Lost and Found

[TarnishedPenny]

Lost. My creative imagination. Well used, faded from sun and overuse, but still of some sentimental value. Last seen being mugged by a herd of plot bunnies. If found, please call.

 

[SimonDoom]

Lost. My creative imagination. Well used, faded from sun and overuse, but still of some sentimental value. Last seen being mugged by a herd of plot bunnies. If found, please call.

I have a hard time believing that. It's just lying around the house somewhere. Maybe it slipped under a pillow. Or got caught up with the laundry in the dryer.

 

[Nouh_Bdee]

Lost. My creative imagination. Well used, faded from sun and overuse, but still of some sentimental value. Last seen being mugged by a herd of plot bunnies. If found, please call.

My dubious advice: follow the bunnies. Sometimes they lead to something half-interesting...

 

[KeithD]

I'm going through a few days of "every morning a new 'must do now'" story idea dropping while I busy trying to do the final review on a humongous anthology just about in the publishing phase. The way I handle this when it happens is that I add the idea, with a working title, to my status list and then pick up what seems doable when I have time for it, zapping the other ideas I've noted down. Since my muse can get pushy, I've gone ahead and written two of those ideas up in the past week.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Yep, been there, done that, am there currently. I find it hard to sit down for a long time do to my sciatica and I really hate typing with one finger on my tablet. And my phone is useless for typing.

Then bingo, a new idea pops in there and I add another story to be done before I die. So many, to do, can't seem to pick one. UGH!

 

[PoisonPen33]

Lost. My creative imagination. Well used, faded from sun and overuse, but still of some sentimental value. Last seen being mugged by a herd of plot bunnies. If found, please call.

TP, I think I found your plot bunnies. They're all over my back deck having a Wesson Oil Party.

 

[Sextified]

Last seen being mugged by a herd of plot bunnies. If found, please call.

I think that your plot bunnies are a lot like mine! They are always planning something behind my back!

- - - -

One trick I use on my "Big" project, when I have a moment or two, and am away from the keyboard?

I imagine putting two characters in a room, that haven't met yet in the series. They bump into each other for lunch. Or they are waiting in a line for two different movies at the theatre. Or walking thru the mall, as the person they have in common is walking away from one of them.

I let them begin talking, and then sit back and mentally take notes.

- - - -

Sometimes I pick two of my favorite actors from two different stories of mine, and get them interacting.

I see what they have in common. Perhaps one of them is just contemplating doing something involving a sexual kink, that the other one already knows FAR too much about. Advice is exchanged, both on how to do it safely, and avoid heartache on all sides.

- - - -

During the writing process, I sort of try VERY early to decide which couples will be eventually 'hooking up'. Weeks in advance I sort of beginning thinking of what THEIR first time ever together was like. Note: that is not necessarily what I will actually be showing in the story for the readers to see. That imagined first time sort of sets the tone for me, for them as they move forward.

Later on, as the story nears when I have planned on them showing up, I simply pick the best KIND of encounter for them that will move the ENTIRE story along.

- - - -

The rule of thumb is to know the couple VERY well by that point, but only pick those kinds of scenes that move the plot forward the best. A lot of times the sex is already over, and the pillow talk is the important thing. The ideas of what to do next time are discussed, or problems with what just happened are groused about.

Then the lovers move apart and reflect, and the next time the Readers get to see them, THEN the real sex scene can easily develop.

A few days usually passes with me editing and dealing with (or not) real life. Then the writer is ready, the characters are ready, and the readers are ready and waiting!

Pretty much, I just start typing and all sorts of things come out. Since no matter how tired, poor and slow my imagination has been running, chasing after all those escaped bunnies? I have had enough time for my subconscious to have come up with something.

Then I just try to get out of the way of doubt, and let my fingers just follow whatever comes into my head.

- - - -

Sometimes deciding on and mentally creating a scene, that you already know that you are NOT going to let the readers see? That frees your imagination to come up with even better situations that they WILL get to read!

- - - -

Perhaps you forgot to feed and water your plot bunnies?

If you leave the cage open, and throw in some treats, and maybe some new play toys? Or once you get two of the right kind back together, you can re-close and lock the door? Maybe add a little candlelight and some mood music?

I'm sure that very soon, you will have plenty of more plot bunnies, to coax your imagination back home all on it's own!

- - - -

Real life bunnies can have about five new ones ready for you every month or so. Literary plot bunnies aren't so slow, and are MUCH more promiscuous! You might have to build more cages!

 

[Comshaw]

Lost. My creative imagination. Well used, faded from sun and overuse, but still of some sentimental value. Last seen being mugged by a herd of plot bunnies. If found, please call.

Did you look under the couch? Under the 'fridge? Behind the dresser in your bedroom? When mine jumps ship it wants to hide in the most out-of-the-way places possible. I usually end up dragging the damn thing out into the light with a broom and grabbing it by the scruff of the neck. 'Course when I do that the damn thing sulks for a week and blanks all those fabulous ideas it stuffed into my head afore it went and hid.

As far as the plot bunnies, I always sic a pack of reading coyotes on 'em. Ain't nothing like tramping through another author's head via a story they wrote to get my CI jealous and kick-start it.

I hope you find it soon. Ain't nothing quite as discombobulating as an AWOL CI.

Comshaw

 

[TarnishedPenny]

Thanks, all.

I suspect that cat might have dragged it off for a midnight snack.