Writing Inspirations - family

Why I love my family (part #1)

(Dad & sis & nefs: Park City 2011)

 The other night, I was needing some information about an upcoming plot point in my NaNo story. I was stuck, so I phoned my father, hoping he could offer me some insight or suggestions. Our conversation went somethinglike this:

(Dad & I. Alaska 2005)

"Dad, here's where I'm at..... My Girl Reporter is covering a protest at the local lumber mill. She knows it's probably nothing because protests at lumber mills are a dime a dozen. But this one actually turns into something. You worked at a lumber mill for forty years. I need some kind of scandal."

"Yes, we had protesters all the time. They were usually about something to do with how cutting down trees is killing the environment."

"Yeah, I don't want to write about that. I'm PRO-timber industry."

"Okay. Let me think about it. The scene you're writing.....is it a peaceful protest?"

 "It started out that way, but then I got kind of stuck in the chapter and didn't know what to do, so Girl Reporter suddenly gets hit on the head by a flying boot and is knocked out."

"Why?"

"I don't know why. I just needed something to happen and....that's what happened."

 "She gets hit by a boot?"

"Yes."

"Why not a shoe?"

"I don't know."

"Why not a two-by-four? At least that's indicative to a lumber mill."

"I thought a boot was funnier."

 "You know, I read a lot of books. True, a lot are fiction, but all of the plots are at least realist. They could all potentially happen. And never have a read a scene with a Girl Reporter getting knocked out by a flying boot for no reason."

"I know! That's why it's funny!"

(Dad & I: Tennessee 2005)

(Dad & Susan: Forks, WA 2008)

(Pops chillin' at Patrick's Point: 2004)