My story 'Follow My Leader' is in this week's People's Friend. I thought I would share with you the inspiration behind this story.
Some of you may know that I am part of my local ladies choir Cantatrice. We meet every Friday morning, sing a wide range of songs and hold several concerts throughout the year.
Not many people in the choir know that I write but at one of our social events a lovely choir member, Angela, asked me what I did. When I told her I wrote fiction for women's magazines, she was really excited. "What do you write about?" she asked. When I said anything and everything she said, "Why don't you write a story about a tandem?" Apparently she and her husband used to ride one.
It seemed a rather random request but I said, "OK," and went home and wrote the story. It was bought straight away, so thank you Angela! I'm looking forward to showing her the story at choir this week.
If you asked your friends the question, "What shall I write about," you would probably get some interesting answers and ideas.
Maybe I should ask the rest of the choir for more ideas.... there are 100 of them!
Careful ... they might want paying for all these ideas they are giving you!
ReplyDeleteNo chance, Simon!
ReplyDeleteMy youngest grandson has just gone through some ideas and suggested characters he would like in a story where he will feature. I can't resist that, can I? Congrats on another story in PF, Wendy.
ReplyDeleteGo ahead and write them, Jan... and let me know if any are successful. If I asked my grandson, he would probably suggest a story involving some superhero I've never heard of!
DeleteWow - hope they give you some more suggestions! You've obviously cracked the right tone for PF, Wendy - well done.
ReplyDeleteOh, and thank you for the mentions in your WM article! Fortunately, I had a quick glance through to see what was in the mag, or it would have been at the bottom of the pile for I don't know how long!
You are very welcome, Rosemary. Thank you for your help with it - I haven't got mine yet but Tracy gave me a peek of hers.
DeleteCongrats on another publication! I'll look out for it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda.
DeleteHow lovely! My parents had a tandem when they were first married and used to tell me stories about it x
ReplyDeleteI think it would be great fun, Teresa.
DeleteJust a shame they didn't use a picture of a tandem for the story, Wendy!
ReplyDeleteI know, it is isn't it Tracy.
DeleteTelling people you write about anything is probably a very good way to get presented with interesting challenges.
ReplyDeleteI don't usually tell anyone, Patsy!
DeleteYou could ask the whole choir, write up some of their ideas and then do an article about it. That should keep you busy for the long-term future.
ReplyDeleteYou think I need to be kept busy, Lynne!
DeleteMy daughter is Daisy, and as a child, she hated That Song!
ReplyDeleteWell done with the story.
I'm not surprised, Frances, I bet people were always singing it to her! (I love the name Daisy, though.)
DeleteWhat a fabulous idea! 100 stories - that's this year taken care of ;) You are very talented Wendy!
ReplyDeleteThat's very sweet of you to say, Sam. I'm off to choir now - maybe I should take my notebook!
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