IDEAS ARE ON EVERY STREET CORNER… (LIKE HOOKERS 
WAITING TO BE PICKED UP)
Thanks Cindy for inviting me here today! What fun! I’m thinking no one here knows how we met. Several years ago, I recall waiting anxiously to pitch story ideas at a conference. In the line up was a gorgeous woman with a great smile and beautiful eyes who looked as nervous as I felt. We discovered we were both pitching to an editor for Harlequin Temptation. We both loved the line and thought our stories would work there. (After all that was the hottest line we could find at the time.)
Guess what? Neither of us ever sold to Temptation. But over the years we kept in touch sporadically through email and in hallways at conference hotels. I sold elsewhere…then I heard she’d sold…and guess what? We both write erotic romance (Cindy under a pen name) and love it. I’ve decided the market finally caught up to us when longer, more erotic stories bloomed. And here we are today!
How cool is that?
Ever wonder where writers get their ideas? So do I. I get mine anywhere and everywhere. One time, I saw a young woman driving with tears streaming down her cheeks. Hm.
Had her parents just told her they hated the new man in her life? That he was a con artist? A nose-picker? A wanted fugitive?
Just the other day, I walked by a couple on a street corner in the middle of a no-holds-barred argument. I mean, it was cold, brutal, tell it like it is relationship-killing stuff. She was furious! Chin tilted, eyes defiant and wide to hold in angry tears. He was on the attack. (Verbally, of course…but my dh kept an eye on the guy just in case she needed help if things turned physical— my hero!)
The conversation revolved around her desire for him to spend huge bucks. Yes, it was that clear what they were arguing about.
Did I make a judgement on them with one flick down her well-dressed, perfectly coiffed and made up face and body? Yes, I did.
He liked trophies and she liked being one. What she didn’t like was being called on it. The body language from this pair was superb, though.
I wonder if they’re still together? I wonder if street arguments are part of the drama of their lives? I wonder if on some level they actually like them?
All fodder for the writer’s mind. The other night I celebrated with a dinner out at a real restaurant with linen placemats instead of paper. We watched a van pull over and park. No one got out. By the time dinner was over I’d decided the driver was tucking body parts into the rug he had rolled up in the back.
I’m sick and I know it.
Good thing I’m a writer or my family would be worried. Or afraid. Very afraid.
So, as readers, do you ever make up stories for things you see or conversations you overhear? Do you ever re-write the ends of novels to suit yourself?
I’m excited to offer BREATHLESS to one lucky person who comments…come on folks, spill your guts…you know you want to. (Just not on street corners please, it’s distracting to the other pedestrians.)
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Please leave a comment for Bonnie to enter to win BREATHLESS. If you’re reading Bonnie’s post on Facebook or another social network, please note that you need to leave your comment at http://www.museinterrupted.com in order to be eligible for the draw.
To read Bonnie’s bio and the back cover blurb for BREATHLESS, refer to yesterday’s post. To learn more about Bonnie and her books, visit her website.
To learn if Cindy bribed Bonnie for the nice compliments…well, let’s just get it over with and state that yes, Cindy did.
I read a book with an awful ending. I was furious about it. I blogged about it. And it’s because of that book that I’m writing my WIP. LOL
I’m not a people watcher. I think it’s because I’m in the house so much, and when I’m out, I’m rushing around, getting my stuff done. Of course, if I saw someone crying while driving in the car, I’d remember that. Very poignant. And a couple arguing about money? That too. Bonnie, your description brought that to life.
Bonnie,
An addiction to ice cream – love it! I enjoyed your blog, and oh yeah, I’m totally there about circumstances creating a future premise. I agree, Cindy is top notch! I hope you’re having a wonderful holiday season, and I wish you continued success!
Sincerely,
Diana Cosby
Romance Edged With Danger
Some of the best fodder for my teen novels comes from my own teens’ Friday night football games. I eavesdrop like crazy…but more importantly, I watch. I find if I don’t know what they’re saying, my mind start improvising scenarios and dialogue…and suddenly, I have book ideas!
