Month: September 2017

Swapping Ideas

Yes, there really is such a thing as National Swap Ideas Day. And it’s today!

Authors will recognize this as another way of saying “brainstorm.”

I love to brainstorm. I could not write without my critique group. When someone shares a scene and asks for input, the ideas from others start flying. My local RWA chapter also plays a role in my creative process, although not as intimately as a critique group. The energy in a room of authors bouncing ideas off ideas off random statements is invigorating.

But brainstorming isn’t confined to writers. When I worked in local TV, we sat around brainstorming promotional ideas, special news features for ratings periods, and even stories for the evening news.

When you get together with your siblings to ponder what you should get the parents for the holidays, that’s brainstorming.

The key to successful brainstorming is keeping feedback positive. Stay open minded, and don’t reject suggestions out of hand. Maybe a suggestion won’t work for you, but it could spark another idea that is perfect.

National Read A Book Day

Personally, I think everyone should read a  book every day.

I read the way many people I know watch television. As a general rule, I do not watch television. Watching television is something that doesn’t occur to me when I’m looking for something to do. My brain isn’t wired that way. And you know what’s odd about that? I worked in local TV for a lot of years. Ironic. But I would rather re-read an old favorite book for the zillionth time than flip through channels looking for something to occupy my brain.

 

 

Bowl Me Over

Today is National Bowling League Day. No, I am not a bowler. I haven’t bowled since high school, and I don’t miss it at all.

The reason I chose this topic for today is because of scenes depicting bowling in the media.

My favorite bowling scene in a romance novel is from Kristan Higgins’  Catch of the Day. The heroine goes on a series of blind dates, once of which is at a bowling alley. Her date–recommended by her priest–is sleazy. He doesn’t come off that way at first, but the signs are there. The he does something, seemingly innocent, but the heroine follows her instincts. Let’s just say payback is a bitch.

My favorite bowling related movie is The Big Lebowski (Jeff Bridges, John Goodman). This is a motion picture people either loathe or adore. I am one of the fans. The protagonist is a bowler. Check out this scene for a taste of the action.  Or this one.

(CAUTION: VERY STRONG LANGUAGE IN THESE CLIPS!)