I’m a news junkie, the more offbeat the story the better. I also enjoy playing around with the ‘what if’ principle. Cobble those two together, and you can usually hit on something, but whether or not a complete story will emerge is quite a different matter. I generally land my best ideas when I’m not actively courting them. In other words, I need to do anything but think about stories, characters and plot. Ironing provides great displacement activity. Perhaps it’s because I dislike it so much that my mind desperately seeks a way out. With an iron in one mitt, my free hand is usually in reach of a notebook. Playing the piano, or slogging up a down a swimming pool has the same effect, although obviously without paper and pen nearby! I used to carry around a Dictaphone to record ideas but, aside from feeling rather self-conscious, I’d find that my random, ‘off the top of my head’ thoughts were garbled if not downright useless. I’ve been known to scribble on car park tickets, receipts and my own skin. Now, I try to be prepared and carry a notebook in my handbag. But you still need that germ of an idea to start with.