I enjoyed this interview!
Good morning, everyone, and welcome to Bonnie!
Bonnie, I don’t make up my own endings to novels, but I definitely make up stories about people I see on the streets. Especially when I’m driving. Driving isn’t the most exciting activity, and playing what-if helps make it more fun for me.
I admit, I often get gruesome ideas in these situations. The body parts scenario you describe is just the sort of idea I usually get, LOL. If something looks suspicious to me, my imagination goes wild. It’s like playing movie of the week.
And people wonder why writers are rarely (if ever) bored.
Edie, that’s a common reason for people to start writing! Hating an ending and wanting to change it. For me, it was kids/diapers/morediapers/kids/diapers. Then total brain mush. I had to do something to save my sanity!
Diana! Many times I’ve seen you post on blogs and I always remember when we were on a list for unpublished RWA members together. (I think that was it) You were always so quick to offer help, ideas, suggestions. So, thanks! Funny how we get a sense of personalities online…and you rock! Just sayin’
Tina…there’s nothing like teenspeak. WHAZZAT? Speak English please…I’m lost…no, YOU text ME. You put me on YouTube WHENNNNN??????
Cindy: gruesome is when you walk through a mall, see a bed that has a mattress that lifts up for storage and you say, out loud: “Hey, look at that! What a great place to hide a body!” And your husband does an about face and leaves the area. . .
Off to yoga, I’ll be back later to check in!
Bonnie
But, Bonnie, what ELSE were you supposed to think? No wonder you and I get along so well. That’s just the sort of thing I would say.
My problem as a writer is when a group of friends or family is sharing a what-if scenario. Everyone puts in their bit, then I put in mine, and I get weird stares. I look at my dh and ask, “I went too far again, didn’t I?”
My family will agree that I often say, ‘That is so going in a book.’ 🙂 If I could rewrite a moment in time, it would be from this weekend past when I happened to catch Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman coming out of the theatre. In my imagination, I’d have them waving me over. 🙂 BTW, I love that bit about ‘What a great place to hide a body!’ LOL!
🙂 I agree Cindy…what else to think? I often wonder what other people have going on in their heads if not stories? Characters?
The weird thing about the mattress/storage thing is I don’t even write about bodies or violence.
Except, of course, for the novella In Breathless, To Die For, where a thug gets killed in the Nevada desert at the start. (1964 Vegas, baby!) – that was actually fun to write…
Back from yoga and now off to send off a free book I gave away at a chat last night.
Now, if I could only sit down and get my annual slew of cards written & addressed & mailed, I’d be good!
Be back later!
If anyone has any questions on how/what I write…I’ll reply,
Bonnie
Bonnie, I’m with you. I see and hear things in “real life” and they become fodder or ideas for stories. My friend told me about taking her 80-yr old mom to Vegas to see the Thunder from Down Under show (male strippers). Her mom had a blast! I took that idea and created an erotic romance about a P.I. going undercover, as it were, at a male strip club to investigate an older woman’s jewels getting stolen by one of the dancers. LOL
I was born to eavesdrop and spy. Plus, I’m nosy. Since I’m lousy at espionage, I write instead. One of my favorite places to watch people is the grocery store. Just the other day I saw a 20-something woman talking on a cell phone. Nothing special there, right? Except she had purple hair, she was wearing a denim skirt the size of a rubber band with reflective black tights underneath (they seriously looked like mirrored sunglasses) and her hand basket contained a dozen tins of anchovies, two cartons of egg nog ice cream and a bunch of radishes. Her comment to the person on the other end of the line: “there’s no damn way in hell I’m doing THAT again.”
I followed her for a few aisles but couldn’t get close enough to hear the rest, plus she started giving me strange looks . . . It didn’t matter. My creative juices were pumped.
The truth is, I see stories everywhere. Probably why I’m never bored. (I can’t imagine living any other way)
Carol…an 80 year old at a male strip club would create havoc on the brain for me! I’d be firing on all cylinders.
