Discarded Ideas

This is an exciting day for me—my first blog post as an official member of The LadyKillers. I’m going to have to work hard to keep up with such distinguished company. So with that in mind, here’s my take on Discarded Ideas.

My mother used to say I had “big ideas.” And she was right. I was going to become a rock star, have five children, become a chef, write the great American novel, and move to Alaska. Taylor Swift can stop looking over her shoulder. And Lady Gaga can breathe a sigh of relief, since my short stint with The Possums didn’t yield a single gig.  

 

Narsai David is safe from me, no matter how much I love to cook.

 

 And I’ll never ski K2 or windsurf from Maui to Molokai.

My son has had to take the place of five children--something he did quite well when he was a teenager. After my last backpacking adventure, I gave up on hiking the Pacific Trail. As for moving to Alaska, I have no interest in tangling with Mama Grizzly.

But one idea I never discarded was that of being a published writer. Granted, Tea Oerbhet and Jami Attenberg can stop trembling when they hear my name—the great American novel is probably not in my future. But four months ago, my dream of finding a publisher came true and I’m still holding onto the idea of being a widely read mystery writer.

I wonder which of the story ideas I’ve jotted down in the past twelve months will be discarded, and which ones will have “legs?” I recently read the beginning of a prospective novel I called MISTAKEN HEART, in which a woman cowers in a cheap motel room, terrified that her abusive husband will come after her. It’s an interesting few pages, but I have no idea where it was going. And when I read it, nothing came to mind about what would happen next. I may keep it in my “ideas” file, but I have a suspicion that it will go nowhere. Another idea I had for a romantic suspense novel I called TRIPLE OR NOTHING is more promising, but will it cry out to be written

By contrast I’ve jotted down ideas for two more books in my Samuel Craddock series. I’ve written the first chapter of one and as soon as I read over it, I knew what would happen in the next chapter. And I’m pretty sure I know who did what and why. The other one concerns a recurring character and her not-so-nice brother. These two stories keep coming back to me, every time with new details. They are stories that want to be told.

At least once a day I think, “What if…” And sometimes I take a few notes. Most of these ideas will be discarded, or maybe come back as a little piece of something I’m working on. The ones that keep nudging me are the ones that don’t get discarded.

Comments

[Ann]

Hi Terry!
So glad to have you here! And I have to say, I love the tentative titles you list (Triple or Nothing ... Mistaken Heart ...). Do your ideas/titles spring up simultaneously? Or does the title come first? I'm curious!
And oh yes, I remember the days "back when" when I, too, had "big ideas." Of course, those ideas changes regularly with each birthday. ;-)

[Terry Shames]

Ann, I'm so happy to join The LadyKillers. As for your question, titles are either really, really hard or they come immediately. I love those two titles, but one story seems quite robust while the other will probably quietly disappear.

[camille minichino]

Hi, Terry. I think all your ideas are big! Plus, all the work you do for the rest of us through Sisters in Crime is much appreciated.

It's great to see you here. I'm looking forward to your first release!

[Ann]

Terry -- Maybe you can recycle the title "Mistaken Heart" for another tale. Hmm. All kinds of possibilities there... :-)

[Penny Warner]

Welcome Terry! I look forward to reading your book!

[Staci]

Welcome aboard, Terry! It's always nice when stories let you know they want to be told. That means they definitely have "legs."
Congratulations on finding a publisher -- I look forward to reading the first in what I'm sure will be many Samuel Craddock mysteries!

[Susan Shea]

Welcome Terry - it's great to share LK space with you. Your photos are pretty cool - they say you tried new things and stuck your neck out, which is probably what counts in the long run. And, since you gave me the title of my first published mystery, I know that's a talent of yours!

[Priscilla]

You are a store of great ideas. Let them keep coming because the one that makes a book or short story will nag until you give in and do it! Welcome Terry!

[Mysti Berry]

Looking forward to learning more about your books and ideas, Terry! Welcome!

[Pat Morin]

Great post, Terry. Windsurf the shark infested Hawaiian waters or write a great mystery ... hmm ...shark infested waters or writing a page turner ...
I commend your decision to discard the idea of the windsurfing, and look forward to reading your book. Now , five, six, or seven kids or windsurfing shark infested waters ... hmm
Pat

[Michael A. Black]

Welcome, Terry. Sounds like you've all kinds of great ideas. Why not work in the domestic abuse theme into Triple or Nothing? And as for Alaska, forget the Mama Grizzly. I'd be more worried about Sara Palin.

[Terry Shames]

Pat, in case you didn't recognize me, that's me windsurfing--in Hawaii back in the day.

Michael, Sarah wouldn't stand a chance!