So a writer, an editor, and a publisher walk into a bar… Seriously, isn’t this a great title for a blog? It’s too bad I don’t have a joke to go along with it. I guess I’ll have to write one at some point but I’m not really all that good at jokes. I’m not even sure why I started this weeks blog in that manner, but those are the first words that popped into my head when I sat down to write this so I went with them. Going with random thoughts really is what writing is all about. Sometimes you follow the spontaneous words and they lead you down a path to a plot, and other times, like this one I suspect, they lead you nowhere.
I will say that several of my plots have originated with a book cover or a title and not with a plan or even an idea of what I wanted to write about. I recently published The Legend of Tabby Hollow. When I came up with the title, with the help of my friends on the Kathi Daley Books Group page, I did not have a plot in mind. I knew the book would be a Halloween book but that was as far as I had gotten. When I sat down to write the book I knew I had to incorporate the title, so I created a magical place on Madrona Island known as The Hollow.
The book starts out with the following passage:
The hollow is a mystical place located in the center of Madrona Island. Given the rocky cliffs that encircle the area, it is protected from the storms that ravage the shoreline. The hollow is uninhabited except for the cats who reside in the dark spaces within the rocks. While most of the island’s residents stop short of referring to the hollow as haunted, it is widely accepted that not everything that happens there can be explained.
From there I just kept writing until I had a book.
Another example of starting a book from a point other than a plot idea can be explored by considering a cover. Often times I design a cover long before I ever sit down to write the book. Once I have a cover I then need to make sure that the content of the book matches the cover. This has been true with many covers, the most recent, Much Ado About Felines. I saw the graphic with the carriage and knew I had to have it. Jessica and I designed a cover, and then when I sat down to write I thought to myself, “Self, the plot needs to revolve around a ball.” I won’t say the entire plot evolved from the cover, but a lot of it did. And the story of the old man that everyone loved, originated with the cat which I’d already placed on the cover and not the man. I had designed the cover with two cats instead of one so I had to give the second cat something to do. Hence the side story of the old man and the cat who watched over him.
So back to my joke. A writer, an editor, and a publisher walked into a bar…
Nope I have nothing. Who wants to take a stab at it? Comment below with the conclusion to the joke and I will give the best answer a $25 Amazon gift card.
Not a joke teller (Yeah me neither). Comment anyway and I will pick a random winner to receive a paperback or Kindle copy of the Kathi Daley Book of their choice. Non US Kindle only.
Random Thoughts and Meaningless Musings 
I am amazed at the means you use to write a book. It is a lot different than I would have thought (although I am not sure what I thought) Thanks for sharing
Thank you Debbie.
I write by seeing an object and turning it into a story or an event. I never thought of cover first, interesting. Thank you for the idea!
I hope it works for you Donna.
I love that the covers are created first, and then you cleverly weave your story around each cover. Your intuition for beautiful covers and warm stories are spot on. No wonder I love your books! Now as for help with the unfinished joke, I can’t even retell a joke very well so I’m sorry, I am no help with writing one. 🙂
Thank you Joyce. I’m afraid I am no good at jokes either.
Thanks for the insight into your writing. Your rambling thoughts are fun and entertaining. This is one of the most enjoyable blogs that I follow.
Thank you Doward.
I admire your ability to just start writing and end up with such great stories. I have written poetry but it has always been to an emotional tie with the subject. Never could just create as you do.
I bet your poetry is awesome and poetry is a story just a different type.
Lol..they walked into the bar and everyone bowed down because after years of trying they finally got it right and produced a best seller..naw just joking..
I like the ideas of stories revolving around covers..but with me not being artistic I would have problems there..sometimes I think about writing..I sometimes write my husband poetry and he always goes this is good you should do more but I just laugh at him and say I write for you..putting a story to paper is hard and I admire writers out there who can do it..great job kathi Daley..
Thank you Guillianne. I bet your poems are awesome.
Not a good joke teller either and not sure this is even a joke but …
So a writer, an editor, and a publisher walk into a bar…
Writer: Remember that awesome book I wrote … the one my peers reviewed and loved?
Editor: The one with all the clichés and colloquiums I told you to get rid of?
Publisher: Is that the one we turned down because it wasn’t funny and didn’t reflect the personality of the locals?
Writer To Self: I knew I should have self-published!
Great joke!!
I agree Kathleen.
Peggy, I like it. You must have the joke gene.
Well, if I do … it “only appears once in a Blue Moon.”
Like it Peggy…sounds about right
I agree Amary.
I’m not very good at creating jokes but I sure do appreciate those that can.
I enjoy learning about your writing process, I find it fascinating how every author approaches writing so differently. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for responding Kristine.
Goodness. You’re a busy lady! Thanks for yet another opportunity to win a prize. Just finished the scavenger hunt!!
Good luck Shelli.
Absolutely love your covers. They get more and more beautiful. Love the colors used too. Thx for chance.
Thank you Michele.
Not a good joke teller, but I’m great at reading books. I read over 500 books a year. And that is no joke.
Wow, that’s a lot!
That is so neat!! Reminds me of that old saw, which you just reminded us is so true. “A picture is worth a thousand words.” I must admit I have loved your covers. I can’t see detail to clearly. But they are beautiful. And as many have mentioned, the stories within are great! So far I have only read one. But have several on the TBR list.
Thank you Della.
I am no joke teller but I am an avid reader and have loved every one of your books that I have read. Thanks for the giveaway.
Thank you JoAn.
And the editor says to the writer are you gonna edit that?
Thank you Diane.
And wound up putting the bartender on contract because he produced the best Manhattans they’d ever tasted. Unfortunately, the bartender was unaware of the contract with the devil he’d just signed!
