Benefits of Dog-Walking

Taking the two Aussies for a walk earlier this afternoon, I suddenly realized a useful plot twist was lurking in Henderson's Tenants. Mike has turned down the (illegal) offer to work on nanotech for the government that threw him in jail because he was doing nanotech. Instead he's taken on an equally illegal nanotech project to try to help a brain-damaged kid and a dying neighbour...and it may stop his own terminal cancer, though he's not as concerned about that.

Well, as the dogs and I were going into the woods, it occurred to me that the government would still be working on nanotech, with or without him, and likely with the help of some of Mike's former colleagues and students. And they just might cause a repeat of the disaster that led to the banning of nanotech in the first place.

That disaster might be stopped by Mike's nanobots, which are far smarter and more adaptable than any before them (and a lot smarter than Mike himself realizes). And that capacity might be just what Mike and his associates need at a crucial juncture late in the story.

So there's a worthwhile story development, inspired through contemplation of the shaggy butts of two Australian shepherds...more proof that putting your body on autopilot frees your mind to think in useful ways.

Comments

[Sue London]

Hi there! I've just discovered your 'outpost' and I'm acquainting myself with the territory. It looks like there will be all sorts of wonderful things to read and learn here. Your comment on short stories: "I'm too long-winded to write short stories...it takes me five thousand words just to clear my throat" is probably the funniest thing I've read this week. I joined the sffonlineworkshop and found out that I can't get to a major plot point within their word restriction for posting. When I was younger I was afraid that I would never have enough words to fill up a novel. That is definitely something I can get over. Congratulations on your 'mundane chore' inspiration. If I remember correctly Agatha Christie said that she came up with most of her plots while she was doing dishes. Three cheers for the mindless task! And dogs are more fun than dishes. ;)

[Crawford Kilian]

Agatha Christie was much too harsh on dishwashing. I've written many of my novels with my hands in the suds. For years, a plot problem meant a dinner party and lots of extra dishes. And when we bought a dishwasher, I faced an artistic crisis.

However, walking dogs, shaving, working in the garden and other chores work just about as well. And even dishwashers can't handle all the mess from dinner...thank heavens.