Had a bit of an idea for a new story today

[other2other1]

I know that Christmas is still a couple of months away, but this morning, I was chatting with my son, and he gave me an idea for a new story. In this, Santa is actually the bad guy and he brutally dominates the fairytale realm to maintain his power.
Instead of working (like I should have today), I've been writing and researching all day. At the moment I am just under 10k words in and I am still flowing.

Next, I know, I look up, and it's dark outside. Stopping to take a break, I had a bit of fun with AI and Canva to create a mock-up cover for this new story I am calling 'The Red Suit.' Most likely, I will post it here into SciFi/Fantasy, but if you're interested, I will post regular updates on my blog, which you will find a link to on my profile page. I am always open for feedback

I'm excited about this one, hoping that it develops as well as I see it in my head!

 

[Jorunn]

Intriguing story idea. Certainly plenty of material to work with. You can even dip into many of the ideas of the olde St. Nicholas from the medieval period or earlier. But do mix in a bit of lightness or humor if it fits in your story flow. Great image!

 

[SimonDoom]

Totally twisted. I like it!

 

[Mastered_again]

Everybody Knows you can't spell Santa without S-A-T-A-N

 

[TarnishedPenny]

The idea that St Nick is always jolly and kind is comparatively recent. As a young child, we were told that he would fill the stockings of bad children with coal instead of treats. As something to consider, society was generally poorer at the time; your best socks were now filthy with dust from low-grade coal (something every child of the day would know), meaning that not only didn't you get treats, but you were going to have to be washing your socks while your better-behaved sisters enjoyed their candy or have absolutely filthy feet.

St Nick in the Netherlands, Belgium, etc traditionally had (it's changing) a demonic servant, Black Peter, who came along to punish bad children.

So, yes, there's precedent and I think the idea had bags of potential. Good luck with that!

 

[StillStunned]

St Nick in the Netherlands, Belgium, etc traditionally had (it's changing) a demonic servant, Black Peter, who came along to punish bad children.

Naughty children are stuffed in a sack and beaten with a broom, then taken off to Spain.

I've never heard of Black Peter being an actual demon though (current racist traditions aside). Perhaps a long time ago, but I've seen no mention of it in songs, stories and books going back to the 1950s or further.

 

[lovecraft68]

 

[other2other1]

Violent Night, that was a fun Christmas Movie

 

[RoperTrace]

I know that Christmas is still a couple of months away, but this morning, I was chatting with my son, and he gave me an idea for a new story. In this, Santa is actually the bad guy and he brutally dominates the fairytale realm to maintain his power.
Instead of working (like I should have today), I've been writing and researching all day. At the moment I am just under 10k words in and I am still flowing.

Next, I know, I look up, and it's dark outside. Stopping to take a break, I had a bit of fun with AI and Canva to create a mock-up cover for this new story I am calling 'The Red Suit.' Most likely, I will post it here into SciFi/Fantasy, but if you're interested, I will post regular updates on my blog, which you will find a link to on my profile page. I am always open for feedback

I'm excited about this one, hoping that it develops as well as I see it in my head!

View attachment 2391134

I really like this idea, and don't even know what it is. You caught me thinking in a similar way about another story theme, and your excitement kind of waved over to me. Thanks.

 

[Rob_Royale]

I think you're in a great place creatively and you should run with this as far as you can. It always feels like a bit of a let down to push another WIP onto a back burner for a new idea, but we gotta listen to the muses.

 

[StillStunned]

I think you're in a great place creatively and you should run with this as far as you can. It always feels like a bit of a let down to push another WIP onto a back burner for a new idea, but we gotta listen to the muses.

Totally. I've been working on four different stories this week, but last night a new idea struck me and here I am, 500 words into a new E&V story. When the muse comes knocking, you don't pretend you're not at home. She's not a door-to-door salesman, or someone collecting for charity, or that neighbour whose name you don't know even after eleven years.

 

[HordHolm]

Totally. I've been working on four different stories this week, but last night a new idea struck me and here I am, 500 words into a new E&V story. When the muse comes knocking, you don't pretend you're not at home. She's not a door-to-door salesman, or someone collecting for charity, or that neighbour whose name you don't know even after eleven years.

Yep. I've been working hard to finish a H&S follow-up to two stories I submitted earlier in the year, and I'm tantalisingly, painfully close. One more scene, 500 or so words, a read through and some re-drafting. And then... from nowhere the muse whispers "sci-fi" in my ear. Now, I'm not really a sci-fi person (to write: to read or watch OTOH, and I'm your man), but now here I am 1.5K words into a sci-fi story, and I've never written sci-fi before, and I even had to go out for a walk to think through an obstruction in the plot. But, * sigh *, madam muse is also demanding I finish the first story. It's a busy weekend ahead, I think...