Today is one of the happiest kinds of days in my writing life. The pleasure of it is a little different from a sale day—fabulous because those days mean I continue to be employed—and not quite the same as a brainstorm day, which is always fun because it means I get to talk on the phone to my cp for hours on end. Instead, today is an idea day.
What’s that, you say? Never heard of an idea day? I didn’t set out to institute this particular event, it just sort of appeared in my life as a time between books when I need to come up with new story material. The timing is always pleasant for idea day. Usually it occurs when I’ve just turned in a book and I am feeling pleased with myself for surviving the ordeal of a deadline. But aside from the happy endorphins being naturally produced by this post-deadline high, idea day is fun for me because it involves the core activity for which I became a writer. Idea day is simply that—hours and hours devoted to thinking about future stories.
I mean, face it, no one goes into writing in order to stare blankly at the computer for hours, wondering what a character is going to do next. Writers devote themselves to the hard work of putting words on paper because they are gripped by the power of story and the magical, transformative moments that come from a beautifully imagined tale. Idea day is when the hints of those moments first hit me, when I can spend all afternoon digging through books, magazine clippings I’ve stashed, and online articles I haven’t had time to read.
At this stage, the story ideas are at their most precious. Half-formed and full of possibilities, these kernels could develop in any number of intriguing directions. There is a fragileness to these infant concepts, and I love them dearly for all the hope they represent for my storytelling future.
Tomorrow, there will be a refining process, a winnowing away of the more outrageous ideas to polish the most workable ones. And while that process brings a new kind of creative energy, I’ll miss the wide-eyed wonder of today when the door to my next story was open widest…
What happens on your happiest days? Like Melanie in Gone with the Wind, I agree the best days are when babies come :-). But aside from those big, momentous life moments, what happens on a good, average day around your house? Do you wear pajamas all day? Or is it the day you treat yourself to take out dinner? Pizza-making with family? I’d love to hear about it!
*** A random poster will receive a copy of Joanne’s July 2007 Mediterranean Nights book, Scent of a Woman. ***
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One of the happiest days in my life was my daughter’s wedding. I will never forget it.
On a normal day, my happiest days are going out to dinner and or course finding a book that I had been looking for and going to favorite bookstore a few hours away. We make a day of it - doing breakfast and lunch on the way back. We go with friends, so we have a blast, lot of laughs, making silly memories.
by Pat L.
on May 31st, 2007 at 6:22 am
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On a normal happy day it would be not fighting with my son. Having a peaceful day. And the house is dirty, plus they take me out to eat..
by Stacy S
on May 31st, 2007 at 8:26 am
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My happiest days are days that my back does not hurt and I can enjoy my kids. I love to spend the days outside with my kids and they ordering takeout. These are the best days because my wonderful husband does not have to do much and we can enjoy our family.
by Patty L.
on May 31st, 2007 at 8:58 am
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A good average day is when dh has a good day at work and is not bothered at home after hours by customers; when I feel ‘comfortable’ at home within myself and feel I can do whatever it is I want from watcing TV, being on the computer or doing crafts; when I am feeling good healthwise with no aches and pains.
by RobynL
on May 31st, 2007 at 9:44 am
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On a normal happy day I sit on our deck with a good book and occasionally take a break from reading to watch the wildlife that is here in the mountains playing in the woods that surround our home. It’s very peaceful and quite.
by Susan
on May 31st, 2007 at 9:47 am
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I enjoy spending precious time with my husband whose work keeps him tied down with a heavy schedule. I cherish this time together whether we are out walking, at a performance or just sitting outside reading together.
by anne
on May 31st, 2007 at 10:03 am
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My happy day is when the weather is good and I can sit outside reading a book.
by Minna
on May 31st, 2007 at 11:15 am
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Well, my normal day is maybe read a little bit in the morning, then spend plenty of time on the computer, then read a lot more. :) Preferably in my pjs all day, but alas, doesn’t always work. LOL :)
Lois
by Lois
on May 31st, 2007 at 11:19 am
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My happiest days are days spent with my husband and two children doing something active. Usually after days like this hubby and kids are tired and go to bed early. This leaves mommy time alone for a hot bubble bath and reading a book. :grin:
by Zara
on May 31st, 2007 at 11:51 am
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My happiest days are spent surrounded by family and friends :)
by Kathleen
on May 31st, 2007 at 12:08 pm
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For me it is trying out a new restaurant or going to my favorite bookstore and having a shopping spree.
by Cherie Japp
on May 31st, 2007 at 12:11 pm
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Tuesday was one of my happiest days. Me and my mom visited my neice at the Michigan State University campus. She has been going there for three years and we haven’t seen her since she left to go. She is taking summer classes this year so she can finish up next year. She showed us her dorm room and gave us a tour of the campus. We finished the day with dinner. It was a very pleasurable day.
by Teresa W.
