by Ane Mulligan @AneMulligan
How do you find your stories? Do you have an idea in mind, or does seeing something spark a new idea? It’s different for everyone.
I turned in a manuscript to my publisher—a month early!! Woohoo! I did what I normally do when I turn one in. I cleaned my office. But … it didn’t last long. About the time I did the final swipe with a dust cloth, a character said, “Okay, it now my time. Tell my story.” And within three days, my desk looked like this. Again.
The character, who is soft spoken, normally, is Duchess Alden, a secondary character from In High Cotton. She was the POV character’s sister, and the character who had the greatest character arch in the book. I received many requests for her story.
I thought about it several times, but nothing came to me. So, I went on to write five more Georgia Magnolias books and two contemporaries. That’s seven—count ‘em, 7—books before Duchess whispered to me.
Looking For Story by @AneMulligan on @BRMCWC #Writing #Writinglife #BRMCWC Share on XI sat down and began to write a loose synopsis but stalled. That wasn’t the story she wanted. I admit it wasn’t one I was enthused about, either. I wondered if I really heard her or was simply grasping for the next idea.
I’ve learned not to force anything. And so I did several other things instead. I worked a bit on a script I’m writing. I sat in on auditions for Miracle On 34th Street, our community theatre’s next production, I cooked with my son (always a favorite activity). All the while, my mind was noodling.
I came up with a few more ideas, but nothing sparked.
Then, I watched a documentary. And within it, I found the story. But … can I borrow part of that plot? Of course I can. There are only so many plots in this world, and it’s about how you tell a story—your voice. Your characters.
Now, Duchess is talking, and I’m excited.
Remember, stories can be found everywhere. They are all around us. All you have to do is choose one and make it your own. Or your character’s.
Join the conversation. Where is the most unusual place you’ve found a story?
Ane Mulligan lives life from a director’s chair, both in theatre and at her desk, creating novels. Entranced with story by age three, at five, she saw PETER PAN onstage and was struck with a fever from which she never recovered—stage fever. One day, her passions collided, and an award-winning, bestselling novelist emerged. She believes chocolate and coffee are two of the four major food groups and lives in Sugar Hill, GA, with her artist husband and a rascally Rottweiler. Find Ane on her website, Amazon Author page, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, The Write Conversation, and Blue Ridge Conference Blog.
