Brier Patch #18 A Story that DIDN’T go to the Dogs

LAST WEEK’S WINNER

Barbara Hawk of O Brien, Oregon, was randomly chosen last week’s $25 winner with the correct answer to the question which of the Llardo figurines was Bill’s favorite? Ans: The Dancer.

WE ALL KNOW THAT CHILDREN HAVE A NATURAL CURIOSITY. They get into things, they explore—they experience the world. As adults, that curiosity is too often squelched by that tiny voice inside that says you won’t be good enough, you might fail—others won’t approve. 

Eight years ago, I came up with an exciting idea for a novel. But then that tiny voice came knocking—“That’s a dumb idea.” The funny thing is, later, I learned it was a dumb idea.

While this exciting idea was percolating in my head, I told my writer friend, Peter, that I was thinking of writing a mystery novel that included a talking dog and wondered what he thought about it.

I waited with the kind of anticipation usually reserved for cold toilet seats.

He nodded thoughtfully, then said, “Bill, if that’s what you want to write, write it!”

Man, pretty exciting.

I went home, ordered a bunch of writing books, and put a little workstation together. Desk, computer, printer, and a wastebasket for crummy drafts.

Soon I had my story: Young Jim Bolt, a magnificent golfer whose dog not only finds Jim’s lost balls—any mutt can do that—but the pooch also talks. Says exactly how far to the hole, what club to use, and once on the green, the dog …

See? A dumb idea. All the dog stuff eventually went into the wastebasket, but I was on my way.

I was a writer!

The Devil Orders Takeout was born.

Much of life is luck, and I’m still having more than my share. Had Peter confirmed my fear (that’s a dumb idea), I would have never become a writer. So if anyone ever asks you if they should write a book about anything, you know what to tell them.

Next Week: The Woman I Saw Only Once

 

IF YOU’RE ENJOYING these goofy blogs, share them with friends (or, heck, anybody). There’s a new one each week (until I run out of drugs, girlfriends, and wives.)

 

YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE MY BOOKS: billbrier.com/books/

THE DEVIL ORDERS TAKEOUT — Award-winning thriller (that Scooby loved).
(Buy on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, BAM, iBooks, Kobo, Google Play, Audible)

THE KILLER WHO HATED SOUP — Award-winning mystery (that Scooby really loved).
(Buy on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, Kobo, Google Play, Smashwords, Audible)

THE KILLER WHO WASN’T THERE — Award-winning mystery (that Scooby’s still reading).
(Coming February 24th. Preorder now! Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, BAM)