A Writer’s Guide to Finding Stories in Everyday Life

Where do story ideas really come from? For many writers, inspiration doesn’t arrive in quiet moments at a desk. It shows up in unexpected conversations, chance encounters, and everyday experiences that linger long after the moment has passed. In this delightful author guest post, you’ll discover how Scrivenings Press author Sharon Carpenter gathers story seeds from the people she meets and the places she visits—and how those ordinary moments can become extraordinary stories.

Alligators, Cold Hands, Triplets, and England

My kids recently told me I collect people and their stories. They aren’t wrong.

I have notebooks full of dialogue, incidents, and ideas that have come from observations and conversations while I am out and about.

I overheard a woman in Gulf Shores talking about a date who thought a first kiss at an alligator-infested lagoon was a good idea. That snippet sparked the idea for Annie, the alligator in my novella, “Trinity Sands Treasure Hunt” in the TRINITY SANDS BEACH CLUB collection.

A housekeeping member of the hotel staff in Hot Springs watched as I fruitlessly waved my hands under the automatic faucet. I met her eye in the mirror and made a comment about never being able to get the automatic functions to work. She responded it’s not uncommon and recommended trying my forearm because often hands are too cold for the sensor to pick up. It worked! That sparked a conversation about cold hands, thyroid issues, how she came to be working in Arkansas because she is from the Czech Republic, and faith as a lifestyle. Nuggets of knowledge and great characterization for a story came from that encounter.

In Hawaii, my husband and I booked a zipline tour of the rainforest with six other people. While waiting in line one of the preteens on the tour asked me where I was from because he didn’t recognize my accent. I laughed and made him guess. That led to a game of “which city is home” and neither of us won. His family was from New Zealand, not any of the Australian cities I guessed. He didn’t come close to Memphis. The laughter and conversation extended to his mother and lasted throughout the experience. I learned their family had been in England for a month and were hopping back through the US before flying home the next day. What a vacation policy for a government worker! We exchanged phone numbers and have kept in touch. My journal was filled with notes that evening.

At the Memphis Zoo I sat next to a mom of triplets. One of her girls dropped a stuffed lovey and I retrieved it for her since she had her hands full. The warm “thank you” led to a conversation about multiple births, naming children, and what would it be like to have extra hands. A fantasy short story idea was born.

On a recent trip to England, I asked a lady in the restroom if the train to London had facilities (it does) and yielded the information that “London is a bit hurdy-gurdy.” She was delighted that I found Suffolk gentle and soothing to the soul because “it’s a bit of a right mess in the world, ain’t it?” Dialogue extraordinaire for my ever-present notebook.

Jo, the librarian in the village where we stayed, invited me to the walk and talk with the Royal Society of the Preservation of Birds, but looking at my white Keds, warned that my “trainers would get mucked up so maybe get some wellies, huh?” After a bit of translation, I assured her I brought mud boots with me. More dialogue.

We stayed across from a still used tenth century church. Wanting permission to explore the graveyard, I stopped in at “cake day” and met Kevin, the churchwarden, and Sue, a verger at St. Mary’s. That encounter yielded opportunities to learn more about church-bells, a “right proper Sunday supper” in Sue’s lovely bungalow, and friendship.

Rodger explained that badgers are commonly found in gardens, but are full of fleas, and pheasants can get aggressive if the bird feed runs out. The woodworker at the Ely market educated me that endangered hedgehogs can be helped by putting a “protective nursery” under the hedgerow for a peaceful, safe place to have their babies. The fuchsia-haired girl in the pub told me to order Coke in a pint for a better deal and challenged me to order the curry sauce with my fish and chips when I told her I can’t get curry past my nose. Challenge accepted and it was a great decision because who knew fish-curry would be so delicious? Russell, a retired businessman on the train from King’s Cross helped us navigate our way to Trafalgar Square and our hotel while telling us about the loneliness of his days since his wife has passed. Building-blocks for stories.

What some consider a personality quirk has become an integral part of my writing journey.

Do you collect people too?

 

Sharon Carpenter has lived an incredible adventure through all the transitions of life. She grew
up on Air force bases around the globe, and then married her very own Army officer, Jesse. She
has three adult children who gifted her with three other amazing kids, and then leveled up to
“Sassy” to eight grands.

Journaling and doodling have always been how Sharon processes the events of life. Notebooks
and journals litter the bookshelves of her home, chronicling the details, moods, and emotions of
marriage, motherhood, education, teaching, navigating becoming a mother-in-law,
grandparenting, retirement, caregiving, and loss. All the transitions of life and so much story
fodder can be found throughout these pages.

The habit of writing for herself soon became writing for others in Chicken Soup for the Soul and
other publications, and then writing for story. Whenever pen scratches on paper or fingers pound the keys, Sharon’s greatest desire is for the words that she writes to touch lives, count for
eternity, and point her readers to Jesus. Sharon’s philosophy of life is when the foundation is firm (Jesus), then you can dance any dance
to any rhythm and pivot when you need to.

You can connect with Sharon on her website www.SharonHCarpenter.com.

 

Title: Trinity Sands Beach Club Novella Collection

Authors: Jen Dodrill, Sharon Carpenter, and Deborah Sprinkle

Genre: Romance & Mystery

What do a widow, a newly divorced woman, and a retired professor of art history have in common?

They all came to Trinity Sands Island to find a simple life without any entanglements. But instead, they are each confronted with a mystery and another chance at romance. Will they be brave enough to face the possible dangers of solving a mystery and losing their hearts?

This collection includes three novellas:

“Trinity Sands Treasure Hunt” by Sharon Carpenter—Retired art professor Claire Anderson inherited all of her uncle’s worldly goods. Arriving at his Trinity Sands Beach Club bungalow, she faces the daunting task of sorting through the boxes and bags that he left behind.

When someone tries to break in and steal seemingly worthless items, Claire calls Chief of Security, Ben Hastings and sparks fly. Claire and Ben realize all is not as it seems when they set out to discover who is targeting the house.

In their search for answers, will the attraction between Claire and Ben deepen into real treasure?

“SeaBreeze Obsession” by Jen Dodrill—Newly single Karah Halyard returns to her beach cottage and starts “SeaBreeze Designs,” a business specializing in beach decor. But beneath the tentative peace of her life, unresolved feelings stir as she considers reconciling with her ex-husband, Gage, who is in town doing research. When a secret admirer confronts her on the beach, Karah defends herself and runs. That night, he’s found dead. As she and Gage face a murder investigation, they must confront their past and unravel the mystery of the real killer.

Can they solve the crime and reconcile their fractured relationship?

“Searching for Serenity” by Deborah Sprinkle—Grace Caldwell hasn’t been to their beach house since her husband passed away three years ago. Her grief has kept her from moving forward with her life. But, when a letter arrives from her friend, Serenity James, saying something strange is going on at the Beach Club, Grace decides it’s time to head south. However, when she arrives, Serenity has disappeared, and no one knows where she is. Detective Peter Young gets involved and, as Grace and he work together, a mutual attraction blossoms—one that takes Grace by surprise.

Will Grace find love again while solving the mystery behind Serenity’s disappearance?