I have this bridge and it’s really cheap. |
Anyone ever “just know” something, but not have “evidence” that what you’re feeling is true? We call that intuition. And how many of you follow those feelings even when you’re confronted with facts that point in the opposite direction?
So often I can look back at a situation and recall that I should have paid attention to what that tiny inner voice was telling me. “He’s not telling the truth.” “That’s not the right thing to do.” “Choose the red one.”
A book titled Blink that I read several years ago was all about how paying attention to that voice was a good idea. It opens with an account of an archeologist seeing what was presented as an ancient and valuable statue. She “knew” something was off about it, yet all the paperwork and all the experts had declared it to be authentic. After a large sum of money exchanged hands–museum to dealer–that statue turned out to be a beautiful fake.
I just finished Provenance a non-fiction work that reads like an fast-paced novel. It’s a story about a highly intelligent con man who, not only floods the market with forgeries of masterpieces, but also changes the provenance of that art. (Provenance is the history of a piece of art that follows the work from the time it’s first sold, so that it’s journey is a map through the art world. The Provenance is supposed to determine the authenticity of the art and often the value.) His deception staggered museum curators and collectors around the world. There are still archived histories that have notes: “Be aware that these data may have been altered.”
After reading these books, I wanted to create a character who had the intelligence, the guile, the utter disregard for others or for the truth. I thought a true miscreant would be a wonderful protagonist, someone with charm, but without one speck of care for anyone or anything. Then I wanted to put him into a story filled with dupes that readers would follow as they ignored those inner voices and believed my sociopath.
Maybe this book has already been written. If so, tell me about it before I craft my story. Or tell me about so I can read and enjoy it.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I think you count as a muse, Mel!
MG Higgins says
I would LOVE to read this, Lee. Get writing!!
Melodie Wright says
Oh, that idea sounds great! It's always so fun to write a bad guy…altho it might be more fun to make it a woman in this case. Why should guys get all the fun??
The guy who wrote Blink also wrote Outliers – another great read.
Nas Dean says
Intriguing idea. Every writer puts thir on unique twist to a story. Which is why we're never out of good stories to read!
Arlee Bird says
Your concept sounds familiar but I can't pinpoint where from. I think like anything else it's already been written in one way or another, but there's no reason why you couldn't write it as well in your own original voice with your unique slant.
Go for it. Sounds like a story that can provide a lot of fun opportunities and mind-bending entertainment.
Lee
Tossing It Out
salarsenッ says
This is quite intriguing, C.Lee. You've definitely gripped me. But I wonder if this character's total disregard for truth is just a facade. Everyone has to care about something, even if it's mundane like a hot coffee every morning or whatever. You could really play with that and have a ton of fun. 🙂
khashway says
I get gut feelings all the time. My daughter does too and she's only 4. But seriously I will wake up and know for certain something is going to happen. I'll know more specifically than just "something" too. For instance, when I got my first magazine acceptance, I was playing with my daughter in her room and I got this thought in my head that I had an important email. So I checked and there was an acceptance.
inluvwithwords says
Wow, that's some inspiration. I'm with Carrie, even if it has been written before (and hasn't everything?) your story will be unique. Go for it!
Carrie Butler says
I think that's a great idea! Even if it's been written before, I'm sure you'll be able to put your own spin on it. 🙂