Why write (part 1) and giveaway kick off
An aside before I get down to business. Jimmy Lewis sent me this photo. It's the first time I've seen Night Beach in the wild. (Hardcore Saltwater Vampires fans might recognise Jimmy Lewis as being Audiocommand's drummer. It's nice that he took time out from his busy touring schedule to go into a bookstore and snap the book.)
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Okay, enough asiding (I was born to zigzag).
Why do I write? There are three reasons, and I'm only going into the first one today, not least because it neatly ties into what you'll have to do if you want to join in the GIVEAWAY.
The first reason is because it gives me a way of holding onto some of the amazing, beautiful and surreal moments that life throws at you. Sometimes I think I write simply because I love being alive. But that might sound weird, so I'll give you some more concrete examples.
The sky is a feverish yellow and completely clear except for six small purple clouds just above the horizon. They look like fish. When I see them I say 'Oh' out loud. They've surprised it out of me.
Not far from me there's an old guy resting on his elbows on an old wooden malibu. He's really old, maybe eighty. He looks over at me and raises his bushy eyebrows. 'How are you going?'' I ask. 'Well, I'm still alive, aren't I?' he says.
Those extracts are both from Raw Blue and they both really happened. In that way, that book is a bit of a scrapbook.
Of course the other thing about using things from real life is that you can alter them and springboard into the imaginary, which is what I do with writing most of the time. And that leads me to the GIVEAWAY. (It's for a copy of Night Beach by the way, and I happen to have some sexy stamps, so I will not only sign it for you, but I'll decorate it as well.)
Here's another thing that happened in real life, and what I'd like you to do is use it. I'll put it in a different font because it's the important bit.
It was late in the afternoon, down at the beach. I was walking back to my car after a surf, when I noticed that the car parked beside mine had a note pushed beneath its drivers' side door handle. At first I thought the note might have been to explain an accident - maybe someone had scraped the car while they were parking. But the car, a white hatchback, looked undamaged. So, because I am completely nosy, I looked around to make sure I wasn't being watched, and read the note.
Your challenge is to springboard. If you were to use that in a story, what would the note say?
You've got all month to think about it, and you can enter as many times as you like - provided you come up with different things each time, of course. The way to enter is by commenting, and it'd help me if you started your comment with: GIVEAWAY CHALLENGE. You can comment on any of my posts for the month - I'll keep an eye out for them.
Okay? Get thinking. Can't wait to see what you come up with.
Yours in zigzagging,
Kirsty :)
PS I forgot to say - I'll tell you what the note really said at the end of the month.
Thanks Kirsty! I'm thinking about writing a book about this paticular topic. I never really write books such as these! Usually I write comedy but now adventure is really starting to facinate me! Thanks for the story starter! I'm dying to see what the note actually read! I can't wait! I'ts nice to see that you actually replied to my story unlike some people. I have a book club called chick flicks 4 U! I have two members, but they aren't active participaters in the discussions and forumns. If you have the time, drop by and I'd be happy to talk to you about books! Thanks again and good luck to all those people coming up with a story starter! :)
Hi Smiley-Face101,
Now that is exactly what I'm talking about! And also exactly why I love doing things like this.
Thanks so much for entering. And you've completely whetted my appetite, by the way - what a brilliant start to a story!
Hope you're having a great day!
Kirsty
GIVEWAY CHALLENGE: The note was written in a type of writing I recognised from my schooling years. "Boy scrawl" I muttered to nobody in paticular. I eventualy figured it out. It read, ' 06955 89098- bmob'. I glanced left and right. Something about the note scared me, but I couldn't put my finger on it. I pulled out my phone and curiously diled the number. "Password" A male voice answered. Password? " Um...sorry?" I stalled. "Password" he said with a monotone. I looked at the note again and decided what I should say. " B-m-o-b" I spelt out. "I'll put you on hold" he said and I hear a tone. What I hoped to achieve from this I still didn't know, but it was worth a try. "You found the note eh?" I heard a female voice this time. She sounded...sinister. "Err...yes" I answered. "Hmm, I expected a man to be appointed" I didn't answer. "Never mind, read out the number plate please. I read it out, unsure of why I was playing along. After a pause she sighed. "Yes, thank god they got it right this time, you can never trust your agents these days" I agreed and wondered what I got myself into. "Well, just plant the bomb somewhere inside the car and we can finally get rid of him once and for all," I dropped the phone. These people wanted to.... no, this is the most peaceful town here... they couldn't. "Hello?" I scrambled to pick up the phone. I wouldn't let this happen, I'm going to put a stop to this. "Don't worry, I put the bomb in the car discretly" I smiled to myself. "Well good, revenge is sweet, especialy if it's to that Mr. Johnston" Mr. Johnston! My step father! I didn't reconise his car, I've only seen it once. " But you can't! He's my step dad!" I blurted ot. She gasped then I heard a few muffled voices. I trried to make out what they were saying " CCTV cameras...she's not an agent....guards! Go get her!" I hung up and jumped in my car, taking the note with me. I started the engine and looked in the rear view mirror. My step dad was standing there, not knowing what was going on. To be continued... :)
