Stephen King explains in his book, ‘On Writing‘ how he comes up with some ideas for plots or characters. In the course of his day he is acutely aware of people and events around him. It can be a furtive glance from someone or and interaction played out and while he may not know what is truly happening his genius mind begins to question – what if?
So let’s take a look at a couple of possible fiction opps out of this week’s news.
OH ODA – Skip the Juice
Canadian Politics and its politicians are in my opinion dull, classless, lacking luster, crooked, self serving…um better skip this part and contine on…
Bev Oda was most recently Minister for International Co-operation. HUH? Me too.
Anyway she ended up resigning from the government for putting a $16 glass of orange juice on her tab. Oh and $1000/day limo costs. Oh and she apparently altered a document which resulted in denied funding to an ‘aid agency’ (whatever that is). And I have not read yet anything about her general work quality performance.
Possible What If Fiction ideas (if it isn’t already)
Perhaps Oda had a highly classified job so secret it cannot be divulged to the public and suppose she came across information vital to the survival of mankind. But just suppose those in power decided to take her out. *In Canada we don’t ‘take people out’ if you know what I mean. We just make them blush out of shame, lower their heads and shuffle out the door with their $52K pension in their back pockets.
Hmm on second thought maybe this is not the best story to do a ‘What if’. How about this one?
LUNCH ON THE GO
A woman in Georgetown was sitting eating her lunch at her desk which was located in the foyer of a fitness centre. An SUV crashes through the large window, strikes her carrying her in the desk chair through the back wall into an office where she was found under the SUV but still in her desk chair. No mention was made of what happened to her lunch.
Possible plot ideas?
There are quite a few that come to mind but consider:
The driver’s husband was having an affair with the lunchee and while the wronged woman had no planned intent to attack when she saw her enemy so clearly framed in a wide picture window and spotted her smug smile as she ate her lunch with relish (ha ha) the jilted wife found she had no control as her hands gripped the wheel and her foot put peddle to the metal and before you knew it the deed was done.
Of course in another scenario it is possible the driver saw the lunchee pick up a glass…a glass of orange juice..and assuming it was one of those deadly $16 glasses of OJ she sped through the window to prevent the woman from committing a Bev Oda!
Y’all have a nice rest of your Monday!
bridgesburning 