Random thought: My creative writing peaked at the perfect time—tax season!

I’m not sure if I’ve ever done this back-to-back before, but since it’s my attempt at redemption, I hope you’ll bear with me. Last week’s story landed—with a well-deserved thud. I think there was a decent kernel of an idea but I definitely didn’t crack it. In hindsight, I think the crime story was too “inside baseball” (a great term that definitely applied). If you’re not familiar with the phrase, look it up. It was a note I’d occasionally get from script consultants (almost always about police stuff in my screenplays).

I took a few more swings at the story, this time leaning in more on the funny and less on the cop vibe. I feel like it reads much better, but you will have an opportunity to weigh in and let me know what you think. I hope you do. It always helps.

And now on to version two, or three, or four of the Story of the Week.

P.S. In an act of extreme kindness, I’m not including last week’s version here (you’re welcome!). Feeling masochistic? Here’s the link: https://www.scottycornfield.com/blog/april-10-2025-post/

A Super Bowl Sudden Death Redux

Dutch’s gang, all certified morons, frequently ripped off other criminal misfits like Flaco.

In their latest escapade, Dutch and his geniuses stormed Flaco’s safe-house. Despite being viciously pecked by Flaco’s parrot, Dutch’s crew got the upper hand, tying up Flaco while fending off Polly, the attack bird.

When Flaco, with his lisp, commanded Polly to sit, it sounded like “shit.”

Dutch guffawed until Polly flew past, defecating on Dutch repeatedly.

Dutch snatched a nearby 49ers souvenir pin. Swinging wildly in defense, he accidentally pierced his own carotid.

Mortally wounded, Dutch whispered at Flaco, “Guess you really were ordering him to shit.”

Prompt: Pin Collection

NOVEL NEWS & NOTES…

Last week I said I hoped to have an update for you this week from my editor. I guess she heard me because right after the blog came out, I received her notes on my latest draft.

She did a great job of building me up at the front end with lines like, “Definitely kept me turning the page, and that final scene was a nail-biter.” She added, “You’re also doing a much better job of pulling me into the novel, right from the opening paragraph.”

I got a lot of great notes about the characters. She seems to particularly like a main character who didn’t even exist in the first draft, and now he’s someone who will probably become a co-protagonist in book #2. He’s the guy I created to add the comic relief. A definite example of writing what you know. Autobiographical? Maybe…

In terms of constructive feedback I can turn into actionable items, she had suggestions for things I needed more of, as well as things I can reduce. All stuff I can handle. I have a call scheduled with her next week to go over more specifics, and to pick her brain on steps moving forward.

I’m really looking forward to making the next draft sing. Definite progress.

Thanks for being a part of my crazy, creative world.

Scotty out