I've
written a lot of short stories and am always, always asked, "Where do you
get your ideas?"
Sometimes,
it's in the smallest things. Sometimes, it's in what someone says. Sometimes, it's
taken from a real event and fictionalized. I've put
together a short story collection and each one began in a different way.
In
"Bug Stuff," I walked into the kitchen one evening and Handsome
remarked there was a big bug in the sink, scurrying around. I said, "Kill
it." He said, "I can't. Bug guts everywhere." My head
could not let go of the "Bug guts everywhere," especially from my big
strong man who likes to shoot guns and played rugby in college. The phrase had
to go in a story.
From
"Just Desserts," Handsome dragged me to a political dinner. We met a
lot of people we didn't know and probably would never see again. As we moved
from the salad course to the entrée, a woman across from us left our table, not
to return. The man to her right snagged her plate and ate her food as well as
his own.
I was
astonished. I had never, ever seen anyone do this in public before. I looked at
Handsome and his face had the same look as mine. And the man continued on! He
took the dessert from the man to his right after he left the event, too. This
bothered me so much, I had to fictionalize it, too. The results are too funny.
Sometimes,
Handsome takes me to his college alumni events. We had just returned from an
out of town trip and had one night at home before leaving the next day. With an
early departure time, I had to pack quickly. Once at
our destination and in the hotel, I unpacked and discovered I'd forgotten my
little black dress!! I had to go shopping in a college town for something to
wear because not going was not an option. The result is "With This
Ring."
Bug Stuff…and other stories: Three short and sweet romantic
comedies ~ "Just Desserts": a political dinner gone disastrous
brings together a reluctant attendee and her handsome seat-mate. "Bug Stuff": A cute accountant unites with his
co-worker to fight a pesky adversary. "With This Ring": When a wife forgets her little
black dress, all turns into something utterly romantic and unforgettable in the
end.