Ever had a day where your characters just won't talk to you? They refuse to reveal the next big hurdle they must overcome? That is where brainstorming comes in. One way I like to brainstorm is to log onto newspaper websites of big citys. The headlines are usually packed with interesting and unbelievable occurances.

Take for instance the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/ . Three headlines from today are:

1. Airlines to Charge for Second Bag
2.At 60, He Learned to Sing So He Could Learn to Talk
3. The Body in Depth

In the next few paragraphs you will discover a rough outline for a possible story from the three news articles above.


A wealthy man had a stroke and lost his ability to speak well. In the business world, he needs his voice. Through extensive research, he finds a therapist who has had much success in helping her patients rediscover their voice. However, upon calling her office for an appointment, he finds that her appointment book is filled for the next year. He has his name added to a long waiting list.

Weeks down the road, he receive a phone call and is told that the therapist has an opening that afternoon, but he will have to be at the clinic to check in no later than four o'clock that day. He rushes to his computer and books a flight on-line, then races to the airport with two suitcases and credit card in hand.

Upon checking in, he is told by the girl behind the counter that he'll have to pay extra for his second bag. When his credit card doesn't go through, he scrouges in his pockets only to discover he has no cash. He had forgotten to stop at the bank and his atm card was lying on his desk where he laid it while making his plane reservation! Frustration mounts as he tries to communicate to the lady his problem, but the darn words just won't leave his brain.

He is forced to step to the side and open both suitcases, attempting to stuff everything he'll need into one suitcase. Things he decides to do without he leaves in the second suitcase which he'll put in a locker there at the airport. (I'm smiling, can you see? Can you imagine what things this man might have in his suitcase that other passengers are chuckling about? I can!)

Finally, with everything sorted, he checks one suitcase, obtains his ticket, and rushes to the lockers only to discover he doesn't have enough change. Panicking, he holds out his hand, begging those around him for a spare nickle or dime. (He has always snubbed beggers in the past. Asking for a handout is beneath him.)

With seconds to spare, he tosses the excess luggage into a locker and then drops in the coins from generous givers before grabbing the key. He makes a wild dash for his gate and barely makes it onto the plane.

Eventually, he makes it to the therapist's office and checks into the clinic. He discovers that she has done extenstive research on the human body. Her healing methods he's not quite so confident with, but he is willing at this point to try most anything. Through singing, he learns to reuse his vocal cords. Being in close contact with her every day, he discovers love.


Okay, now it's your turn! Here are five lines from the Chicago Tribune: http://www.chicagotribune.com/ . Are your creative thoughts brainstorming yet? Mine are!

Woman finds 8-foot alligator in her Florida kitchen
Dentist sues Bulls over mascot's high-five
Albany, N.Y. mail carrier saves baby falling from window
Man stuck in elevator
Hawking: Unintelligent life is likely on other planets


Enjoy and have fun! See y'all tomorrow right here at RWU's blog spot.

Peggy Borel
http://www.peggyborel.com/