I'm over at Novel Spaces today with a post about generating writing ideas. It's related to an idea for a story that occurred to me yesterday on my commute for a noir story I'm calling "Swampy Jack's Final Cut." I hope you'll drop by.
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Don't take this the wrong way, my friend, but I advise you to start thinking of a new title for your project. Shorten and sharpen it like Final Cut, or something. 'Swampy Jack' reads like a cartoon. 'Black Jack's Cut' grabs a bit too.
ReplyDeleteBernardl, it all depends on how the character turns out, I think. But that is just the working title. It's probably too much of a giveaway to be the final title. I'll have to see.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking about your long daily commute. I've had long commutes, even longer, and I find them to be great for "decompression" and de-stressing (when the traffic isn't bad). Commuting by train is better; I can get some uninterrupted reading done. On the Riverside-to-LA Metrolink, there's even a "quiet car," where riders can't talk or use cell phones. And there's always the chance that the conductor doesn't love the sound of his own voice on the PA system.
ReplyDeleteCharles, Swampy Jack sounds like the name of one of the air boat guides on an everglades tour! Too tan, missing teeth, skinny, and straggly ponytail!
ReplyDeleteRon, I've often thought train commuting would be nearly ideal for what I like to do. Alas, no trains, or boats cross the Causeway.
ReplyDeleteJodi, I've got an image of him maybe a little older than what you describe but pretty much similar. I think he's going to be an interesting character to talk about.
Great post. Left a comment over there. The story sounds really good. Best of luck with it.
ReplyDeleteSean, thanks. I'm having fun with it.
ReplyDeleteCharles, I picture him old, too. And grizzled. Maybe a former white collar dude who ditched it all, maybe with something to hide. Or just an old hippie that's been around the block! So many possibilities!
ReplyDeleteJodi, he's got something to hide for sure :)
ReplyDeletedoes the new title telegraph the tale, charles?
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff, Charles. From the one small paragraph describing Swampy Jack, I could see so much.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea about using the setting to help generate ideas - I've never done that before and it sounds like it might help during those "stuck" moments.
Laughingwolf, on rethinking, I think it does a bit. I'm gonna change it, but I am still using it as a working title.
ReplyDeleteKate, I sort of stumbled upon that practice years ago, but I use it consciously these days.