on May 31st, 2007 at 2:42 pm
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My best days are those just hanging with my family. Sunday dinner with no drama.:-)
by carol
on May 31st, 2007 at 3:32 pm
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As my children get older the happier days are when everyone is home and we are not rushing somewhere, just sitting around relaxing.
by Maureen
on May 31st, 2007 at 3:59 pm
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PJ days…those are my favorite and don’t come often enough. I also love the days when my husband and I are home together and we have no chores. We can go bike riding, go for a long walk, see a movie…whatever we want.
by KimW
on May 31st, 2007 at 6:40 pm
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sleeping for me cause i stay up to read lol.
by kim h
on May 31st, 2007 at 8:25 pm
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On a good day I would like to have nothing go wrong. The kids getting along and helping out instead of arguing. Lounging around with my hubby having nothing to do. That would be an ideal peaceful day. A happy day would be when the weather is just perfect and you can get outside and do things with the family. Whether it be outside in the yard, vacationing or shopping.
by Kimmy
on May 31st, 2007 at 8:40 pm
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My best days are when my daughter and her fiancee make a trip home and along with my other daughter and her boyfriend and my husband and we stay up til all hours playing games. That doesn’t happen very often so for a second choice a nice dinner out and a good book to read while surrounded by my cats :)
by catslady
on May 31st, 2007 at 9:57 pm
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My best days are marathon baking sessions witht he kids interspersed with impromptu dance sessions to whatever we have playing on the cd/radio. Hubby usually pokes his head out from his office at home for a coffee with snagged cookie or muffin and has a laugh.
by Little Lamb Lost
on June 1st, 2007 at 12:46 am
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I have a crazy lifestyle between school and work. My happiest day is when I take vacation and get some reading done. Have a great weekend! 
by barbara
on June 1st, 2007 at 1:26 pm
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My happiest days are when I have ‘ME’ time…such as enjoying a lesiurely bubble bath or relaxing on our porch while enjoying a cool drink and reading a good book. Happiness also includes time to go with a friend to lunch and shop or my husband for a nice dinner. I guess you could call it stress-reliever time.
by Shari C
on June 1st, 2007 at 2:38 pm
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My happiest days include time with a good book and an over the top drink.
by Sue A.
on June 1st, 2007 at 3:08 pm
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Happy Days for me inlude any or all of the following: sunny days, chocolate, time alone with a good book, chocolate, cozy days in the winter in front of the fire, chocolate, no phone calls or interruptions, more chocolate, new shoes - that actually fit as well as look cute, did I mention chocolate?
by Christy
on June 1st, 2007 at 3:24 pm
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Happiest days would be when I get a new book and actually get time to just sit outside and read it Or I get a great new story idea that makes me pick up a pen to start scribbling notes down.
by Lis
on June 1st, 2007 at 9:38 pm
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My happiest days are when I can sleep in and read a good book, Also, since I live in a different state that any of my family, those times I can be with my sister or my son are precious.
by Barbara Elness
on June 1st, 2007 at 11:55 pm
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My happiest days are when I can read as much as I want or when spending time with my grandson. Another happy day is when I learn I have won a good book by a great author.
by Joan Woods
on June 2nd, 2007 at 7:06 am
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My best days are spent with my grandson. At 2 almost everything intrigues him. Since we all work, the time I spend with him is very precious.
by Joyce
on June 2nd, 2007 at 12:48 pm
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My happiest day is the day when my excema does not itch all the time, and make me look like a walking sore. I have an exceptionally rare form which is call pustular excema and it comes up like whiteheads except it is full of puss and very sore. I have been living at the doctors almost every weeks since Oct last year when this suddenly appeared at the age of 40 :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:
by Rosemary
on June 3rd, 2007 at 5:05 am
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When I first started my business, every day was a good day because I pampered myself to learn my product line. Now that it’s taken off it’s the joy the women get when they spend an hour relaxing with family and friends just breathing deeply for the first time in..?.. who knows! That really makes my day!
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OOPS! please forget that #, my auto fill auto wrnged me! :oops: :eek:
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Hey Scarlet! Not only are you forgiven, you are also the thread winner. 
Congratulations and I hope you enjoy SCENT OF A WOMAN! I’m sending your a private email to make arrangements.
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My happiest days are when I accomplish something. So often, I’m working on projects and I don’t feel like I get anything *done* — but when I actually finish something (at work or at home), that’s a good day.
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***Winner***
Scarlet is the thread winner. Thank you for visiting this week! I don’t know about anyone else, but I took a lot of joy in remembering the fun of simple pleasures!
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A good day for me would to be off work ( my job is really stressful),
curled up with a good book. The kids being gone ( son, daughter-in-law
and 4 year old granddaughter) (parents downstairs with several health
problems) and having the house to myself sounds like a good day to me.
by Earlene
on June 5th, 2007 at 7:32 am
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wtg scarlet
by kim h
on June 6th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
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My greatest days are those when I can get totally lost in a book or my needlework. No where to go and nothing needs be done!
by Kathy
on June 9th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
