Never tell an author your secrets. They are most definitely not safe with me. I’ll scoop them up and store them away and eventually, I’ll include them in something I write. As a matter of fact, I’m predatory when it comes to ideas.
As I move through life, I ask a lot of questions. Usually, I get away with my probes because I am sincere in my desire to know more. If I was being snide or noisy for the sake of being noisy, this wouldn’t work. But I’m genuinely interested in other people. What they think. What they do.
And my favorite question, “What’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to you?” Of course, I save that for special occasions. Like a little black dress of a question.
What have I learned recently?
An attorney told me about a client who strapped an explosive to his chest and faced down a drug lord. The man convinced the drug lord that he was innocent and should be left alive.
A soldier told me that a mortar shell exploding sounds exactly like the rolling door slamming down on a delivery truck.
An optometrist told me a new prescription can literally make a patient physically ill, like being seasick.
Now I’m not entirely sure how I’ll use these gems. But I know I will. Trust me on that.
You’ve Got One More Day
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