I know of people who are so brimming with plots that they're spoilt for choice. As soon as they've finished one novel, they're on to the next. Some even write two or more at a time.
And then there are people like me. As someone once said, the plot for a first novel is relatively easy, since that's the book you've (probably) been incubating for years. Hence the notoriously difficult second novel. I seem to have second novel syndrome each time. It takes me ages to happen upon (that's usually how it seems) a good enough new plot. It's a bit like trying to get pregnant, without any of the fun. So here I am, wasting time blogging (between Christmas shopping, and making mince pies), and waiting for that plot to drop into my head. Which is quite frightening, since maybe it won't. Maybe I'll never have another plot or write another novel. I rather envy the NaNo people, who had the discipline to write a novel in a month. The imperative to write may well have inspired the plot. Too late for me this year (although there's no reason why I can't set myself a personal NaNo). I've got a vague plot about people stuck in ia lift, but is that enough for a novel? If I were an Ian McEwan, certainly it would be. Sadly, I'm not.
On a lighter note, I read in the paper today that a company is designing larger cat flaps for fatter cats, since apparently feline obesity is becoming a problem, and ordinary cat flaps are too small. This got me wondering: there must be a fine line between a fat cat and thin burglar. I hope they know what they're doing.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
That right there sounds like a plot to me...
ReplyDeleteWhat, the lift or the cat flap? Perhaps I could combine the two. Hmmm.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the combination!
ReplyDeleteNevets and I obviously think alike. As soon as I read the line 'there must be a fine line between a fat cat and thin burglar' I thought - excellent plot for a comic novel! Or maybe just a title - The Thin Burglar and The Fat Cat. Sometimes people are inspired to write whole books by a simple title. (Not me, however...)
ReplyDeleteFrances, what about a novel where a person and his fat cat are stuck in the lift while a skinny burglar has his way with the person's home?
ReplyDeleteAlis - you may have a point. But it smacks of farce, and I'm not sure I'm good at farce. And would it be enough for a whole novel? (Though "Flap" mght make a snappy title...)
ReplyDelete(Nevets) ... or a person and his fat cat are out buying a cat flap and get stuck in a lift while the burglar burgles. This plot has various permutations. Hmmm (again)
This is, essentially, how I come up with plots. I just chat with people about whatever weird stuff comes up, talk out of my hat (as it were), and let my mind wander. Eventually something clicks as a plot.
ReplyDeleteWe knew some people who raised Rottweilers, and had a Rottweiler-sized doggy door.
ReplyDeleteSomeone pointed out that a person could fit through easily. The owners pointed out that you'd have to be an idiot to go through a dog door of that size.
So the obvious solution is really huge cat doors with signs that say "Beware of Dog."
You're right David. Also, it would be a brave burglar who would risk going through a doggy door when there was a Rottweiler waiting for him on the other side.
ReplyDeleteDon't people have magnetic attachments on their cats' collars so that only the cats can open the cat flaps? I once slept at a friend's house - she had a fat cat with a magnetic collar. The cat didn't ever work out that it took a second to activate the release, so it would run full-pelt at the flap and bang into it. Again and again and again. Eventually I got up at 4am and held the flap open for it.
ReplyDeleteYou can write that into your new novel if you like. 'The Thin Magnetic Collar-Adorned Burglar and the Fat Stupid Concussed Cat'.
I'm liking the sound of this.
Good idea, Aliya. Perhaps we could collaborate?
ReplyDeleteNow go and get one with your Easter eggs.
You do the burglar's POV and I'll do the cat.
ReplyDeleteYou're on!
ReplyDelete