Hello Readers!
What if a prison inmate felt wrongly accused? When his patience has tanked and he's out of options, what length would he go to make things right?
And he only has 48 minutes.
From those questions Hammond Stone was born, and drove my idea for Center Lane, one of the eleven stories in the Tick Tock, A Stitch in Crime anthology.Many times, this is how my stories emerge. Questions become like threads. If a question lingers long enough, I feel the need to unravel it, knowing a plot or character is knitted in there somewhere. I find that ideas come from all around us. Sometimes, it's listening to the news and asking the what if questions. Or imagining different scenarios. Recently, it was a conversation in a dream. A woman whispered to another person that she had run away from something horrible. I didn't remember the details, but I did remember the pure desperation in her voice. And that thread sparked the latest novel I'm working on.
In Hammond Stone's case, the moment he told me he felt trapped and needed to right the wrong that was done to him, I was in his corner and wanted to tell his story.
Here's the opening to Center Lane:
Hammond Stone swiped his forearm
across the grimy mirror. He dabbed his index finger to the tip of his tongue
and smoothed back a sprig of loose hair. Clutching the sink edge with both
hands, he hung his head.
Focus.
8:02 am.
Carla would just be getting
into her Mercedes. He straightened his shoulders and
patted the ID number embroidered on his left breast pocket. Today he was
finally going to a better hell. Whether she knew it or not, Carla was going to
help him get there.
* * *
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| Christine Clemetson |
I don't think I've ever followed a question although that is a great way to spark a story idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alex! It helps me a lot to move the story forward, especially when I get stuck!
DeleteGreat way to find stories (I often use prompts, but what are they other than questions to follow?)! Love that line about going to a better hell!
ReplyDeleteHi Rebecca! Prompts are great too. Thanks for the kind words. :)
DeleteAll of Ray Bradbury's stories started with that what if. That's a great point of departure!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I didn't realize that about Ray Bradbury--so interesting!
DeleteWhat if is a fun way to come up with a story.
ReplyDeleteSo many possibilities.. and I love finding different directions the story could take. Thanks Diane!:)
DeleteI often twilight-dream certain plot points that elude me during waking hours. Funny how that works. Center Lane sounds very intriguing. I have a feeling Carla might be in for a bit of a surprise!
ReplyDeleteThanks Gwen :) It is funny how it works!
DeleteI love playing with the What ifs too! :)
ReplyDeleteSo fun! Thanks Jemi.
DeleteThe Center Lane is a great story. I use questions all the time. It works beautifully, and you're right story ideas come from every where.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Yolanda! Finding ideas this way is fun too :)
DeleteOh, I love this! That's how I come up with a lot of my plot ideas, too, is some sort of question or what if. Hammond Stone sounds fabulous, and I look forward to seeing what he's got in store for Carla.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Sammie! That's a great way to come up with plot ideas too. :)
DeleteHammond Stone is a fantastic character! Loved the story!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you enjoyed the story Michelle! Thank you!!!
DeleteI love the line about a better hell! This is going to be an exciting read.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lee! I hope you enjoy! :)
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