Thursday, October 13, 2016

Recharging time

I'm heading out soon to travel to a casino where I will be plotting murder all weekend.

This is an annual getaway I have with some writer friends. We go to the casino, have intensive brainstorming sessions for each person's work in progress, with breaks to eat, drink, and gamble. It's a little bit of heaven on earth as far as I'm concerned. There is something about being around like-minded people that just makes my brain zing.

I have 2 ideas I want to bounce off of them for new manuscripts in the Remembered Classics series. If anyone can help me find a way to twist a few fairy tales, it'll be this group.

It's important to have the right mix of people when you have get-togethers like this. We're all at different stages of our careers, but we all respect and value the input we get from others. We have a loose format that we follow (time slots for each person) with plenty of down time to let folks recharge.

It's surprising to me how much I get out of helping other people brainstorm their plots. It's like new pathways open in my mind and I start to think about new plot points and character arcs in a whole new way. This kind of interaction is really valuable for a writer because I think it helps keep us from getting stale.

So wish me luck at the slot machines -- I'll report back in later this month. I know I'll be a winner because I'll have a great time. Whether or not I come away with any cash is another matter entirely.

J L Wilson
(jayellwilson.com)

10 comments:

Margo Hoornstra said...

You will have a great time, JL. Those recharge sessions are priceless. Enjoy!

Alicia Dean said...

Sounds awesome! I agree. Brainstorming with others helps to unlock my creativity for my own stories. Best of luck with the slots and the brainstorming!

Diane Burton said...

What a fun time! I love brainstorming sessions. The old synapses start snapping and all kinds of possibilities open up. Enjoy!

Brenda Whiteside said...

You all have been doing that for years. Seems like it started while I lived there. No need to say have fun because you will.

Brenda Whiteside said...

You all have been doing that for years. Seems like it started while I lived there. No need to say have fun because you will.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Sounds like a perfect blend of girl time and creativity unlock. We all need that from time to time. Have a blast!

Jannine Gallant said...

Sounds fun. Except for the gambling part. Casinos usually reek of cigarette smoke. But I'd be down with the rest of it!

Rolynn Anderson said...

Sounds like in this case, the 'house' always wins. You feel light/carefree, you are surrounded by creative people you also like, and luck is the word of the trip. You, the 'house' win a bucket-full of ideas and you return home with more energy. This is the kind of gambling I like! Have fun!

Leah St. James said...

Have fun, and good luck, JL! What a terrific idea. I'm just a bit jealous! :-)

Andrea Downing said...

Great idea! have fun.