Serena Jayne #twitterview

Thank you so much for chatting with me today, @intrepidusink. The craft of writing is one of my favorite topics of conversation, and I am a big fan of popcorn. 🍿 https://t.co/0IYtcSPHCI

— Serena Jayne (@SJ_Writer) July 12, 2023

A phenomenal keynote address by @paulGtremblay inspired my Brevity nonfiction blog essay. Squirrels make a great analogy for ideas generated by the subconscious. It's easy to become distracted by a shiny new idea like the dog in the movie UP becomes distracted by squirrels. https://t.co/Rfc2xetEoe pic.twitter.com/FYIWYiKRYg

— Serena Jayne (@SJ_Writer) July 12, 2023

An idea “squirrel” has the potential to spark a superb story. The key is letting the subconscious care for the ideas until we are ready to grow them into a story. Caring for every idea is a great way to encourage the subconscious to generate more ideas. https://t.co/tYMyxhK9jU

— Serena Jayne (@SJ_Writer) July 12, 2023

4A: I’ve taken liberties with Tremblay’s sage advice by creating a three-step process to transform one’s subconscious from frustrating foe to furry friend. Step One: Pick Your Pet. Choose anything from a Komodo dragon to a chimera or a rottweiler or a rabbit. https://t.co/b13EzbZLLL pic.twitter.com/q6asYKdqaw

— Serena Jayne (@SJ_Writer) July 12, 2023

4B: Step Two: Praise Your Pet. Tremblay specifically mentioned rewarding the pet by spending a little time with whatever idea the pet brings—even if on the surface the idea doesn’t seem viable. Maybe capture the idea in a fancy notebook or a designated computer file. https://t.co/b13EzbZLLL

— Serena Jayne (@SJ_Writer) July 12, 2023

4C: Step Three: Pamper Your Pet. Refill your creative well. Go to a museum or peruse art on the internet. Listen to music. Watch great movies and television series. Read widely and in multiple genres. https://t.co/b13EzbZLLL pic.twitter.com/DFBxWWrjm6

— Serena Jayne (@SJ_Writer) July 12, 2023

Pets who feel picked, praised, & pampered often provide great gifts i.e. ideas. Thank your pet and tell them they are a good boy or a good girl, and maybe the next gift will be just the thing to plug a plot hole or make your story into something special. https://t.co/hArPkmZsWX https://t.co/Gyu37yXim5

— Serena Jayne (@SJ_Writer) July 12, 2023

Specific details make a story world come alive. In “Our Relationship as a Monthly Subscription Box,” yellow smiley-faced ping pong balls, a can of crescent rolls popping, & a near fatal experience with a candy engagement ring add to the story atmosphere. https://t.co/V79MYlZfcb https://t.co/fxUKDaDmnx

— Serena Jayne (@SJ_Writer) July 12, 2023

.@SJ_Writer your words are @spaceandtimemag @ShotgunHoney @HoosierNoir, a collection @UnnervingBooks, plus so much more–WHEW! 🙌❤️🎉

What's on your #writing horizon? 😻https://t.co/HIS5IyUNG1
7 of 8#twitterview

— Intrepidus Ink (@intrepidusink) July 12, 2023

And bonus, that story also features squirrels. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/STHLbbTY9X

— Serena Jayne (@SJ_Writer) July 12, 2023

I’m thrilled to have a story, “Requiem for a Drink,” in ILLICIT MOTIONS, a crime anthology from @UnnervingBooks and a horror story, “Wonky on the Inside,” in the upcoming issue of VASTARIEN from Grimscribe Press. Both books are available for preorder. https://t.co/zIpKHOQ44n pic.twitter.com/BPBrSDIKWb

— Serena Jayne (@SJ_Writer) July 12, 2023

Thank you to the @intrepidusink team! https://t.co/HT0qQZHZU1 pic.twitter.com/KCntICyJGv

— Serena Jayne (@SJ_Writer) July 12, 2023