LOL. You have that right.
Not a bar! Zoes feline cafe and book store for coffee. And they all adopted a cat! Lol
And after a book signinf
Sounds like a plan!
Kathi Daley really knows how to celebrate and we fans get the cake! Not only does she offer a peek into her world with her “Random Thoughts and Meaningful Musings,” but she makes sure her literary work is readily available through reasonable pricing and giveaway opportunities. I have become such a fan with many paperbacks and downloads to enjoy for the upcoming months. Happy Authorversary!
Thank you Kathleen.
Definitely not a joke creator or even a good teller–looking forward to the others efforts. Would love to win another of your great books. Have a good weekend.📖📚
Thank you Maryann.
Yeah, I’ve got nothing on the joke. 😜 I’m horrible at telling them. It’s amazing that you can make a cover & then write the story. I’ve never bought an author’s entire body of work with having only read a few so far. I know the rest will be great so I buy them to keep up. I love knowing every bit of it is your work & you are successful all on your own. That is truly amazing. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you thru your blog & FB pages & interviews with other blogs. Congratulations on 2 years & I hope there are many more to come!
Thank you Pamela.
Telling a joke well is an art. Even remembering the punch line is a skill. Since I can’t do it, I am impressed with everyone’s suggestions.
The cover for Much Ado About Felines is so terrific, had to be a story in there somewhere, didn’t there?
Yes, I thought that as well when I saw the base graphic.
Im not good with jokes either..but I’m great at reading!
Yay for reading.
Very interesting that you start with a cover. What an awesome way to find a story!
I don’t always do it that way but sometimes.
they all sat down at a table, read the draft, signed the contract and started the publishing process with smiles on their face…….NOT!!!!! 🙂
LOL, that is probably true.
They looked at each other and said “are we in the write place?” …groaner…I love how you come up with your ideas. Cover first then write a book around it, I love it!
I love it. Write place. Awesome.
Wish I were good at jokes, but I’m not,!
Yeah, me neither.
A writer, an editor and a publisher walk into a bar. They are stunned to see that the bartender is Bigfoot. The big ape cleverly mixes exotic drinks and juggles various garnish for the martinis. The publisher who is impressed, explains to Bigfoot that she is a publisher and would be interested in publishing Bigfoot’s memoir. Bigfoot grunts and continues to make drinks. The writer states to the publisher and editor, obviously writing is not a big, hairy deal for North America’s most popular ape.
Awful, I know. Jokes are not the easiest to create. I think creating a story from a book cover is a wonderful way to come up with plot and character development. I am often inspired to write a poem from a picture or another work of art. I can relate to writing just flowing out and not knowing where the story is heading. I think of it as my muse is active.
LOL. Excellent try! I love the big hairy deal part.
A writer, an editor, and a publisher walk into a bar. The writer says “I’ll have a coke.” The editor corrects the writer by saying, “Shouldn’t that be a Coca-Cola, not just coke?” And the publisher chimes in with “Must have all the copyright makes and frills on that!” The bartender just looks at them, and shakes his head. “I only serve Pepsi products, ladies.”
Not much of a joke, but I just had to try. lol
Kathi, however you come up with your stories is ok by me. I haven’t read a bad one yet.
LOL. Excellent try Donna.
Your Covers keep getting better and better so if two Cats inspired you I say kudos to that sort of creativity. I love to sit down and go with the flow too…Not much of a joke teller that way…but it was a great title…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Thank you Marilyn.
Sadly I can’t think of a line for the joke either, but I love reading about your process! I love your books, that take me away to another life! Very enjoyable!! Thank you
Thank you Vicki.
A writer, an editor, and a publisher walked into a bar…all three call out at once as the waiter requests their drink order, “I’ll have the Earnest Hemingway Special!” 🙂
Fun link for drinks named after famous writers with recipes too!
http://www.sloshspot.com/blog/09-21-2008/16-Drinks-Named-for-Authors-and-Their-Books-56
Thank you Sharon. I love the link. I’ll have to check it out.
You amaze me Kathi, the way you write and none of your posts are ever boring! I enjoy them all! Your covers are always SO adorable as well and make me want to rush out and buy the books right then. I appreciate all the thought you put in to them as they give the reader that magical first impression of the book that gets them hooked every time!! Thanks for another fun Giveaway!!
Thank you Sharon.
Okay, I’ve been wracking my mind trying to concoct a joke. Nothing! I can’t even remember punch lines to already made up jokes. I do like your writing and hope to win a book.
Thank you Nancy.
Not too many are doing the joke and I won’t either. I’m terrible at telling existing ones…making one up, nope! But have to say I love the covers of your books and it was wonderful getting an insight on how your writing goes. Thanks for the giveaway. Very nice of you!
Thank you Glenda.
All realize theirs Kindles are out of juice and wish they had physical book!
LOL. Thank you Jess.
Thank you to everyone who took a stab at the joke. You are braver than me. And thank you to everyone who commented. I love to have a chance to interact one on one with my fans.
The winners of todays contest are:
Peggy for her joke about self publishing and Deana Dick for reading 500 books in a year. Wow.
Please email me at kathidaley@kathidaley.com and I will get Peggy her gift card and Deana her book.
You are all so AWESOME!
This is wonderful … thank you SO much for this AWESOME and GENEROUS gift, Kathi. I didn’t think I had a chance of winning but had a lot of fun writing it!
Congratulations Deana … you truly are an avid reader! 🙂
Congratulations Peggy!! I LOVED your joke!! 🙂
Congratulations Deana, enjoy!! 🙂
And they come out with the mystery of the missing bartender…
Love your books look forward to each one