A student in my Editorial Techniques class said the other day: “I find myself looking for story ideas everywhere I go.” That’s because I am requiring them to come up with a story a week, AND have someone else write the story. Being always focused on story ideas comes with being an editor.
It is also part and parcel of being a writer. In between novels, I like to write short stories, and have collected them in three anthologies, which are free on Smashwords and only 99 cents on Amazon. (Just couldn’t pass up that plug.) I believe that letting people be exposed to my writing may lead to them buying one of my other books, which is well worth the effort.
Some of those ideas for short stories come from my dreams. I have exceptionally vivid dreams, and consistent with what I said earlier, I am always looking for an opportunity to turn one into a story.
That’s one literal interpretation of the story. Dreams can become something more substantive. And beneficial. But there’s another view.
I have been dreaming about Chosen, the story of Jonathan from the Bible for almost 30 years. Now it has become a reality. I don’t know what stopped me from writing it before, perhaps intimidation. That happens sometimes when the idea you have is far loftier than your ability to write it. But the way you have to look at is that the story will only be an idea unless you write it, whether the end product lives up to your expectation or not.
And now it is within days of becoming a book. I finished writing it about a week ago, and now it’s in the editing phase. I am eager to share it. So eager, that I am giving it away to anyone who signs up for my newsletter (located on the header and sidebar of this website). I’m not going to hurt you by sharing your email address with anyone else; I wouldn’t do that to friends. In the meantime, you get a first glimpse at my great little book that’s coming out. But there is a deadline. Dec. 1 is the launch date for Chosen, and that’s when everyone who signed up will get their copy of Chosen.
In other good news, if you want a signed, autographed copy of The Champion, my other great book, you’ll want to get in on the drawing on Goodreads. That ends on Nov. 24. So there’s two chances to get something for free.
And everyone likes free. Don’t you?
The Great Adventure 