Where do I get my ideas? The stories choose me
I just read somewhere that the question, where do you get your ideas?—is boring. Don’t ask writers that. It’s a no no. Because nobody cares. I guess I’m hopelessly out of the loop because I always ask and I always care. I find the question fascinating because the answers are as different as the books themselves. I’ve concluded that a hundred writers could get the same idea, and the books would all be different. Why? Because the ideas were all slightly different.
The novel that I have just plunged into writing started with the tiniest idea, a wispy, flimsy thing that dropped into my head one night while I was surfing the tv. Here’s the idea: A girl, madly in love with a guy. Planning to marry him. Then the guy ends up murdered. (Did I mention that I write mysteries? Not romances?) Oh, there is a tiny, tiny extra that I can’t mention because if I do, I will give away the whole cotton-picking plot. And that is a real no no.
What’s strange and wonderful about ideas is that, once they grab onto you—drop into your head, I mean, out of nowhere--they don’t let go. Until you write the novel. The idea of this girl grabbed me like pincers. I kept asking, Is that all? Is that all? Not even Faulkner could make a novel out of that. Then I began to see that that was not all. Other pieces started to fill in. Different people arrived to populate the novel, all related to this little idea—which was starting to grow and grow and grow.
I was recently asked in a radio interview how I knew if an idea had the energy to carry me through a whole novel. Good question. I’m not so sure I had a very good answer. I said, I just know, that’s all. So here is this wisp of an idea—a girl in love with a guy, the oldest story idea in the world-- and I just know that it has all the energy in the world to become a novel.
The Arapahos say that there are only so many stories in the universe, and from time to time, the stories allow themselves to be told. And when they do, they choose the story teller.
I second that. The idea for a story drops into your head because—you know what?—you have been chosen to tell that story. And the girl chose me. I don’t know why, but I’m not complaining.
Posted by Margaret
The novel that I have just plunged into writing started with the tiniest idea, a wispy, flimsy thing that dropped into my head one night while I was surfing the tv. Here’s the idea: A girl, madly in love with a guy. Planning to marry him. Then the guy ends up murdered. (Did I mention that I write mysteries? Not romances?) Oh, there is a tiny, tiny extra that I can’t mention because if I do, I will give away the whole cotton-picking plot. And that is a real no no.
What’s strange and wonderful about ideas is that, once they grab onto you—drop into your head, I mean, out of nowhere--they don’t let go. Until you write the novel. The idea of this girl grabbed me like pincers. I kept asking, Is that all? Is that all? Not even Faulkner could make a novel out of that. Then I began to see that that was not all. Other pieces started to fill in. Different people arrived to populate the novel, all related to this little idea—which was starting to grow and grow and grow.
I was recently asked in a radio interview how I knew if an idea had the energy to carry me through a whole novel. Good question. I’m not so sure I had a very good answer. I said, I just know, that’s all. So here is this wisp of an idea—a girl in love with a guy, the oldest story idea in the world-- and I just know that it has all the energy in the world to become a novel.
The Arapahos say that there are only so many stories in the universe, and from time to time, the stories allow themselves to be told. And when they do, they choose the story teller.
I second that. The idea for a story drops into your head because—you know what?—you have been chosen to tell that story. And the girl chose me. I don’t know why, but I’m not complaining.
Posted by Margaret
posted by Margaret Coel at 8:07 AM
8 Comments:
that was a nice explanation.
my greetings
:)
Hi Margaret,
I just finished THE SILENT SPIRIT and enjoyed it very much. The glimpses of old Hollywood were fascinating. However, the cliff-hanger at the end was unexpected - Father John can't leave, or the series would end - or will you find some way he can leave and yet stay??? Very tricky!
I hope you will find time to continue your blog.
Carol
I just got done with my first Margaret Coel book "The Spirit Woman" and I just loved it. I am heading back to the library for another. Any favorites out there?
I enjoy your books enormously and, as a result, I felt compelled to donate to a Native American charity. Father John's faith that donations will arrive must mirror some true-life reservations.
I used Charity Navigator which gave top marks to charities that I found out through further investigation were fraudulent--the Myers-run charities.
I recently received a one dollar bill in the mail from a Native American charity soliciting donations!!
Do you have any recommendations of a legitimate charity or way to donate to a reservation in need?
I married into a family named Millsap that farmed on the reservation about half way between Riverton and Ethete. As a journalist for the Chicago Tribune I covered the Arapaho business council when the Armajos were running stuff. I was ordered to leave the mission grounds one year because I was doing a newspaper story about a very sad suicide cluster among Arapaho kids. Anyway I applaud your great grasp of the geography and the look and feel of the land. I also stand in awe at your ability to view tribal people without prejudging them and with real respect.
I read your novels in binges and then get burned out by Fr, O'Malley and Vicky. It passes and I dive back in. Last night I reread Eagle Catcher. I get homesick. Please, never write their love scene.
Bravo Ms Coel
You've come a long way from when we lived on Chase Court years ago. After reading and loving your non-fiction books, I was thrilled when the bright cover on your first paperback fiction book caught my eye in a store and I found your name on the cover. You write, just exactly, the kind of fiction I love to read. It's been fun to follow your career and remember when the kids were little and you were writing journal articles. [Used to be Frances Buck on Chase Court. Son, Carl, now lives in Niwot.]
Dear Margaret,
Just moved to Boulder, Colorado this past July and got involved in reading your books. Since I am reading them in order, I am at #6 Thunder Keeper. Your characters are realistic and interesting. You give enough clues that I get a pretty good idea who the bad guy is since I learn about all the characters at one time.
I happen to take your book to the dentist, Dr. Daniel Foley, and he noticed and said he went to school with your husband. It is such a small world at times.
Keep us the good work.
Sr. Jeanette
Margaret, You need to review your comments and remove the pornography comment from Singagpore. I had trouble with this guy, group, whatever, and now require that all comments be approved before I allow them to post. It is simple to do. Now on to my comment. I first discovered you when I read the history you wrote on Left Hand. Although, not as thrilling as your mystery novels with Vicki and Father John I was impressed with your scholarship and writing. I am glad that you are writing about the Arapaho and their modern lifestyle. I hope that you will always remain true to the facts as these people live their life, but still tell a great story that is fun to read. Keep on working through your ideas and don't have any writer blocks, please. Thank you for what you are doing.
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