Pea Brain Moments

I’ve been writing blogs since 2010, and figured that one day I’d run out of topics to talk about. I’ve come close a number of times. Suddenly something will creep into my little pea brain and I’m on the case again.

I apologize for missing the past few weeks, but life has been busier than I expected. I’ve mentioned that my house was for sale. It sold. My daughter has been looking for a house in Washington state, where I’m moving, and she found just the right house – within ten days of mine selling! The past few weeks have involved reviewing paperwork, packing, signing paperwork, packing, finagling finances, packing, sorting things into “toss” and “keep” piles, packing – you name it.

Hmm. I wonder what any of this could have to do with writing fiction. Ah, I’ve got it. Use real life experience to write fiction.

Let’s say your character is trying to solve a murder, catch a thief, find a missing person, or any number of issues. Here’s the rub. Your character has put his or her house up for sale. Just as things heat up in an investigation, a buyer makes an offer on the house. The buyer wants all of the character’s attention, understandably, and they want concessions or changes if they’re to buy the house. (Thankfully, this doesn’t describe my buyers. They’re kind-hearted and love the house.)

What’s a character to do? Drop the case being worked on to take care of the buyers? Tell the buyers to get lost? Juggle the case and the sale of the house? Each individual author would have to figure it out to their satisfaction and run with it.

Let’s go a step farther. The character is sorting and packing, and he or she runs into a mystery in the house. Do they sell the house and forget the mystery? Can the mystery be solved before the buyers take over the house? If it’s not solved, would the mystery have a direct effect on the buyer? All good questions, and like a good mystery, they have to be answered and a solution has to take place.

What about the house your character is buying? As he or she moves in, they might find something the previous owner missed. Another mystery blooms.

 

My dogs, Sugar and Murphy, understand that something big is going on. They can’t figure out what it is, but they’re so spun out that they don’t know if they’re coming or going. I have a feeling that moving day is going to be one long remembered. Pets can add an unusual element to a mystery and make things even more hectic than they already are.

Interestingly, I’ve given myself a few ideas just by writing this post. I’ll have to take notes and think about a new story idea.

I’ve had to set my current Work in Progress aside, but I hope to complete it after I get moved and settled in. However, the book after that is beginning to take shape. It just might… No, I’ll surprise readers. If it all works out, it will be a bit of a surprise.

I haven’t written anything since May, but I have a feeling that’s about to change. Someone commented that this particular post sounds a bit disjointed, but so is my life at the moment. Oh well…

Until next time, think of something goofy that’s taken place in your life, just for laughs. I think that’s what I’ll do. I could use a good laugh. How about you? Now back to the packing boxes.

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Ain’t life grand? You betcha! It’s all about perspective.