Days 18 & 19 When The Shiny New Idea Breaks Through #31DaysofInspiration

Let’s face it, I’m not inspired enough to blog every day. Or even to write ever day. I’ve never been an every day writer. I’m an every day editor, reviser, rewriter — but when I’m drafting a story I purge it onto the page and then I need a break.

Hence, no writing or blog post yesterday.

But, breaks inspire me. I think about my characters while I’m cruising the local Acme. I untangle plot knots while I’m changing out my manicure.

This morning as I sipped my second cup of coffee and read the book du jour, and early copy of Hazel Gaynor’s The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter (fabulous), I saw the last scene of an unwritten, not-fully-realized NEXT book. It played out like a movie in my brain, as these things tend to do. So I rummaged for a pen (why do I never learn??) and picked up the notebook I’ve dedicated to the cause of my Shiny New Idea. I scribbled down the scene.

I’m exhausted.

For a new book idea to take hold while I’m deep into writing another book is a blessing and a curse. I have to jot down all the ideas that pop to mind for this new story — and like in When You Give a Mouse a Cookie one thing just seems to lead to another and another. It’s exhilarating and it’s distracting. I do not think it’s a subconscious procrastination tactic (though I gave that some serious thought) because I am still enamored with The Last Bathing Beauty. I even know what I’m writing today which is a big deal considering I’m a planster (that my plotter/pantser combo I talk about in my Fall WF workshop and what I’ve always claimed to be).

I won’t say anything about my Shiny New Idea except that the idea came from a magazine article, similar to how the idea for The Last Bathing Beauty came from a newspaper story. And that the last scene involves a pie. Now, I know what you thinking –that sounds sweet, right?