Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Brainstorming

"I never make [my books]: they grow; they come to me and insist on being written." -- Samuel Butler

I've come to the conclusion that nothing is better for writing than sitting around with a friend and talking about it. Okay, maybe actually putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) is better, but talking comes in a really close second.

Yesterday, I was chatting via IM with a friend and the subject of dancing came up... we'd been talking about music, and I sent her a YouTube link to some big band ("In the Mood" by Glenn Miller, if you're interested) and said, "I used to dance to that." She was surprised, and mentioned that her husband considered it an affront to his manhood whenever she mentioned dancing (real dancing, yanno, with steps and stuff *G*). I told her that I thought dancing was sexy. She said I should write a seduction-type scene in a book that used dancing.

Et voila!

In my sequel to "One Love For Liv", I have the perfect, perfect place to do just that. And it's one of the scenes coming up shortly. What a great way for my H/H to really become aware of one another! Right now, they're really just acquaintances, not even exactly friends... though on the way to that. But a dance, one short three-minute dance, could really change things between them.

What a fabulous idea!

And I owe it all to a chat that started with my friend quoting a song (Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy) that gave me an earworm that caused me to find the YouTube video that listed "In the Mood" as related that led to our conversation.

Fate. Kismet. Whatever.

And they wonder where authors get their ideas.... they are freakin' EVERYWHERE.

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Next time it's snowing outside and I take out the dog to go potty, I'm taking my camera. She does the funniest thing -- she tries to catch snowflakes. She had me in stitches the last couple of nights (yes, we had some flurries last night) and I have to catch it on film... er...memory card.

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You Are a Cartographer



You have a wide range of knowledge and you're very detail oriented. You have a photographic memory, and you remember places very well.

Like a middle ages cartographer, you're also very adventurous and curious about the world. In modern times, you would make a good non-fiction writer or scientist.



Um... yes on the first paragraph, and a solid NO on the second. Me? A Scientist? You must have mistaken me for my oldest brother...

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12 comments:

Dru said...

I can see how a dance make two people know a little more about each other. Sounds like a perfect scene for your story.

re quiz: I'm a cartographer and I'm not adventurous or curious, unless it counts towards traveling.

Have a good Tuesday.

Ceri Hebert said...

Dancing is always a good way to bring people together. I use it often (yikes, maybe a little too).

I love big band music. My father used to listen to Glenn Miller all the time. I used to have some on my MP3 player.

MJFredrick said...

I'm like Ceri, I use dance scenes in almost all my books. Not the two I just revised, and not the one I'm writing, though.

Diane Craver said...

Great post - looking forward to the sexy dance scene in your sequel!

Judy said...

I am a playwright.

You are a highly literate wordsmith. You love both reading and writing.
You are also a natural storyteller. You can turn a mediocre anecdote into a riveting tale.

You find people and all aspects of life fascinating. No topic is off limits for you.
In modern times, you would make a good filmmaker or novelist.

MomJane said...

The following is very true. I did actually teach astrology for a while.


What's Your Medieval Profession?
You Are an Astrologer

You tend to be a fanciful, spiritual person with many interesting theories.
You are always trying to figure out how all the pieces of the world are connected.

You have a knack for predicting the future and reading people.
In modern times, you would make a good self help guru or a director of a non profit.

MomJane said...

The following is very true. I did actually teach astrology for a while.


What's Your Medieval Profession?
You Are an Astrologer

You tend to be a fanciful, spiritual person with many interesting theories.
You are always trying to figure out how all the pieces of the world are connected.

You have a knack for predicting the future and reading people.
In modern times, you would make a good self help guru or a director of a non profit.

Anonymous said...

I am a cartographer, too! I know, SHOCKER!

Don't you LOVE writing serendipity?

Jen said...

I think a dance seduction scene would be great fun to write.

Brandy said...

I'm an astrologer as well. Interesting.
The Andrews sisters! I have that! I like Don't sit under the apple tree, too.
I can see how dancing could bring two characters closer together. *G*

I hope you're having a lovely day!

Anonymous said...

You Are a Messenger

You are a great communicator and quite persuasive too.
And to be honest, your also a bit of a gossip. You like to know what's going on with people.

You can deliver almost any message to anyone, and they'll take it better coming from you.
In modern times, you would make a good journalist or diplomat.


Okay, I have to confess I do enjoy knowing what's going on with people. *g*

I can't, however, see myself as a diplomat. Not when I'd be sorely tempted to tell other diplomats where to shove it. *g*

Melissa McClone said...

Not far off:

You Are a Playwright

You are a highly literate wordsmith. You love both reading and writing.
You are also a natural storyteller. You can turn a mediocre anecdote into a riveting tale.

You find people and all aspects of life fascinating. No topic is off limits for you.
In modern times, you would make a good filmmaker or novelist.