Gotta Write

I look for interesting stuff wherever I go because I never know when it might fit in nicely with the story I am writing.  There have been plenty of times when something struck me as just plain interesting so I just kind of filed it away in my head until I could work it into the book.

Here is a great example.  The other day I went to lunch by myself just so I could do some people watching and get some inspiration for my writing.  There was a group of older folks eating lunch a couple tables down, and right away I noticed the dynamic between the four people.  Two women, two men, and all of them chatting but not really listening to each other.  During the course of the meal one of the women pulled out some sort of kit and very efficiently prepped a syringe for an injection into her belly.  Now I don’t know what type of ailment merits an injection in the belly at regular intervals, but it was obvious that this lady had done this a million times before.  The other people dining with her didn’t even look twice, so it had to be a regular occurrence.

Then, to nobody in particular, the lady proclaimed, “Well, you know, I’m just holding on for the kids,” and then made a gesture which can only be described as one that was meant to imply c’est la vie.  The group ignored the statement completely, continuing on with their meals and their chatter aimed at no one.  Then the lady put her kit away and went back to her meal.

Honestly, the scene was so intriguing that I don’t think I could have even crafted it in my mind.  Why were they ignoring her? Did she often have a fatalist view, and this is why the other diners were unfazed by her proclamation? Was the subject of her children a touchy one, and so nobody wanted to open that can of worms? I was riveted.

I’m beginning to think that writing a book has more to do with finding interesting situations and then speculating about the story surrounding the situation.

The lady with the syringe hasn’t made it into my book yet, but I’m sure it won’t be long.

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