Listening to Your Characters
Few things are more exciting to me in the writing world than when my characters talk to me. I've had a middle grade novel idea floating around my head for about a week now, plus I'm working on an older YA novel.
This morning while out to breakfast at Denny's, I overheard our waitress telling another table (she was actually telling people at the table, not the table) about her new granddaughter being born and how she was the first girl in the family in 28 years. I immediately wrote that down and knew I'd use it in my middle grade story. Suddenly I had my MC (a 12 year old girl) who has four brothers and was the first girl born into the family in years. It set up a great dynamic for her family story.
I love when my mind is open enough to take in the things around me and apply them to stories. I listen to everything and think where I can apply it. If I can't, I write it on an index card and file it into my Idea Box for later use.
Do you have any expamples of stealing ideas from real life?
This morning while out to breakfast at Denny's, I overheard our waitress telling another table (she was actually telling people at the table, not the table) about her new granddaughter being born and how she was the first girl in the family in 28 years. I immediately wrote that down and knew I'd use it in my middle grade story. Suddenly I had my MC (a 12 year old girl) who has four brothers and was the first girl born into the family in years. It set up a great dynamic for her family story.
I love when my mind is open enough to take in the things around me and apply them to stories. I listen to everything and think where I can apply it. If I can't, I write it on an index card and file it into my Idea Box for later use.
Do you have any expamples of stealing ideas from real life?
Comments
Anyway, you get a good idea of this girl. And she has an assistant...for what, I'm not even sure. But I started to wonder what it's like to be this girl's assistant...and wahlah...book idea! I'm gonna tell it mainly from the assistant's POV, but also the girl's too. And I'll obviously make this girl more outlandish than the real girl and give her a different name.
I'm so with you -- I get a ton of ideas from real life. That's awesome that you were able to pick up that story at Denny's.
I always have that "who me?" expression ready, but I can't fool 'em.