So when I did my flash-and-poetry boot camp, I generated more ideas than I was going to need so I could pick and choose … but not too many more, so I wasn’t left dithering.
There was one idea that I put down and didn’t end up using, but I think it’s a good concept overall, so I bequeath to anyone who cares to borrow.
The idea is this: take a metaphorical song lyric and interpret it literally. For my boot camp, I decided to pick a specific lyric ahead of time … and as soon as I did that, I couldn’t find a lyric to suit me. Before that, it seemed like every other song jumped out at me with, “If you take that literally, it’s an interesting concept.” As soon as I started looking for one … boom. Nothing.
I finally ended up with a bit from Rihanna’s S.O.S: “I’m lost, you’ve got me looking for the rest of me.” Though glancing at the song, “I’m the question, and you’re of course the answer,” has possibilities, too …
(This song also falls on my “misheard lyrics” list: at first, I would have sworn she was saying, “This timepiece baby come and rescue me” even that makes no *sense*, but it sounds a lot more like “piece” than “peace.” And I suppose animate heroic clocks would make a good story …)
So there’s your story spark: cherry pick a lyric from your usual listening fare that is intended to be a metaphor, figurative image, etc … and interpret it in literal fashion.
