Monday, March 6, 2017

Drawing a Blank



I sat down to write this week’s post and drew a blank. I don’t know where that phrase came from and, frankly, I’m not in the mood to research it. Anyway, my mind was like a chalkboard that someone had erased, or a document someone had deleted. It happens to the best of us, and it’s not an age thing. I’ve seen plenty of young people go blank at the worst possible moment.

As the blankness wore off (ha ha), I remembered that last week’s post was about including a little reality in our stories. Drawing a blank is reality. What if your protagonist were to approach the most important information in her investigation, and suddenly she/he can’t remember what they meant to check into? It could happen, and it could add to the story. Just a thought.

Often, when you least expect it, that elusive idea or thought comes to you. I was once trying to think of the name of an actress’s son so I could tell an anecdote about him to some friends. It just wouldn’t come to me and, of course, I couldn’t think of her name either. This was in the days when there wasn’t a computer in every home and I couldn’t look it up. About two days later I was driving home from work on a Los Angeles freeway in stop and go traffic when it hit me. I suddenly knew both his name and his mother’s. Guess what? Today I can’t recall either of their names again, even though I can picture them in my mind. I want to say her name was Sylvia, but that isn’t it.

Sometimes our mind is going in one direction while our mouth is going in another. Have you ever looked at your dog and called it by your child’s name? (It’s not just me. I’ve heard other people do it.) Heaven help you if you call to your child by using the dog’s name.

Here’s another one. Have you ever answered the phone and recognized the voice of a longtime friend but you couldn’t think of their name? That’s when you say, “Who is this?” as they start talking. After they fill in the name, you say, “Oh. It didn’t sound like you,” in order to get yourself off the hook.

I think sometimes we have too many thoughts going through our little pea brains and it’s hard to pull ourselves back to what’s currently going on. Again, this isn’t an age thing. It’s a “we all have days like that” thing. Our characters should certainly have days like that once in a while.

I’m chuckling because when I sat down to write this post, I sure didn’t have these things in mind. Maybe drawing a blank was actually in inspiration. Ya think? Probably not.

What did I say about things coming to you when you least expect it? The actress I referred to above was Stella Stevens, and her son was actor Andrew Stevens.

I’ll bet the next time my protagonist forgets something it will come to her as she’s washing the dishes or putting on her shoes – or maybe in the middle of a different investigation.

So, once again, I appreciate it when an author puts a little relatable reality in a story. Something I can laugh at and say, “Oh, yeah. I’ve done that.” Even if it’s a fictional character you’re relating to, it’s nice to know you’re not alone.

What are some of the things you’ve done that you might use in a story? Can’t remember? Oh, well…

Until next week, write the names of your children on one hand and the names of your dogs on the other. When you call to them, just be sure to check the correct hand. Enough of this silliness. Come back next week. You never know what you’ll find here.

CLICK HERE to visit Marja McGraw’s website
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Having a Great Crime – Wish You Were Here, A Sandi Webster Mystery is… Gosh, I can’t remember what I was going to say. Just kidding. It’s a fun book that’s just waiting to be read by you.

14 comments:

  1. "You never know what you'll find here." That's one of the reasons I enjoy reading your blog, Marja. Some posts are thought-provoking, some informative and some, as you phrased it, "silliness." But I enjoy each and every one!

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    1. Thank you, Pat! That makes it worth it to keep going with the posts. Thank you for stopping in!

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  2. Good tip about protaganit drawing a blank - may I use it?

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    1. Thank you, Janice! You can use anything I blog about. I'm glad it inspired an idea to use it. Thank you for stopping in!

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  3. I've been stuck for an interesting character trait for someone in my WIP, but you just gave me a great one. Do you remember Marion Lorne? She was a wonderful character. Oh the possibilities... Thanks. This isn't the first time I've got an idea while reading your blog.

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    1. Glad I could help, Evelyn. :) I had a character in one of my books who was convinced that a house was haunted. That gave me an opening to have her do or say all kinds of things. Marion Lorne? Yes. Thank you so much for stopping in!

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  4. I enjoyed your post today, Marja, and it actually reminded me I have a post to write for tomorrow! Sometimes when I get an idea that I can use for a future blog post, I go into my blog admin and write down a title that describes the idea so I can go back to it later. Just a thought for those days when I'm drawing a blank. :) I have to say that I call my son "Orly" and my dog "Joshua" all the time. Neither seems to mind. They know my mind isn't always where it should be!

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    1. Thank you, Amy. I made a list of blog subjects, but I have no idea where I put it. I thought it was on the computer, but... I have to assume your son has a sense of humor. Good for him. :) Thank you for stopping in today!

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  5. Marja,
    I enjoyed this post. I'm so glad I'm not the only person who "loses" names from time to time. So glad I usually find them eventually.

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    1. Thank you, Marilyn. I keep having to ask new people to remind me of their names. I've gotten over being uncomfortable about it. : ) Thank you so much for stopping in!

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  6. "Didn't sound like your voice, must be the connection!" Ha! I take Ginko Biloba--hasn't worked well--but think I'll use in a story sometimes...as always, very enjoyable post.

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    1. Thank you Madeline. I haven't taken anything since I had the same problem when I was young(er). LOL People seem to remember me. Maybe it's because I keep asking them for their names. Thank you so much for stopping in!

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  7. Drawing a Blank should be part of my name. It happens to me all the time. Usually I think of what I was trying to remember after I didn't need it anymore. Fun post, Marja.

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    1. Thank you, Pat. It happens to all of us, young or old. It's part of life, and sometimes it's good for a laugh. Thank you so much for stopping in!

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