Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Kill Some Time in the Center Lane


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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Thank you for stopping by! Ready for more? Please check out Tick Tock, A Stich in Crime now available for Pre-order and releasing May 1. We look forward to seeing you on our Tick Tock's Facebook Page -- jump in and say hi! 



Christine Clemetson





 

20 comments:

  1. I don't think I've ever followed a question although that is a great way to spark a story idea.

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    1. Thanks Alex! It helps me a lot to move the story forward, especially when I get stuck!

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  2. Great 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!

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    1. Hi Rebecca! Prompts are great too. Thanks for the kind words. :)

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  3. All of Ray Bradbury's stories started with that what if. That's a great point of departure!

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    1. Thank you! I didn't realize that about Ray Bradbury--so interesting!

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  4. What if is a fun way to come up with a story.

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    1. So many possibilities.. and I love finding different directions the story could take. Thanks Diane!:)

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  5. I 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!

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  6. I love playing with the What ifs too! :)

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  7. The 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.

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    1. Thanks so much Yolanda! Finding ideas this way is fun too :)

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  8. Oh, 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.

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    1. Thanks so much Sammie! That's a great way to come up with plot ideas too. :)

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  9. Hammond Stone is a fantastic character! Loved the story!

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    1. I'm so happy you enjoyed the story Michelle! Thank you!!!

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  10. I love the line about a better hell! This is going to be an exciting read.

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Your comments are most appreciated!