And Laura, you’d be great at espionage. You did a great job of spying on that young woman. (Seriously? Mirrored leggings?)
And since I write erotic romance, you’ve got to know I’m fascinated by the comment she made. If we tried really hard I’m sure we could come up with TONS of things there’s no way in hell she’d do again.
Like an 80 year old MAN at a strip club.
Like Bungy jumping naked.
Like …. everyone here can fill in the rest!
Bonnie
Ah, the lure of people watching to garner superb ideas for stories! The Stephen King “what if” surmise. Indeed, while just about prompts story ideas for me, watching people both gives me ideas for stories, as well as great insight for characters. Just the other day I spotted 3 unusual scenes with people who really made me wonder about them, their lives … one, at 8:30 in the morning, a grown woman on a swing in a deserted playground (as my train zipped by) – swinging high and fast. Later a supremely handsome man – dark, gorgeous, bearded with sparkling black eyes and a look reminiscent of D’Artagnan. And he had two of the crutches used by folks with a permanent walking disability. And lastly a young man, with sides of his head shaved, major dreads in the middle in pink, green, yellow, blue, and the clothes of a skateboarder. But leaning against him as he got a transit card? Six wildly colored hula hoops. You couldn’t make these things up if you tried. Life is filled with wonderful people – and aren’t we lucky? We can populate our worlds with them!
LOL, while I admit that if an ending to a novel is not what I wish it was and have rewritten it in my mind to suit the way I think the book should have been…I’ve never made up a story with someone stuffing body parts in a rug. Guess that is why you are the writer and I am the reader 🙂 Congrats on Breathless!!!!
Hi Bonnie & Cindy,
Bonnie, I met you at the Emerald City Writers Conference–you’re just as nice in person as you are online. 🙂
I work at a gym and spend a lot of time (too much time, probably), eavesdropping. It’s amazing how candid people are in the locker room and the sauna and while working out. I’m sad to say that my warped mind has created many love triangles, illicit lesbian and gay affairs, and mysterious deaths.
:)Becca
Lise! What an interesting day you had. I need to get out more. The vision of the hula hoops had me grinning.
And booklover – you always give me reason to cheer. Thanks so much for stopping by here. It’s been a fun day.
Becca. Sheesh, I’m blushing here. One of my favourite things is talking to people about reading/writing/books…men (oh, did I say that out loud?)
About the gym, it always amazes me what people will say in public — mindboggling really. Sometimes they’re more honest with strangers than with those they care about. Weird, but true. *shrug*
Now, I’m not sure when we’re to pick a winner, so I’m going tosign off and see about posting that info tomorrow! I’m sure Cindy told me…but that bit has escaped my memory (not hard!)
I’ll be back tomorrow! Take care all and may the blessings of the season be yours.
Sometimes things happen in life that I think would make a good story. And I have read a book on occasion that I wish things were different in the story. But I’m not a writer so I am just content to read other peoples work. I have the greatest respect for writers, I don’t know how you all do it. Writing seems to me to be a full time job and I know a majority of you still hold down day jobs and care for your family. Wish I could be so organized. So thanks to all you authors who write the stories I love to read. Happy holidays.
Congratulations to Booklover! You won the copy of Bonnie’s BREATHLESS. Please look for an email from me in your inbox.
I’m not hosting any more guests until 2010. You can find the schedule in the Upcoming Guest Bloggers list in my sidebar.
Happy holidays, everyone!
Congratulations Booklover! Now you’ll have something to keep you warm all through January!
thanks cindy for inviting me to blog here…what fun! And I’ve had some serious inspiration through all the stories.
right now I’m working on a short story for the Mammoth Book of Erotic Romance and I’d like it off my desk before the season overtakes my life!
Oh and cards, too….must write cards.
Have a wonderful holiday and may 2010 bring success and good health to everyone!
Bonnie
Hi Bonnie! I love your blog title and completely identify with your diaper insanity. Projectile spit up anyone? Ever checked out postsecret.com? It gives me lots of ideas for characters, too.