Sharpening the Mind

Fellow at left in photograph by Peter Scherer is sharpening his scythe. Photo in public domain obtained from wikicommons.

When I am busy with two other things and take a minute to look at my working notes in my little pocket notebook, I usually come up with some new feature for the story at hand. This feature usually is far better than what I can conceive when staring at my actual manuscript.

I don't know why.

I do know it has made the investment in a good pocket notebook pay off five times over.

I recently moved a murder setting to Stockholm because it worked. Then when in a minute between meetings today, I remembered the Stockholm Curry Club and made my inspector from Stockholm's finest a charter member.

Now, it doesn't do much for the plot but it does a lot for the character.

Swedes eating curry. Nice twist.

I'm done with trimming the jungle which was my yard. I did not use the scythe tonight.

I used a powerful John Deere.

Some tastes demand haste. Some demand a more contemplative approach.

I could use a little haste tonight. I've ideas to capture.

So do you.