Inspiration Everywhere

Two of the ideas I’m currently working on right now are inspired by weird happenings that a couple of friends posted about on Facebook. Both seemed perfect for the idea for a story and I began working on them. So far both have several iterations of outlines, some dialog snippets that came to mind, and a decent synopsis. 

I recently heard an interview on The Writer Files with one of my favorite authors, S.A. Cosby, where he talked about how he would start by writing a stream of consciousness synopsis that he used to tell himself the story. It’s not meant to be a first draft just getting the story out of his head. Then came organizing, filling in details and plot holes, and the first of many drafts. I tried this method for both of these projects and it worked pretty well. 

I’m not done with either synopsis but I feel less stuck than if I was trying to write a perfect first draft. If there’s something I need to look up I make a note to refer back to and keep going. It’s the difference between taking class notes on a computer versus handwritten notes. In a Word document you are much more limited with how you can go back and make notes or add something later to an earlier part of the story. 

Another recent treat is that my absolute favorite author, Chuck Palahniuk, started a writing workshop newsletter on Substack and it’s been awesome. Lots of advice and anecdotes of his own experience and while they’ve all been good some have hit closer to where I feel I’m at as a writer. One his posts earlier this week validated something I had been doing for years. He suggests carrying a notebook everywhere and writing it down if you see or hear something that would be a great addition to a story. 

I always had a Field Notes notebook and bullet pencil handy when I took the bus or subway to commute in New York. I found the bus to be more entertaining and produced more material but the subway definitely had it’s moments and if I follow through with even half of the ideas I have a title and main points for (along with some choice overheard dialog) you’ll be reading about it sooner than later. 

My Backpack Saved My Life

18 months later I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve started to write this story. It’s the story of how in March of 2020 my backpack saved my life and prevented me from getting Covid on the New York subway. 

The week we were in Detroit we heard the news about this new virus that was mostly in Seattle and the West Coast and honestly didn’t think much about it. As the week progressed, the outbreak in Italy took over the news and got our attention. If it was in Europe, it was probably in New York. By the end of the week mini outbreaks were reported in New York but nothing too severe yet. 

After a week in the Detroit area (serious unintentional  foreshadowing) taking care of some business that Jess had to deal with about her dad’s estate and the house she inherited we got back to New York later than originally planned and were exhausted. Sunday was a catch up day doing errands, grocery shopping, and laundry. Before I knew it, it was 1am and I had to be up at 6:30 to get ready and leave so I could get to work by 8 so I could leave at 4 because the nanny had to leave 5 for class by 5. Lots of moving parts. 

Because Sunday had been so busy, I never took the time to repacked my backpack for work so when I woke up Monday morning and started getting ready I noticed it was still packed for travel. Being not fully awake and news of Covid starting to make a bigger footprint in New York, I called an audible and emailed my boss to ask if I could work from home that day. 

I was genuinely concerned about my health since I’m immunocompromised and I knew it would take about an hour to unpack and repack my backpack before I could leave. My boss replied about 20 minutes later and said sure, no problem. The news on how Covid was spreading in New York developed hourly. Later in the day on Monday I emailed my boss again and asked if I could work from home the rest of the week because I was increasingly concerned about my safety. Again, she replied quickly and said sure and she wasn’t sure what the plan for the rest of the office would be. Two days later, I got the email that said everyone could work from home for the foreseeable future.

It didn’t get better and it’s still not. 

Considering how much about Covid and transmission was unknown in early March 2020 I don’t think it’s too far or hyperbolic to say that the fact I was delayed in getting  out the door and ultimately didn’t go into the office because my backpack wasn’t packed for the workweek saved  my life. Every day the rest of that week and for the next few weeks we were in New York before moving to Michigan the news got worse and the case numbers went up. We lived 3 blocks from Elmhurst Hospital and there were sirens every 20 minutes 24 hours a day for weeks. With a (at the time) 10 month old who loved going to the park and story time at the library it was tough to suddenly never go outside until the day we got in a rental minivan and drove 637 miles west to Ferndale, Michigan. 

I don’t know 100% for sure that I definitely would have gotten sick if I had gone into the office that day but with the benefit of hindsight and history, I think it’s more likely than not that I would have and I don’t want to follow that thought down any rabbit holes. 

I’m here, I’m happy, I’m vaccinated, and I will continue to wash my hands, wear a mask, and steer clear of the creepers.