  For Authors
This week: From Scribble to Story Idea Edited by: THANKFUL SONALI 17 WDC YEARS!  
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I played with my notebook,
and found there was potential for a lot of story ideas! |
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Dear Reader,
A few months ago, I was discussing something about monkeys with someone.  I can't remember the exact conversation, but let's say it was to do with kindness to animals and how a monkey had scratched me in the zoo when I was three years old and trying to feed it, because it thought I was teasing it.
So anyway, monkeys.
After all that monkey talk, I wondered how others would react to the word monkey. So I tried it out. I put the single word 'monkey' as a notebook post.
It was interesting, the responses I got. Some responded with other animals ('Llama' being prominent among them). Others put pictures of bananas. Some smiled. Some put pictures of monkeys. Nobody asked me why I was saying 'monkey', that's too mundane for us writers! (Good for us!  )
The thing is, a single word triggered a thought process and a response. And, though it must have happened in a split second for each respondent, the thought processes were all different.
Story potential, there. Either following a single flow of thought, or combining them.
Then I tried something else in my notebook. I put a picture of a guy selling something that, typically, only those on the Indian sub-continent would recognise. I asked others to guess what it was.
Responses, obviously, came from what the respondents knew. Someone said potatoes, onions. Someone else said apples or tomatoes. Someone thought that since those were too small to be papayas, they must be mangoes.
It was none of the above, of course.
Here's the notebook post, now edited to reflect what I was showing. Check out the conversation, it was fun! "Note: Who (aside from those on the Indian sub-contin...".
Another story idea, point of view of someone who knows that correct answer v/s someone who doesn't. How the guesser tries to come to a conclusion, and how close s/he gets to the reality. How those in the know chuckle alongside.
The thing is, for neither of these notebook posts had I thought I'd get the kind of conversation I did get. I certainly didn't expect them to spark off story ideas. But when I received responses and thought about them, that's precisely what happened.
Maybe you could try it.
Use your notebook creatively.. Put something there that you wouldn't normally put, and see where others take it!!
Thanks for listening,
Sonali
And here's a rather long PS.
I asked ♥Hooves♥  about the use of notebooks.
The response I got was so detailed and opened up such a different line of thought, I didn't try to weave it in to my NL, but decided to give it to you as is. Thank you, ♥Hooves♥ ! Here goes:
Hi!
I will give you a somewhat bifurcated response.
I have used my notebook most recently to communicate to others regarding the gasoline crisis in my city. I live in a medium sized city that is rarely on anyone's radar, but about 250,000 people live in the region. Due to a pipeline rupture in another state, we couldn't get gas for a few days. At the time we didn't know if this would last or not. No one in the government or media gave us notice. So, if you do not keep a full tank of gas on hand, you were out of luck for about a week.
I figured I would share information about what was happening and the signs that appeared when it started. That way, people will know and be able to prepare if this happens in their area.
The U.S. is quite a mobile country and people frequently drive from one end to the other. What would happen to the traveler who could get gas in New England, New York, D.C., but then not again until Florida? They would run out of gas in a strange area and that would be very dangerous for some people. It is very important to be aware of fuel availability now when one travels. I would not have even considered that before this past week. One tank of gas with my car goes about 400 miles. When you think about it, 400 miles is not that far in the United States.
I have a medical condition where I have to have my blood tested at certain intervals. I have to have gasoline to get to the place where my blood is tested so not being able to go there would be very dangerous for me. It is too far to walk and public transportation here is not good.
Secondly, in a more lighthearted vein, I use the notebook to share music. I like to share if I rediscover something awesome. This summer I rediscovered the music of Cat Stevens and Jim Croce. Sometimes, I share Celtic music because that's what I listen to mostly. Sometimes I even share pictures of my Basset Hound Boo. 
I don't use The Newsfeed to promote my writing, but I do use it to promote activities at times.
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Latest use of the notebook -- to post trinkets, like this one! 
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Thank you for the responses to "For Authors Newsletter (August 10, 2016)"
Interesting how one word can take on so many meanings. I know how often I use the word, okay, and I do realize that I use it when things are far from okay. It's possible we use it to placate people because we don't want them intruding on things we're not ready to talk about. That's when watching a person reactions come into play. It does make for an interesting take on the writing front and how you could take that one word and create a pretty big scene around it. I enjoyed your newsletter this month. Hope your vision continues to improve! - Purple is House Florent 
You gave me a great idea for a scene with two people who read minds. lol -- LinnAnn -book writer 
I can relate to this newsletter about people asking if you're okay, you say yes, then they go on to be relieved and respond with, "so you're back to normal." When really you may never be normal again. That's the thing with surgeries or something that changes your life, okay may never be that word again.
I love that you asked the question of what this means to others and, like I thought, it means so much. I feel like "are you okay?" is like asking "how are you?" If you tell someone that you just had the worst day of your life at a grocery store they are going to look at you like you have two heads. SB Musing 
Now that I have read your newsletter... I am okay.  -- Steev the Friction Wizurd
Being "okay" was what I wondered, if I was "okay." I found myself wondering if I was losing my mind? Why was I asking myself if I was okay? Why am I questioning myself on this? Why was I even thinking, 'why am I questioning myself?' I scared myself into a state of insanity, and resolved to never take *Dristan* again. Georgina Antoinette
Hey Sonali!! I must admit your treatise on "okay" gave me MUCH to ponder, MUCH to think about!! It amazes me how much we think of people on the outside, the cover of their book and being so to speak! You know, it is perfectly cool to tell people you are NOT okay, just like you write here. I guess the deal is....is that usually they ask you in front a zillion onlookers, people that you rather not have to explain things to after all. So out it comes..."OAKY!" - but its really not. The eyes have it. So does the heart! I so do hope you are feeling better in the future, and that your eyesight is restored to full working order! I am PRAYING for you!! Papa Doc1 (Dr J) papadoc1 |
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For Authors: October 05, 2016 Issue [#7878]
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