make the fair their one annual opportunity to leave their moonshine stills and mingle with the "city folk". Let me tell you – a horror writer can make up for weeks of writer's block with one trip to a local fair or carnival.

I'm not sure when or how, but rest assured, in the not too distant future some hidden nugget from my latest trip to the fair will bubble up into one of my dark tales. I just hopes it's not the three corn-dogs I ate.