New novel?

Hey everybody,

     So about a week ago, while at work (painting, not writing :D) an idea for a book struck me. I figured that at some point I would write it, but further down the line (like after I finished the book I am currently writing). However, a few days ago the opening of the book kind of came to me. So, the past couple days I have been working on it. I came up with a prologue for it and I need to know your opinion on the opening as well as the story. If I should write it, or, if it is not interesting enough, to scrap it.

The story is about a guy who gets a dog, and slowly ends up acting like his dog. It is supposed to be a humorous story. However, since I have no plot planned other than that( and it is all being wrote spontaneously), we'll just have to see where it leads. I am open to any suggestions anyone has for the story. Please critique as you please, and please be brutally honest. I have two sisters. I can handle it. Okay, here's the prologue:

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Prologue

Dogs. They have never been my forte. I have never wanted a dog—for good measure too. Have you ever seen how owners and dogs look alike? Take the bulldog. Have you seen a person with a bulldog ever smile? Yeah, me neither. They also seem to have faces that sag as if their skin was never actually attached to their skull. Think about that, and then think of the bulldog.

You see my point. 

            Sure, there are other factors in me not wanting a dog--besides no wanting to look like my pet. The whole cost of feeding and taking care of them doesn’t exactly favor having one. Also cons are the cleaning up after them, and the fact that they shred almost anything—shoes, newspapers, the neighbor’s cat. Hey, actually, that last one might be one point for having a dog. Huh.

            I think I have made my point pretty clear as to the fact that I am not a dog person. So, knowing that, why would I decide to get myself a dog? That is not a theoretical question. I really am going to go find my very own dog. So, again, I ask, why would I do such a thing?

            Sigh.

            For a girl. That is why.

            You see, ever since Kelly was hired as journalist for the same newspaper I work for, I have had this massive crush on her. And how could I not? The way her wavy, brown locks frame her face in a way that lets the soft features of her face intensify until they glow. And just thinking about her chocolate brown eyes make giddy inside. Oh, and her smile...I have never seen a smile so beautifully unique. The first time she flashed that smile I almost fell right out of my chair.

            Dare I sigh again?

            Don't worry, I'll resist. After all, I am not just some love-struck guy smitten by her. I just have a crush. Okay, like I said, a massive crush. Not in a creepy way either. I don't secretly stalk her on social media sites, or anything like that. I have actual conversations with her. How else would I know that she loves seafood, hates spinach, has a strange phobia of lamps, and is a dog person?

            That brings me back to the whole issue of this story--dogs. In one of those conversations with Kelly that I mentioned, she brought up the topic of dogs. Now, I had already known she liked dogs, and had a dog herself, but this is where the idea of me having one came into my mind.

            She was talking about how she likes to take her dog walking along the shore of the San Francisco Bay, and sometimes she likes to be joined by other people with dogs.

            Can you see where this is heading?

            Okay, I admit, at that moment, I suddenly had a really strong reason to get a dog. But, I kind of put it out of my mind as she started talking again.

            Somehow she had gotten on to benefits of having a dog. Apparently, she had read that people with dogs lived longer and happier lives, than people who didn't have dogs.

            Another point to having a dog? Maybe.

            And then, the fateful moment happened.

            Almost in that teasing fashion, she suggested to me, "Maybe you should get dog."

            I looked at her--and tried not get lost in her perfect face--and said, in that cool, casual way we guys talk, "Maybe I should."

            She smiled even brighter.

            And that, ladies and gentlemen, is where my problems started, and where this story begins.

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  So, what did you think? Funny? Lame? Need more work? Remember, be brutally honest. From that point I think it was going to go into the process of him finding the right dog, getting it, and then slowly becoming like the dog. Not physically, just in his actions. The current working title is "The Dog Days of My Life" Not sure if I like it or not, so I will take suggestions on that as well.

I really want to know what everyone thinks. Thanks for the feedback! Until next time readers!

-zjh

*sniff* I smell cookies!

Hey readers!
  

  I'm back, and I am not an impostor. Like I promised, I am keeping this blog updated. So, here's another post!

  Let's face it, I think over the coarse of every writer's career we all have one problem in common. Despite the wonderful idea we have in our heads, it is sometimes impossible to get the story into words on paper (or computer). Most people call it writer's block. Personally, I don't believe in writer's block. It is all in the head. If the story is there, all it takes is an atmosphere to get that story out. Most people who claim to have "writer's block" really just have a lack of that--atmosphere.

  That perfect story is bubbling over in your brain. You have the characters, the plot--the whole nine yards. You sit down ready to pound out the story on your old-fashioned type-writer when it happens. The neighbor's dog starts barking. A police car blares its siren. The baby starts crying. A guy with a chainsaw down the street decides that he should cut down his tree. Someone comes to your door to sell you cookies. An earthquake strikes. Suddenly, that story that you were so ready to write is pushed, no, shoved out of the way and replaced with all of these distractions. Yes, some of them are important (Who knows the next time you're going to need a quick snack while writing, so be sure to buy those cookies!). However, at the same time, if that story is to ever be completed, those distractions need to be eliminated. Don't go out and shoot the neighbors dog, or give up your child for adoption. Really, please don't do that. Buy a shock caller, so the next time the dog barks it's hit with enough electricity to power your electric car, find a time when your baby is sleeping to get some writing in, and if earthquakes continue to distract your writings, for crying out loud, MOVE!

 There are many times that I sit down and have the urge to just whip up ten pages of my story, but as soon as I sit down, I can hardly get a paragraph out. My problem is not writer's block, its that I don't have the right atmosphere to do it. I make sure I change that. I have found that I do my best work later in the evening. My body is calm and relaxed without too much energy, the sun is close to setting (or if in the Iowa winter it has set 6 hours before!) and the only light is now my computer screen and a candle. To keep noise out, I have ear buds blaring my favorite country songs and I am all set to let my imagination roam free. Each writer has his or her own personal preference for the best atmosphere to write in, and I am sure that all of you will find yours. If you have "snipers" that come to eliminate your writing time, find ways around them. As soon as you have that perfect place, the words will start to flow and your story comes together. Trust me, it will.

Be sure to just keep at it, and like always enjoy...hey, is that my doorbell? Gotta go, someone is selling cookies! ;) Until next time readers!

-zjh


"Writer's block is a fancy term made up by whiners so they can have an excuse to drink alcohol." -Steve Martin

See even Steve agrees, writer's block is all in the head.