I read an interview with the writer Russell Banks several years ago in which he described how he read several newspapers a day and clipped memorable articles from them for use in his fiction. I still have my own journal around here stuffed with newspaper articles (most of which, oddly, involve John Glenn's trek into space about nine years ago--for a project I long ago abandoned but should probably get back to sometime) but I kind of stopped clipping newspaper articles soon after Glenn made it safely back to Earth. Lately, in fact, I barely find time to read the paper.
I came across this article recently, though, which I definitely think has some potential. The seed of something, at any rate, is there.
Couple Finds Woman Asleep on Their Couch
Monday, April 30, 2007
RIO - Paul T. Qualls and Amber N. Stephens, both of 423 Knox Road 2350N, told police they returned home at 12:40 a.m. Sunday to find a woman asleep on their couch.
Qualls told police they found a beer can on the back porch. The couple knew something was amiss since neither of them drinks beer.
The couple found another beer can and a can of tuna in the kitchen. Qualls found a knife in the sink that police believe was used to open the tuna can.
After Qualls told the woman to leave his residence, the woman departed on foot.
Qualls said the same woman entered their home in January and told him she was hooked on crack cocaine.
The woman is described as 5-foot-6, 130 pounds, with blonde, shoulder-length hair.
The part I find most intriguing is that it's the second time this couple has seen the woman.
If this blog had more readers, I'd hold a contest for the best story--1000 words max--tangentially related to the above story. I know I'd like to get started on one.
4 comments:
KK thinks I match the description of the Rio house invader, but I swear it's not me. :)
Whatever you say, J.C.
I definitely don't remember seeing you around the house that night.
On a similar, more disturbing, more sombre note, take a look at this: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070502/ap_on_fe_st/odd_dead_tour;_ylt=AsvkvigeaZMrdZmY4Ir74bcDW7oF
I have no computer skills, so hopefully, all I needed to do was copy and paste the link.
Talk about the potential for a short story!
FYI: I work in Janesville. You'll see what I mean after you read the piece.
Wow. Thanks for the link, Steph. Definitely more disturbing, more sombre.
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