Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day

 

 

a Edit-a-Manuscript-Step-4

Wednesday story day already and we are knee-deep in the story of Charlotte and Bob. Last week Charlotte got a taste of Bob’s story telling ability when she asked for a little more to be added to the first chapter. Bob gave some detail off the top of his head and she was amazed. He told her he had a lot more he could share. When she asked to see it he told her it was still in his head. We got a sense Charlotte was ready to go over the edge. Rejoining them now.

“Why is your story still in your head Bob?”

“To be honest Charlotte I didn’t want to lose it or have anyone steal it.”

“Who’s going to steal it?”

“Oh come on. There are so many TV shows that would love to get their hands on my story.”

“Okay, Bob if that’s what you believe why write down the rest of the chapters?”

“ The rest is useless without the beginning.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“Go ahead read the first line of the second chapter.”

“Why don’t you read it to me? It’s yours after all.”

“Yeah, good. It won’t make a bit of sense without the first chapter.”

“Try it.”

“Okay. Ahem. Here goes. There doesn’t seem to be any reason I’m sitting in this funeral home listening to my family discussing how to bury me.”

“I think you may have a point. The reader needs to understand the guy walked off the building.”

“Told ya.”

“So let’s get the story written and then work on the publication.”

“How do I guard against theft?”

“Let me worry about that problem. No one is going to see the manuscript until I show it to them.”

“Who’s going to watch you?”

“Oh, my gosh Bob. You have to trust me.”

“My mother hired you right?”

“Yes, Bob.”

“Enough said.”

23 comments

  1. Dan Antion's avatar

    I think Bob has a point. Thanks for helping me start Wednesday John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thanks for reading Dan. 🙂

      Like

  2. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

    Now he’s starting to remind me of a few writers I’ve met. Won’t talk about their stuff due to fear of theft. One woman I met wrote a short story in code and she’d only decipher it when she got a contract. Not sure how she planned on doing that.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Wonder how she expected to get a contract if no body could read it? *chuckle*

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      1. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

        No idea. Wishful thinking?

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Marie A Bailey's avatar

    Sounding like a battle of wills building up here … 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Good way to put it for sure.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Let's CUT the Crap!'s avatar

    Bob needs help. I’d like to shake him til his brain resets. I wonder if he’ll ever ‘get’ it.I knew someone once who dreamed about her novel and ‘had a feeling it was going to be a blockbuster’ but never did write it. Sigh.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      So many like her out there.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. S.K. Nicholls's avatar

    HA! I had that same paranoia when I first started blogging. I thought, “Somebody might steal my ideas if I blog about them.” Then it occurred to me that everybody is doing their own thing, and even if they stole my ideas (Like you could any book you’ve read.) they would have to execute it their own way and it would be different from mine. Maybe Bob will get over it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I think I’ll tell him about your thought on everyone having to execute it in their own way. May make him a little less paranoid.

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      1. S.K. Nicholls's avatar

        Unless he gets confused about the word execute…that could happen.

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  6. Susie Lindau's avatar

    Bob sounds paranoid. I’ve never really felt like someone would steal an idea, but I have been nervous before sending my book out to beta readers.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Bob isn’t paranoid he just thinks everyone is out to get him. Oh……I get it.

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  7. Kevin Brennan's avatar

    Starting to feel like Bob’s book should remain in his head. Safer there for all of us…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I give you a sign when it’s time to bug out.

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  8. Debbie's avatar

    Poor Bob. I can sort of see how he might feel, having been a tad reluctant to put down my words when I first started blogging years ago. Still, what an aggravation for Charlotte! Having her hired by Bob’s mother certainly adds a new dimension to your tale — she’s probably the one who thinks junior has “the gift.”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      We will find out later that…..whoops almost spilled the beans.

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  9. Rhani D'Chae's avatar

    Bob has a point. Lol His mother did come across as kind of a ditz.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yup. Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

      Like

  10. Teagan Riordain Geneviene's avatar

    Hahahaha! Fabulous ending. I’m laughing out loud. And i’m reading this during my lunch break, so now everyone thinks i’ve lost it. 😀 Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Better to be though crazy than to be verified boring.

      Like